Inside scoop on Dallas and SMU

Hey there,

So, I've lived in the northeast my whole life, but I'm kind of being recruited to go to grad. school down in Dallas at the Perkins School of Theology in SMU.  I've actually never been down to Texas--my mom lives in Florida now, but I know that's hugely different.  I'm a little apprehensive about an 1800-mile move, but can anyone who lives in the Dallas tell me what it's like down there?  I love going to new places, but the new places have usually been in New England--this would be completely different, and I don't know much about it.  Thanks!

I now live in Houston, but grew up in Dallas...I've also spent quite a bit of time in the Northeast. It's much, much different..not better, not worse...just different. The culture and people are more friendly, but to someone who has never been around it can seem more like nosy :)

The weather takes some getting used to, but it's not all bad...VERY hot in the summer, but mild winters. There's lots to do...pretty much like any city.

Having a car is almost a must, because the public transit system is not very well developed.

I can't really think of anything else...but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me :)

I moved to Dallas for grad school (UT Southwestern) from Arkansas.  Sometimes I like Dallas, sometimes I don't.  The bad part for me is that you have to drive a long way for "nature."  Sure, they have a tiny little lake right in the city, but it is not very nice.  Also, I agree with the previous post, its HOT.  Drivers are crazy here, beware.  But then again, I have never driven in other big cities.  Lots of shopping around, good food of many varieties, some nice bars/pubtype places, rent is reasonable compared to other big cities if you look in the right place.  There are plenty of "ritzy" or I guess I call "snooty" places to live, eat, and such as well.  There are many different areas of Dallas with completely different feels.   I live in deep ellum which is sorta uh artsy with a lot of restaurants, bars, and art venues.  I like the atmosphere and culture.  Downtown is ok, but its not thriving.  They are trying to develop it more.  Uptown has recently exploded with development and is a bit more fancy and over by SMU is pretty nice with lots of students.  East Dallas in the Lakewood area is also pretty nice and not so "snooty". I don't go south of 30 much at all.  

 

You can for sure find a place in Dallas that will suit you.  You just have to figure out what kind of neighborhood you like.  I think I enjoy it as a stop in my life for a few years, but might not permanently settle down here unless I had a great job.

Well,

Massively different.  Prepare for it.  SMU is in a very wealthy part of town and the students at SMU tend to reflect that (not said in judgment, just said).  Dallas also has its own unique culture--sort of an offshoot of Southern culture with its own quirks and such.  When northerners move here, they either love it or hate it (and they usually know pretty darn quick).  People tend to be more friendly, less direct, more difficult to figure out whether they like you or not, and there are just certain codes for how people interact that might make you crazy.  Of course, there's also that bizarre love that Texans have for Texas that rubs some people the wrong way and enchants some others.  As one person put it, "Texans are almost as wonderful as they think they are."

I used to brag to friends that I could pick out a Dallasite any where in the world--they just have their own aura--and since I grew up with it...

I'd recommend a visit--it might clear it all up very quickly. 

Politically, that area tends to be conservative.  I don't know how Perkins shakes out theologically, but in comparison to Dallas Baptist and others in the area, it's probably villianized as a leftist institution!

Perkins has a pretty strong reputation among local pastors as a good institution so I wouldn't worry about that.  My father sits on a Committee on Preparation for Ministry in the Presbyterian Church in that area and he says that their Perkins grads are always well prepared.  I never looked at it seriously when I went to seminary (I looked over at Brite in Ft. Worth, but ended up at Columbia in Decatur, Georgia) so I can't give you a first hand account of that.

Having said all that, I love Dallas, but it's a acquired taste for many.

Thanks so much, guys!

On the plus side, I have a pretty easy time adjusting to the heat, since my mom's in florida (she moved there right when I graduated high school, so I've spent every summer living down there--you get used to it fast!).  I figured it's like other more recently built cities--fairly new, but a must to drive because of their low-density planning.  Haha, after driving in Boston, I can handle any kind of driver out there!

I'm planning on making a trip out in a few weeks, so I guess we'll see for real then!

Of course, there's also that bizarre love that Texans have for Texas that rubs some people the wrong way and enchants some others.  As one person put it, "Texans are almost as wonderful as they think they are."

LOL...When I was moving out of TX for work after college, I had a friend say "There's Texas and some other 49 other states...why would you want to move?"

SMU people tend to be a little snobby.. it's the whole "daddy's paying for my tuition" thing :) nobody here has hick accents or wears cowboy hats. people drive like maniacs. the college is in a pretty nice area, right around some malls with designer stores, and it has a great art museum. deep ellum is really cool, it has some neat restaurants and music venues and galleries. overall it's very hot and dry, so invest in some light clothes and a good moisturizer ;)