How would you describe Dallas? (Houston, Fort Worth: neighborhood, pros and cons, to live in)

[-Focused-]

Originally Posted by DoneWithDallas

I think Austin has become more of the "star of Texas" As of late

Can you elaborate? I don't know much about Dallas, but even less about Austin.

[testmo]

If there is a city in Texas that is trying hard to create an image or further it's appeal it is Austin. If that is not something you are interested in Austin probably wouldn't be a good place for you. It is a great place, but has kind of gotten silly. Dallas and Houston have a better and more varied job market, and ability to have a better quality of life. They are more diverse, larger, and therefore easier to make want you want out of the city

[DoneWithDallas]

Originally Posted by testmo

If there is a city in Texas that is trying hard to create an image or further it's appeal it is Austin. If that is not something you are interested in Austin probably wouldn't be a good place for you. It is a great place, but has kind of gotten silly. Dallas and Houston have a better and more varied job market, and ability to have a better quality of life. They are more diverse, larger, and therefore easier to make want you want out of the city

I would have to disagree. Austin has ranked higher the past year at least on more jobs, growing fields,and such on all those studies put out. Houston's job market is dominated by oil. I've never really cared for Houston. The vibe of Austin has changed, I lived there for three years for school.its becoming more metropolitan than laid back but there's still that vibe throughout a lot of the city. I don't think the ability to have quality of life is any better here than Austin. Houston, maybe.

[Mr.Bungle]

Flat, hot and spread out.

[savanite]

Originally Posted by DoneWithDallas

I would have to disagree. Austin has ranked higher the past year at least on more jobs, growing fields,and such on all those studies put out. Houston's job market is dominated by oil. I've never really cared for Houston. The vibe of Austin has changed, I lived there for three years for school.its becoming more metropolitan than laid back but there's still that vibe throughout a lot of the city. I don't think the ability to have quality of life is any better here than Austin. Houston, maybe.

Well, in terms of population, Houston and DFW have more of everything and more diversity.

Comparing Austin to Houston or Dallas is like comparing HOU or DFW to New York. Houston at 6 million versus Austin at a million and a half... They're not in the same class.

Sure, if you're overwhelmed by a large metro, then Austin is a good fit. But if you're used to living in a major metro, Austin will not give you the same level of urban vitality.

[-Focused-]

How far would you say one would have to go (time wise: 30 mins, an hour, etc.) to live outside of downtown Dallas or be away from major traffic?

As for diversity, that's all fine, but I would prefer to be around English-speakers for the most part (if possible). Having lived in NJ, it's just something I would prefer. Being the only English-speaker around isn't fun. No offense to anybody who doesn't speak English primarily.

[TrueDat]

Major traffic isn't just around downtown. I-635 in North Dallas can be terrible as can be 114, I-35W, and 820 in northern Tarrant County, all far away from downtown Dallas.

[-Focused-]

Sorry, I was referring to two different things. Outside of downtown Dallas in terms of urban vs. non-urban living. The question about major traffic was just a general one.

Hope that makes sense!

[TowerGuy]

Originally Posted by stoneclaw

In Dallas/Ft. Worth area, you get that everything is bigger in Texas feel. From the massive metroplex, hair, shopping, malls, airport, and ever expanding skyline. Dallas is a city that suffers from an identity crisis. It doesn't know what it wants to be but it's tried very hard to shake off the image of the old Texas stereotype: Cowboy boots and big hats. Lately, it's developed a cross between a midwestern city, an east coast city, with a Saint Louis downtown arch. It plays up to the media and I think is a city that tries to prove its not your typical Texas city. It has that keeping up with the jones mentality.


stoneclaw/C2H (ComingtoHouston)

Wow. That is quite an anthropomorphic description of a city. This is a metropolitan area of 6+ million people, not a hive mind. Massive hair? Really? I moved here from California 7 years ago and I still have no idea what Dallas and "big hair" have to do with each other. Is that from the 80's? Everyone had "big hair" in the 80's. That was certainly not unique to Dallas if that's what people mean by Dallas and "big hair".

[skids929]

Originally Posted by -Focused-

Sorry, I was referring to two different things. Outside of downtown Dallas in terms of urban vs. non-urban living. The question about major traffic was just a general one.

Hope that makes sense!

Dallas is a suburban city compared to what you are used to on the East Coast..You could go out of Dallas (downtown) about say 5 minutes and it would still feel like a suburb compared to just about any Northeastern City...If you are referring to say City limits to suburban towns yeah about 30 minutes depending on where you want to land in the MP.