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I would like to know which is better in the following categories:
1.) Quality affordable housing
2.) Quality public school systems
3.) Performing arts (namely music and theatre) facilities, troupes, and shows
4.) Family friendly excursions / activities
5.) Friendliness of people (and openness to newcomers)
6.) Taxes and overall cost of living
7.) Traffic and transportation (both freeways and public transit)
8.) Restaurant scene (variety of ethnic foods)
Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated.
I think either would be a good selection for you. I'd probably go with Dallas out of the 2 according to your criteria, but I wouldn't rule Denver out either.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I'd definitely prefer Denver because even though metro Denver is about half the size of DFW Metroplex, Denver would have a lot more for me to do. Denver has a nicer and more stimulating downtown to walk around and much better scenery with more interesting surroundings, but my bias is that I love the mountains. Being that you're in Phoenix you may be accustomed to mountain scenery, outdoor, nice sunsets, outdoor activity, and road tripping in which Denver has would be a better match. For family activities I think Denver offers a much broader range with plethora of year round outdoor recreational opportunities nearby.
Dallas certainly outdoes Denver in retail/shopping, ethnic dining, cosmopolitan amenities, museums and the arts. That said, it depends on how much of that you really need in your day to day or weekend life. Denver has plenty of variety for food/dining, shopping, and the arts with enough to satisfy, Dallas just has a lot more of it. There will be the practical and pragmatic measures such as job opportunities and a robust economy where Dallas may be ahead. But it really just depends on the kind of work you do and what parts of these metro areas you want to live in.
For transportation, both areas have undergone a lot of light rail expansion. Thing is, I'm not sure where I'd ride the light rail in Dallas unless it had a connection between employment and home, and downtown Dallas really isn't that interesting where Denver has a more vibrant downtown and its sports venues are located downtown as well. Dallas has more freeways and they tend to be on the bigger side in parts (duh it's Texas), both cities have plenty of traffic and probably more congestion than Phoenix freeways.
Dallas is more affordable, but Denver in my opinion is more desirable. As to which city is more friendly to newcomers, only you can make that judgment. You really ought to visit both areas to gauge on your comfort level with either area.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 06-10-2014 at 09:07 PM..
Dallas would be closer to the weather you are used to as compared to Denver whereas Denver would be closer to the topography that you are used to. I'd pick Dallas because it's a great place to raise a family with a strong economy.
This was a close one - I like Denver and am not a fan of Dallas, but I really think Ft Worth is the most underrated city in the region, so I went with DFW overall.
I would like to know which is better in the following categories:
1.) Quality affordable housing
2.) Quality public school systems
3.) Performing arts (namely music and theatre) facilities, troupes, and shows
4.) Family friendly excursions / activities
5.) Friendliness of people (and openness to newcomers)
6.) Taxes and overall cost of living
7.) Traffic and transportation (both freeways and public transit)
8.) Restaurant scene (variety of ethnic foods)
Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated.
I live in the Dallas area, but Ive spent ample time in Denver. Great places both, just different.
1) Affordable housing can be found in either place. It is more abundant in the DFW area, but you can find a nice place to live in Denver for sure.
2) Not as sure about Denver. The DFW area has tons of excellent school systems, I cant imagine Denver is any diffferent.
3) DFW on this one.
4) I would actually give Denver the nod on this one. There is just so much more to do out of doors.
5) Either. Both have people from all over the country in large numbers. Dallas has a much larger international immigrant population though.
6) DFW will have lower taxes and lower cost of living.
7) DFW has worse traffic and Denver is easier to navigate.
8) Dallas and its not even close. Dallas is simply much more diverse and multicultural and part of that is the wide variety of food available. Nothing really cant be found food wise here.
I work in the insurance industry and she is a veterinarian.
This is one economic segment where DFW is making great gains. State Farm recently moved their hq's to the area and Liberty Mutual as well as many major insurance companies are growing their presence as well due to a large and growing workforce.
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