Question to Transplants (CA to Dallas): Are You Happy? (McKinney: lease, house)

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by serger

So true. If cost was not an issue for me:
TX<CA<<Hawaii

But cost is an issue, a big one for 99% of the citizens. Disneyland is where you do not have to worry about reality like cost for things you need to live..

[serger]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

But cost is an issue, a big one for 99% of the citizens. Disneyland is where you do not have to worry about reality like cost for things you need to live..

Agreed, that's why we are in Plano!

[Chaba5]

Hi! I was just reading this thread and it it is very interesting. I currently live in the suburbs of the Sacramento Area in CA. Wonderful city with good schools. Cost of living is pretty decent in comparison with the big cities in CA (LA and San Francisco). Our company has giving us the opportunity to move to Dallas. We are struggling with the decision. It seems like cost of living is less but not a big difference than the area where we live. We love having Tahoe and San Francisco two hours away. We have nice lakes and the weather is pretty decent. Any suggestions? And from those of you that posted back in 2010, how do you like it now?

[Texafornian]

Thanks for bumping this thread, because I forgot I started it! It’s really interesting to look back and see what my state of mind was prior to moving to TX.

Yes, we did eventually end up making the move from the Bay Area to the North Dallas Area back in August 2010, and have just passed our 2 year mark.

The verdict…?


WE LOVE IT... as someone else mentioned, best “life” decision we’ve ever made for our young family! No, it’s not CA, but we realize now that the fact that it’s not CA is both good and bad. Do we miss the weather, topography, breadth of activities, and family/friends over there? Absolutely! That’s the bad part. But I’m happy to report that those things DO NOT outweigh the benefits we’ve gained from moving here, and both my wife and I are proud to call TX our home now.

You can PM me if you want more details, but I’ll summarize it by saying that A) all of the positive things on paper that were discussed in the thread above have been true, B) all of the fears/concerns we had (i.e. ethnic diversity, access to different types of foods, adjustment to weather, adjustment to new culture, etc.) are now an after-thought, and C) my wife adjusted VERY quickly and well, and that was my personal main concern. There is way more diversity here than we expected, and the weather is pretty nice 9 out of the 12 months in the year. Our ethnic restaurant selections are definitely limited compared to the Bay Area, BUT as you search and explore (part of the fun), you will likely find those hidden gems that hit the spot… and then you’re set. The culture and emphasis on family here matches our priorities way more than what we experienced in CA, and we really feel like our lives have changed for the better.

Anyway, we are both SO happy that we moved, and for better or worse, a lot of people we know who were born and raised in CA are wanting to follow suit. As SpanielGirl posted above, there is so much going on in CA that even if you can afford to live there, people are starting to decide that it’s no longer worth it (in their personal opinions).

We will be going back on a family trip later this year to the Bay Area, which we are very excited about. We get to see all of the people and things that we’ve missed, and will have a great time vacationing and experiencing CA again, although for a brief moment. But I’m happy to say that this time we’ll be going back as visitors, and will be able to come back HOME to TX!

[Chaba5]

Thank you so much for your response. We are so nervous right now. We are actually going this weekend to look for a ouse. My husband is a native CA guy, and I'm nervous about him. I hope our experience will be the same. Thanks a lot again!!!

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

My biggest piece of advise is this. Do not move to Texas expecting it to be California. Move here expecting it to be Texas. .

Quote of the week!

[Texafornian]

Originally Posted by Chaba5

Thank you so much for your response. We are so nervous right now. We are actually going this weekend to look for a ouse. My husband is a native CA guy, and I'm nervous about him. I hope our experience will be the same. Thanks a lot again!!!

Good luck! It's hot here right now, so make sure you guys mentally prepare for that!

Originally Posted by TX75007

Quote of the week!

Completely agree!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

Do not move to Texas expecting it to be California. Move here expecting it to be Texas.

I wish we could put that on a legal document and make Californians sign it when they move here.

[ufcrules1]

Originally Posted by Texafornian

Thanks for bumping this thread, because I forgot I started it! It’s really interesting to look back and see what my state of mind was prior to moving to TX.

Yes, we did eventually end up making the move from the Bay Area to the North Dallas Area back in August 2010, and have just passed our 2 year mark.

The verdict…?


WE LOVE IT... as someone else mentioned, best “life” decision we’ve ever made for our young family! No, it’s not CA, but we realize now that the fact that it’s not CA is both good and bad. Do we miss the weather, topography, breadth of activities, and family/friends over there? Absolutely! That’s the bad part. But I’m happy to report that those things DO NOT outweigh the benefits we’ve gained from moving here, and both my wife and I are proud to call TX our home now.

You can PM me if you want more details, but I’ll summarize it by saying that A) all of the positive things on paper that were discussed in the thread above have been true, B) all of the fears/concerns we had (i.e. ethnic diversity, access to different types of foods, adjustment to weather, adjustment to new culture, etc.) are now an after-thought, and C) my wife adjusted VERY quickly and well, and that was my personal main concern. There is way more diversity here than we expected, and the weather is pretty nice 9 out of the 12 months in the year. Our ethnic restaurant selections are definitely limited compared to the Bay Area, BUT as you search and explore (part of the fun), you will likely find those hidden gems that hit the spot… and then you’re set. The culture and emphasis on family here matches our priorities way more than what we experienced in CA, and we really feel like our lives have changed for the better.

Anyway, we are both SO happy that we moved, and for better or worse, a lot of people we know who were born and raised in CA are wanting to follow suit. As SpanielGirl posted above, there is so much going on in CA that even if you can afford to live there, people are starting to decide that it’s no longer worth it (in their personal opinions).

We will be going back on a family trip later this year to the Bay Area, which we are very excited about. We get to see all of the people and things that we’ve missed, and will have a great time vacationing and experiencing CA again, although for a brief moment. But I’m happy to say that this time we’ll be going back as visitors, and will be able to come back HOME to TX!

Great post. I really enjoyed reading that.

[BabyDoctor77]

Originally Posted by Chaba5

Thank you so much for your response. We are so nervous right now. We are actually going this weekend to look for a ouse. My husband is a native CA guy, and I'm nervous about him. I hope our experience will be the same. Thanks a lot again!!!

We moved to Dallas from Roseville last year......I agree that San Francisco is amazing and has a lot to be missed....but Sacramento has NOTHING to do with the Bay Area. I thought Sac was a complete dump and is not representative of the "California" which is known for its popularity, i.e. LA, OC, SF. SD, etc.

We love Dallas...and consider it to be worlds better than Sac.....and this is coming from a Cali native, born and raised.