Things to consider before you move from the midwest (Dallas: buy, living)
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50% of car insurance here is for uninsured motorist cover, not theft. This covers you when an uninsured motorist smashes into you and others that run Moderator cut: Off-Topic This is what several insurance agents have told me in addition to the serving and retired policemen I know.
The agencies have to factor the huge number of crashes involving uninsured motorists of no fixed address into their pricing model.
Moderator cut: Off-Topic
5.9% of my premium is for uninsured/underinsured coverage ($55 out of a $933 annual premium) - a far cry from your claim of 50%
I was born and raised in the Midwest and after a move to the west coast for 10 years, my employer transferred me here to Texas temporarily. I feel like I have gotten to know the area well.
To me, the heat is bad... but, I grew used to that coastal weather on the west coast that just cannot be beat..... but, I like the Dallas winters, especially last years which was mild. It was wonderful.
What I cannot stand, are the freakn giant spiders and the snakes they have here where I live. (I live on a big lake) Freakn horrible and they get in the house too. (I haven't a clue how they do it, but they do) This long summer of 100+ degree temps without a single day off from the heat wears me down.... I'd rather have overcast 80 degree temps anytime. Hits you hard everytime you walk out of the house here.
There are good parts of DFW and bad parts just like every other big city....I will say, they have a nice part that is really large that has a little bit of everything with the Frisco and surrounding area that I really like. The bad, if you leave the city and go through the small towns, you see the poverty.... and a lot of it. I've noticed when you drive through them, you'll see a bunch of basically shacks and low-income housing and then a nice big shiny Church in the middle of the town. (Makes you realize how big of a business religion is) You don't see that in the Midwest.... at least not to the extent they have it here. I don't know why.
As far as the people, not a big difference to me. (People are people no matter where they are) You have a mix of everything. Its all good... pick your poison and live with it.
We wear our religion on our sleeve in Texas. It s an essential part of our life, not talking about my belief in God is a s foreign to me as not talking about the weather, politics, et al. The main difference is that the weather will pass and new politicians will get elected, but my eternal soul...well that's eternal. Why people are more concerned about their temporary mortal coil than their eternal soul is lost on many Texans. Oh so we are weird for caring about your soul, but you are not weird for caring about the rain or the Cowboy's score or where I work out? Really? Um..when in Rome you know?
I guess the best way to explain it to transplants it to put it in terms of your own cultural proclivities. For the California type asking about religion/spirituality in Texas in general and Dallas in particular is like asking what health club you belong to on the West Coast. It's a way to start a conversation and for the most part that's it. As a Christian I have an obligation to be evangelical, but not to be pushy; I'll ask you once what you believe and then I'll tell you where that falls on my scale. That's all I need to do, if you make it obvious that you don't want to talk about God then we'll move on to another topic.
Just because someone from California asks what fitness club you attend does not mean they are a narcissist.
Just because a person from the South asks you what NASCAR Driver you like does not mean they have cars on cinder blocks in their yard.
And yes just because a Texan asks you about your religion does not mean they are a "Jesus Freak", normally they are just being friendly.
Last edited by fistofsouth; 08-08-2012 at 07:35 AM..
As to your point about being lonely if you come here alone...What do you like to do? Run? Bike? Dance? Photography? Golf? Tennis? etc???? Find a club or group that does what you like, or take up a new hobby or sport and take lessons. We're very welcoming here...but you have to reach out to something you like! I'm in a bike club and we always have newcomers. Anytime someone says they're from St. Louis---they get introduced to me!
When I was referring to being lonely coming alone is that although I've met some nice acquaintenances here, I'm missing my long-term friends from home tremendously because I am alone here. If I would've moved with a husband, family members, etc., it would be different. Others who have moved alone will understand what I mean.
I've joined Meetup groups, and I'm not from St. Louis since you reference that. I'm a Cheesehead for life (ch4l) from WI! I'm also missing being around people who are not focused on the size/model of their cars, big houses, material items, etc. No offense to the Texans, but there is a superficiality here that I didn't experience at home as well as awful and disturbing road rage.
No offense to the Texans, but there is a superficiality here that I didn't experience at home as well as awful and disturbing road rage.
No offense taken, and I agree with you. Folks in Dallas drive like hell and have no regard for others on the road, and are always trying to 'impress' people with their material gain
Folks over in Fort Worth seem to be less pretentious
I was born and raised in the Midwest and after a move to the west coast for 10 years, my employer transferred me here to Texas temporarily. I feel like I have gotten to know the area well.
To me, the heat is bad... but, I grew used to that coastal weather on the west coast that just cannot be beat..... but, I like the Dallas winters, especially last years which was mild. It was wonderful.
What I cannot stand, are the freakn giant spiders and the snakes they have here where I live. (I live on a big lake) Freakn horrible and they get in the house too. (I haven't a clue how they do it, but they do) This long summer of 100+ degree temps without a single day off from the heat wears me down.... I'd rather have overcast 80 degree temps anytime. Hits you hard everytime you walk out of the house here.
There are good parts of DFW and bad parts just like every other big city....I will say, they have a nice part that is really large that has a little bit of everything with the Frisco and surrounding area that I really like. The bad, if you leave the city and go through the small towns, you see the poverty.... and a lot of it. I've noticed when you drive through them, you'll see a bunch of basically shacks and low-income housing and then a nice big shiny Church in the middle of the town. (Makes you realize how big of a business religion is) You don't see that in the Midwest.... at least not to the extent they have it here. I don't know why.
As far as the people, not a big difference to me. (People are people no matter where they are) You have a mix of everything. Its all good... pick your poison and live with it.
What little towns are you talking about?
It's a fact of life that in basically no one with means wants to live on a large well traveled road, big city or small town.
When I was referring to being lonely coming alone is that although I've met some nice acquaintenances here, I'm missing my long-term friends from home tremendously because I am alone here. If I would've moved with a husband, family members, etc., it would be different. Others who have moved alone will understand what I mean.
I've joined Meetup groups, and I'm not from St. Louis since you reference that. I'm a Cheesehead for life (ch4l) from WI! I'm also missing being around people who are not focused on the size/model of their cars, big houses, material items, etc. No offense to the Texans, but there is a superficiality here that I didn't experience at home as well as awful and disturbing road rage.
Welcome to Texas.
However, if you are seeing road rage often the only explanation is that you are causing the problems. I drive around A LOT and see road rage every now and then.
Due to income, cost of living and taxation metrics plus a lot of great weather and lots of freeways Dallas/DFW is a serious car area. The same general income/cost idea applies to housing.
When I was referring to being lonely coming alone is that although I've met some nice acquaintenances here, I'm missing my long-term friends from home tremendously because I am alone here. If I would've moved with a husband, family members, etc., it would be different. Others who have moved alone will understand what I mean.
I've joined Meetup groups, and I'm not from St. Louis since you reference that. I'm a Cheesehead for life (ch4l) from WI! I'm also missing being around people who are not focused on the size/model of their cars, big houses, material items, etc. No offense to the Texans, but there is a superficiality here that I didn't experience at home as well as awful and disturbing road rage.
This is exactly why I keep thinking about leaving Texas and moving to the midwest, or even Canada. Earlier this year I went far enough to request relocation info from Madison WI.
Snakes too? Yet another reason to keep the patio door closed...don't want one slithering in.
To answer the other question, my insurance is with USAA.
Remember, a huge chunk of people have moved here from elsewhere so if the drivers are horrible, there's a distinct possibility they learned their driving habits elsewhere.
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