The real scoop on Dallas (Houston, Midland: big house, buy, university)

[Willys]

Lock the door, turn out the lights. You're sure to find something entertaining to do. With or without friends.

[SickOfTheSunbelt]

Originally Posted by aceplace

. Festival of new plays at Bath House playhouse
. See a show at over 100 playhouses and live theatres
. Explore the art galleries on Dragon street
. watch a sporting event at any of a half-dozen major venues
. see an outdoor movie at Victory Park's huge screen
. Take in a specialty/art/foreign film at Dallas' art film houses
. Do wine tasting in the Grapevine wineries
. Jog the Katy Trail
. Visit the Mesquite Rodeo
. View the city from Reunion Tower
. Check out an aquarium
. Run through the fountains at Fountain Place
. Kayak on the Trinity River
. Visit any of over 100 museums in DFW
. Play the games at Dave & Busters
. Take in an ethnic festival
. Take a lifetime learning course at a university or community college
. Visit Fair Park for the Art Deco
. Spend the day lolling at a lake beach
. etc...
. etc...
. etc...

SickOf, if you can't find things to like and to do in a metro of 6 million people, there's something wrong with you. Seriously wrong. And whatever it is, it will still be wrong if you migrate to a smaller, less diverse metro.

I have met some life long friends here, have gained valuable career experience and saved up a lot of $$. Dallas would be a great place to settle down for the long haul if you had a family and weren't interested in doing anything outside of your own backyard.

But did you seriously put "play video games at D & B's" on your list of things to do in Dallas? This only reinforces my point.

The people in Dallas are friendly, cost of living as low as you're gonna get anywhere in the nation and there are a ton of jobs. But this place is a snooze fest. Everybody lives to work rather than works to live.

And to the poster who wondered where I lived before. Chicago, IL.

[SpeedyAZ]

The people in Dallas are friendly, cost of living as low as you're gonna get anywhere in the nation and there are a ton of jobs. But this place is a snooze fest. Everybody lives to work rather than works to live.

Isn't that why people move there, for the family-friendly atmosphere and low cost-of-living? Dallas isn't a huge tourist haven like NYC, Honolulu, Las Vegas, etc; it's a working-class city. I mean how many times are you really going to go to a museum or a zoo? Very few.

Dallas is a great city to work and live in but it isn't meant to cater to tourists.

[Spree]

I don't think of Dallas as a tourist destination either. BUT, if you happen to live in the Dallas area, there is plenty to do.

[Lakewooder]

I've lived here all my life (going on half a century) and I think I've only been to Dave and Buster's twice. And the second time I was forced to go up north..

[galore]

LOL, you move because Dallas isn't touristy ?!?

Dallas has some amazing neighborhoods that are affordable for non-rich people. I came here with nothing in 1998 and now have a nice home in Lake Highlands on a heavily wooded lot, almost an acre on a creek, free and clear without mortgage. This took neither a lotto jackpot, nor a successful investment nor an outrageous executive salary. Just good/average pay and saving money.
I take that over some crazy expensive house in a touristy place like San Francisco or New York City.

[cdelena]

The first post did kinda ask for it, but you guys have to admit that there is limited objectivity in this forum... it is primarily a DFW fan club.

Dallas certainly has things to offer (I lived there on and off for over 40 years and still have property interests in the area) but it is not the greatest location for all people. I got the same reaction when I said I was leaving and instead of looking at why, most posts where negative swipes.

Dallas certainly offers jobs, affordable housing, a lot of restaurants, and a number of things that appeal to many. But it also offers growing congestion, high property taxes, a dysfunctional political environment and city government, and undesirable weather extremes, with just as many things that are turn-offs for some as there are things that are turn-ons for others.

Good luck on you new location… I am certainly happy with my move.

[FarNorthDallas]

I'm a native Dallasite and I'm not crazy about the place. It's okay. I have a lot of history here, know a lot of history, it's really a small town for me. But I spent college years in Austin and some time in San Diego and Atlanta, plus traveled some and Dallas does have some glaring holes in its attraction rating. I'm objective enough to see it. It's really obvious when you have visitors come into town.

But I tell you what. If you have a dyslexic child and money to pay for private school, Dallas is THE place to be. We have more private LD schools, plus Scottish Rite, plus the Texas Dyslexia Law. There is a lot of brain research going on here. We are so lucky.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by SickOfTheSunbelt

But did you seriously put "play video games at D & B's" on your list of things to do in Dallas? This only reinforces my point.

No, your point is that all of the activities on my list are impossible in Dallas because they don't exist. You claim that "there is nothing to do other than eat... etc.". That would mean that there are no art galleries in Dallas, no major league sports, no playhouses, no symphony orchestras, no jazz clubs, etc.

There are non-incriminating reasons to leave Dallas... desire to try something new, want to live on the beach, pursue a job opportunity, can't deal with the summer weather, and so forth. Your reasons, whatever they are, are very likely self-centered and neurotic. When you try to rationalize them by blaming your existential angst on Dallas, a metro of 6 million people, you merely incriminate yourself.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by galore

LOL, you move because Dallas isn't touristy ?!?

Dallas has some amazing neighborhoods that are affordable for non-rich people. I came here with nothing in 1998 and now have a nice home in Lake Highlands on a heavily wooded lot, almost an acre on a creek, free and clear without mortgage. This took neither a lotto jackpot, nor a successful investment nor an outrageous executive salary. Just good/average pay and saving money.
I take that over some crazy expensive house in a touristy place like San Francisco or New York City.

Good point. Nobody wants to live in a tourist trap.