The real scoop on Dallas (Houston, McKinney: oceanfront, living in, zoning)

[GHJohn]

While I don't agree with the original poster, I will agree that there is something about Dallas that gives of a vibe that it is just a city where your choices are eat out or watch a movie. I've actually heard this complaint from a lot of people. I think it stems from the requirement to drive quite a ways to get to anything. I live in Lewisville currently and believe me, there is nothing to do there. So my choices at that point is to drive to Grapevine or Addison (short trips maybe 20 mins depending on traffic) or Dallas which is a little further but still not bad. The one thing I do miss is a lack of scenery in Dallas. Just flat land after awhile becomes depressing.

[galore]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

I will agree that there is something about Dallas that gives of a vibe that it is just a city where your choices are eat out or watch a movie. I've actually heard this complaint from a lot of people. I think it stems from the requirement to drive quite a ways to get to anything. I live in Lewisville currently and believe me, there is nothing to do there. So my choices at that point is to drive to Grapevine or Addison (short trips maybe 20 mins depending on traffic) or Dallas which is a little further but still not bad.

That's one price to pay when people give in to the lure of the new developments in the far out suburbs where entertainment options are limited.

If you live inside LBJ, there are tons of things to do in close proximity, like:

* White Rock Lake: walk/jog/sail/kayak/ride a bike
* Arboretum (various events)
* Victory (AAC)
* Katy Trail
* HOB
* Museum quarter
* Theaters/Music Halls (Kitchen dog/SMU/Meyerson...)
* Bishop Arts
* of course: huge number of restaurants (chain and mom/pop), shopping, movies (mainstream/art-house)
* outdoor sports (soccer, softball, frisbee, tennis, pools...)

Unless you want downhill skiing, mountain hiking, ocean surfing, I don't see what Dallas is really lacking.

[GHJohn]

Originally Posted by galore

That's one price to pay when people give in to the lure of the new developments in the far out suburbs where entertainment options are limited.

If you live inside LBJ, there are tons of things to do in close proximity, like:

* White Rock Lake: walk/jog/sail/kayak/ride a bike
* Arboretum (various events)
* Victory (AAC)
* Katy Trail
* HOB
* Museum quarter
* Theaters/Music Halls (Kitchen dog/SMU/Meyerson...)
* Bishop Arts
* of course: huge number of restaurants (chain and mom/pop), shopping, movies (mainstream/art-house)
* outdoor sports (soccer, softball, frisbee, tennis, pools...)

Unless you want downhill skiing, mountain hiking, ocean surfing, I don't see what Dallas is really lacking.

I guess it would be a certain view is the only way I can put it. Yes, we have white rock lake but honestly, how many people who live in Addison would drive out to White Rock lake for a jog? There aren't that many mom and pop restaurants out there anymore. I guess it is the lack of scenery that drives people to think that Dallas has nothing to offer. I've been to the Museum a few times, not very impressed. The complaint most people have is on a Saturday, what is there to do? Remember, there are only so many times you can look at the Arboretum and Museum. Besides being cooped up indoors on a saturday is just wrong on many levels.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

While I don't agree with the original poster, I will agree that there is something about Dallas that gives of a vibe that it is just a city where your choices are eat out or watch a movie. I've actually heard this complaint from a lot of people. I think it stems from the requirement to drive quite a ways to get to anything. I live in Lewisville currently and believe me, there is nothing to do there. So my choices at that point is to drive to Grapevine or Addison (short trips maybe 20 mins depending on traffic) or Dallas which is a little further but still not bad. The one thing I do miss is a lack of scenery in Dallas. Just flat land after awhile becomes depressing.

IF you live in Lewisville I can see why you might think that...

[GHJohn]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

IF you live in Lewisville I can see why you might think that...

I've heard this complaint from people who live in Downtown Dallas. So its hardly a suburb thing.

[Lakewooder]

I don't think you will hear it in my part of town -- there's really too much to do and too little time to do it. For instance, tonight is the big party at the Arboretum for J.L. Long school, then there is the Hollywood Home Tour on Saturday and Sunday (this is home tour season - one every weekend -- last week it was Peak's the next MStreets, Swiss Ave etc), Lakewood Roundup is the 29th, etc.

Do you talk to people and make friends when you go places? Maybe you need to get a dog. In that case go to White Rock Lake Dog Park.

[lpepping]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

I've heard this complaint from people who live in Downtown Dallas. So its hardly a suburb thing.

I hear this complaint mostly from people in the burbs and it is true for the most part in the burbs. If they can't find anything to do in Dallas then it would be great to hear what they are looking for. Maybe it is something Dallas doesn't offer or maybe it is just an unrealistic expectation?

[Lakewooder]

Subscribe to Donna's InTown list -- she has at least a couple of dozen events just for this weekend: http://intowndallas.org/Intowndallas%20Home%20Page.pdf

I have several friends who volunteer for Habitat each weekend. If you like being outside and making friends while performing a worthy task, that is it..also they have great parties.

[south-to-west]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

I don't think you will hear it in my part of town -- there's really too much to do and too little time to do it. For instance, tonight is the big party at the Arboretum for J.L. Long school, then there is the Hollywood Home Tour on Saturday and Sunday (this is home tour season - one every weekend -- last week it was Peak's the next MStreets, Swiss Ave etc), Lakewood Roundup is the 29th, etc.

Do you talk to people and make friends when you go places? Maybe you need to get a dog. In that case go to White Rock Lake Dog Park.

There's a dog park at White Rock Lake? That is very reassuring! I've been interviewing for a job in Dallas and may be making the move there shortly from Atlanta. I prefer a more urban setting to live in and I will probably live in the East Dallas/Knox-Henderson area. Is the city of Dallas very dog friendly?

[GHJohn]

Originally Posted by south-to-west

There's a dog park at White Rock Lake? That is very reassuring! I've been interviewing for a job in Dallas and may be making the move there shortly from Atlanta. I prefer a more urban setting to live in and I will probably live in the East Dallas/Knox-Henderson area. Is the city of Dallas very dog friendly?

Are you kidding me, dogs are used as a security feature for cars and trucks in Texas.