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Recent Irvine transplant, by way of San Gabriel valley. Wife and I moved to Carrollton just over a year ago. I work in Coppell, she works in Plano (Legacy area). Will probably purchase in the Frisco/Plano/McKinney/Allen area.
We're cyclists. FLAT terrain and no bike lanes, but a ton of events and open country roads.
Downtown Dallas just a 25 mile jaunt down the Dallas North Tollway. Tolls are the biggest inconvenience IMO.
Shopping and retail conveniences aplenty. As a whole, DFW has more independent eateries as compared to Orange County.
I'm the opposite... lived in Plano/Frisco my whole life, moved to LA a little over a year ago.
What I like about LA:
Weather is one billion times better. Cooler summers, warmer winters, no storms, hail, tornadoes, etc.
Mountains & ocean, SO MUCH to do outside, and the weather is so nice, you actually want to be outside.
Property tax is 1/3 the rate as TX
My car insurance dropped by 50% (same car, company coverage)
Home insurance dropped by 66%
Utilities are MUCH cheaper. $40 electric bills compared to $300.
Produce is cheaper and FRESH!
No toll roads!
More family owned businesses, less chains and big box stores
What I like about TX:
Cheaper housing (but outrageous taxes)
Less traffic
More conservative
Better schools
Better economy
I love living in SoCal, don't think I could go back to Texas. I always heard how expensive it is to live here, but it's not. In many ways I find it cheaper. Yes, the cost of housing is more, but that's about it. At least housing here appreciates though. Housing in TX really doesn't, at least not more than you're paying in property tax every year.
Good luck to you!
More family owned businesses and less chains and big box??? Are you kidding me?? What part of SoCal are you from?? Chains and big box is what SoCal is all about.
Glad I found this thread as I have lived in the OC most all my life and have grown sick and tired of it and I am looking at Plano, McKinney and Frisco. Seems to me most Californians who move out there and don't like it are the ones expecting the same variety of things to do or some amazing singles scene etc... I couldn't care less. I'm sick of ridiculous traffic, insane cost of living and liberals who run the state taking away my 2nd amendment rights. All I need is a Best Buy, a grocery store, some good restaurants, a movie theater and some space to shoot my guns. Don't care about much else.
Glad I found this thread as I have lived in the OC most all my life and have grown sick and tired of it and I am looking at Plano, McKinney and Frisco. Seems to me most Californians who move out there and don't like it are the ones expecting the same variety of things to do or some amazing singles scene etc... I couldn't care less. I'm sick of ridiculous traffic, insane cost of living and liberals who run the state taking away my 2nd amendment rights. All I need is a Best Buy, a grocery store, some good restaurants, a movie theater and some space to shoot my guns. Don't care about much else.
You are correct! Anyone who expects another state/area to be a clone of their current location is setting themselves up for disappointment.
Many times people will relocate to an area without conducting as much research as possible, and most importantly - without spending time in the new location during the hottest or coldest time of the year.
There are some who say people in TX are rude, and just as many who disagree. Many times it's about the person themselves and how well they get along with others. Where I current live (Kansas City Metro) we have extremely nice, courteous and helpful people; yet there are still some who will say otherwise.
Plano is one of the areas on my list of possible relocation spots and I'm on a wait list to move into a senior complex in Plano.
I have spoken with many in my area who have frequently visited, or have family, in Plano and they all say it's a beautiful area and the people are great.
Glad I found this thread as I have lived in the OC most all my life and have grown sick and tired of it and I am looking at Plano, McKinney and Frisco. Seems to me most Californians who move out there and don't like it are the ones expecting the same variety of things to do or some amazing singles scene etc... I couldn't care less. I'm sick of ridiculous traffic, insane cost of living and liberals who run the state taking away my 2nd amendment rights. All I need is a Best Buy, a grocery store, some good restaurants, a movie theater and some space to shoot my guns. Don't care about much else.
There a really good mix of people in Plano (where I live). Very diverse and multicultural. Most Republicans and Democrats alike seem to be more libertarian than anything else. The mayor of Plano is actually a democrat (whom was chosen over the head of the Collin County GOP chair). However Democrats here are still pretty pro-gun. Once you get into the smaller communities with fewer transplants, it gets conservative across the board.
I grew up in Plano, went to college in Austin (Hook 'Em!), moved to LA for 5 years, back to Austin for 3, and now live in Frisco.
I'd say the biggest advantages to Plano/Frisco over SoCal are:
- better traffic - and by that I mean, yeah we have rush hour. Everywhere has rush hour. The nice thing is that it ENDS when rush hour is over! On the weekends, open highways! As someone else noted, 5 minute drive in Plano = 4 miles.
- Convenience of retailers/grocery - there's a store to fit your needs within 5 min in any direction. Orange County is similar in this regard but LA was NOT. So I do love that.
- Family Friendly - this is the biggest factor for me. There is a TON of stuff to do for kids in the area. From sports to theme parks(yes, LA has us beat with Disneyland) to gyms to parks to the schools - I feel alot more comfortable raising a child in Plano/Frisco.
- Affordability & stable economy - it is so much cheaper to live here than socal. the economy is booming, there are tons of jobs and more companies are moving here daily.
- Variance in Weather! - don't get me wrong, i LOVED the constant sunny weather and 70's, but sometimes I want a thunderstorm or some cold! The summers can be a slog but at least we get 4 seasons here.
Cons to Plano/Frisco vs Socal
- Chains, chains, chains - I lived in LA, not orange county, so this might not apply to you. But I really miss NON-chain restaurants and stores. This may also be the Austinite in me as well, but my favorite times in LA and Austin were going to dinner/brunch with friends and finding new and interesting spots to eat. Frisco/Plano are definitely lacking in that department, however further into Dallas proper there's a ton of great dining options. I just wish they were closer to me.
- it's flat - there's really no topography at all. But damn if the sunsets aren't amazing! I actually enjoy the wide open plains north of Plano/Frisco. I remember in SoCal feeling suffocated by the sprawl. It's happening in Dallas, but there is still tons of empty farmland to stare into and get away from the noise of the city.
Cons to Plano/Frisco vs Socal
- Chains, chains, chains - I lived in LA, not orange county, so this might not apply to you. But I really miss NON-chain restaurants and stores. This may also be the Austinite in me as well, but my favorite times in LA and Austin were going to dinner/brunch with friends and finding new and interesting spots to eat. Frisco/Plano are definitely lacking in that department, however further into Dallas proper there's a ton of great dining options. I just wish they were closer to me.
I just have to comment real quickly on this. For Frisco, I totally agree. However, with Plano, its more complex than that. Plano has the best non-chain Asian ethnic eating in the Metroplex and is probably only second to Houston in all the southern US. There are tons and tons of Chinese, Persian, Indian, Taiwanese, Lebanese, Pakistani, etc. places to eat in Plano and almost all of good and authentic quality. Not to mention, Plano is home to the Bavarian Grill (twice ranked best German place to eat in all the US), Jorgs (the only Austrian place to eat in the state), as well as a Sweedish place to eat on K street.
I guess it depends on what youre eating. If youre talking about American food, then yes Plano and especially Frisco is mainly going to be chains. But if youre talking about ethnic food, then at least with Plano (throw in Richardson, Carrollton, Irving, and Garland too), nothing could be further from the truth.
I just have to comment real quickly on this. For Frisco, I totally agree. However, with Plano, its more complex than that. Plano has the best non-chain Asian ethnic eating in the Metroplex and is probably only second to Houston in all the southern US. There are tons and tons of Chinese, Persian, Indian, Taiwanese, Lebanese, Pakistani, etc. places to eat in Plano and almost all of good and authentic quality. Not to mention, Plano is home to the Bavarian Grill (twice ranked best German place to eat in all the US), Jorgs (the only Austrian place to eat in the state), as well as a Sweedish place to eat on K street.
I guess it depends on what youre eating. If youre talking about American food, then yes Plano and especially Frisco is mainly going to be chains. But if youre talking about ethnic food, then at least with Plano (throw in Richardson, Carrollton, Irving, and Garland too), nothing could be further from the truth.
Spot on. Totally agree. Many excellent non chain restaurants in Plano.
I grew up in Plano, went to college in Austin (Hook 'Em!), moved to LA for 5 years, back to Austin for 3, and now live in Frisco.
I'd say the biggest advantages to Plano/Frisco over SoCal are:
- better traffic - and by that I mean, yeah we have rush hour. Everywhere has rush hour. The nice thing is that it ENDS when rush hour is over! On the weekends, open highways! As someone else noted, 5 minute drive in Plano = 4 miles.
- Convenience of retailers/grocery - there's a store to fit your needs within 5 min in any direction. Orange County is similar in this regard but LA was NOT. So I do love that.
- Family Friendly - this is the biggest factor for me. There is a TON of stuff to do for kids in the area. From sports to theme parks(yes, LA has us beat with Disneyland) to gyms to parks to the schools - I feel alot more comfortable raising a child in Plano/Frisco.
- Affordability & stable economy - it is so much cheaper to live here than socal. the economy is booming, there are tons of jobs and more companies are moving here daily.
- Variance in Weather! - don't get me wrong, i LOVED the constant sunny weather and 70's, but sometimes I want a thunderstorm or some cold! The summers can be a slog but at least we get 4 seasons here.
Cons to Plano/Frisco vs Socal
- Chains, chains, chains - I lived in LA, not orange county, so this might not apply to you. But I really miss NON-chain restaurants and stores. This may also be the Austinite in me as well, but my favorite times in LA and Austin were going to dinner/brunch with friends and finding new and interesting spots to eat. Frisco/Plano are definitely lacking in that department, however further into Dallas proper there's a ton of great dining options. I just wish they were closer to me.
- it's flat - there's really no topography at all. But damn if the sunsets aren't amazing! I actually enjoy the wide open plains north of Plano/Frisco. I remember in SoCal feeling suffocated by the sprawl. It's happening in Dallas, but there is still tons of empty farmland to stare into and get away from the noise of the city.
- no beach. meh.
hope that helps
i agree with much of your post. But the whole college pride thing just doesn't happen the same way in CA. (Referencing your first sentence). Yeah people sport USC or ucla or whatever license plate frames but I don't know a lot of people who root for colleges who didn't go to that college out here. Sure, some do. But also, those who did go there don't make a point to let everyone know every five minutes. It's just a peeve of mine.
Spot on. Totally agree. Many excellent non chain restaurants in Plano.
I'll also tack on that recently, there's been a definite uptick in local places that decide to come to Plano to open a second location. Lockhart smokehouse and East Hampton Sandwich are just two examples that will be opening here soon. Sure, you could technically call that a chain, but it's a real improvement in the American food department that we're gradually seeing here, mostly due to the city beginning to mature.
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