From Boulder, Colorado to Dallas / Plano, Texas (Mineral Wells, Kirby: transplants, 2015)

[bluescreen73]

My quick 2 cents - Folks are reasonably nice and even with the recent run-ups houses are still affordable, but for me the low COL wasn't enough to overcome the negatives of living there.

TBH the lack of topography is only 1/3 of the story. If that were the only downside to living in the Metroplex I might still be there.

I personally didn't care for the climate. You'll probably love the mild-ish winters, but summer is hotter and noticeably more humid than the Front Range. Average highs at or above 90 start around mid-June and they don't abate until mid-September. As an added "bonus" it doesn't cool off appreciably at night during the summer. It's not uncommon for the thermometer to still be between 85 & 90 at 10pm. You can leave windows open here at night well into July and August, but down there you'll typically be living with the A/C on 24x7 starting sometime in June. During the dead of summer it'll be pushing 80 at daybreak and well into the 90s by noon - so plan accordingly and prepare to sweat like you never have before.

If you've got hay fever, seasonal allergies are really bad in the Metroplex. Allergy season starts in January/February with "Cedar Fever" and continues on until the first frost - usually in late October/early November. You'll get little breaks here and there, but popping non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin could become a daily occurrence. For me the Claritin didn't alleviate my symptoms completely; it only took the edge off.

I strongly advise against moving to DFW sight unseen for most folks, but especially so for you coming from the dry climate of the Front Range. Typically I suggest making a trip there in late July for a couple weeks when the weather's at its absolute worst to get a feel for how uncomfortable it really is.

[BeenThereDunThat]

If you're looking for anything remotely close to mountains, you're going to have to go to Arkansas for a weekend trip. When I was much younger I did a fair share of climbing and rappelling that was pretty good but may not be quite what you have in Colorado.

Here's a link: http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/hiking/rock-climbing/

[stan4]

Like I said, you can have picturesque. You just have to pay for it:

7941 Summit Cove, Fort Worth Property Listing: MLS® #13298802

LOL

Google dfw lakefront homes...

[Summit43]

Thank you! Amongst the abysmal information on here, that is a breath of fresh air. I will most certainly be escaping to this place as frequently as possible.

Originally Posted by BeenThereDunThat

If you're looking for anything remotely close to mountains, you're going to have to go to Arkansas for a weekend trip. When I was much younger I did a fair share of climbing and rappelling that was pretty good but may not be quite what you have in Colorado.

[stan4]

Don't people rock climb at Possum Kingdom?

[stan4]

By the way, op, threads like these are usually awash with the folks who can't tolerate the weather for one reason or another.
I assure you there are many of us who are pretty much out every single day (maybe not snow/ice day - though sledding does happen if we get enough inches).

So it's a personal thing. I played tennis at 95 degrees or 35 degrees. I ran in both, too.

[Summit43]

Thank you. That paints a very clear picture as to what we can expect.

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

My quick 2 cents - Folks are reasonably nice and even with the recent run-ups houses are still affordable, but for me the low COL wasn't enough to overcome the negatives of living there.

TBH the lack of topography is only 1/3 of the story. If that were the only downside to living in the Metroplex I might still be there.

I personally didn't care for the climate. You'll probably love the mild-ish winters, but summer is hotter and noticeably more humid than the Front Range. Average highs at or above 90 start around mid-June and they don't abate until mid-September. As an added "bonus" it doesn't cool off appreciably at night during the summer. It's not uncommon for the thermometer to still be between 85 & 90 at 10pm. You can leave windows open here at night well into July and August, but down there you'll typically be living with the A/C on 24x7 starting sometime in June. During the dead of summer it'll be pushing 80 at daybreak and well into the 90s by noon - so plan accordingly and prepare to sweat like you never have before...

[Summit43]

Fortunately, I do pretty well with heat. And biking is good for that type of weather. But tennis?! That's crazy.

Originally Posted by stan4

By the way, op, threads like these are usually awash with the folks who can't tolerate the weather for one reason or another.
I assure you there are many of us who are pretty much out every single day (maybe not snow/ice day - though sledding does happen if we get enough inches).

So it's a personal thing. I played tennis at 95 degrees or 35 degrees. I ran in both, too.

[mm4]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

..., and I know Santa Cruz by reputation.

Informed. There are people who know Santa Cruz by experience who'll say you don't really know what you're talking about.

[Johnhw2]

On a positive note, forest fires dont threaten the metro area as I experienced a few summeers ago in Boulder. Secondly we have air conditioned space every where unlike chattauqua.

Slightly closer than arkansas are the small mountains of SE Oklahoma. I hestitate to call them mountains but they certainly are not flat land. We spend half our summer time in New Mexico at 10000 feet up where August is 75 for a high and lows below 50 degrees. Its not out your backyard but a good 9.5 hours away.

DFW area is diverse people wise. I think you can find like minded folks unlike some suggest.