Mentality/Flair of Dallas? (San Antonio, Fort Worth: apartment, buying a house, buying)

[lynnylo]

Originally Posted by FifyOn

what a culture shock!!! history politics !! fxalibaba

You forgot:

-spicy food
-summer for more than 3 weeks per year
-spiders, snakes, bugs big as cows
-a game I'll never understand the rules of, which is almost as important as religion

[hell_storm2004]

I moved in here a year ago and love the place. Cant think of going away. Since you say you are in Europe, I would warn you that Dallas is hot. You maybe taken by the heat.

But i am planning to go the other way myself, Europe i mean, sometime soon.

But as far Dallas is concerned, nice place, nice people.

By the way... just curious, which part of Europe are you coming from?

[lynnylo]

Originally Posted by hell_storm2004

By the way... just curious, which part of Europe are you coming from?

I'm a mix. Danish and German, but I'm living in Germany.

Yes, the heat got me worried, but I suppose I'll just stay inside during the day...like a Vampire.

[Lakewooder]

RE: Spanish style homes in Lakewood:

Clifford D. Hutsell, Architect of Spanish Colonial Homes, Designed Homes in Dallas Neighborhoods Including East Dallas, Highland Park,

Advocate Magazine Dahlia Woods' Hutsell home » Advocate Magazine

One of my classmates spoke at his native Dallasite father's funeral saying, "the first thing he taught me is to be friendly".

We all started weeping because our daddies taught us the same thing.

[ShellNic]

Originally Posted by lynnylo

I'm a mix. Danish and German, but I'm living in Germany.

Yes, the heat got me worried, but I suppose I'll just stay inside during the day...like a Vampire.

OK, here is the best advice I can give you: buy a house with a pool. Some people may say it's not worth the expense...I say it's not worth melting your face off in summer! When you have a pool and can get cooled off, the summers (with A/C of course) are actually bearable, IMO. Community pools have their share of issues so I stand by my opinion that if you can afford it (and the salary you suggested says you can), this would be my number one thing on the list.

Because Dallas offers just about everything, I believe you'll be able to find a great house, with great schools with the amenities you want pretty much anywhere with a healthy budget such as yours. So, get a pool...seriously!

I haven't been to Austin in a ridiculously long time, so I can only comment on Dallas. I think with your attitude though, you're going to do great. And Texas can be so fun...lively spirits and good friends. I think with your adventurous spirit, you'll thrive.

[hell_storm2004]

Originally Posted by lynnylo

I'm a mix. Danish and German, but I'm living in Germany.

Yes, the heat got me worried, but I suppose I'll just stay inside during the day...like a Vampire.

Congratulation on an all German UCL final!

[hell_storm2004]

Originally Posted by lynnylo

You forgot:
-a game I'll never understand the rules of, which is almost as important as religion

True dat!

[CGGirl]

Originally Posted by lynnylo

Hello,

My husband is from South Texas and we live in Europe. We're about to move to the US in the end of the year. He's got some job offers from Maryland (DC Area) and Texas (Dallas, Austin, San Antonio). It's very hard to make a decision, especially for me, who has never been in the States.

First I was tending to choose MD, because of the climate, it's never too far to the ocean, fresh seafood and maybe a more "europeanesque" culture. But I guess that was a prejudice. I've read so much about rude, stressed out and short tempered people there, plus the real estate market was/is ridiculous around the few really awesome schools.

So I assume it will be Texas.

The most of our friends are from the South and I like, like, like their mentality. Would actually prefer it over the North European attitude most of the time. Humorous, warm hearted, open minded, family oriented.

How would you describe the flair/vibe/mentality in Dallas? I know it's a huge Area and a Metroplex, so it won't be possible to speak for every person. But overall? Very different to the other two Cities?

Is it a melting pot, or more segregated? We're a mixed couple (Hispanic/White) with Kids.

I've lived in France, Scandinavia, Germany, etc. So I can deal with reserved Snobs, but they have to be "colorblind" as I am.

I lived half of my adult live in Maryland (right outside of DC) and have lived in Dallas for the past 6 years. I'm really wanting to move back to MD. Much more international and vibrant than Dallas is. The public schools in Montgomery County MD are great compared to here in Dallas. I have an almost 2 year old and everyone seems to tell me that most of the schools in Dallas suck. The education system here in TX seems to be pretty bad compared to what I'm used to in NY and DC. I don't hate Dallas. I like that it's cheap to live here but there is just so much that I don't like. Having a baby now has made me miss the DC/MD/VA area even more. Feel free to PM me if you want specifics or have questions. Oh, and from what my friends have told me, if I were in your shoes, I would put Austin ahead of Dallas and San Antonio. I'd put San Antonio on the bottom of my list. Then again, people here in TX seem to think I'm just an elitist Northeast liberal so take my opinion for what it's worth (Oh, and my daughter is Latina/Caucasian).

[CGGirl]

Originally Posted by stan4

The biggest culture shock for me moving here from SoCal was how friendly complete strangers can be.

I've been here for over 6 years and I've seen friendlier in NY and DC. Not trying to hate on TX but I had never been called the "C" word or "B" word while simply trying to cross the street (with my baby in a stroller no less) when the sign said "Walk" until I lived here in Dallas. I've also been called racist names which was a big shock to me. The only people that I've met here in Dallas that have been friendly to me have been people new to Dallas. Back in NY or DC/MD, if someone was right in front of me going through the door and saw me with my stroller, they would hold the door open for me. Here, I've only had women do that. I don't expect anyone to hold the door open for me but I was taught to hold the door open for people behind me, particularly if they are carrying a lot of bags, are elderly, have kids, etc.

[CGGirl]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

This.

However, if you have breathing difficulties...Texas will be a tough place to live. My allergies drive me nuts in Dallas but they're worse in Austin and San Antonio. Heat and humidity aggravates my asthma, but in Houston the humidity and air pollution are so oppressive that it's sometimes hard to breathe. I feel like I'm trying to breathe through a wet rag.

I have awful allergies and a history of asthma. My dermatologist told me that Dallas is even worse than DC (which was worse than NYC). Not happy to hear that yours are worse in Austin because I was thinking that might be my next move if I stay in TX.