Weather Woes in North Texas (Dallas, Flower Mound: rent, how much, house)

[GirlsRUs]

I've read quite a few posts about people griping about the weather in Texas. For example, I read the same posts offering the observation that there is only 1 nice month out of the whole year (Fall). Really?

My family visited friends in Flower Mound in August and while there was a wall of knats in their backyard, it didn't bother us much. We went once in the dead of summer, and plan to go back before winter is up to be aware of the extremes of each season. I want to go into this move with my eyes wide open. I can optimistically say that the humidity horror stories just didn't materialize for us. However, "people" are saying that after a year, we will tire of the weather. What's your perspective? We aren't high maintainence, but want to be realistic. Also, we hear that there is some kind of tic scare or something that doesn't allow you to go for walks after dusk, and you have to keep your kids indoors so they won't get lyme disease. Holy cow. Please help seperate the fact from crap. My kids are pretty active and don't think they'd tolerate this well.

We visited Lifetime Fitness, and figure we can camp out there and be plenty happy for awhile. That place is amazing for a gym! Nothing quite like that out here in California.

Anyways, the single (and only consistent) complaint we hear about is Bad Weather, Bad Weather, Bad Weather. How much truth to this? Be as honest as possible, we don't want any surprises.

[rb4browns]

It's really hot in the summer but we did not find it unbearable. Fall is wonderful because it is comfortably warm. I am quite enjoying the winter. I love the chilly 30 degree mornings knowing it is not goign to snow. Dallas is not a place to move for the weather, but I personally don't think it is bad as others make it out to be.

[mckinneydeb]

Yes, it's hot in the summer but with the ever changing weather pattern the US is experiencing, find me a place in the continential US that you are guaranteed "good" weather every day of the year. I find that as an adult, I spend the majority of my time in air conditioned comfort of my home, car or work. When we had a pool we swam nearly every day from mid May til mid Oct. The falls here are relatively short but the winters are too. While we do have a rare night where the temps drops near 0, that is indeed rare. Cold, yes. Unbearable, no.

Humidity? I don't get people complaining about that. I've been here nearly 24 yrs and it has gradually become more humid than when we first came, but still, it's nothing like the coast or even the area of Western Ky where I grew up. Hail, wind and tornados? Yes, we got them but not so much that I fear every time the sky darkens. To be honest, I like the wind. Even on a day when it's 100 degrees, I'd rather have a hot wind than no wind.

Yes, deer ticks exist in the woods here but they are also probably in the woods where you currently live. Wearing light colored, tightly woven clothing, tucking pants into socks and shirt into pants, using insect repellents and frequent checking to remove crawling or attached ticks reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. If you do find a tick, you need to remove it with tweezers, careful to grasp the head and avoid squeezing the abdomen. There are even tick removal kits you can buy if you do a lot of camping in areas prone to ticks. But as far as I know, there is no actual deer tick infestation around here severe enough to warant some form of pesticide control. Probably because we're not over run with deer within our communities unlike some areas of the country.

Life is what you make it, weather shouldn't be something that impacts so much that your happinessness depends upon it.

[MountainPharmD]

Funny, because I moved here for the better weather! It is February and it is supposed to be 70 today. Sounds good to me! Go live in the mountains of Colorado for awhile and you will greatly appreciate the weather here in Dallas.

Weather is all a matter of perspective. I am sure people in Hawaii complain about their weather as well. I can hear them now. "Gosh 75 AGAIN today with rain at 3 o'clock. I am so tired of this terrible weather." We should all be so lucky!!!

[galore]

"Dallas is not a place to move for the weather"

Well, it was one reason why I moved here 10 years ago. And it still is a big reason why I stay here. I love the weather in Dallas.

[5stones]

Also, we hear that there is some kind of tic scare or something that doesn't allow you to go for walks after dusk, and you have to keep your kids indoors so they won't get lyme disease. Holy cow.

haven't much about that. We moved from the east coast (loudoun county va...huge deer tick population) we never kept our kids indoors. High grass is the biggest problem they love it. The woods too. My inlaws live in upstate NY not far from LYME CN. The kids play outside there, yes they gotten ticks on them. but no biggie you do Tick checks after they have been playing in the woods etc...

Weather... it's different been here only a few months (but I grew up in HOuston!) What I like is NO SNOW SHOLVING!! but still cold enough at times to wear your sweaters etc... Fall was wonderfully warm and sunny. But the weather can change drasticly in a matter of hours. (nothing to stop the cold winds from the North) just last week it was 80 on monday, 72 on Tues afternoon...winds came in Tues late afternoon and by weds morn it was 27! My kids are learning to dress in layers!! Right now it's beautiful out.
Summers yes they are hot...But NOTHING compared to a humid week in NY in a house without AC!!

[GirlsRUs]

My husband and I are having fun dreaming of how nice it will be to be on Texas soil! We have been wanting to move there for quite some time, and it looks like this summer we may have our wish.

The home that we may rent has a pool, so that might take the edge off the heat. Is it true that people dump ice in the pool so that it doesn't feel like a bathtub? A friend who lives there says its not even refreshing. (Note: These friends aren't very happy there.) However, my family and I are very optimistic and have good attitudes and are truly chomping at the bit to move out there.

Thank you for the great information! I will look into the tic removal kit, when we get there.

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by galore

"Dallas is not a place to move for the weather"

Well, it was one reason why I moved here 10 years ago. And it still is a big reason why I stay here. I love the weather in Dallas.

I suppose that's relative. Moving here from Southern California the weather for us was not exactly a big draw....

[Lakewooder]

I'm a native, nearly 50 and I can only remember getting a tick once or twice and that was up at Lake Texoma or out hunting somewhere..

It's hot yes, but I can't stand summer in DC or FLA! Too humid.

[nsumner]

Well, it's 71 outside and the humidity at 24% the sun is shining, I even drove with the windows down around noon... absolutely loving it!!! and listening to Coldplay... what else can I ask for? oh yeah... a margarita but still too early! ;-)

Yes the weather may be a bit bipolar but worth it.