Moving to Dallas from Chicago... (Plano, McKinney: apartment complex, for rent, insurance)

[bluescreen73]

Winter's about the only mild season here. Keep in mind that it hasn't been below zero in 20 years.

A couple years back, the northern burbs got 8 inches of heavy snow in about a 3-hour period, while Dallas & Tarrant Counties got barely a dusting. That's by far and away the most snow we've seen on the ground at one time since we moved here. Usually you're lucky to have 1/4 of that.

Summers in North Texas pretty well suck. Unless you like baking and sweating your ass off you won't spend a whole lot of time outside from late June through late August/early September.

The humidity levels between Dallas and Chicago are similar, but it's typically 10-15 degrees warmer here than there. There are, on average, 16 days of 100+ degree temps in Dallas, but it can vary wildly. In 2004 we had one 100 degree day. In 2006 we had 42. A/C is mandatory, not just recommended. Spend a summer in Dallas, and Chicago summers will feel balmy in comparison.

I get into "discussions" with folks about this all the time. I insist that it doesn't cool off at night much here at all. People tell me I'm full of it. Well, if you have the urge to mow your lawn at 5:30am because that's the only time the temperature will be below 80 degrees for the day, it doesn't cool off at night. Truth hurts sometimes.

Tornadoes? Yeah they happen here. Are they common? No. In 10 years here the only ones I've seen were on TV.

Bottom line: You're trading brutal winters and mild summers for brutal summers and mild winters.

[xuxu]

That's all good for us!! I grew up in Brazil, so hot weather is not an issue for me..its a PLUS.I also lived in Orlando-Fl and I now how Humid and hot it can get hehe My wife is originally from Missouri and we are not too focused on the weather issue, more about cost of living, school, jobs, etc... and Dallas seen to offer what we are looking for..

Thank you all for the advices..

[wordstringer]

One of the major differences I've noticed since moving here from Chicago six years ago is a lack pedestrian-friendly areas. Generally, most folks drive everywhere, though some parts of Dallas, like Uptown and Lakewood seem to be good places to walk to restos, shops, etc.

If you can find something in either of those two areas, that'd be a good starting point for acclimating yourselves to Dallas. Also consider Addison, though not as walker-friendly.

In addition, you might find a major difference in public transport compared to Chicago. No subway here. More like light rail system in Atlanta.

Also, have your wife look into Irving ISD. I hear it's one of the best paying school districts. I'd imagine Highland Park is, too. Will ask a friend who teaches there.

As for the weather, while Dallas is milder winter-wise, you make up for it in the long, hot summer. I know Chi gets ridiculously warm, but it usually lasts only a month or two.

If you have specifics, feel free to pm me. Best wishes on your relo!!

[LAnative10]

Hello xuxu,

I may be able to help because I lived in Chicago for a year and I now live in Dallas. I lived in Lincoln Park, near Clark and Fullerton. I am very familiar with Lakeview.

I would recomend one of two areas for you:

The first in Knox-Henderson. Its a VERY artsy and diverse area. You will find just about everything here. Lots of great food, bars, resturants, and people from every walk of life. Its also a walkable area.

Here are some establishments there:

Knox/Henderson Guide on Citysearch®

The second area is Lakewood. Lakewood is arguably the most liberal area of Dallas. Again its a very artsy area with people from all walks of life. Its also right by White Rock Lake (Dallas' Lake Michigan).

Lakewood guide Dallas

I wouldnt say Chicago and Dallas are similar, but they do have similarities. You will find friendly people here, great food, lots of different people from all walks of life, and the climate is alot less extreme than Chicago. Our winters are absolutely nothing like Chicago. I havent lived here a whole winter yet, but Ive spent alot of time in Dallas in the winter and the average day in the winter has highs in the upper 50's and lows in the mid-upper 30's. Thats childs play compared to Chicago.

[Dallas native]

Originally Posted by wordstringer

In addition, you might find a major difference in public transport compared to Chicago. No subway here. More like light rail system in Atlanta.

I agree with that, although your comment about there not being a subway here is technically incorrect. The portion of the blue line/red line from Pearl St. downtown up to Mockingbird Station is a subway underneath Central Expressway. So, while it's not much, we do have about 3 miles of subway in Dallas. DART rail will never be as useful as Chicago Transit but it is a growing system that can work very well for some commuters or people who live in the city near a station.

[wordstringer]

Originally Posted by Dallas native

I agree with that, although your comment about there not being a subway here is technically incorrect. The portion of the blue line/red line from Pearl St. downtown up to Mockingbird Station is a subway underneath Central Expressway. So, while it's not much, we do have about 3 miles of subway in Dallas. DART rail will never be as useful as Chicago Transit but it is a growing system that can work very well for some commuters or people who live in the city near a station.

Ahhhh. That's right. I forgot about that little stretch. And, agree that it is very useful though not on par with CTA. One characteristic of DART that is hand's down better than Chicago transit is the cleanliness of the railcars, IMO.

[rosscountry]

Originally Posted by xuxu

Hello folks!!

My husband and I currently live in Chicago and are planning to relocate in June/July 2010. We're looking into Dallas because of the (much) lower cost of living than Chicago, and the MUCH better weather. We still want an urban environment, but one that is more affordable. He is a work from home interpreter, so his job will continue wherever we are, and I will be looking for a job as a preschool teacher wherever we go.
So, any thoughts for us? We would love suggestions for places to live- we plan to rent for a year, then look to buy our first home, so we'd ideally like to keep it under $1000/month at the most. We want a neighborhood of young professionals, with lots of fun resturants and bars (but not the college scene type bars!)- something similar to the area we live in here in Chicago (East Lakeview, for those that are familiar with Chicago). We're looking for opinions in general about the Dallas area in addition to living areas.

Thanks in advance!!

I used to live in east lakeview or "Lakeview East"

the closest thing you will find in dallas to that area is an area here called Uptown, Turtle Creek or Oaklawn.

thats it. Get ready for an adjustment. There are enough interesting things to do to keep you busy and its getting better.

The weather is better....Schools are better...Crime is lower....people are more welcoming here..state pride is big here and it one of the things I admire the most and find exciting... lower cost of living so you can do more here as far as the things money can buy than in Chicago. i don't know if you currently own or rent but there are no $50,000 deeded car spots here or 300 per month parking garages which means extra money for saving or fun

If you are looking for a more liveable downtown try something different like FT Worth.- - more texas charm and character there..daily cattle runs..bars..book stores etc allllllmost like lakeview..

only 2 pro teams in the city limits as compared to 4 in chicago in case you wanted to know that ..

almost no mass transit so warm up your ride.
I love to drive so that wasn't a big deal to me.

[xuxu]

Thank you Guys for the advices one more...

One things that I think we'll miss the most about Chicago is the CTA (public transportaion)..The CTA is fantastic here,,takes you almost in every part of Chicago, that's very convenient when you don't have a car..
We might purchase a car before we move to Dallas but we are not sure yet but we do know that we CAN'T live without a car in Dallas, unless we want to be limited to what we can do..hehe

We were looking into apartmens around the area that was recommended for us (Knox-Henderson,Lakewood,Alrlington, Ft Worth) and it all seen like great places, will definitely visit the locatios next year around April before we move..
We were also looking at the Village apartments and we liked it very much.I loved the amenities, location and the prices we very good.. anyone has any info about the Villages complex? It seens like a great place...

Thank you all for the advices!!

PS: Fot those familiar with Chicago, we currently live in Belmont-Lake shore drive!

[xuxu]

Hi Everyone!
It's the wife here. Again, thanks so much for all the advice, it's really helping us while we're researching everything there is to know about Dallas. As my husband mentioned, I'll be looking for a preK teaching job in the spring, when listings begin to get posted for the next school year. Right now, I want to start researching some schools/areas of Dallas so I'm more familiar when the time comes. Because I won't be certified (although very qualified!) I will be looking for private schools only- I know someone mentioned some good districts, so I'll start there. I was also wondering which areas of Dallas I should avoid (neighborhoods, zip codes, etc). Again, thanks for all your help!

[crislevin]

A bit north from Knox (1mile), there is a big apartment complex called Village, Its a safe environment and quite inexpensive, I'm thinking well below $1000. You might like it. Its very close to the Greenville Ave (not the lower Greenville know for many bars and restaurants, but still decent).

A lot of young professionals live there as well.

Dallas has high crime rate, I am not sure exactly which part of town is more "dangerous" than others. I imagine many people would say Cedar Springs gay strip and south of I30 with more minority. Which I personally do not agree.