Phoenix v. Dallas (Scottsdale: schools, pros and cons, income) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

cnult · 08-18-2010, 01:10 PM

Looking to move from the midwest to warmer climates. I've narrowed it down to Phoenix area v. Dallas. I'm in banking and my wife is an analyst (we both have some connections in each city). We will be doing a visit to each but want some color on what we need to know before hand. Basically what are the pros and cons. Not as concerned about schools, cost of housing, crime, etc. because every city has good and bad for all these items depending on the area. Income is in the $150k range combined. We will have 20% to put down on a house.

Ponderosa · 08-18-2010, 01:14 PM

I never thought of Dallas as a refuge from the cold, though I suppose it depends on where you are coming from. Dallas is unpleasantly hot in summer, but you don't get the payoff in winter. It is cold - not Minnesota cold - but hardly the lovely PHX winter. It is also flat as a pancake with limited public lands to play on and that would be the deal killer for me. Gotta have topography,mountains, forests, public land. Maybe there is more of citified things to do in Dallas, but I find more of that than I need in PHX. Dallas is also a little on the southern Christian right for my liking. PHX is more west coast.

I thought we just saw a Dallas vs. PHX thing on this forum. Maybe you should search for it for more opinions.

Juram · 08-18-2010, 01:58 PM

We're a lot skinnier here than in Dallas.

Cowboys fan in Houston · 08-18-2010, 03:28 PM

Apples and oranges. It really depends on what you value in a city.

Phoenix offers more for the outdoor types. It has some nice mountains and hiking in the area, the Grand Canyon is a moderate drive away, Southern California and Vegas are also a days drive.

Dallas will appeal more to the city person. It has more diversity, its more international, its a more business oriented city, and its eating scene is better. I like the nightlife better there too, but Scottsdale is no slouch.

I can see a good argument for both.

azriverfan. · 08-18-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnult

Looking to move from the midwest to warmer climates. I've narrowed it down to Phoenix area v. Dallas. I'm in banking and my wife is an analyst (we both have some connections in each city). We will be doing a visit to each but want some color on what we need to know before hand. Basically what are the pros and cons. Not as concerned about schools, cost of housing, crime, etc. because every city has good and bad for all these items depending on the area. Income is in the $150k range combined. We will have 20% to put down on a house.

For your situation, I would recommend Dallas. I'm a physician so I can live anywhere so there is no way in hell you could convince me to live in Dallas. However, if I was in finance or banking, I would live in Dallas because if something were to happen to your job, there are not many other opportunities in Phoenix whereas in Dallas, you would have a lot of opportunities should you get let go. However, you can't compare Dallas to Phoenix. Phoenix has so much more to offer in terms of entertainment and quality of life in my opinion. Dallas is a nice city though too. The biggest drawback to Dallas is the culture. It's still very Southern and located in the Bible Belt. Although it isn't as bad as many Southern cities, it's still very Southern and that's reflected in the people there. Anyway, if you move there, you will see what I'm talking about but if you can deal with that, it's a great city. I think the nightlife and dining scene is better in Phoenix but I'm into sushi and California cuisine as opposed to steak restaurants and bbq which is more known in Dallas. Dallas has some great nightlife but it also caters to the jarhead cowboy types too which Phoenix is more metrosexual which may or may not be a draw for you.

Ritchie_az · 08-18-2010, 05:56 PM

Ponderosa · 08-18-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

LOL, thought it looked familiar.

azriverfan. · 08-18-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I never thought of Dallas as a refuge from the cold, though I suppose it depends on where you are coming from.

I just want to highlight this point you made. Dallas is not warm year round. It gets cold there. It is flat and borders Oklahoma so like Oklahoma it gets those freezing cold winds. I've been to Dallas when it's snowed there in November. Dallas also gets a lot of ice rain and golf ball sized hail throughout the winter. Sure, it's better than the Midwest winters by far so if you are seeking a respite from the extreme cold, Dallas is fine. There are plenty of days during their winter where the weather will be 70 degrees or higher. However if you are seeking a warm solution or a warm climate then Dallas clearly does not fit that bill. Phoenix is consistently warm in the winters and there is no inclement weather

Phxguy · 08-18-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I just want to highlight this point you made. Dallas is not warm year round. It gets cold there. It is flat and borders Oklahoma so like Oklahoma it gets those freezing cold winds. I've been to Dallas when it's snowed there in November. Dallas also gets a lot of ice rain and golf ball sized hail throughout the winter. Sure, it's better than the Midwest winters by far so if you are seeking a respite from the extreme cold, Dallas is fine. There are plenty of days during their winter where the weather will be 70 degrees or higher. However if you are seeking a warm solution or a warm climate then Dallas clearly does not fit that bill. Phoenix is consistently warm in the winters and there is no inclement weather

I don't know.... there are many people here that I know from other areas that are suprised in the winter to wake up to a 20 degree day in Phoenix and surronding areas. In terms of how the day progresses with a cold morning, Phoenix definetly wins here. With a high temp inbetween 45-65 degrees during the day.

azriverfan. · 08-19-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

I don't know.... there are many people here that I know from other areas that are suprised in the winter to wake up to a 20 degree day in Phoenix and surronding areas. In terms of how the day progresses with a cold morning, Phoenix definetly wins here. With a high temp inbetween 45-65 degrees during the day.

You are right, it's definitely colder in the mornings but usually by 10 or 11, it's fine. But Dallas actually has real cold weather meaning snow, ice, freezing wind where you have to wear a heavy coat. I usually only wear a blazer or jacket or a sweater but I can't recall wearing a sweater inside a coat or jacket ever since I've been here.