Dallas, TX

I like the Dallas area. I'm am from OKC and Dallas/Fort Worth is a huge Megalopolis compared to it. Many, many, smaller towns are right next to it and you can drive for hours and not leave civilization. There are tons of things to do like Six Flags, San Antonio is not too far of a drive and it has Sea World, Galveston is just a few hours away and you can spend time in the Houston area with beaches a plenty.

Dallas is a town that you can find just about anything you want. Exclusive shopping, culture galore, theatre, activities, various religions, everything from cowboys to market for fashions. It is a living breathing pulsing city.

I hope you can find what you are looking for there. I think it's a great place to visit and I enjoy the variety. I have relatives in much of the surrounding area and really like the Denton/Flower Mound areas. Small towns with a real sense of community but still close enough to Dallas to be worth the while to drive to work there each day.

I see you live in Henderson NV - I moved here from Phx AZ: The hot here is nothing like the hot there. Yes, it's a dry heat there (Angioplasty - TX is not a dry heat honey and 108 would be cooler than where she is from), but when it's 120 degrees who cares how dry it is, it's way too frickin hot! So yes, it gets hot but it's nothing you can't deal with coming from Henderson, as a matter of fact for the first couple years it'll feel downright cool!.

I grew up in NoCal, lived in Phx for 10 years, and have relatives in SoCal - I love Dallas. It's huge, there's something to do for everyone, if you are complaining there's not then you are either not looking or being picky. It's extremely welcoming. I have felt more welcomed and included here by neighbors, co-workers, strangers at the store than anywhere else I've lived.

There is PLENTY to do outdoors here, and a lot less people competing for the outdoor resources than in SoCal, lol. We spend much more time outdoors here than we did in AZ. We ride horses, hubby and the kids hunt, we hike, run, bike, play soccer, swim etc etc etc. Many neighborhoods have neighborhood pools that don't require membership or waiting lists. We swam in ours daily last summer and no one got sick! There are also many more waterparks than just Hurricane Harbor - we've been here 6 years done multiple waterparks every year and haven't even been to Hurricane Harbor yet!

Dallas is a huge metroplex, like LA. You need to know which area you are interested in to get the right feedback. Do you want to live in downtown? East Dallas (greener, more lush)? Fort Worth (more prairie)? North? Etc Etc Etc. It's like asking someone from Burbank to tell you about El Centro, or Thousand Oaks, or Costa Mesa - they are different areas with different things to offer.

Every city has it's pros & cons. You can find someone in every town that hates it. Figure out where you want to go, then do some research and take everything with a grain of salt.

Wow. I don't think the activities are limited AT ALL. There is so much great music, sports, tons of zoos, family events, restaurants, theater, great museums, tons of huge special events. I'm not really sure why anyone said that. Maybe, they haven't lived here long?? As far as being an outdoor lover. There are nature preserves with hiking, kayaking, canoeing, etc. Great botanical gardens. TONS of parks. There are many lakes, too. I think moving to somewhere without a beach, might be a culture shock...yes. Hey, we have In n Out here now!!

The weather here is not more extreme then Arizona. (You mentioned Arizona previously.) I have been there in the summer and I don't believe it's more hot then here. It is more humid here during the summer, but not so much so I think it's more miserable in Arizona. Like I said, we do get some ice and snow. However, are winters are short. It can ice one day, and be 70 degrees the next day. In that way, it is extreme. The Spring and Fall is incredible here. Christmas time usually has wonderful weather, too.

I really suggest making a visit, if you can. A week long visit where you can check out the nature and events. I don't think a real opinion on your end can be based on what we say. People are so different and appreciate different things. I think everyone would agree the cost of living and quality of life here is amazing.

P.S.
I have lived here 25 years, and we've never had a tornado.

I firmly disagree. Yes, we can have crazy weather, but its not a huge proportion of the year.

We also have ton's of outdoor activities available- mostly year round. I live in real Dallas- not the suburbs and moved here from Florida. While I miss the beach, I find tons to do.

My favorite places for outdoor fun:
Trails/hiking/biking:
Twelve Hills: http://www.twelvehills.org/
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve: http://www.texaslandconservancy.org/index.php?option=com_...
Katy Trail: http://www.katytraildallas.org/site/PageServer
White Rock Lake: http://www.dallasparks.org/parks/whiterock.aspx
Those really are just a start to the amenities Dallas proper offers.

I also am curious about the culture shock part. I'm part of a two mom, artsy, liberal, granola crunchy family in a neighborhood with everyone from similar to us to massive Mexican extended families to right wing corporate types. We make fun of each other and get along- not sure how much more varied in culture you can get (and similar to Cali).

I think your ability to transition here will be determined by where you choose to live (I recommend real Dallas, and either the Lakewood or North Oak Cliff-my 'hood- areas) and how much effort you make trying to find things you love to do. Dallas is big enough that every activity you could possibly enjoy is available somewhere.

If you want anymore info or a one on one conversation, pm me!

LOL @ AngiOplasty... obviously not a happy DFW dweller.

We LOVE the DFW area. We are in the Northern burb area of Plano/Allen. LOTS to do, parks, outdoor festivals, concerts, sporting events, etc.

We love the ability to be at either airport within an hour and on a beach on either coast in reasonable time!

Our schools are excellent as well. We've been here since 1989 and have no plans to leave.

It is not hot year round and it is not as bad as some people make it out to be. On a personal note, we can't handle the cold so we appreciate the only 3-4 snow/ice days around here per year!

I have lived here in the DFW area all of my life and raised my kids here. I have lived in several areas surrounding Dallas, worked in Dallas. It does get hot, pretty much June through August it stays above 90 and often hits 100- but I prefer the heat vs cold. It can go from 30 degrees to 90 degrees all in the same week. Allergies - if you don't have them now, you probably will after you move here.

There is A LOT to do for everyone. And there are plenty of outdoor activities. My kids and I are campers and hikers. Texas has lots of State Parks and there are several within 30-90 minutes of Dallas. 3-4 hours to beautiful hill country and fun Austin, TX.

I prefer living in the suburbs and Dallas schools are not known for giving a quality education, but there are many suburbs with good schools. Lots of good private schools in Dallas too.

Culturally - you will run into more conservatives than liberals. But there is diversity. Lots of opportunities for jobs and education in the general DFW area. Good music,good food and most people are generally pretty nice. As with any place you will find the vain, the selfish and the rude...and we have our share but I think in that regard, you'll find what you expect to find. If you look for the good ...you'll find it.

Good luck!!

Well I've lived here since 1968. There's plenty to do. The summers are killer hot and the winters are short and mild but the cold here is wet not dry so it can feel colder than it is. Pretty sure it's a ton more affordable to live here too. You can live in a house that looks like a castle for cheap compared to CA. And yeah, your teenager wouldn't adjust too well here. I don't think any teenager would be happy about a move anywhere :)
And as for a nice beach? Well that's what Caribbean Mexico vacations are for right? lol
Best Regards,
C.