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My wife and I moved here from Bay Area in Nov. I'm born and raised in the Bay area as well, my hometown is Fremont and I graduated HS from there and undergrad college in Stockton. I was just in the Bay Area last weekend, one of the first times since moving, and of course people ask "How is Texas?"
My response,
"Ehh, it's okay. It's all about the cheap newer HUGE house and cheap movie tickets. Otherwise it's nothing special."
I also told them about one pet peeve that is starting to get annoying: Texas state pride and how much people gush over their state/DFW. Not referring to this website, but in real life ever since I've got here I've had people trying hard to sell me on how great Texas is and especially the DFW metro. That combined with state pride that you don't see in most other places is starting to get me sick to my stomach. It's annoying because there is so much "selling" going on from the natives, it makes you wonder how great the place is that people have to sell it so much to you. Great places sell themselves. Also I have not found myself agreeing with the selling points (At least to the degree it is hyped up by locals).
Another pet peeve which I am reminded of when travelling is the stupid Wright Amendment restrictions for Love Field. I know they are being lifted in a few years, but it's the reason we don't have an Oakland-Dallas nonstop on Southwest, and also why other discount carriers like Jetblue and Virgin America (possibly the two best domestic airlines in the US along with Southwest) don't fly here. Also DFW isn't an option for those carriers because of American's stranglehold. That's really bites.
Certainly not regetting the decision, but do we love it? We love that I have a great job here and have somewhat of a McMansion to come home to, but we'll always miss the geography, weather, people, sports and friends/family that come with living in the SF Bay Area. We love that we are not miserable like the several years we spent in Kansas City. When comparing KC to DFW, saying that DFW is "nothing special" is a big complement!
I'll go back to CA (Specially SF Bay Area only) the first chance I get, but for me the "first chance" means I'd better have a crapload of cash in my pocket (like in the millions) before I actually move back. So if that takes 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, or never, so be it.
Your last sentence is the rub for most of the transplants...as much as they want to be in CA, it's just not affordable. So for us it's going to be about weighing the pros and cons of each place, and for me I already know that the house size, cost of living, education, accessibility (and ability to pay for) child activities, etc. are all at the top of my list, which would grade more favorably for TX.
It's funny that you mention the state and metroplex pride thing. Can you share more details about what they're trying to "sell" or are so prideful about? I'm just curious...it wouldn't make a difference to me. The reason I think it's funny is because I can actually relate to that, having grown up in DFW myself. Anytime anyone (whether in CA or not) ask me where I'm from or where I grew up, I ALWAYS mention Dallas first, even though I haven't lived there since 1992 -- and the funny part is that I don't even know why I do it. Anytime anybody asks me about how it is in TX, now that I think about it, I think I do talk about how I think a lot of things in TX are really good. And I do find a lot of pride in being the ONLY Cowboys or Mavs fan amongst my friends here. I'm not into college sports, but when I do come across any, I ALWAYS root for the TX school to win, even if it's versus the school I went to in CA! haha Again, I have no idea why even.
The thing I know that is different between going to school in TX vs CA, is that in TX they really drilled state history (and state pride) into you, so that may be where it starts from. When I went to CA for high school, I honestly don't remember any CA history classes, seeing any CA flags anywhere on our campus. I can't even describe to you what the CA flag looks like, other than it has a bear on it. The TX flag though, I remember being EVERYWHERE and I can see it vividly in my mind. I know the TX state flower, have no idea what it is for CA, probably never even learned it. We never said the Pledge of Allegience ever in my CA school... in TX schools (both public and private) it was every single day without fail. I know that's not a state thing, but it gives insight as to the differences in culture. I remember taking multiple classes about TX state history. I remember taking countless field trips to TX monuments, cities and parks. We NEVER did anything like that in CA. The Texas State Fair was a staple every year. Nothing like that in CA. I remember even being in school choirs in TX, our programs almost always had songs about Texas in them. "The stars at night, are big and bright *clap clap clap clap*, deep in the heart of Texas!" NOTHING like that going to school or in choirs in CA. I honestly don't even know if any songs exist that are written about CA haha.
Anyway, I just laughed when I read that part about state pride, because all of the above memories from my childhood came flooding back. And now I realize the vast difference in focus between growing up in the two states, especially having been in both educational systems. I wonder if what I described above sounds familiar to anyone else raised in TX.
I am content here in Texas; I was extremely unhappy in California. No place is perfect, but the benefits here far outweigh the disadvantages (as least from my perspective). Judge by the criteria that's important to you and your family.
I remember Texas history was in 7th grade when I had to take it, I think California history was in 4th / 5th grade when my brother took it. I do remember covering California and local issues in social studies there in elementary school, maybe 3th (and / or 4th - but I moved to Texas during 4th).
Cheap, newer huge houses? You must be way north of LBJ. Maybe you ought to compare California to Oklahoma...
LOL! Hey accept the fact that they have better weather and the ocean. For me no place will compare to the place you were born and raised. If you try to make that comparison you will be disappointed. Only other place I have lived in was Houston and it does not compare to Dallas. Accept it for what it is. Ask yourself how many folks do you know are moving to the Bay area (excluding my 23 year old nephew).
LOL! Hey accept the fact that they have better weather and the ocean. For me no place will compare to the place you were born and raised. If you try to make that comparison you will be disappointed. Only other place I have lived in was Houston and it does not compare to Dallas. Accept it for what it is. Ask yourself how many folks do you know are moving to the Bay area (excluding my 23 year old nephew).
SO TRUE!!! There is no comparison to the place you were raised (or have spent most of your life!)
Cheap, newer huge houses? You must be way north of LBJ. Maybe you ought to compare California to Oklahoma...
Seems like Lakewooder's point is is being missed...housing in certain desireable areas of Dallas proper (south of LBJ -- like Lakewood --) isn't really what most of us would define as "cheap." A plain 1950's ranch 3/2/2 starts at around $400 K.
Still cheap by California standards, I guess, but not much house for the $, imo.
Also, Texas school children pledge allegiance to the Texas flag immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance. Does anyone know if any other state have a state pledge that is said in every classroom?
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
I grew up in So Cal, moved to the central coast after marrying and just recently relocated to Allen. I miss the beach, the mountains, and the mild climate. I love my large home, my kids' schools, the conservative environment and lower cost of living. Our quality of life is just vastly improved since weather and topography rarely affect the most important aspects of our lives. I loved winter this year but have been told not to expect the record snow fall we experienced this winter again. Summer will be a rude awakening for all of us as we lived on the central coast of Ca where the temperatures averaged 65 year round. As our five year old said, "we traded our trampoline for a swimming pool."
We have noticed the Texas pride. Maybe it stems from the fact that Texas still thinks of itself as the Republic of Texas and can secede from the US at anytime. Maybe its all those years of TX history in school...All I know is I've never seen any other state display the state flag more than Texans. The Lone Star is regularly used as part of the home decor. Does any other state use their state symbol as home decor?
We like it here and will stay until the good Lord moves us somewhere else.
Cheap, newer huge houses? You must be way north of LBJ. Maybe you ought to compare California to Oklahoma...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brookside
Seems like Lakewooder's point is is being missed...housing in certain desireable areas of Dallas proper (south of LBJ -- like Lakewood --) isn't really what most of us would define as "cheap." A plain 1950's ranch 3/2/2 starts at around $400 K.
Still cheap by California standards, I guess, but not much house for the $, imo.
I don't think Wylie is "way north of LBJ" and I don't think Lakewooder's point is being missed (by me).
6 bedrooms / 3.5 baths, 3700 sq. ft, built in 2005, bought in Nov. 09 in Wylie for $210k. Just 25 miles from my office and 30 miles from Downtown Dallas (if that).
By my research, Wylie is the place in the DFW metro for the combo of (1) cheap (2) huge (3) newer (built in 2000 or later, including tons of new construction) and as a bonus, Verizon FIOS. I dare anyone to show me a house for sale in the DFW metro outside of Wylie that has 5+ bedrooms, 3+ baths, 3000 sq ft. or more, built in 2000 or later, and has Verizon FIOS. FIOS alone knocks out most of the metro. Maybe you could find all of this in Sachse or Rowlett. Maybe even Allen. But that's it, and that's even stretching it.
In the Bay Area having a 25 mile commute is pretty standard, so yeah "cheap, newer huge houses." In the DFW metro. From the perspective of a CA transplant.
It's funny that you mention the state and metroplex pride thing. Can you share more details about what they're trying to "sell" or are so prideful about? I'm just curious...it wouldn't make a difference to me. The reason I think it's funny is because I can actually relate to that, having grown up in DFW myself. Anytime anyone (whether in CA or not) ask me where I'm from or where I grew up, I ALWAYS mention Dallas first, even though I haven't lived there since 1992 -- and the funny part is that I don't even know why I do it. Anytime anybody asks me about how it is in TX, now that I think about it, I think I do talk about how I think a lot of things in TX are really good. And I do find a lot of pride in being the ONLY Cowboys or Mavs fan amongst my friends here. I'm not into college sports, but when I do come across any, I ALWAYS root for the TX school to win, even if it's versus the school I went to in CA! haha Again, I have no idea why even.
The thing I know that is different between going to school in TX vs CA, is that in TX they really drilled state history (and state pride) into you, so that may be where it starts from. When I went to CA for high school, I honestly don't remember any CA history classes, seeing any CA flags anywhere on our campus. I can't even describe to you what the CA flag looks like, other than it has a bear on it. The TX flag though, I remember being EVERYWHERE and I can see it vividly in my mind. I know the TX state flower, have no idea what it is for CA, probably never even learned it. We never said the Pledge of Allegience ever in my CA school... in TX schools (both public and private) it was every single day without fail. I know that's not a state thing, but it gives insight as to the differences in culture. I remember taking multiple classes about TX state history. I remember taking countless field trips to TX monuments, cities and parks. We NEVER did anything like that in CA. The Texas State Fair was a staple every year. Nothing like that in CA. I remember even being in school choirs in TX, our programs almost always had songs about Texas in them. "The stars at night, are big and bright *clap clap clap clap*, deep in the heart of Texas!" NOTHING like that going to school or in choirs in CA. I honestly don't even know if any songs exist that are written about CA haha.
I grew up in California so I can tell you that you learn CA State history in one of your grades of elementary school (like 4th or 5th), but that's it. In elementary school you do World and US History as well, and those are also taught at higher levels in Junior high and HS, but not CA State history. The state pride is an interesting observation and to me is only bothersome when it combo with people who feel like they have to sell DFW so much.
When I say that, what I mean is that although I am here and could be here to stay, when people learn I moved from CA in November they put on a sell job for the metro as if I was simply considering moving here and not already here. I even get that from people at work who have seen me day in and day out since November. Like I said, my take is that if DFW is so great, it should sell itself. Overselling keeps my guard up in terms of falling in love with this place.
Maybe people are trying to brainwash me before the ridiculous heat and humidity comes through, I dunno. (I chuckle but I do wonder if people are trying to keep me from going postal about the heat/humidity)
P.S. As to the State Fair, there is a huge CA State Fair in Sacramento. Also county fairs during the summer too which are big. In the Bay Area at least (public school), we'd have field trips to Yosemite, Columbia State Historic Park (an old style gold mining town in the Sierra foothills), etc, etc. And I had the pledge of allegiance in my elementary schools in CA. You must have not lucked out whenever you went to school in CA.
Last edited by pappy97; 04-06-2010 at 05:41 PM..
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(I chuckle but I do wonder if people are trying to keep me from going postal about the heat/humidity)
