Anyone move from Austin to Dallas in their mid-30s? I'm a single mid-30s guy. Posted over in the ask austin subreddit. Some comments mentioned I should ask this sub as well
Posted by CoastieKid@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I'll quote and link the text of my original post. Essentially, did anyone move from Austin to Dallas proper (not the DFW suburbs) and enjoy it more than Austin? I'm a single guy in my mid-30s. Been here almost 6 years. Dallas is unbeatable as a travel hub of course.
Wondering if Austin could be a good move for me. Been in Dallas almost 6 years, moved from NYC back in 2020. Initially considered Austin but back then I was traveling a lot for work, and the airport situation in Dallas was more advantageous.
About me: Mid-30s single disabled veteran who works remotely in tech (used to travel a lot) as a sales engineer. I'll have my MBA from SMU in about a month. Used my Post 9/11 GI Bill and earned it part time. I'm liberal/left leaning.
Dallas has been hard compared to NYC socially. I had great friends through run clubs, hobbies, etc in NYC. Here, I've really tried but Dallas people just aren't my people I guess.
Dallas is super livable and I bought a home here a few years back. It's great for travel with the airport situation. Living within Loop 12 as a remote worker is easy living. I could either sell or rent out my place.
Just thinking maybe Austin could be a better fit? I loved my time in NYC but not sure if I'd go back with the tax situation.
https://www.reddit.com/r/askaustin/comments/1se9zu0/potentially_move_to_austin_from_dallas_as_a/
MemberChewbacca@reddit
I’m your age and from Dallas (visit often), but live in Austin.
I’m married (no kids) and I think that living in Bishop Arts is the move for you. Both cities have a lot to offer, but Austin feels more couple-y than Dallas.
There’s way more to do in Dallas (and way more to eat).
I think you have a neighborhood problem more than a city problem. Switch neighborhoods, and join a club or something before giving up on Dallas. If I ended up single, I’d move back immediately.
CoastieKid@reddit (OP)
Nah I’m lower Greenville which is great! I just need friends I think lol
UrbanLegend777@reddit
If you're an outspoken left-leaning Democrat, you should love paying taxes in NYC. It's the socialist capital of America! I would encourage you to strongly consider moving there. Paying higher taxes is good for you, haven't you heard?
askdfw-ModTeam@reddit
Your post has been removed for gatekeeping.
Don't encourage others not to move to DFW, and do not say or imply that someone is not welcome in DFW, for whatever reason.
CoastieKid@reddit (OP)
I moved from NYC almost 6 years ago. I was active duty for 3 of the years I was in NYC and lived in Manhattan. Manhattan is undoubtedly the greatest city in the world if you are in the right tax bracket.
My job back then was high travel and I thought Dallas would grow a lot over this decade. That prediction proved through. A central location with an airlines headquartered out of it is immensely useful.
Texas is a great place for disabled veterans and military retirees as well don’t pay state income tax nor property tax on our homestead. Grateful for that.
If I had a job offer that paid more and had upward trajectory I would consider a move back to NYC.
Dallas is a great home base if I start traveling again for work or start my own firm. Easy to travel.
Socially it’s harder though. Texans should believe in freedom more. Nothing wrong with a woman’s right to abortion, gay/trans rights, or gun ownership. We should be legalizing and taxing weed to offset high property taxes.
A big issue with NYC taxes is the pensions for city workers. That’s a large tax burden to bear. They should clean it up more the homeless are all over the place.
Texas is great if you’re a business owner or a homeowner. NYC is better if you’re not.
I understand these things well as I grew up working class and am affluent now thanks to the decisions o made
SnooCats550@reddit
I recently moved from Austin to Dallas proper. I’m in my mid-30s and spent my late 20s and early 30s in Austin. I absolutely loved Austin because it’s more of a transient city. You meet people from all over, and I’d say Austin has a more educated, goal-oriented population, especially in that age range. It also has a great local entertainment scene, is very outdoorsy, and people are genuinely friendly, in large part because so many residents aren’t originally from there and are actively trying to meet people. Since moving to Dallas, I’ve noticed a lot more sprawl. There isn’t really a central hub where everyone gathers. People are spread out across the entire DFW metroplex, which can make socializing tougher. That said, Dallas has a much more diverse population and significantly more diverse employment opportunities, whereas Austin’s job market is smaller and more narrowly focused. I’ve also found that Dallas is more traditional, and people tend to take themselves a bit more seriously here, while Austin is more laid-back. Having said that, Dallas has all the major sports teams and the draw of a major city, so there are always big concerts and events coming through. It’s also a good place to raise a family once you move out to the suburbs, though the same is true of Austin, which has some of the best school districts in the state of Texas. I’d love to go back to Austin if I could, but the job market is what brought me to Dallas.
Electrical_Long_4222@reddit
I was born in Austin and moved to Dallas in my teens. I've lived all over the country as an adult, and even spent 4 years in Austin back in the start of its latest boomtown era. I've got friends who still live in Austin, and friends who've abandoned Austin for other cities. I have a deep connection with and love for Austin, and my family and I visit at least twice a year.
All that said, you couldn't pay me to live in Austin now. The city has been completely overrun by the worst Silicon Valley has to offer, and whatever quirks or charms that existed there even up until like 2016 have been completely decimated. It's hard to get around, expensive to live, and has a social scene that's even harder to break into than Dallas/San Antonio/Houston.
Austin is a great place for someone in their early 20s, just starting their career. But it's an absolutely brutal place to try to raise kids, or find other like-minded adults.
If you haven't found your people in Dallas, why are you limiting yourself to Texas? The "tax situation" doesn't make all that much difference from major city to major city, especially considering the fact that you currently pay some of the highest property taxes in the country.
CoastieKid@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your input! Maybe Austin is more of an early to mid-twenties sort of place then? I’m not interested in really having kids tbh. I wouldn’t mind getting married, but I’ve always envisioned that my future wife and I would be DINKs.
In terms of the tax situation, I do not pay property taxes as a disabled veteran in Texas on my homestead. Other states give property tax exemptions as well for primary residence.
Part of the value prop of Dallas has been that, the convenience of travel, and relative affordability compared to other major cities.
I do believe Dallas and DFW is one of the few places in the country that you can own a home, maximize contributions to retirement accounts, and still have fun and do things.
I’m not a super materialistic person yet that is something to watch out for here. It’s crazy to me whenever I go over to someone’s apartment and I see a bunch of expensive luxury cars in the parking garage
fadedblackleggings@reddit
Have you been to Fort Worth yet?
HornFanBBB@reddit
First off, congratulations on your MBA! What an accomplishment!
I agree with Electrical_Long_4222 that I would not move back to Austin. I've been in Dallas since 2003 - my mom was born and raised in Austin, so it was always home base though we moved all around as kids. I went to school at Texas and lived there for a few years after. When I go back to visit now, I can't wait to get out. It used to be such a great city/town but it's just too different now, the vibe isn't what it used to be. That being said, if you didn't have the experience of "old Austin", you can take this with a grain of salt, as maybe it's just the nostalgia for me.
That being said, any place in your 30's is going to take more work than it did in your 20's. It's just harder - people are paired off, married, already in their little boxes. I've been struggling with this myself lately and have just had to make an effort to go out and join a lot of groups - I don't think moving is going to magically change anything for you, it's just a different time of life when it's harder to organically meet people.
Electrical_Long_4222@reddit
I mean lots of my enjoyment of Dallas has been highly dependent on where I've lived. East and South Dallas is a lot more fun than North Dallas, etc. Would a move within the city help? Where are you now?
woualai@reddit
Having moved to Dallas nearly 20 years ago, i can confidently say that Dallas is 100% “clicky” AF when it comes to making friends.
currently_distracted@reddit
The beauty of your situation (WFH, single with no kids) is that you could try Austin out because you have nothing holding you to Dallas. You could manage your house from Austin if you choose to rent it out.
People can share their experiences, but so far you’ve gotten responses from people who aren’t in your situation or compare Austin to what it was previously. Perhaps it could be easier to meet hobby groups in Austin. Perhaps it could be a better fit for you. You’ve already said that you’ve really tried, but Dallas people just aren’t your people. What do you have to lose by living there, even if for a year or two?
Return-of-Trademark@reddit
Lived in both, though austin was late 20s. Place aside, I think if you haven’t found your people in 6 years it’s definitely time to move on. The vibe is definitely different. I wouldn’t say the people are more like NYC in Austin (I spent lots of time there also), but it’s easier to find things to get out and do for sure.
stykface@reddit
Not sure why political views matter but okay.
I've lived in both. I love both. Dallas is home to me and I like it better than Austin for having a family (wife and kids). Austin is better for singles and scenery. If politics matter (it shouldn't because it's still Texas) then you'll like Austin more because you can be submerged with more like minded people and see more liberation throughout the crowds. I've also lived in SoCal so I'm used to all of that and doesn't phase me, btw.
If you are just a WFH guy and don't do much then it'll be the same. But if you get out, way more bars in Austin that have "young professionals" and even "middle aged" groups having lots of fun so you'll find more of that as you continue to age, which is great because in Dallas, once you hit a certain age it's like you are NOT allowed to be in a bar or club and it's ridiculous in my opinion.
DFW is a sprawl, Austin isn't. DFW thinks once you're in your 30s and up you can't go clubbing, Austin accepts old people clubbing. Fresh food is easier to find in Austin, Dallas has more high end restaurants. Dallas is flat and boring but lots of lake options, Austin has scenery and is outdoorsy.
That's my take. It usually comes with a good amount of upvotes and downvotes but that's an honest opinion which is what you are after I'm sure. Honestly just start to roll down there and visit often and get the feel for it before taking the plunge. I still visit 1-2 times a month.
apexhowleron@reddit
I’m 41 single and moved from Waco to Dallas