Possibly moving to DFW from NYC. (Dallas, Arlington: real estate, apartment complex, renter)

[numbersguy100]

I seem to the lone person advocating for a non-mid cities suburb, but I would be wary of banking on the lower cost of living here if you need to buy, maintain, and drive in a second car. Unless you want to live in a very small home here, you're not going to be able to find rent much cheaper than what you pay in NYC. Yes, you will be living in more space for the same out of pocket expense, and I won't minimize the benefit of that, but in terms of your monthly budget, it's not going to benefit you (since salary remaining constant). And with that space comes the expense of a higher air conditioning bill than you will be used to paying in NYC, water bill because the house is bigger and has a yard, etc (the offset of lower heating bills in winter doesn't offset the high cost of air conditioning in the summer, I've found). Auto insurance costs are a lot more expensive here than in NYC. You will be driving a lot more than you did in NYC, which means gas, tolls, and maintenance on your vehicle.
Just things to think about. Moving here and assuming you will automatically take home more cash each month isn't something that you can do anymore, especially if you will be living on the same salary and incurring additional expenses. One of the biggest cost of living benefits that DFW has is actually one that you won't take advantage of - child care. It's way, way cheaper here but that's not a factor in your household budget for now.
I'm not saying that living here is MORE expensive, given equal living circumstances. I'm just saying that you can't take the savings for granted and adding lots of expenses really does that.

[NP78]

Originally Posted by EDS_

You might want to get out more.

In no order..........
CattleAck BBQ
Pecan Lodge
Lockhart
Slow Bone (disclaimer I know Jack Perkins pretty well so maybe I'm biased - he owns Maple and Motor burger joint as well)
Meshacks
and about a dozen other little tiny places.........like the dive at 407 and 35.

I second your rec for Slow Bone (and Maple and Motor for that matter).

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

I made a trip down to Austin and Lockhart a few weeks ago. The BBQ in DFW doesn't even begin to compare.

So have you actually eaten at any of the places I mentioned?

[LeagleEagleDFW]

Slow Bone BBQ is incredible. So, apparently, is Cattelack.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by EDS_

So have you actually eaten at any of the places I mentioned?

I've been to Pecan Lodge and Lockhart. They were OK, but I've had better. I pretty much stopped trying new places here because I got tired of waiting 30 minutes in line for dry meat. But I grew up eating NC BBQ, so maybe I'm just not used to beef (which will always be drier than pork).

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by LeagleEagleDFW

Slow Bone BBQ is incredible. So, apparently, is Cattelack.

IMO the brisket at Slow Bone is the best I've ever had anywhere including Franklin.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

I've been to Pecan Lodge and Lockhart. They were OK, but I've had better. I pretty much stopped trying new places here because I got tired of waiting 30 minutes in line for dry meat. But I grew up eating NC BBQ, so maybe I'm just not used to beef (which will always be drier than pork).

Do like mustard sauces? I'm big fan of 'Carolina BBQ too.

Try Slow Bone's brisket sometime it's wonderful.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Do like mustard sauces? I'm big fan of 'Carolina BBQ too.

Try Slow Bone's brisket sometime it's wonderful.

Mustard sauce is okay (that's more of a SC thing), I like vinegar too, but my favorite is a thick and sweet sauce. Some people say that you shouldn't need sauce on BBQ. I love the savory meat with sweet sauce combo.

I'll have to give Slow Bone a try. Do they have sauce? Some of the places I've been to didn't have any sauce.

[beerandon]

Originally Posted by numbersguy100

I seem to the lone person advocating for a non-mid cities suburb, but I would be wary of banking on the lower cost of living here if you need to buy, maintain, and drive in a second car. Unless you want to live in a very small home here, you're not going to be able to find rent much cheaper than what you pay in NYC. Yes, you will be living in more space for the same out of pocket expense, and I won't minimize the benefit of that, but in terms of your monthly budget, it's not going to benefit you (since salary remaining constant). And with that space comes the expense of a higher air conditioning bill than you will be used to paying in NYC, water bill because the house is bigger and has a yard, etc (the offset of lower heating bills in winter doesn't offset the high cost of air conditioning in the summer, I've found). Auto insurance costs are a lot more expensive here than in NYC. You will be driving a lot more than you did in NYC, which means gas, tolls, and maintenance on your vehicle.
Just things to think about. Moving here and assuming you will automatically take home more cash each month isn't something that you can do anymore, especially if you will be living on the same salary and incurring additional expenses. One of the biggest cost of living benefits that DFW has is actually one that you won't take advantage of - child care. It's way, way cheaper here but that's not a factor in your household budget for now.
I'm not saying that living here is MORE expensive, given equal living circumstances. I'm just saying that you can't take the savings for granted and adding lots of expenses really does that.

Pretty solid food for thought here. Although, if you want to eventually be a homeowner on a $76k salary, you probably come out ahead here. I wouldn't even think it's doable in NYC.

[davidnyc]

If you want a New Yorker's spin on Dallas area, just send me a PM. I have been here 10+ yrs. There are lots of positives about Dallas, but there are subtle differences about Dallas that may make no difference to you or a big difference. Also, place is so large that I am still learning about it.