What are the big differences between living in Houston and living in Dallas? (Fort Worth: home, tornadoes)

[Frustratedintelligence]

I think the most important difference between the two is DFW's superior infrastructure. Its more developed transit system and extensive freeway network make it much easier to get around. Everything else will be a matter of personal preference/taste.

[SugLandDAd]

Being close to the coast, fishing, fresh shrimp and crabs, beach weekends. That is a big part of our lives here (maybe not for you) that would miss that If I had to live in Dallas.

[airdrawndagger]

Folks on both sides don't like to hear it, but Houston and Dallas have much more similarities than differences

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by airdrawndagger

Folks on both sides don't like to hear it, but Houston and Dallas have much more similarities than differences

Exactly. OP is better off leaving Texas as a whole. Or atleast checking out San Antonio or Austin for something entirely different. Perhaps even Corpus Christi.

[utche96]

Originally Posted by Htown2013

Houston has better weather

I would strongly disagree with that statement. I have grown up in Houston and have spent a fair amount of time in Dallas suburbs (Plano and Frisco). It's noticeably less humid in DFW which makes it much more comfortable to sit outside during the summer. Evenings are very nice there too. The trade-off is the winters are colder. I would easily take that trade-off.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by utche96

I would strongly disagree with that statement. I have grown up in Houston and have spent a fair amount of time in Dallas suburbs (Plano and Frisco). It's noticeably less humid in DFW which makes it much more comfortable to sit outside during the summer. Evenings are very nice there too. The trade-off is the winters are colder. I would easily take that trade-off.

It's definitely a personal preference. Right this second in Houston at 3:19 PM its 95 degrees with 40% humidity and a feels like temp of 101. Right now in Dallas its 107 degrees with 25% humidity and a feels like temp of 113. I'll take that trade.

People love to talk about how much worse it is in Houston, but I lived in Dallas before (albeit, during one of the hottest summers in Texas of my lifetime) and there are honestly plenty of summertime days that are worse up there. Hell, I just came back from DFW three weeks ago. When I took off from DFW Airport it was 103 degrees and miserable, when I touched down in Houston an hour later it was 93 degrees and slightly less miserable. I don't think they are very different at all in the summertime personally. It's a little more humid here, and a little hotter there.

The bigger difference in weather is definitely during the winter - it is significantly cooler up there. Many like it - I don't.

Overall though the differences between actually living in both areas aren't much from a practical perspective. Houston is a bit more worldly and cosmopolitan, more urban, grittier, has slightly worse traffic, quirkier, a little cheaper and a more laid back vibe. Dallas is cleaner and more orderly, slightly easier to get around, more buttoned up and formal, a little more expensive, and a bit more provincial overall. Both have great food, lots to do, and an upbeat, growth-oriented vibe with lots of young people.

Most people from elsewhere in the country will either like both or dislike both as they are more similar than different all things considered.

[Frustratedintelligence]

In July, Dallas is a whopping 3° hotter than Houston on average, and both cities have tons of concrete and a lack of shade trees which only exacerbates the heat even further. The mean temp year round also only sees a 3° difference between the two -- I think weather is one area they're far more alike than different: hot, humid summers with mild sometimes chilly winters.

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/usa/houston/climate

[utche96]

https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/9...ton-and-Dallas

This is a good comparison of Houston and Dallas in terms of weather. Significant differences - Dallas is colder in winter, Houston is muggier in the summer.

[simon22]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Exactly. OP is better off leaving Texas as a whole. Or atleast checking out San Antonio or Austin for something entirely different. Perhaps even Corpus Christi.

I hate Austin - lived there for 6 years and it's probably my least favorite city. I do like Dallas but I want to move and I'm not exactly looking for a place that's really different than Dallas.

[mojo101]

when I first came to Houston,one guy from Dallas said Dont bring your Houston idea to DAllas,it wont work.