Moving to Dallas, Never Been. (San Antonio, Austin: condo, house, to buy)

[Korel]

A lot of people say they're moving to Dallas for a new job but in actuality, the job is in Los Colinas in Irving or the Telecom Corridor in Richardson or possibly with one of the biggies on Legacy drive (EDS, JCP, etc..) in west Plano. I'm a big believer in being not more than 15 minutes from the work place considering the cost of gas and the traffic around here. So as a different post said, "Dallas is sprawled out", so there are many variables. However, each area has much to offer in the things you mentioned you are interested in. It's good you're doing a little research. I don't know if you have mentioned it or not, but what area of "Dallas" is the job?

[TJHomer]

Thanks everyone. I will be down next week to check it out.
I actual will have an option to office in Farmers Branch, Uptown Dallas, or Plano I believe.
I do consulting work so travel is going to happen regardless.

[galore]

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

In the summer, its close to or above 100 degrees everyday (starts in April, ends in October) so NO ONE is outside during those months.

I guess the 10 or so cyclists that I passed on my 20 minute bicycle ride on White Rock Trail this afternoon were ghosts.
100F in April. LOL. April has typically perfect upper 70s to lower 80s. + lots of sunshine.

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by TJHomer

Thanks everyone. I will be down next week to check it out.
I actual will have an option to office in Farmers Branch, Uptown Dallas, or Plano I believe.
I do consulting work so travel is going to happen regardless.

Definitely office and live in Uptown

[MovingFromTexas]

You all can be as defensive of Dallas as you want to be. Happily, we have the means and the opportunity to move and will be doing so next month. Interestingly enough, everyone we have spoken to (in person) about our move has told us how jealous they are but that the low cost of living or family connections keep them here. We ARE outside all the time - our neighborhood park is a ghost town - my kids are shocked and thrilled if there is ONE other kid there. It doesn't matter what day of the week or what time of day we go, its empty. We are regulars at the zoo - during the week, its generally deserted as well. The Nasher sculpture center - even on free family day - is hardly filled to capacity. And, I know so many native Dallasites who had their early "starter marriage" and have moved on by their mid-twenties. But, maybe you all live in a different Dallas than the one we've lived in for the past 7 years.

We were given the same cautions I gave the original poster and ignored the advice in favor of hearing what we wanted to hear: how great Dallas is, how much there really is to do, how affordable and easy everything is. I just wanted to give the OP a heads up that he should dig a lot deeper than he seems to be doing - ask your new coworkers what they do after work or on the weekends. Actually talk with real people and real organizations yourself to make sure that this is what you are looking for. Don't just rely on postings on an internet board to get your advice.

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

You all can be as defensive of Dallas as you want to be. Happily, we have the means and the opportunity to move and will be doing so next month. Interestingly enough, everyone we have spoken to (in person) about our move has told us how jealous they are but that the low cost of living or family connections keep them here. We ARE outside all the time - our neighborhood park is a ghost town - my kids are shocked and thrilled if there is ONE other kid there. It doesn't matter what day of the week or what time of day we go, its empty. We are regulars at the zoo - during the week, its generally deserted as well. The Nasher sculpture center - even on free family day - is hardly filled to capacity. And, I know so many native Dallasites who had their early "starter marriage" and have moved on by their mid-twenties. But, maybe you all live in a different Dallas than the one we've lived in for the past 7 years.

We were given the same cautions I gave the original poster and ignored the advice in favor of hearing what we wanted to hear: how great Dallas is, how much there really is to do, how affordable and easy everything is. I just wanted to give the OP a heads up that he should dig a lot deeper than he seems to be doing - ask your new coworkers what they do after work or on the weekends. Actually talk with real people and real organizations yourself to make sure that this is what you are looking for. Don't just rely on postings on an internet board to get your advice.

Out of curiosity, what part of town were you living in and where are you moving?

[caligurltotx]

Why is everyone always ragging on Dallas weather? Does anyone remember that it has been a heatwave a few times in the North East? As recent as last summer.

[galore]

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

We ARE outside all the time - our neighborhood park is a ghost town - my kids are shocked and thrilled if there is ONE other kid there. It doesn't matter what day of the week or what time of day we go, its empty.

Sounds like suburb syndrome. Very low housing density = ghost town feel. This is not limited to DFW.

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

We are regulars at the zoo - during the week, its generally deserted as well. The Nasher sculpture center - even on free family day - is hardly filled to capacity.

You choose fringe attractions. If you want packed, visit Six Flags.
Or go to the Shops @ Legacy, West Village, Mockingbird Station, Firewheel, White Rock Lake in the mornings, Katy trail, an Apple shop the days after an iPhone launch...

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

We were given the same cautions I gave the original poster and ignored the advice in favor of hearing what we wanted to hear: how great Dallas is, how much there really is to do, how affordable and easy everything is. I just wanted to give the OP a heads up that he should dig a lot deeper than he seems to be doing

But do you follow your own advice? Digging deeper means putting some effort into it. Dallas is not a place with obvious attractions.

[aceplace]

We were given the same cautions I gave the original poster and ignored the advice in favor of hearing what we wanted to hear: how great Dallas is, how much there really is to do, how affordable and easy everything is. I just wanted to give the OP a heads up that he should dig a lot deeper than he seems to be doing - ask your new coworkers what they do after work or on the weekends. Actually talk with real people and real organizations yourself to make sure that this is what you are looking for. Don't just rely on postings on an internet board to get your advice.

Dallas has far more things to do than you'll find in a metro of 2 or 3 million, simply because of its larger population. More people = more diversity of activity.

I think this poster looks at crowding as an asset. It's not, actually. If the parks in a particular metro are crowded, that means there is a shortage of them, less park space for a given population.

DFW at 6 million plus is able to generate that many more zoos and aquariums, more art museums, more state parks in the immediate vicinity, a larger diversity of films and road shows and concerts and theater. A vastly larger choice of restaurants.

I'd agree with the other posters who think that this attitude is unreasonable. Perhaps the poster's disaffection for the area is for other reasons than stated? But the important point is that no place is perfect, there will always be some disgruntled people who dislike a place, for one personal reason or another.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by galore

I guess the 10 or so cyclists that I passed on my 20 minute bicycle ride on White Rock Trail this afternoon were ghosts.
100F in April. LOL. April has typically perfect upper 70s to lower 80s. + lots of sunshine.

Monday I ran into (not literally) a pack of 30-40 cyclists coming from the lake on Trammel crossing Abrams to University.

I drive by Tietze Park every day - in the mornings there are a lot of people playing tennis and there's a standing pick-up basketball game so many go before work. And many jogging-the pool opens a bit later. In the late afternoon the park is packed. There's baseball or softball in addition to the other activities, many people out walking, walking dogs, etc. I also cross Swiss Avenue and you have to wait to let the walkers and joggers go by.. On my block I see people walking all the time. You really can't look out the window without seeing someone.

People are already using the Santa Fe Trail from Tenison Golf Course and Lakewood Country Club going to Deep Ellum - and it's not even finished! Adjoining Randall Park and the track at Woodrow are also busy.

Of course you can walk to many places around here - including many stores, restaurants, Lakewood Theater and Library etc. According to the walkalibity website posted here recently they are .38 miles from my address.

I'm betting the "moving" poster lives in some-far flung place - probably with few trees.