Moving to Dallas from Chicago... (Houston, San Antonio: 2010, apartments, to rent)

[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!!

[azriverfan.]

First of all, the weather in Dallas is not better. I prefer Chicago weather because at least your summers and falls are nice. Dallas has arguably the worst weather in the country because they have both extremes. They have hot HUMID summers and cold dry winters. What's bad about their winters is that it doesn't get cold enough to get much snowfall so they get a lot of ice on the roads instead. Dallas is flat so they have no mountains or anything else to shield them from bad wind. They also have a lot of tornados. If you are moving to escape the cold, don't go to Dallas. Dallas isn't a warm weather city. Move to Austin, Houston or San Antonio if you want better weather

[momof2dfw]

LOL!!!!

1. No. We do NOT have ice all of the time on the roads in the winter. A "rotfl" moment with that one, lol. We MIGHT get a few days of it here and there during winter but some winters we can go without any at all. We will get ice one day and the next it could be in the 60's and sunshine.

2. No, we don't get a lot of snow. Some people see that as a plus. No need to dig your car out from the latest snowfall every time you want to go somewhere. Snow on the mountains in a small town or ski area is pretty. Snow in a city day after day after day gets icky looking and turns black. When we want to see snow we all just head to the mountains and ski
But wait, , "What's bad about their winters is that it doesn't get cold enough to get much snowfall so they get a lot of ice"........ If it doesn't get cold enough for snow then how does it get cold enough for ICE!?!?!?!

3. NO! Dallas does not have the "worst weather of the nation". That is just flat out funny. ROTFL!!!!

4. We have some wet summer weather at times. Not near as "dry" as some areas.

5. We also have wet winters.

6. We do NOT get tornadoes "all of the time". ROTFL!!!! OHMY, my sides hurt. I've lived here for over 40 years and have NEVER seen a tornado, had property hit with one or anything. My parents grew up here as well and they also have never had a house hit by one. My mom saw one once when she was a little girl. Could have been while they were living out in West Texas though and not IN Dallas.

Don't let the naysayers and doom and gloomers that do not really KNOW the city nor state sway you. You need to do what is best for YOUR family.

[xuxu]

Thank you for the advice...

My wife and I do enjoy having seasons, that was one of the concerns of my wife, because she though that Dallas was hot and dry but I convinced her otherwise..

I like cold weather sometimes but believe me, not the Brutal weather here in Chicago during winter when it can get -11F easily outside, sometimes with the wind, gets up to -40F that you can't even go outside and it's cold for about 7 months of the year, the opposite of Dallas where the weather is nice for about 7 months of the year (correct me if I'm wrong.)

We are not looking for a Perfect weather ciy, just a place where the weather is reasonable, everywhere has ups and dows but Chicago winter is just too much for us, plus it's an expensive city, where the same amount of money we pay for our apartment, we can get a way better deal in Dallas..we were checking the Villages, a complex 10min away from Dallas and we Loved it!

Some points why we are considering moving to Dallas:

* Weather with seasons
* Affordable cost of living
* Still a Big city
* Affordable education (considering I'll go back to school next year)
* I hear Texans are well polite, friendly people
* It seens that we can get more for our Money!
* Plan to buy a house in the next 2 years and houses there are gorgeous and affordable

We'll visit Dallas early next year to get to know the city,..We are really excited!

Thanks again for the advices!

[mm4]

Uh, could anything be more humid than the Loop in July?

[scyogi]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Dallas has arguably the worst weather in the country because they have both extremes. They have hot HUMID summers and cold dry winters. What's bad about their winters is that it doesn't get cold enough to get much snowfall so they get a lot of ice on the roads instead. Dallas is flat so they have no mountains or anything else to shield them from bad wind. They also have a lot of tornados. If you are moving to escape the cold, don't go to Dallas. Dallas isn't a warm weather city. Move to Austin, Houston or San Antonio if you want better weather

Do you live here? Dallas does have some humidity but it is not bad at all. The winters are MILD here. In the past 2 years we have had MAYBE 3 days when a very thin layer of ice was on the road...and that was just until the sun came out and melted it away. Tornados?? Everywhere in midwest is Tornados.....we have 'exciting' weather here in the metro but very rarely a extreme outbreak of tornados occur.

Dallas is a rather groovy place. Chicago is AMAZING and I can't believe anyone would want to leave a great city enviorment. (of course, I have only vacationed in Chicago...so only fun!)

[Dallas native]

Just ignore anything that azriverfan has to say. He/she has an ax to grind for some reason and rarely misses an opportunity to bash Dallas.

[mysterymachinebl]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

First of all, the weather in Dallas is not better. I prefer Chicago weather because at least your summers and falls are nice. Dallas has arguably the worst weather in the country because they have both extremes. They have hot HUMID summers and cold dry winters. What's bad about their winters is that it doesn't get cold enough to get much snowfall so they get a lot of ice on the roads instead. Dallas is flat so they have no mountains or anything else to shield them from bad wind. They also have a lot of tornados. If you are moving to escape the cold, don't go to Dallas. Dallas isn't a warm weather city. Move to Austin, Houston or San Antonio if you want better weather

You complain about the humidity here, but recommend Houston??? That makes a lot of sense!

[xuxu]

I love Chicago, don't get me wrong, I just don't love the weather and the cost of living..hehe
It just gets way too cold to do anything and I'm an outdoor kind of guy, so I love water activities, hiking, biking, picnics, etc.. and we don't have a lot of days that have nice warm weather to do that kind of stuff,..also we are looking for a place were we can get more for our money and Dallas seen like a great fit for us...

My wife will have to find a preschool teaching job when we move,since she'll be getting her masters next year, so if anybody has any advice on Prek teaching jobs, let us Know!!
I work from home, that won't be a big deal for me..I'll also be attending college (possibily Dallas county community college and then transfer to a University) trying to get my degree in Computer technology..

I like hearing different opnions but I tend to see the bright side of things and for what I have researched so far, Dallas has more Ups than Downs!!

Well..once more, Thank you guys..

[Dallas native]

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!!

Getting back to your original question about locations, I would recommend the Knox-Henderson area. It's about 2 miles north of downtown and just above the Uptown area. It's one street that has different names depending on which side of Central Expressway (75) you are on. The west side is Knox and the east side is Henderson. It's one of the few walkable sections of Dallas and it is filled with restaurants and retail. The Knox side is right next to Highland Park (Beverly Hills minus the palm trees) and it has a very upscale vibe. The Henderson side is a bit edgier and it's arguably the hottest strip of restaurants and bars in Dallas. On either side there are apartments that would be available for $1000/month.