Amazed at the high level of consumption in Dallas area (China: rental car, real estate)

[dgermaine]

I just visited dallas for the first time and was blown away by the level of consumption across all economic brackets here! Not saying materialism is particularly a bad or good thing, I have just never seen anything of this scale in my life. I am well traveled internationally and especially domestically and live in nyc...still have never seen this type of life where friday night restaurants can stretch out the door, people packed lk sardines in the major malls. Wow! I stayed primarily in the park cities area and I know thats what's considered the high income area of dallas, but even when I spent some time in plano and even the seedy area by downtown dallas greyhound station/dart bus area, people from lower economic brackets were consuming prepared food, clothing, and drugstores on a level I have never seen in any town within the US. It reminded me of my travels to the bigger cities in China, actually.

I wonder why this is? Is it because the umemployment rate is so low that everyone has frivolous income so they just spend it to their hearts content (especially with housing being so cheap here)?

[WorldKlas]

Haven't been to Dubai, have you?

[frenzyrider]

I am very well travelled as well but don't see it to the extent you are describing. One thing I do observe regularly is the number of luxury cars. I have never seen that much concentration in any other metro... Perhaps no income tax and availability of great school districts puts extra cash in people's hands.

[ayahuasca_mike]

Several other cities in the states and abroad where opulence is second nature. Something I cant understand or get behind, and I make a good living for this area and abroad.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by dgermaine

I just visited dallas for the first time and was blown away by the level of consumption across all economic brackets here! Not saying materialism is particularly a bad or good thing, I have just never seen anything of this scale in my life. I am well traveled internationally and especially domestically and live in nyc...still have never seen this type of life where friday night restaurants can stretch out the door, people packed lk sardines in the major malls. Wow! I stayed primarily in the park cities area and I know thats what's considered the high income area of dallas, but even when I spent some time in plano and even the seedy area by downtown dallas greyhound station/dart bus area, people from lower economic brackets were consuming prepared food, clothing, and drugstores on a level I have never seen in any town within the US. It reminded me of my travels to the bigger cities in China, actually.

I wonder why this is? Is it because the umemployment rate is so low that everyone has frivolous income so they just spend it to their hearts content (especially with housing being so cheap here)?

I'm trying to become Jabba The Hutt.

[GiantCow]

No income tax + cheap housing = lots of disposable income

[LeagleEagleDFW]

People have to purchase clothing, food, and medicine to survive. What exactly is your point here?

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by LeagleEagleDFW

People have to purchase clothing, food, and medicine to survive. What exactly is your point here?

That's not what he's talking about and you know it. It's the level of spending on non essential items. That's what stands out. The wife and I typically don't go out to eat much on Friday nights. We made the mistake of trying a few weeks ago. We must have tried 8 or 9 restaurants. All packed with 1 hour waiting times. I was amazed. When even freaking IHOP is talking about a 45 minute wait you know we have some serious eaters

I remember growing up if you saw someone drive by in a luxury car, you stopped and admired it as it went by because they were not common. Here in Dallas luxury cars are a dime a dozen. So I totally understand where the OP is coming from. Not that it's good or bad. Just is.

[HockDad]

I agree it is high. The incomes are high in Dallas and people are proud of them. Also, since the real estate is relatively cheap, it allows a family to spend more money on cars, jewelry, etc. Go park at Central Market on a Saturday at 1:00 pm and I bet you will see a couple of dozen S class mercedes, 7 series bmws, range rovers, etc. in the first hour. There are always 7-10 in the parking lot. 80k cars are nothing unusual to see.

[Brookside]

Originally Posted by dgermaine

I just visited dallas for the first time and was blown away by the level of consumption across all economic brackets here! Not saying materialism is particularly a bad or good thing, I have just never seen anything of this scale in my life. I am well traveled internationally and especially domestically and live in nyc...still have never seen this type of life where friday night restaurants can stretch out the door, people packed lk sardines in the major malls. Wow! I stayed primarily in the park cities area and I know thats what's considered the high income area of dallas, but even when I spent some time in plano and even the seedy area by downtown dallas greyhound station/dart bus area, people from lower economic brackets were consuming prepared food, clothing, and drugstores on a level I have never seen in any town within the US. It reminded me of my travels to the bigger cities in China, actually.

I wonder why this is? Is it because the umemployment rate is so low that everyone has frivolous income so they just spend it to their hearts content (especially with housing being so cheap here)?

Hmmm....nothing like a rental car, a trip to Northpark and 48 hours in a hotel room to make you a TOTAL EXPERT on all things Dallas.

And if you were as "well-travelled" as you claim, you would know this is not unusual for the U.S.

Obviously, you have never been to LA - where the soccer moms drive their Rolls to Trader Joe's decked out in Lululemon and their precious little BOJs are attired in imported organic linen.

Yeeeesh, go point your judgey nose elsewhere.