Things to consider before you move from the midwest (Dallas: sales, apartment)
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Things to consider before you move from the midwest
I moved here last month, and I enjoy it!!! The people are friendly here and it's more relaxed (not including the driving-that's awful). This is a lower cost of living state, but the difference is probably more evident if you're from the east or west coasts, not so much from the midwest. I also took a pay cut thinking the no state income tax would makeup for it. Yet there are things you will pay for that you typically don't have to in the midwest (unless you're from Chicago), such as:
* Higher sales tax
* Tolls
* Car insurance is so expensive, and I have a clean driving record.
* You're using more gas (although cheaper) since you're longer to work/activities and having the a/c on.
* Utilities are more expensive.
* I used to drink tap water in WI, but here you cannot. Expect to purchase bottled water or get a filter.
* Some food (fruits) and alcohol (beer) are more expensive.
* If living in an apartment, you will have to pay for trash removal, gas and water.
* You will to buy more insect repellent, traps and sprays to keep insects away.
Other things to note:
* I constantly have cops following me because I have out of state plates.
* Make sure you like your job A LOT before you move.
* If you are coming alone, as I did, you will be very lonely even if you know a few people here.
* The gangs here are not from Chicago or LA, they're from Mexico.
Don't get me wrong, there are MANY GOOD THINGS about living here, and I really do like it. I'm not trying to deter anyone from moving here, but just know that this is not eutopia.
On a good note, here are some things that I expected to be worse than they are...
* I don't find the heat unbearable as others do. It seems that the people who complain the most about the heat are the people who have lived in TX most of their lives. Yes, 105, it's hot, but I've still been able to walk and be outside. Just get a steering wheel cover for your car, that's the worst!
* Those flying cockroaches as some people call them are water bugs. They're not as big as a mouse as people have claimed on here. But they do curl up in a ball and stick to you, which happened to me and kind of freaked me out. However, that also only happened once.
* The carpenter ants in WI are much worse than the fire ants here. But I also live in a great place that doesn't have ant problems, and I also have ant traps to keep them away.
* The rain is so much worse than WI, but it doesn't rain much or at least since I've been here. It's very sunny here, and the sunsets are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't miss those gloomy WI days.
I moved here last month, and I enjoy it!!! The people are friendly here and it's more relaxed (not including the driving-that's awful). This is a lower cost of living state, but the difference is probably more evident if you're from the east or west coasts, not so much from the midwest. I also took a pay cut thinking the no state income tax would makeup for it. Yet there are things you will pay for that you typically don't have to in the midwest (unless you're from Chicago), such as:
* Higher sales tax
* Tolls
* Car insurance is so expensive, and I have a clean driving record.
* You're using more gas (although cheaper) since you're longer to work/activities and having the a/c on.
* Utilities are more expensive.
* I used to drink tap water in WI, but here you cannot. Expect to purchase bottled water or get a filter.
* Some food (fruits) and alcohol (beer) are more expensive.
* If living in an apartment, you will have to pay for trash removal, gas and water.
* You will to buy more insect repellent, traps and sprays to keep insects away.
Other things to note:
* I constantly have cops following me because I have out of state plates.
* Make sure you like your job A LOT before you move.
* If you are coming alone, as I did, you will be very lonely even if you know a few people here.
* The gangs here are not from Chicago or LA, they're from Mexico.
Don't get me wrong, there are MANY GOOD THINGS about living here, and I really do like it. I'm not trying to deter anyone from moving here, but just know that this is not eutopia.
On a good note, here are some things that I expected to be worse than they are...
* I don't find the heat unbearable as others do. It seems that the people who complain the most about the heat are the people who have lived in TX most of their lives. Yes, 105, it's hot, but I've still been able to walk and be outside. Just get a steering wheel cover for your car, that's the worst!
* Those flying cockroaches as some people call them are water bugs. They're not as big as a mouse as people have claimed on here. But they do curl up in a ball and stick to you, which happened to me and kind of freaked me out. However, that also only happened once.
* The carpenter ants in WI are much worse than the fire ants here. But I also live in a great place that doesn't have ant problems, and I also have ant traps to keep them away.
* The rain is so much worse than WI, but it doesn't rain much or at least since I've been here. It's very sunny here, and the sunsets are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't miss those gloomy WI days.
Good luck!
Count me in as someone who has enjoyed their time so far in Dallas moving from a Midwest city (St. Louis.) The one thing I don't like is that religion and faith are just a little nutty down here. The point about the tap water is dead on at least in Plano. It's horrible. Get a water filter.
Yikes! I've lived here for more than 30 years (minus time out for college -- in the midwest, I might add) and have never had a cockroach/water bug curl up on me. That would freak me out!
I don't feel like I pay much for car insurance ($80/month for auto and renters) but when I called my insurance company about something else and, just out of curiosity asked what it would be if I moved to the north side of Chicago, it'll drop $25/month. When I asked why, the rep basically told me that people don't steal cars and take them across the border from Minnesota, Michigan, etc. to Canada compared to cars being stolen here and taken to Mexico. Never thought about that.
Yikes! I've lived here for more than 30 years (minus time out for college -- in the midwest, I might add) and have never had a cockroach/water bug curl up on me. That would freak me out!
I don't feel like I pay much for car insurance ($80/month for auto and renters) but when I called my insurance company about something else and, just out of curiosity asked what it would be if I moved to the north side of Chicago, it'll drop $25/month. When I asked why, the rep basically told me that people don't steal cars and take them across the border from Minnesota, Michigan, etc. to Canada compared to cars being stolen here and taken to Mexico. Never thought about that.
The real reason the insurace is so high, is becasue Big Insurance and Rick Perry are in bed together
I thought car insurance was so high because of so many accidents and the maniac drivers, but thanks for the laugh Lizziebeth about the cars being taken across the border. Never thought of that. Who is your insurance provider that you getting renters/car ins for $80/month? I was quoted over a hundred. I'm still under my Milwaukee insurance since it's $50/month.
Texan2008, I haven't heard anyone overly talk about religion as I expected.
R1070...not sure what you mean about more groomed and polished, especially when I see people with big 80s type hair. If you were referring to manners, I do appreciate the southern hospitality and helpfulness.
I mentioned the water bugs because people on this site scared me before I came exaggerating how big they were. It was only stuck on me once after I came from outside in the night, and hopefully it was a fluke.
I liked your post but have to highlight that you have only been here for a month. The heat that "old timers" complain about is something that most anyone would complain about having been through a couple from start to finish. Just like if a South Texas native were to move to WI the first winter they would be heaven with all of the snow and what not but then the next winter they find that it wears them down. The same applies to the summers here (and especially south of here) where heat indices in the 90's last almost 5 months.
I just wanted to be fair to anyone who doesn't like hot weather that were deciding to move here from the Midwest. It would be bad to come here without an accurate picture.
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
Last edited by BstYet2Be; 08-05-2012 at 09:31 PM..
Double-G and others, thanks for the responses on the insurance, good to know!
TX75007...LOL on fantasy island!!!!!!!!!!!
Mobile Dave, good points on the heat. I could see if someone hates the heat, they would not like Dallas at this time. I'll take 105 anyday vs. -5 in winter.
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