Dallas, good restaurant scene for future Chef? (Fort Worth, McKinney: transplants, first time home buyer)

[southernman_southernways]

Hi, me and my fiance are thinking of moving in a few years to Texas from the Nashville area. I am 26 and she is 21. We will not be moving with children or anything like that but I do have children from another relationship and they will be staying in Kentucky where me and my fiance both are from. We are from a small town in Kentucky just over the border of Tennessee. I have experienced many different cities throughout my life but she hasn't and we both agree we want to be in a small town but close to a city in the "South" so we can find good employment.

Could anyone recommend a nice small town with not a lot of transplants (kinda would like to be around families from the area so when we make friends we can be assured they are going to be around and no offence to anyone but I am surrounded by "D@mnYankees" and can't stand it anymore) that would have nicer small homes around the $150,000.00 range? First time home buyers when we do decide to buy and want to keep the price low at first for our first home. We don't care too much if we are in a semi secluded area with not much around as long as we have a Wal-Mart or Kroger (preferably Wal-Mart) gas station or two and that's about it to be honest. I have experienced a lot of different cities before and do not care to live in the city anymore so that is not even up for discussion. Any recommendations for this Southern man?

Edit: Forgot the biggest issue. I would prefer something within 45 minutes or so to Dallas/Fort Worth for my commute.

[FarNorthDallas]

Try Forney, Texas or Kaufman, TX.

[southernman_southernways]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I will look into both areas.

[theloneranger]

You can also try looking to the north--a few towns in Collin County like Celina, Anna, Prosper, Farmersville, or Van Alstyne may also fit your profile. However, this area does develop rapidly, and these towns may not be so small in 10-20 years.

[cr1039]

You did not mention anything about "future chef"?

Whom in Dallas would you like to work for?

[southernman_southernways]

Originally Posted by cr1039

You did not mention anything about "future chef"?

Whom in Dallas would you like to work for?

Well, it was just a general question. Does Dallas have a good restaurant scene... for a future chef of course? I have been looking at the restaurants around Dallas and it seems there are plenty of good choices are far as more fine dining compared to Nashville but I haven't been down that way to check them out as of yet. Me and my fiance plan on doing some research and talking with our school here in Nashville. Maybe they could give us an idea as well. I just want to know from people in the area. Do yall see any fine dining restaurant establishments closing their doors lately because of the economy of course? Have any of you been to any 3+ star rated restaurants in the area and what are your thoughts?

I am just trying to get an idea from locals, not sure how many locals are on this board but people living in the area is a place to start so here I am. Sorry I didn't go into detail about this topic but it was real late, bad case of Insomnia and just wasn't on top of my game. What is the trendiest area that has the biggest restaurant scene in Dallas. That would help with looking at restaurants in specific areas. Thanks in advance.

[Macintosh Sauce]

Dallas has the most restaurants per capita, so I think you will have no problem finding a position as a chef.

[pepper131]

The hot place for young chefs right now is Henderson Ave...more of indie, local flavor.
But not knowing your training...it's hard to steer you in the right direction.
The Mansion on Turtle Creek may still be looking for a chef.

Look at pegasusnews.com for recent closures - under the dining section. Also read the food blogs:
sidedish from D Magazine
eatsblog from Dallas News

[Lakewooder]

A lot of chefs live in East Dallas - we have a lot of the independent restaurants but the restaurant scene is concentrated in Downtown/Uptown/McKinney Ave/Oak Lawn-Turtle Creek reaching east over to the aformentioned Henderson, Lower Greenville areas. Then there are quite a few hot spots sprinkled around within a few miles of downtown. If you want to work at one of the chain restaurants, those are to the north.

[Dallasguy2210]

Also look at Waxahachie south of Dallas. Far enough away but close enough to the city.