Is Dallas sunny/outdoorsy? (Spring, Plains: how much, camp, move to)

[hornraider]

Originally Posted by HutchUSA

I'm thinking about moving to Dallas but I love the outdoors and being able to do stuff on weekends/evenings like organize BBQ's, Volleyball/other park sports, camping out, hiking, boating/waterskiing on the lake etc.. I'm originally from the UK and have a hatred of clouds/gray skies (which are basically permanent over the UK) as I feel it ruins all of the activities previously mentioned! I definitely get seasonal affective disorder to some extent! So are things like that possible on a relatively regular basis in Dallas or is the weather just too random and cloudy/stormy there?

I'm currently in Phoenix which is obviously great for the sun and outdoors, but as a single almost 27 year old guy I'm not sure I'm ever going to meet the right girl here, there aren't many people around my age aside from in Scottsdale which is full of hot but unfriendly girls looking for their sugardaddy! I have an opportunity to move but I'm probably looking at around a 4 year commitment, and even though I love it in Phoenix I'm scared to stay here for that long as I don't want to still be single at 31!

I should also mention that I've been to Dallas a few times, I love southern culture/accents and country music and cowboy boots etc, and having been out in Dallas I can definitely say girls are far friendlier and nicer to talk to! I think I've actually met more girls in Dallas on a couple of nights out than in a couple of months in Scottsdale!

I think to be able to really enjoy an outdoor lifestyle all year around, you have to be very warm natured. I mean you need to like the heat. That being said, I run or ride my bike almost every day (around 8 or 9am in the summer). But, I agree with the poster that said camping is pretty much out of the question in the summer, from June through September. The days are OK, but trying to sleep in the heat and humidity is miserable. Hunting and fishing are great here. I'm looking forward to trying some kyak fishing this summer.

[el_greco]

I'm shocked to hear there's a lack of outdoorsy areas in or around Dallas. Is this due to high Urbanization or that most land is privately owned around the area?

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by el_greco

I'm shocked to hear there's a lack of outdoorsy areas in or around Dallas. Is this due to high Urbanization or that most land is privately owned around the area?

it's no so much a lack of outdoorsy areas as the outdoorsy areas that are here generally can't compare to those in many equivalent metros. Yes, there are mountain bike trails, lakes, hikes, state parks, etc., but compared to what you have in Denver, Albuquerque, SLC, anywhere in California or along the coasts or the Great Lakes, it doesn't measure up in the beauty department. That said, there are some nice spots and parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma are especially good for camping/hiking. But you're not going to be overwhelmed by the natural wonders in Dallas or within an hour or two of it. Canyonlands, it's not.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Sunny, yes. Outdoorsy, not really. About 10-15 degrees cooler but considerably more humid than Scottsdale. You will not want to camp anytime from early/mid-June 'til mid-September. I lived there for 12 years and HATED life in the summer.

There is this contingent of princess and the pea whiners and there are the rest of us who are outside every day of the year doing things (hiking, biking, jogging...I play tennis, etc).

[stan4]

Originally Posted by el_greco

I'm shocked to hear there's a lack of outdoorsy areas in or around Dallas. Is this due to high Urbanization or that most land is privately owned around the area?

There are acres of park and 3 lakes within 20 minutes of where I live (15 miles from downtown).

However, just giant swathes of open, free land? No.
You have to go about an hour north for that.

[TheOverdog]

But, I agree with the poster that said camping is pretty much out of the question in the summer, from June through September. The days are OK, but trying to sleep in the heat and humidity is miserable.

June-Sept the primary camping season in Texas, so it's kind of silly to say it's out 'of the question' in the summer. Do you all think the campsites are all filled with winter campers in TX? The truth is that campsites are packed in the summer, and you typically have to make reservations a month out for the most popular.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

June-Sept the primary camping season in Texas, so it's kind of silly to say it's out 'of the question' in the summer. Do you all think the campsites are all filled with winter campers in TX? The truth is that campsites are packed in the summer, and you typically have to make reservations a month out for the most popular.

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be caught dead camping anywhere near Dallas in the summer. Between the heat, the humidity, and the bugs summer in Dallas is miserable.

ETA: I'm sure "camping" in an air conditioned pop-up/RV or cabin is great...If that's your thing.

[TheOverdog]

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be caught dead camping anywhere near Dallas in the summer. Between the heat, the humidity, and the bugs summer in Dallas is miserable.

Maybe so and I'm sure that's true for you, but that's not true for the majority. Summer is camping season in DFW, end of story. In winter, the parks and campsites are mostly empty.

[happycrow]

Southern Great Plains vs. Officially Beautiful Places with Lots of Vertical Rocks aside, it's very, very basic, and very, very determinate:

Are you acclimated to and comfortable operating in DFW's summer climate? (y/n).

This determines everything about how one lives in DFW. If you live for the hot weather and wrap yourself in a blanket when it gets down to 65 degrees, you live here in a completely different way than the people who scurry from AC to AC like roaches caught under the kitchen light.

So your first question about living here is "how do I want to handle the climate?"

[hornraider]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

June-Sept the primary camping season in Texas, so it's kind of silly to say it's out 'of the question' in the summer. Do you all think the campsites are all filled with winter campers in TX? The truth is that campsites are packed in the summer, and you typically have to make reservations a month out for the most popular.

Which is why its not as popular to camp out in the summer in DFW, or any Texas city, as elsewhere. In California, we would camp out half the summer. Here in Texas, we started camping in late Sept. until Thanksgiving. Right now is also perfect for it. I am going to try to go to Ray Roberts next weekend in fact.