Torn between Grapevine TX and Franklin TN for relocation (Dallas: sales, real estate)

[Alkonost]

I've completed relocation research trips to both Dallas (Grapevine) and Nashville (Franklin).

The problem: We LOVE both places, and the pros/cons for each cancel each other out in ways where neither comes out ahead with any outstanding advantage.

If there is anyone here who has lived in both Dallas TX (Grapevine) and Nashville TN (Williamson County), I would love to hear how you think the two places compare, which you prefer, and why.

We love the town feel of Franklin, yet it has so many amenities within a short drive that it doesn't feel "small". Dallas has more shopping/dining/employment options since it's a large metro area, but it has a lot of traffic and sprawl. Both are family oriented, have good schools, friendly people, and wonderful homes to start a family in...

This is going to be a very difficult decision. I'm sure we could be happy in either place, but we can't live in two places at once.

[Shay3]

Are the jobs equal as well? That could be the tie breaker. Or where do you like to go on vacation? We love to travel west to the mountains or the grand canyon or Vegas, or NM. We also road trip it since there are 6 of us. All of those places are much closer to Dallas so that would influence my decision. But if you like Florida better or the Smokey Mountains you might want Nashville. Texas also has a lot more state pride than Tennessee that can be good or bad but can be a consideration. Good luck deciding.

[Rowlett Resident]

I think I would pick Nashville. We lived there 10 years in the 80s and we loved it. We have now lived in the Dallas area for 23 years and we like it here also. Dallas's summers are getting harder and harder to suffer through. The traffic in this area also gets worse each day. Water in the DFW area also seems to be an increasing problem with shortages each year.

I do believe the cost of living is cheaper in the DFW area. If I remember right there was a sales tax on groceries in Tenn. We have a larger selection of shopping here also.

[Squirl]

Texas doesn't have a state income tax, but has high property taxes and insurance. Nashville has more natural beauty and more outdoor recreation opportunities IMO. Have you compared cost of housing between both places including taxes, utilities, insurance?

[Alkonost]

Originally Posted by Shay3

Are the jobs equal as well? That could be the tie breaker. Or where do you like to go on vacation? We love to travel west to the mountains or the grand canyon or Vegas, or NM. We also road trip it since there are 6 of us. All of those places are much closer to Dallas so that would influence my decision. But if you like Florida better or the Smokey Mountains you might want Nashville. Texas also has a lot more state pride than Tennessee that can be good or bad but can be a consideration. Good luck deciding.

The employment opportunities at Dallas are superior, but not a tie breaker. My spouse is a consultant so this enables us to pick and choose where we live. The employment opportunities would only be an advantage to us long term if my spouse would decide in 5+ years or so to leave consulting (unlikely). We're planning to start a family shortly within moving and I'll be giving up my career to raise our little ones, so employment opportunities aren't crucial to me either. But it is something we are considering as a bonus to DWF over Nashville. While it's not a major plus for us because of our situation, we're still taking it into account.

As for the scenery, we did prefer Franklin TN- it reminded us of the Northeast with the hills. My in-laws live in Putnam county (suburb of NYC) and there's some beautiful green rolling hills, it's just breathtaking during the fall. We'd also have a change of seasons in TN, but not so much in TX. I must admit we're not fans of hot weather, that is a slight negative for Dallas, but that's why mankind invented AC.

We like to vacation in Vegas. No shock there We've been there close to 20 times, the spouse loves to gamble. He gambles, I go to the spa, it works out pretty well.

[Alkonost]

Originally Posted by Squirl

Texas doesn't have a state income tax, but has high property taxes and insurance. Nashville has more natural beauty and more outdoor recreation opportunities IMO. Have you compared cost of housing between both places including taxes, utilities, insurance?

Yep we've priced it out, we've also compared rental and housing costs. Cost of living as a whole is very similar. No state tax in either place, sales tax high in both, property taxes are slightly lower in TN, but there's dividends/interest income tax in TN (a bit of a downer since we do have a lot of investments) which TX doesn't have. The lack of a state income tax is protected by Texas state law, we like that kind of protection from the evils of excessive taxation (we're living in Manhattan now, and we're paying close to 40%. Welcome to NYC, now bend over...). Rentals are a tie, and real estate costs are similar for Williamson County TN and Dallas Suburbs- outside of Williamson the costs are much less but we're adamant about staying inside of Williamson because of the schools and neighborhoods. Cost of living, slightly less in TN but only by a slim margin.

[Alkonost]

Originally Posted by Rowlett Resident

I think I would pick Nashville. We lived there 10 years in the 80s and we loved it. We have now lived in the Dallas area for 23 years and we like it here also. Dallas's summers are getting harder and harder to suffer through. The traffic in this area also gets worse each day. Water in the DFW area also seems to be an increasing problem with shortages each year.

I do believe the cost of living is cheaper in the DFW area. If I remember right there was a sales tax on groceries in Tenn. We have a larger selection of shopping here also.

We'd be happy and content in either place, that's part of what makes the decision difficult. Sounds like you also like both

When you say the summers are harder to suffer through, do you feel it's getting hotter each year or that your patience with the high heat is starting to waiver?

How bad have the water shortages been? I know that lawns are the first to be thrown under the bus, but has there always been enough water to drink/bathe and run a dishwasher every other day?

We do love the shopping and dining in Dallas, there's so much to pick from and visited a few grocery stores- sprouts, central market, tom thumb, and even went to the Grapevine farmer's market (got some GREAT beef jerky for the plane ride home). Franklin isn't too shabby either, they've got Cool Springs, a Whole Foods (in addition to your usual publix, krogers, super wall mart, super target), and great little farmer's market. No doubt, Dallas had more choice but Franklin had more than enough to keep us happy.

[Johnhw2]

Moderator cut: orphaned

Weather will be slightly different, with not just the hotter summers in DFW. Winters in DFW will be milder than Tn not by a huge margin however, two great choices but I say go big... come to DFW.

[loves2read]

You can't get good Mexican food in Nashville area
my daughter moved to FL almost 10 yrs ago when she married--and while she and her husband love the weather (for the most part), the access to the beach and a relaxed lifestyle, she misses good Mexican food more than she ever would have thought possible...
there are couple of Mexican restaurants in her area and some Cuban places--and they like the Cuban food--but the Mexican restaurants just don't even come close to what she was used to eating...
when she first moved I had to pack/ship picante sauce in brands they liked cause there was nothing decent available in the Publix--that situation has gotten better but restaurants that make Tex-Mex food the way we are used to just don't exist...

I know that sounds like a petty concern when people are talking about the cost of living and other financial aspects--
but eating out goes to quality of life--
they found a good pizza place, they have good "special dinner" options, the seafood is OK even if it is not as good as most people would think
but they miss their Mexican food...

in her part of FL they are also missing some of the fast food restaurants that she really loved--

when they come here we know we are going to have to eat Mexican once or twice and try for Whataburger run
it is good Blue Bell ice cream has a national presence--

when we lived in Shreveport in the 80s--we throught we were in outer Iceland w/o our Homemade Vanilla

[Shay3]

I grew up in the Northeast, Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT, and it is pretty...but I think there is beauty out west too, just a different kind. I also found the humidity in Nashville to make the summers worse when we visited. Growing up in the NE I wanted something different and was bored with that scenery. Been there, done that so to speak. The kids like the openess of Texas better too. My oldest just hates all the trees here in VA. Says driving under them gives her a headache and she feels closed in. No benefit to the shade either with the high humidity.

The food is better too, I agree. Much better Mexican and Barbeque!