Tell me to move to Dallas! (Fort Worth, West: rent, find a job, neighborhoods)

[pomegranate]

My husband and I are considering a move to Dallas. We have a son about to start college, so we have that expense, plus we really want to squirrel away as much money as possible right now. We want a downtown area, safe but fun -- like music, art scene, places to walk. We plan to have 1 car at most, so we need to be near the general necessities. I grew up in Tucson, so I'm craving a more Western feel than what we've had in NC, MA and MN... Also, we're looking to pay no more than $1,100/month in rent but are willing to live in a small place. So....what's great about Dallas (besides pricing and warm weather), and where should we live? THANKS!!!!!

[FarNorthDallas]

You might look in Uptown, downtown, West Village, Oak Lawn, Victory areas.

[CallMeLaura]

I'd suggest visiting, if you haven't been. I love Dallas, but the things I like may be the very things someone else doesn't. Maybe you should have people tell you why NOT to move to Dallas and see if you agree with them.. it's very easy to sell a place on just its good points.

Someone a bit closer may have more information, but my understanding is that Downtown is a bit sparse on the necessities, such as grocery stores. There are definitely some urban areas with shopping, though.

Also, what about Fort Worth? It seems more 'western' to me, while still having places to go/shop.

[Canine*Castle]

I don't think the Dallasites believe Dallas is western. Dallas is full of high society pretentious people. Not everywhere of course, but they're prevalent. As the poster above stated, Fort Worth is more western and after reading what states you've lived, I would definitely check it out before planting my family in Dallas.

Your son should be able to find a job while he attends college and help out you and your husband with his expenses. There are many places available for part-time employment, and it does a teen good to work while furthering his or her education. The best education one can get is out amongst the public anyway, and get paid for it as well.

Oh, and Dallas is not warm except in the winter, for the most part. It is terribly hot and humid with very, very long summers.

[pomegranate]

He's already been accepted to a great school elsewhere, so his college is not an issue. I've already read plenty of negatives on all sorts of cities, and was looking for positive reasons to live somewhere. I understand what hot and humid is -- we've lived in NC for a long time, I grew up in southern AZ, and I can say from experience that I prefer hot to the bitterly dry cold, gray, endless, icy winters of MN. So...I guess I'll just go see for myself!

[BstYet2Be]

Originally Posted by pomegranate

My husband and I are considering a move to Dallas. We have a son about to start college, so we have that expense, plus we really want to squirrel away as much money as possible right now. We want a downtown area, safe but fun -- like music, art scene, places to walk. We plan to have 1 car at most, so we need to be near the general necessities. I grew up in Tucson, so I'm craving a more Western feel than what we've had in NC, MA and MN... Also, we're looking to pay no more than $1,100/month in rent but are willing to live in a small place. So....what's great about Dallas (besides pricing and warm weather), and where should we live? THANKS!!!!!

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

You might look in Uptown, downtown, West Village, Oak Lawn, Victory areas.

These areas, including possibly the Lakewood area, are what you're most likely looking for... very upcoming areas of Dallas with many amenities within walking distance w/access to the rail system. Too bad Lakewooder is not on CD today, as he would be the one that could really help you out here (i.e., give you his dissertation). You might search under all of his postings (just click on his name on one of his postings, then click on view postings) regarding his recommendations or send him a DM. Also, go to the photo thread http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...mmunities.html and pull up pictures that have already been posted on these areas.

We have wonderful weather I think... seasonal cool/cold in the winter, beautiful spring and fall warm weather... then July/Aug hot, hot but certainly not unbearable weather!

Pros: No state income tax, lower housing costs, great schools, new Dart rail system, employment opportunities abound, great airport access (two), abundant amount and variety of entertainment, restaurants and shopping!

Cons: The only cons I can think of are the heavy commuter traffic in the am and pm as well as some thinking the property taxes are rather on the high side. But, like anywhere else, you get what you pay for... and we are, indeed, compensated with any/everything you could possibly want (except a beach) right at your fingertips!

And, neither pro or con... I believe Dallas would be defined as more cosmopolitan with a western flair, while Ft. Worth would definitely be the more western of the two.

Welcome to Dallas!

Fort Worth, Texas

Welcome to Texas!

[stargazer]

My thoughts too are that Ft Worth would be more of what your looking for than Dallas. Fort Worth is a cultured, artsy small city with a great western vibe to it that Dallas doesn't have.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by new2sa

These areas, including possibly the Lakewood area, are what you're most likely looking for... very upcoming areas of Dallas with many amenities within walking distance w/access to the rail system. Too bad Lakewooder is not on CD today, as he would be the one that could really help you out here (i.e., give you his dissertation). You might search under all of his postings (just click on his name on one of his postings, then click on view postings) regarding his recommendations or send him a DM. Also, go to the photo thread http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...mmunities.html and pull up pictures that have already been posted on these areas.

We have wonderful weather I think... seasonal cool/cold in the winter, beautiful spring and fall warm weather... then July/Aug hot, hot but certainly not unbearable weather!

Pros: No state income tax, lower housing costs, great schools, new Dart rail system, employment opportunities abound, great airport access (two), abundant amount and variety of entertainment, restaurants and shopping!

Cons: The only cons I can think of are the heavy commuter traffic in the am and pm as well as some thinking the property taxes are rather on the high side. But, like anywhere else, you get what you pay for... and we are, indeed, compensated with any/everything you could possibly want (except a beach) right at your fingertips!

And, neither pro or con... I believe Dallas would be defined as more cosmopolitan with a western flair, while Ft. Worth would definitely be the more western of the two.

Welcome to Dallas!

Fort Worth, Texas

Welcome to Texas!

A very good, accurate, and informative post (IMO). Dallas is more cosmopolitan than people think. It's not really "Western" at all as much as it is just a very large, cosmopolitan city like many elsewhere. The only weather that I dislike is July and August; the rest of the year is pretty darn good. Lakewooder would be a good person to consult with. Good Luck!

[pomegranate]

Thanks! Always good to hear the positive.

[aceplace]

You made an interesting point that you want to hear positive attributes of the area. Every metro will always have a core of the disgruntled and the crank who love to recount every possible failing of their city, every grievance, every gripe.

Well, if I were considering moving to a new town, someone's personal grievances and sour attitudes wouldn' t really help me.

I don't know that Fort Worth is really all that western. They do put on a veneer of cowboy culture, but it's more of an affectation or a stereotype for tourists, and only in a couple of places, like Sundance Square and the Stockyards area. The vast majority of the Fort Worth neighborhoods are no different than anywhere else. Also, Fort Worth is a small part of the DFW Metro, 90% of the people live somewhere else.