Do YOU like living in Dallas? (Portland: apartments, rental, neighborhoods)

[shekel13]

We are a young couple looking to move to Dallas. We've previously lived in Northern WI and Phoenix, AZ and looking for a change! Here is what we were wondering what you all thought of Dallas on these topics as well as the general feel of the city:

1. We are looking for a low cost of living (We want to pay 600 at the most for an apartment, but cheaper the better!) Pet Friendly (We have a boxer).

2. Lots of culture

3. Lots of local coffee shops with job opportunities, local farmers markets, natural food stores, etc...

4. Lots of beautiful scenery and parks with things to do.

5. How is the traffic?? And the public transportation system?

6. And last but not least, how do YOU like it in Dallas??

[RonnieinDallas]

Originally Posted by shekel13

We are a young couple looking to move to Dallas. We've previously lived in Northern WI and Phoenix, AZ and looking for a change! Here is what we were wondering what you all thought of Dallas on these topics as well as the general feel of the city:

1. We are looking for a low cost of living (We want to pay 600 at the most for an apartment, but cheaper the better!) Pet Friendly (We have a boxer).
look somewhere else. You won't find a nice apartment in Dallas for that.

2. Lots of culture
Depends how you define "culture". A lot of people misuse that word on city-data. Dallas's culture closely emulates the greater American culture, so a lot of people don't notice it as standing out.

3. Lots of local coffee shops with job opportunities, local farmers markets, natural food stores, etc...
Again, $600 rental budget won't put you in a nice neighborhood with those amenities.

4. Lots of beautiful scenery and parks with things to do.
A lot of people complain about the scenery here. I actually don't mind it. I realize it's not the prettiest place on earth, but there are many beautiful neighborhoods in the city of Dallas. We also have fairly good parks here too.

5. How is the traffic?? And the public transportation system?
Traffic here sucks, don't care what anyone says. I don't rely on transit here, but the times I've used it went well.

6. And last but not least, how do YOU like it in Dallas??

I like it here a lot. It has many things I like, but your budget is too low to enjoy the city. I don't recommend moving to Dallas unless you double your budget.

[TurtleCreek80]

All of this ^^^^^^

[synchronicity]

I don't like living in Dallas, but then my favorite part of the country is the Pacific Northwest, so it should be obvious what I dislike about the area.

Dallas is inexpensive for any decent-sized city, but NOT "$600/month apartment" inexpensive.

[RonnieinDallas]

Originally Posted by synchronicity

I don't like living in Dallas, but then my favorite part of the country is the Pacific Northwest, so it should be obvious what I dislike about the area.

Dallas is inexpensive for any decent-sized city, but NOT "$600/month apartment" inexpensive.

You don't live here...

[Beaching]

You will not find any apartment, probably not even a dive apartment, for $600 a month in Dallas.
Rent is HOT right now due to all of the growth. Even brand new places that are currently under construction are being fully rented prior to completion.


Do I like it? No, as a Dallas native, I no longer love living here. It has changed way too much for my liking. I do not care for the "coldness" of Dallas as a whole. Guess the Southern part of me misses the days when complete strangers could chit chat in the grocery store and it was not viewed as "fake". Yes, I am of the generation where strangers passing would smile and say hi and no one was offended. This is just me and my family. Others miles may vary.

[Brookside]

$600 per month for an apt = Not. Going. To. Happen.

You might look in rural Oklahoma.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by shekel13

We are a young couple looking to move to Dallas. We've previously lived in Northern WI and Phoenix, AZ and looking for a change! Here is what we were wondering what you all thought of Dallas on these topics as well as the general feel of the city:

1. We are looking for a low cost of living (We want to pay 600 at the most for an apartment, but cheaper the better!) Pet Friendly (We have a boxer).

Can't do that in Dallas. At least nowhere you'd want to live.

2. Lots of culture

Depends on how you define "culture." I wouldn't say Dallas is a standout in terms of culture.

3. Lots of local coffee shops with job opportunities, local farmers markets, natural food stores, etc...

This isn't Portland. We have some natural food stores, but I wouldn't say there's a big "scene" for it. You'll find the usual suspects here, mostly the troika of Whole Foods/Sprouts/Natural Grocers.

4. Lots of beautiful scenery and parks with things to do.

We don't have beautiful scenery either. At least not natural beauty.

5. How is the traffic?? And the public transportation system?

Traffic is terrible. Public transportation is inadequate.

6. And last but not least, how do YOU like it in Dallas??

Grew up here and can't wait to leave.

[octo]

I don't understand why some say that $600/month is not going to happen in Dallas. There are plenty of apartments for $600 or less available.
And they are not in a law free Mad Max neighborhood.

And to answer the question: yes, I like living in Dallas.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Beaching

Do I like it? No, as a Dallas native, I no longer love living here. It has changed way too much for my liking. I do not care for the "coldness" of Dallas as a whole. Guess the Southern part of me misses the days when complete strangers could chit chat in the grocery store and it was not viewed as "fake". Yes, I am of the generation where strangers passing would smile and say hi and no one was offended. This is just me and my family. Others miles may vary.

I agree 1000% with all of this. It has changed here, and IMHO not for the better.