Any transplants from the Philadelphia/S. Jersey Area? (Dallas: car insurance, home)

[2dc]

Would like to get your opinion of the DFW Metroplex! Do you like living in Dallas compared to Philadelphia/South Jersey area?

[dgz]

I moved to Dallas from the Philadelphia area in 1990. I spent part of my childhood in NJ, went to Rutgers, did an internship in NY, worked in Philadelphia, lived in Narberth, etc.

What I miss:

- my mother and my siblings
- the ocean
- an area with a lot of history
- shorter, less expensive flights to Europe
- being able to drive only 2 hours and feel like you're in a different place :-)

What I really like about the Dallas area... and these are just my personal impressions:

- it seems like there's a greater sense of optimism here
- people seem more civil, more relaxed... they smile and say 'hello' more
- it's less densely-populated and easier to get around
- less expensive housing, taxes, car insurance, etc.
- more job opportunities (but this may just be unique to the type of work I do)
- very mild winters
- a huge variety of restaurant and shopping choices
- shorter, less expensive flights to the Southwest, Mexico, etc.

Also, in comparison to Philadelphia, Dallas feels more 'liveable,' even when you're in the more densely-populated parts of it. The one downside being that you do have to drive everywhere; although the DART rail system is growing. Also, the 'moving home foundations' thing still freaks me out a bit.

But surprisingly, I've found that the hot summers are not that difficult to get used to (and the humidity is not as high here).