Cost of living, crime -- Dallas vs. Seattle (renting, month to)

[JDTD]

Originally Posted by pwright1

I hate to say this but imo NONE of the suburban communities mentioned in the Seattle area stack up to Grapevine. I do remember the beautiful quaint historic downtown, the parks, Grapevine Lake right at your feet. I'm not much of a suburban person but Grapevine blew me away. Right smack in the middle of 6 million Dallas/Ft Worth residents. Easy access to Dallas or Ft. Worth and the airport. It might be fun to move to a new place but from what I saw in Grapevine none of the areas mentioned come close.

Exactly!!!! Not even close. I live in the Seattle area and have only visited Grapevine once. As far as loyalty goes...If someone offered me the same amount of money for a job (or even a little less because I could afford it moving to Texas) if I would move to Grapevine and gave me only ten seconds to decide, I would be living in Grapevine right now. No kidding.

[Tex2Sea]

We moved here to the Seattle area Mar 06 from Lewisville and let me tell you living in Seattle is nothing like Dallas. The cost of living is much higher, to be in the better school districts you live in the nicer suburbs as with all areas of the country. If you're in Grapevine you are familiar with lewisville, there we paid $192,000 for a 2700 sqft 4bd/2.5bath home (6 yrs old). Here that same home we'd pay about $625,000.

I'm a native Texan (AND PROUD OF IT) so I'm used to space, community, family and ofcourse being from the bible belt a nice church & community built on that is a source of comfort for me. We still haven't found that connection here. My family dynamic is simular to yours my husband makes $87k, I make $51k, we have two small children and a teen. We're very family oriented, but I have yet to find a real communal feel here.

I would like to say the people here are friendly, but actually they're helpul. The difference being they will give directions, suggest places to go, sites to see but as for building relationships they're very closed (atleast the ones i've met and i'm a very friendly/social person) clicky.

Crime in the inner city is high but so is it in Dallas and most all large cities.
Traffic here is unbelievable.....know how it might take you a good 45 grueling minutes to get from Grapevine to the Galleria because I-635 can be a night-mare. Well triple that time here because the highways here are very narrow...3 lanes at the most and there are only two major freeways going North and South (Actually one I-5; 405 only runs on the eastside).

The scenery can't be beat! I didn't get what people meant by "Texas is flat" now I know. Seattle is so beautiful, one of the most breath-taking places I've been. If you have an inkling of being outdoors and enjoying physical activity this is the spot. But as for me and I only speak for my family we'd move back to Texas in a heart beat if that relocation materialized. In the mean-time we're here!

Good luck to you Jennifer, and let me know if yall move on up. The fam and I will be happy to show yall some good ole southern hospitality, Seattle style.

Pamela in Lynnwood by way of Lewisville

[pwright1]

Why do people who pick up and move across the country from SUBURB to SUBURB always seem to talk about traffic? Just expect it. Whether its the suburbs of Dallas, Seattle, Chicago, D.C., Miami, Atlanta or anywhere else its just the way it is. You chose to live there for whatever reasons so learn to deal with it. Carpool, ride public transportation.

Citygirl JDTD is right. Crime is definately not concentrated to Seattle. Here its all over from Everett/Marysville to Tacoma. Statistically Seattle is one of the safest big cities in the U.S.

I love Seattle. It was pretty cool after a few months and is even better now after 7 years.

[Embraer]

Pwright is correct. Traffic is an unortunate reality of life. There are ways to avoid it to a certain degree but no entirely. One good thing about Seattle is that it is much more pedestrian friendly than Texas so you don't depend on a car as much.

As for crime, Seattle is much safer than Dallas. I'm not even sure why this is an issue because it is clear as day: Dallas is ranked as the most violent big city while Seattle is the safest big city. Done.

Most Texans with roots planted firmly in the state will have a hard time adjusting to any other part of the country, particularly outside the South/Bible Belt. They are the least versatile people in the US. Most other people from any other region can move to and fro with ease but not a hardcore Texan.

Luckily I never saw the point of living on an 80 acre property that I bought with peanuts with a family of 3 where our "view" consists of a windmill and some small shrubs... so in that regard I don't miss Texas at all.

The size of your house vs the money you paid for it is not all that counts in life and that is a point many Texans miss. Sure, you don't want to live in a smal shack but who says you have to? Check with Seattle realtors for some great places where you can buy a nice house that is under 600k. Plus lets be realistic: We all know that most Texans especially in Dallas are house rich but money poor. Last time I checked Dallas was ranked last in the nation for credit scores. Too many people buy enormous houses to make themselves feel better...but at what price?

To each there own really. It all depends on prefrences and culture. For me Seattle is great and I'm never moving back to Texas. Everything has been better up here and it keeps getting better by the day. I have a large circle of friends, not just people who point me in the right direction but true friends who I see on a regular basis. I am religious, not in the fanatic Bible Belt way but in the personal spiritual way and I have found a really good Church that I attend and made even more friends through that organization.

Just last month an elderly gentleman offered to sell me his boat for half the price he was asking for it just because we had a nice long chat in a cafe one day. And there are people on this board that want to talk to me about the so calle Seattle Freeze?? Please.....

The weather is great, the air clean and pure, the scenery spetacular, and the recreational possibilities endless. I finally made it up to Vancouver not to long ago and what a gem! Not even very far either...made for a perfect weekend getaway. I have been exploring the Olympic mountains more and more and plan to buy a cabin up there eventually for the times when I do want to get away from the city and experience that "country" life...Pacific Northwest style! When I do buy a cabin I may even purchase a plaid shirt and an axe to go along with it

[jwb123]

Actually, not "done".

Seattle isn't even on the list of "safest big cities" and the big city topping the list as safest is NY.

New York still safest big city in U.S. - Crime & courts - MSNBC.com

Dallas IS however, on the most violent list. This is from 2006.

Here is a list from 2004, Seattle is ranked # 13.

City Mayors: Safest US cities

Though, again, this is violent crime, and Seattle Metro Area ranks high for property crime.

Statements posted as "fact" would be great with a source.

[back2sa]

Originally Posted by Embraer

Pwright is correct. Traffic is an unortunate reality of life. There are ways to avoid it to a certain degree but no entirely. One good thing about Seattle is that it is much more pedestrian friendly than Texas so you don't depend on a car as much.

As for crime, Seattle is much safer than Dallas. I'm not even sure why this is an issue because it is clear as day: Dallas is ranked as the most violent big city while Seattle is the safest big city. Done.

Most Texans with roots planted firmly in the state will have a hard time adjusting to any other part of the country, particularly outside the South/Bible Belt. They are the least versatile people in the US. Most other people from any other region can move to and fro with ease but not a hardcore Texan.

Luckily I never saw the point of living on an 80 acre property that I bought with peanuts with a family of 3 where our "view" consists of a windmill and some small shrubs... so in that regard I don't miss Texas at all.

The size of your house vs the money you paid for it is not all that counts in life and that is a point many Texans miss. Sure, you don't want to live in a smal shack but who says you have to? Check with Seattle realtors for some great places where you can buy a nice house that is under 600k. Plus lets be realistic: We all know that most Texans especially in Dallas are house rich but money poor. Last time I checked Dallas was ranked last in the nation for credit scores. Too many people buy enormous houses to make themselves feel better...but at what price?

To each there own really. It all depends on prefrences and culture. For me Seattle is great and I'm never moving back to Texas. Everything has been better up here and it keeps getting better by the day. I have a large circle of friends, not just people who point me in the right direction but true friends who I see on a regular basis. I am religious, not in the fanatic Bible Belt way but in the personal spiritual way and I have found a really good Church that I attend and made even more friends through that organization.

Just last month an elderly gentleman offered to sell me his boat for half the price he was asking for it just because we had a nice long chat in a cafe one day. And there are people on this board that want to talk to me about the so calle Seattle Freeze?? Please.....

The weather is great, the air clean and pure, the scenery spetacular, and the recreational possibilities endless. I finally made it up to Vancouver not to long ago and what a gem! Not even very far either...made for a perfect weekend getaway. I have been exploring the Olympic mountains more and more and plan to buy a cabin up there eventually for the times when I do want to get away from the city and experience that "country" life...Pacific Northwest style! When I do buy a cabin I may even purchase a plaid shirt and an axe to go along with it

This has to be one of the MOST ridiculous posts I've ever read!!!

I'm from TX and I've adjusted quite well to living in places outside of TX. I've lived in Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, and now WA. I'd love to know which study you got your statement from about people from TX being the least versatile people in the US???

And I don't know a lot of people (not any in fact) that live on 80 acre properties in TX. Sterotyping.

The size of your house vs the money you paid for it is not all that counts in life and that is a point many Texans miss

I think the place people live and the money they pay for it counts for a lot in everyone's quality of life wherever they live. Let's face it...if you pay $500,000 for a home here and can buy the same home with land in TX for half that amount that can make a huge difference in your quality of life since the majority of our time is spent in the home. Now there is more to "quality of life" than the size of your home.

Yes...Seattle is a nice place. There are nice people here and not so nice people here. You'll find that everywhere. Yes Seattle is more expensive to live in than TX.

I wish people would stick to facts about places. Everyone is going to feel something different. When it comes down to it, it's all about what YOU make of it. If money is going to be an issue then the stress of moving to a more expensive place is not worth it.

[cobolt]

Good GOd, stay in Texas!! I moved to WA from Texas and I can honestly say that your quality of life is higher in Texas. You think 225K for a house is expensive? You cannot buy anything decent in that neighborhood without either subjecting yourself to marginal school districts, crime areas, or horrific commutes. Please invest the $$ and make a visit before you decide. Drive the freeways. Drive around the areas you are thinking of moving to. Walk into the grocery stores and check out the prices of food. This is your LIFE we're talking about. Great, no income taxes in WA---big flippin whooptie do! They get you in other ways--from your car tags and registration to property taxes and every sort of tax in between. I'm not slamming WA. What I'm saying is make a visit before you leap and if you can, stay in TX!!!!!

[_Charles_]

I hate to say this but imo NONE of the suburban communities mentioned in the Seattle area stack up to Grapevine. I do remember the beautiful quaint historic downtown, the parks, Grapevine Lake right at your feet. I'm not much of a suburban person but Grapevine blew me away. Right smack in the middle of 6 million Dallas/Ft Worth residents. Easy access to Dallas or Ft. Worth and the airport. It might be fun to move to a new place but from what I saw in Grapevine none of the areas mentioned come close.

I just got back to Seattle. I was staying in Grapevine and working Coppell. The above statement is true. BTW $250k barely buys a porta potty here in the Seattle area be prepared for sticker shock.

[_Charles_]

Most Texans with roots planted firmly in the state will have a hard time adjusting to any other part of the country, particularly outside the South/Bible Belt. They are the least versatile people in the US. Most other people from any other region can move to and fro with ease but not a hardcore Texan.

Nonesense! It is the perponderance of passive agressive people (read no social skills) here in Puget Sound that are real issue every new comer faces. I have been all over and I will take friendly Texan over putting up with a nasty Seattle style clique anytime - thank you very much. I have been here 6 years I can say this.

[cobolt]

Thank you Charles. I second that. I find it interesting that the Puget Sound and the west coast lauds itself for being so "progressive" yet they have such judgemental and erroneous opinions and perceptions about southerners and Texans. I've seen it again and again. A Texan will have a hard time adjusting not because they lack versitility, but because they are used to a certain social interaction, kindness, courtesy, and consideration that extends beyond saying "hello."