Is There Any Reason For This Californian To Not Move to Dallas? (Orange: condos, houses)

[rb4browns]

Hi All

Here's our story, let me know what you think. My wife and I are looking at moving out to Dallas this summer. I grew up in San Diego, she's from NYC. We're both 35 and have a baby due in October. We live in West Los Angeles, where 2 bedroom condos go for about $800k and proper houses are all above a million.

We want to own a home and have an affordable lifestyle. I love CA and to think of leaving hurts, but at this point in my life priorities have changed....I'm having a hard time coming up with a reason to stay. We're orthodox Jewish and both politically and socially conservative, so the idea of a religious, family oriented town is appealing. I am a professional recruiter, and from my research on job boards and speaking to contacts there is a thriving job market in Dallas. My wife will be a stay at home mom. I love sports and football, so that will be a plus in Dallas. I could be a Cowboys fan if I tried!

I'm not crazy about real hot or real cold weather, but I prefer heat to snow. I will miss the beach terribly I know. Other than that it seems a no brainer. I've been out to Dallas on a pilot trip and my wife and I are going back. We would live in the north dallas area just south of 635 between preston and hillcrest, that seems like a nice area.

So, to you California ex-pats, what do you think? I'd love to hear the input of folks who have blazed a trail and left Southern California for Dallas. Thanks!

[USA_Mom]

Well I left SoCal (Orange County although my dad lived in San Diego County/El Cajon) in 1994. I left for many of the same reasons you did, although I moved where my mom's family was in Louisiana. In 1997 we moved to DFW and I LOVED IT. I liked being able to afford a relatively large home, go on vacations (mini ones several times throughout the year) and knowing I can retire before I die. Unfortunately my husband decided he missed the south and we moved to Georgia--we are moving back for a large variety of reasons. Also having no state taxes is a plus. People gripe about the high property taxes, but comparatively speaking as far as what you get for a house AND coupled with no state tax for us it is a win-win.

Anyway the things I didn't "love" about Dallas was that it is really hot or really cold when I lived there (1997 to 2006) with about 60 days of freaking awesome weather in between. I find it humid, but my husband (Louisiana native) finds it dry...so YMMV. I also don't like the assumptions people make that I listen to Country music, drive a pink Cadillac, and sell Mary Kay--but people make assumptions based on my voice that I surf and eat tofu only. My husband says commutes are awful, but he has only lived in Louisiana (and never worked in big city there--the biggest he worked in was Baton Rouge he's never worked in downtown New Orleans where I worked) and never worked in SoCal so he has NO IDEA what traffic is IMO or distance (at one point I lived in Temecula and drove to Huntington Beach for work just to be able to afford a house--which I sold after a few months due to the commute).

The only cavaet I have is once you move, it is harder to move back financially for most people and you'll have sticker shock again.

[FarNorthDallas]

The trail from California to Texas has been blazed so many times it's paved and landscaped.

[LastDallasNative]

All the Californians in California have moved here to D/FW! Please turn out the lights on the way out!

[socketz]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

The trail from California to Texas has been blazed so many times it's paved and landscaped.

We need to put this one on the front of a t-shirt.

On the back, put the "Not a native texan, but I got here as fast as I could"

[Spree]

>> "Not a native texan, but I got here as fast as I could"<<

My mom has that bumper sticker. Not coming from CA tho, she came from ND and welcomes the heat and humidity!

[rb4browns]

There can't be any Californians left in California!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All the Californians in California have moved here to D/FW! Please turn out the lights on the way out!

People are funny, they get upset and anxious that *other* people might take what's *theirs*. Californians do the same thing. Sorry Native Dallas Person, but we're coming like it or not. Might as well extend a hand and help us acclimate and become a part of what you guys have out there. You just can't stop the mongol hordes of Californians coming for your cheap housing

[USA_Mom]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

People are funny, they get upset and anxious that *other* people might take what's *theirs*. Californians do the same thing. Sorry Native Dallas Person, but we're coming like it or not. Might as well extend a hand and help us acclimate and become a part of what you guys have out there. You just can't stop the mongol hordes of Californians coming for your cheap housing

LOL I think he's joshing you. I had a great reception and I don't remember anyone being upset that I moved to the state---Georgia OTOH I felt like I invaded territory.

[Debsi]

I'm from San Diego too. My biggest adjustment besides the obvious (beach) was that Baja-style Mexican food doesn't exist here. But I really like Mexican food, you might be more normal.

From your attitude, I think you will fit right in and love it here.

You're smart to start with become a Cowboy fan not a Ranger fan.
Watch the Mavericks too.

[HeadingtoTexas]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

The trail from California to Texas has been blazed so many times it's paved and landscaped.

I must be feeling emotional about this topic because after I read your comment I am laughing and crying. It's so so true.