Moving from Boston to Dallas or Austin, which city is preferred? (West: apartments, hotels)

[CBCCor6]

I am hoping to move from Boston to either Dallas or Austin within the next month or two because I need a change from the Northeast lifestyle. I'm in my mid-late 20s doing fire protection sprinkler design. I enjoy going to the racetracks over the weekend if I'm not racing, into all types of music, going to concerts and having a fun time. I am a little shy so moving someplace I don't know anyone at all does have me a little worried about the move, so I guess the city with more outgoing people may work better for me.

The biggest question I have is which city is better for living and which is better for visiting?

Job security wise, which city seems to have more construction going on in the upcoming years?

If I were to choose the Dallas area, what are some nice areas of the city and surrounding suburbs and what are some of the areas I should try to avoid?

If I were to choose the Austin area, what are some nice areas of the city and surrounding suburbs and what are some of the areas I should try to avoid?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

[metroxian]

...which city is better for living and which is better for visiting?

That would depend on how you live and what you visit. Dallas is probably more business serious, Austin a younger mind set

Dallas preferred areas - north of I-30, between 35/183/114 and 75 corridors, to include neighborhoods east of 75, and including downtown. This is a very large area, you'll want to find living space depending on work space. As far north as you can go. If you want assistance finding living space then the forum will inquire as to budgets and bedrooms. In Dallas you'll probably prefer Uptown (just north of downtown), starting at a grand$ and upwards.

Areas to avoid - south of I-30

Austin preferred areas - west of I-35, as far west as you can go
Areas to avoid - would be found east of I-35 but not inclusive

[xS☺B☺s]

Austin beats Dallas on pretty much every level. Austin is like a big Davis Sq. Dallas is like a big South Bay.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by xS☺B☺s

Austin beats Dallas on pretty much every level. Austin is like a big Davis Sq. Dallas is like a big South Bay.

Think so? Dallas is nothing like any area of Boston, IMO. Austin thinks it's like Davis Square, but tries too hard.

[bluescreen73]

The adage "it's a great place to live, but I wouldn't wanna visit there" applies to Dallas, and the other applies to Austin.

[FourFiftyFour]

What kind of racing is important to you?

Austin would probably be easier for someone shy in your age range- just because there are so many people in their 20s there.

I lived in Dallas area for about a year, it was not bad, but it definitely would take more work to get to know people depending on what area you were living.

[Restrain]

If you are extremely liberal, Austin. Just the facts.

As to growth commercially, DFW is booming, but apartments and hotels also now require all the sprinkler systems, installing them in homes now as well, especially high dollar homes. (As an aside, I saw someone install a fire sprinkler system with PVC pipe. Like to have lost it)

[ViolentMimes]

Austin isn't all it's cracked up to be. Especially the last 7 or so years. Personally, I prefer Dallas in many ways. More urban areas, better music scene (for punk and hardcore), better infrastructure, better jobs, etc.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by CBCCor6

I am hoping to move from Boston to either Dallas or Austin within the next month or two because I need a change from the Northeast lifestyle. I'm in my mid-late 20s doing fire protection sprinkler design. I enjoy going to the racetracks over the weekend if I'm not racing, into all types of music, going to concerts and having a fun time. I am a little shy so moving someplace I don't know anyone at all does have me a little worried about the move, so I guess the city with more outgoing people may work better for me.

The biggest question I have is which city is better for living and which is better for visiting?

Job security wise, which city seems to have more construction going on in the upcoming years?

If I were to choose the Dallas area, what are some nice areas of the city and surrounding suburbs and what are some of the areas I should try to avoid?

If I were to choose the Austin area, what are some nice areas of the city and surrounding suburbs and what are some of the areas I should try to avoid?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

With the possible exception of the employment situation, I would say Austin would be better to live and visit based on your specific situation.

Both metro areas are growing faster than Mark McGuire's biceps in the 90's, but DFW is just plain larger all around, so they might have the edge. By now, you probably know that Austin has a much better live music. Austin is a friendlier town for young people, so you should get over your shyness quickly there. Dallas vibe is more like the financial district in Boston. Everyone's suggestions about the actual cities proper are pretty accurate except Austin being l ike a bid Davis Square. The suburbs of DFW remind me of newer Metro West, except much larger, flatter, less green, and 100x more strip malls. Austin's surrounding area gets rural must faster once you leave the city limits.