Sac Vs. Dallas/Austin (Fort Worth, Arlington: HOA, car insurance, crime)

[sacbuyertobe]

Hi All,
I was wondering if anybody can comment on which area is better for young family: Sac or Dallas/Austin based on these criteria (Not in particular order).

1. Cost of Living
2. IT Job Market
3. Diversity
4. Food Quality, Diversity, Authenticity (Not chain restraurant).
5. Entertainment
6. Safety
7. Weather

So far, we are tilted towards Dallas/Austin area as cost of living sounds like cheaper than here (I have not done thorough research, but have few friends who made the move or heard/read about it). Anybody kindly comment on this? I will appreciate it. Thanx

[Gretchen_SDCA]

Originally Posted by sacbuyertobe

Hi All,
I was wondering if anybody can comment on which area is better for young family: Sac or Dallas/Austin based on these criteria (Not in particular order).

1. Cost of Living
2. IT Job Market
3. Diversity
4. Food Quality, Diversity, Authenticity (Not chain restraurant).
5. Entertainment
6. Safety
7. Weather

So far, we are tilted towards Dallas/Austin area as cost of living sounds like cheaper than here (I have not done thorough research, but have few friends who made the move or heard/read about it). Anybody kindly comment on this? I will appreciate it. Thanx

Hi:

Sacramento is not one of the most exciting cities in CA, but it has a wonderful location. It is close to San Francisco and the coast, 2 hours from Lake Tahoe, 1 hour from Napa/Sonoma Valleys, a few hours from Yosemite etc. There are lots of lakes and rivers in the area, generally green etc. It was recently voted one of America's most integrated cities.

Cost of living? Relative to CA, it is very affordable. Of course, things are cheaper in Dallas/Austin. IT job market - sorry don't have much info. Diversity - as mentioned above, lots and it is very integrated. Food - I have been to excellent restaurants there during visits, but like any large city, it also has chains - you have to know where to go. In terms of entertainment, Sac has an opera company, symphony orchestra, theatre company, I believe there is an excellent jazz festival. Midtown has lots of little clubs and bars. Of course, San Francisco is only 1.5 hours away. Safety depends on the area as it does in any large city. The weather is excellent compared to TX - very mild winters and the summers are hot (lots of 90s) but NO humidity. [Of course, being from San Diego, I find it a little hot in the summer, but nothing like TX.]

Personally, in terms of area and location, it would be a no-brainer for me. The Sac area offers wonderful outdoor opportunities and proximity to wonderful locations. But of course, everyone is different. You also need to consider your career opportunities in both places.

I suggest you visit all these cities - it is worth doing it, because you cannot make big decisions like these without actually spending some time in the places.

Good luck.

[Guingirl]

LOL@Gretchen...you bust me up!

Okay...now actually someone who actually lived in Sacramento and now LIVES in the Metroplex.

First the big difference....there are six million people living through the DFW Metroplex compared to the Sacramento Valley (inclusive: Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, EDH).

We sold our house in North Natomas last February and moved out to North Fort Worth. Fort Worth (aka: Cowtown) reminds me a lot of Sacramento, but with actual leadership and growth.

The cost of living differences are mainly is significant in housing, but it depends on where you buy. The Metroplex is much more reasonaby priced as far as housing compared to Austin. Austin was just slightly less expensive than Sacramento when we were looking.

The IT Job market is such that it is better than Folsom and the Valley and more along the lines of Silicon Valley in Richardson/Los Colinas.

Diversity, you will find more Irving/Richardson, but while the whole area is diverse it isn't AS diverse in certain areas. That isn't to say that if you aren't a WASP you would feel out of place, if that makes sense.

Food is generally very wide variety and they have Whole Foods and Central Market (which I think puts Trader Joe's to shame) and a lot of independent little groceries along with Kroger's/Tom Thumb (comparable to Raley's/Bel Air). Every retail that you can imagine you will find here.

Restaurants - The only real difference I have found is that there is a big difference between TexMex and California Mexican Food and you don't find a lot of Mongolian BBQs. There are also a LOT of buffets here. Everything else is pretty much the same. A lot of Mom and Pop restaurants along with chains that aren't offered in California.

Entertainment - Well...Four Professional Sports Teams and countless semi-pro teams in the area says it all. Texas Motor Speedway, PGA tour stops, Symphony, Art, Museums. There is ALWAYS something to do every weekend and if you aren't out and about...its because your tired .

Safety - Traffic is a little crazier than in the valley. Crime is what you would expect in one of the largest cities in the country with 6 million people. I can honestly say I was a little shellshocked with the news when I first came here, but thinking of the differences in population, it makes sense.

Weather - Ohhhh it is FUN!!! It is colder than Sacramento and it actually snowed on us last Easter and it generally is warmer in summer. The heat isn't that bad in comparison, but instead of it being a "dry heat" there is some humidity. It is a LOT less humid here than in Austin...for sure! There are amazing thunderstorms in the spring. Also another thing we noticed is that in the summer where we used to get the Delta Breezes at night, it doesn't cool down here at night in the summer.

We did research for about a year before we moved. Let me know if you have any specific questions via pm if you wish.

Back to the quality of life, I am able to be a stay at home mom and still we have a comfortable life with not having two incomes. We aren't rich but can be comfortable where in Sacramento we both would have had to work to scrape by. Hope the information helps!!

[lpepping]

not to derail this topic...but what do you mean by Mongolian BBQ? I am guessing it is not the same as Genghis Grill and those types of places? Can you describe?

[sacbuyertobe]

Originally Posted by Guingirl

LOL@Gretchen...you bust me up!

Okay...now actually someone who actually lived in Sacramento and now LIVES in the Metroplex.

First the big difference....there are six million people living through the DFW Metroplex compared to the Sacramento Valley (inclusive: Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, EDH).

We sold our house in North Natomas last February and moved out to North Fort Worth. Fort Worth (aka: Cowtown) reminds me a lot of Sacramento, but with actual leadership and growth.

The cost of living differences are mainly is significant in housing, but it depends on where you buy. The Metroplex is much more reasonaby priced as far as housing compared to Austin. Austin was just slightly less expensive than Sacramento when we were looking.

The IT Job market is such that it is better than Folsom and the Valley and more along the lines of Silicon Valley in Richardson/Los Colinas.

Diversity, you will find more Irving/Richardson, but while the whole area is diverse it isn't AS diverse in certain areas. That isn't to say that if you aren't a WASP you would feel out of place, if that makes sense.

Food is generally very wide variety and they have Whole Foods and Central Market (which I think puts Trader Joe's to shame) and a lot of independent little groceries along with Kroger's/Tom Thumb (comparable to Raley's/Bel Air). Every retail that you can imagine you will find here.

Restaurants - The only real difference I have found is that there is a big difference between TexMex and California Mexican Food and you don't find a lot of Mongolian BBQs. There are also a LOT of buffets here. Everything else is pretty much the same. A lot of Mom and Pop restaurants along with chains that aren't offered in California.

Entertainment - Well...Four Professional Sports Teams and countless semi-pro teams in the area says it all. Texas Motor Speedway, PGA tour stops, Symphony, Art, Museums. There is ALWAYS something to do every weekend and if you aren't out and about...its because your tired .

Safety - Traffic is a little crazier than in the valley. Crime is what you would expect in one of the largest cities in the country with 6 million people. I can honestly say I was a little shellshocked with the news when I first came here, but thinking of the differences in population, it makes sense.

Weather - Ohhhh it is FUN!!! It is colder than Sacramento and it actually snowed on us last Easter and it generally is warmer in summer. The heat isn't that bad in comparison, but instead of it being a "dry heat" there is some humidity. It is a LOT less humid here than in Austin...for sure! There are amazing thunderstorms in the spring. Also another thing we noticed is that in the summer where we used to get the Delta Breezes at night, it doesn't cool down here at night in the summer.

We did research for about a year before we moved. Let me know if you have any specific questions via pm if you wish.

Back to the quality of life, I am able to be a stay at home mom and still we have a comfortable life with not having two incomes. We aren't rich but can be comfortable where in Sacramento we both would have had to work to scrape by. Hope the information helps!!

We have been thinking to move to TX, but tanking economy makes us consider postponing it as we both have relatively secured jobs here. We are going for a visit to both Austin and Dallas. We know Plano has good schools, but pretty much built out there. We also like Plano as they have a big population of ethnic minorities. What is the new and upcoming, i.e. the "new Plano" in Dallas and what the price range for a 2000 sq ft there?? We have also a lot of questions when it comes to cost of living:
Assuming family of three (2 adults and one child), 2000 sq feet in a safe and good school district area:
1. How much is the monthly electricity bills.
2. How much is the water bill.
3. Property tax (we heard it is between 2.5-3%).
4. Groceries.
5. Gas Bills (TX is BIG hence, more driving?)
6. Auto Insurance (two cars, I heard it is higher since more car thefts)
7. HOA/Mello Roos.

Sorry for the long list of questions....we just do not want to move to a place that we will not like at the end.

Thanks A Gazillion!

[Guingirl]

Originally Posted by lpepping

not to derail this topic...but what do you mean by Mongolian BBQ? I am guessing it is not the same as Genghis Grill and those types of places? Can you describe?

It is kinda like Genghis same type of theme, but generally small mom and pop asian restaurants found in a lot of strip malls in Sacrameto area. Basically a stirfry place. I have been to Genghis and it just isn't the same also they are usually cheaper. For 20.00 hubby and I used to go two times a week for fresh stirfry and it is muchhh quicker. I have heard there is one down in Arlington that I need to try... Tan's or something like that?

[Guingirl]

Well you will definately need to come and check it out. Don't forget to look at the WHOLE Metroplex which includes Fort Worth. Plano is more like Orange County, so if you are going more towards that feel then that would be the place to be.

Assuming family of three (2 adults and one child), 2000 sq feet in a safe and good school district area: Ranges from 180K to 300K - obviously can go higher with more sq. ft.
1. How much is the monthly electricity bills. Varies on how well your house is insulated, age of the house etc.,
2. How much is the water bill. I don't have one because we are on well water.
3. Property tax (we heard it is between 2.5-3%). It can go up to 3.5% depending on the particular city.
4. Groceries. About the same
5. Gas Bills (TX is BIG hence, more driving?)...Gas here doesn't contain the amount of taxes that are imposed in CA so you will see about 30-50 cent difference most of the time. Right now our prices are really high at about 2.99 for regular unleaded.
6. Auto Insurance (two cars, I heard it is higher since more car thefts) Its not so much as car thefts, but hail damage and they don't only get you for uninsured motorists, they increase due to underinsured as well. All in all, our car insurance was not that much more than it was in CA. Maybe 200.00 a year for us.
7. HOA/Mello Roos.Really depends on where you live, each HOA is different prices, covenants and restrictions.

[BstYet2Be]

Originally Posted by Guingirl

It is kinda like Genghis same type of theme, but generally small mom and pop asian restaurants found in a lot of strip malls in Sacrameto area. Basically a stirfry place. I have been to Genghis and it just isn't the same also they are usually cheaper. For 20.00 hubby and I used to go two times a week for fresh stirfry and it is muchhh quicker. I have heard there is one down in Arlington that I need to try... Tan's or something like that?

There used to be one here, Mongolian BBQ, in Las Colinas in Irving @ NE corner of MacArthur & 114, but it closed! Very, very good, too, so don't know why!

[Guingirl]

Originally Posted by new2sa

There used to be one here, Mongolian BBQ, in Las Colinas in Irving @ NE corner of MacArthur & 114, but it closed! Very, very good, too, so don't know why!

Bummer!! I had heard that there was one in Southlake as well, but I haven't been able to find it either.

[BstYet2Be]

Originally Posted by Guingirl

Bummer!! I had heard that there was one in Southlake as well, but I haven't been able to find it either.

So sorry! I still am really curious as to why... because they were always jam-packed, especially at lunch every day.