The real scoop on Dallas (Houston, Fort Worth: fit in, living, restaurant)

[GHJohn]

Originally Posted by lpepping

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?

Maybe, I have no idea. There are things that I like about Dallas and there are things that I miss that other places offer. It isn't a knock of Dallas but its hard to compare a hike and bike trail in white rock lake to a say a mountain side in Finland or a TGI Fridays to an authentic French Bistro in Paris. I'm guessing the scenery and that eclectic feel is what most people miss. If you are from up north and you are used to seeing mountain sides and large lakes then Dallas is probably not the place you want to be. Just like people from California missing the beaches. Well maybe if this Global warming thing pans out Dallas might just end up having a beach of its own.

[Lakewooder]

Well, it ain't the Latin Quarter, but Lower Greenville and Henderson have some excellent outdoor drinking/dining - people/car/motorcycle watching outdoor patios. I was on Henderson at lunchtime last Saturday and many places were packed. For Sunday afternoons I would head to Lower Greenville. And there's the ultimate Dallas Sunday scene, Primo's on McKinney.

Yes, Dallas is very dog-friendly -- and if you have a dog I guarantee you will meet a lot of people. There's also a dog-park between Deep Ellum and Downtown/Farmer's Market. You should also take your dog to Lee Harvey's - 214-428-1555

[cubssoxfan]

The OP mentioned living in Chicago previously and wanting to move to Milwaukee. A lot depends on if you live in the suburbs or city. Chicago has tons of traffic and, unless you like winter sports or indoor activites, the weather is consistently nice only about 6 months. Milwaukee loses about 2 weeks of nice weather being a bit farther north. Both cities have wonderful lakefronts rivaling the left and right coasts. Both have fun things to do for night-life and entertainment like watching pro-sports, theater, symphony etc. Chicago has more. So if you are a true urbanite, Chicago may offer more in-city things to do than DFW and both chi-town and Beertown will have a different vibe. Every quality city does.If you are out in the burbs you have to GO INTO the city and seek these places out.
Other big cities I have visited are similar, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Nashville, Indy-you need to go into the city, the suburbs are their own little expanse.
I am visiting Dallas and Houston in May to see if me and my wife want to relocate. I love Chicago and enjoy visiting Milwaukee, but The big D and Bayou City both seem to have quality suburban areas and the attraction of a large city close enough for me. The cost of living and not being able to be outside more are big factors. I know it gets hot in the summer but you can still be outdoors swimming, bar-b-quing in the evening-try these things during a Midwest winters night.
Thanks for letting me get on my soap-box.

[grindin]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Well, it ain't the Latin Quarter, but Lower Greenville and Henderson have some excellent outdoor drinking/dining - people/car/motorcycle watching outdoor patios. I was on Henderson at lunchtime last Saturday and many places were packed. For Sunday afternoons I would head to Lower Greenville. And there's the ultimate Dallas Sunday scene, Primo's on McKinney.

What's been all this hullaballoo from local residents on Lower Greenville getting the parking rules changed and getting rid of the bars down there? I hear it's about to be "Deep Ellumed" so to speak.

[lpepping]

Certain streets have Resident Only parking designations. Some people also want the bars to close down because most of them are technically illegal. They do not have the proper permits but the city doesn't really enforce it. This stuff has been going on for several years now. Not sure if any real change is going to happen. I think it would be nice if some of the bars were turned into restaurants but who knows if that will happen. I also wish the neighborhood association didn't shoot down every new development that requires a zoning change.

[grindin]

Originally Posted by lpepping

Certain streets have Resident Only parking designations. Some people also want the bars to close down because most of them are technically illegal. They do not have the proper permits but the city doesn't really enforce it. This stuff has been going on for several years now. Not sure if any real change is going to happen. I think it would be nice if some of the bars were turned into restaurants but who knows if that will happen. I also wish the neighborhood association didn't shoot down every new development that requires a zoning change.

Well don't they sound like a bunch of fun-hating fuddy-duddies! Doesn't bode well for D-town's reputation as "bland" and "suburban"

[**NoodLes**]

I do have to agree though that people here live to work, not work to live. Not saying everybody, but alot of people in high positions I associate with. I like Dallas and find many things to do here, but if you're not happy than good luck wherever you go.

[MissMee]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

Don't let the door hit you in the rear.

That's what I was thinking. Except for the word "rear."

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

Maybe, I have no idea. There are things that I like about Dallas and there are things that I miss that other places offer. It isn't a knock of Dallas but its hard to compare a hike and bike trail in white rock lake to a say a mountain side in Finland or a TGI Fridays to an authentic French Bistro in Paris. I'm guessing the scenery and that eclectic feel is what most people miss. If you are from up north and you are used to seeing mountain sides and large lakes then Dallas is probably not the place you want to be. Just like people from California missing the beaches. Well maybe if this Global warming thing pans out Dallas might just end up having a beach of its own.

I find it completely illogical to compare the side of a mountain to a trail around a lake. It's even more irrational than trying to compare apples and oranges.

I suppose it's also hard to compare a good Dallas Tex-Mex dive to a Paris McDonalds.

If anyone is used to seeing huge mountains in the Detroit area or huge, ocean-sized lakes in St Louis, then they can come to Dallas and get used to seeing medium-sized lakes and landscaped creeks. People who uproot their families and their careers in order to move do so for a better life, not to look at different kinds of scenery. That's how Dallas became the 4th largest metro in America and is edging closer to Chicago in population and urban amenities.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

Well maybe if this Global warming thing pans out Dallas might just end up having a beach of its own.

That would be about a 500 foot rise in sea level. According to Al Gore, the greatest scientist of our time even in comparison to Einstein, and the man who invented the internet, a complete melt of Greenland and Antarctica would be a raise of about 20 feet. After that, we'd be completely out of ice.

I think that Dallas is still a no-go for oceanfront property.