Which city is best for me (Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, San Antonio (living, cost)

[mauiwowie]

I'm looking for opinions on which city would best suit my family. I'm in my early 30s and would like to settle down and put roots in a community where my family can be long term.

I work in logistics/transportation with some experience in the manufacturing sector as well. We also have two businesses, so are looking for the best combo of resources and business friendly climate.

I have a child with special needs and would like the best available services and pediatric health care including specialists.

Of course, I want the things everyone desires like safety, community, and lots of activities (cultural, family entertainment).

I also like a nice climate, which for me, means mild to virtually no winter weather.

I need to be in a metro of at least 1 million, but my wife does like suburban living with plenty of space.

I'm also looking for reasonable cost of living (would to purchase a nice home under $400k), but if an area is more expensive would consider it.

Looking at San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio.

I would also like to hear other suggestions I may be missing.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Well, you will have the most big city amminities in Dallas, but you wont be short on them in Phoenix and San Diego.

I would quickly rule out San Diego if your budget is 400k.

Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio have mild winters, San Diego has no winter. Dallas can get cold in the winter in spells. It might be in the 30's one week. Then the next week you might get weather like we have right now in the 70's.

Dallas and Phoenix will probably offer the most in terms of special needs for you child, but I recomend the suburbs. I have a friend who works for a non-profit public school watch dog and the Dallas ISD and Phoenix schools score extremely low.

Of the cities you mentioned Dallas is the best place for transportation/logistics jobs.

Hope that helps.

[STLMetro]

I agree with the information above and think that Dallas is probably the best option out of the criteria listed.

[mauiwowie]

Thanks for the response, LAnative. That reinforces the impressions I have based on my research.

I would love SD, but have family there that just seem to get by on a healthy income.

It seems any of these meet my needs OK and Dallas is probably best for the career.