Jul 27, 2023
Only a few cities are as politically polar opposites as Dallas and San Diego. One is pro-Republican, while the other is pro-Democrat. Yet Dallas is one of the cities where people from San Diego are moving to the most. When moving between such cities, you must know what to expect at the destination to make a smooth transition. In this article, we’ll list 10 things you need to know before moving from San Diego to Dallas.
Both San Diego and Dallas are similar in many ways. But the latter is 16% cheaper to live. This is a bonus for anyone moving into Dallas.
On average, the cost of living for one person in Dallas is around $2,489, while the same figure for San Diego stands at $2,965. Of the $2,489 monthly expense, rent would cost approximately $1,532. Other costs like food, transportation, and services are also on the cheaper side when compared to San Diego.
Please note that the above figures vary based on your suburb and lifestyle, among other factors. Highland Park, Westover Hills, and Lakewood Heights are some of the expensive suburbs in Dallas. Others like Mesquite, Duncanville, and Lancaster are on the affordable side. So, pick the suburbs wisely before moving to Dallas, Texas.
You can divert the savings toward other ventures or retirement.
If you’ve been keeping up with the politics for the last couple of years, you must’ve known that tech companies are ditching California for other states. And one such state is Texas.
In late 2021, Elon Musk decided to leave California for Austin, Texas. Likewise, other tech giants like Oracle, Palantir, and HP Enterprises have moved their base. The fact is economic opportunities have either stagnated or are shrinking in California due to several reasons. In contrast, economic opportunities are growing in Dallas and throughout Texas. Today, Dallas serves as a base for numerous reputed brands like AT&T, Texas Instruments, Solera, Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, Salesforce, etc.
So, you can expect more economic opportunities when moving from San Diego to Dallas.
One of the reasons why businesses are ditching California and moving to Texas is tax breaks. It’s an attractive proposition for anyone looking to run a business. So, if you’re an entrepreneurial person, you would benefit from Texas’s tax breaks in Dallas.
Compared to other states, taxes are quite low in Texas. Thus, businesses get to keep most of the revenue to themselves. In Dallas, you’ll find something called a Franchise Tax. It is 0.375% for companies making $1.18 million to $10 million annually, while companies making less than that pay no franchise tax.
You may also become eligible for Texas Taxes & Economic Development Incentives and grants like Skill Development Fund and Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF).
So along with the cowboy hat, you can also put up an entrepreneur hat while in Dallas.
You may already know that there’s no income tax in Dallas or anywhere in Texas. This attracts many people to the metropolis. But you also need to be aware that the sales tax in the state is on the higher side. The same is the case for property taxes.
The Lone Star State has a combined state and local tax rate of 8.20%, of which 6.25% is the state tax. This percentage is accounted for in the goods sold throughout Texas.
Dallas also has a high property tax rate at $2.56368 per $100 of home valuation. In 2021, Dallas residents had an average property tax bill of $4,671, among the highest in the US.
San Diego has a diverse range of food options. But when you’re in Dallas, be prepared for the Tex-Mex. The soothing blend of Mexican and American cuisine is what Texas is all about.
The author of The Tex-Mex Cookbook, Robb Walsh, believes that it is US’s oldest regional cuisine when the Spaniards first colonized Texas. The authentic taste is preserved in the region, and the cooks in Dallas prepare it better than others.
So, soon after you arrive, grab some Tamales, Fajitas, or Tortillas at any of the numerous restaurant locations.
Dallasites love sports. Everyone roots for one of the many teams in Dallas, whether it be Dallas Mavericks owned by billionaire Mark Cuban or Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, Dallas Black Hawks, or FC Dallas.
The teams do well and enjoy a massive fan following both in the city and throughout the state. Since you’re moving from San Diego, be ready to experience the 49ers-Cowboys rivalry like no other. You can hear the public talk passionately days about the event.
San Diego enjoys a moderate Mediterranean climate that’s pleasant. The temperate rarely goes to extremes and hovers in the 50°F to 77°F range.
But things are going to be different in Dallas. The metropolis features the typical hot and humid Texas climate. During the summer months, mercury can reach 96°F or even 100°F. Likewise, the winters tend to be cold and can drop to 39°F.
So, brace for the extreme temperatures when moving to Dallas from San Diego.
Texas, like California, is among the sunniest states in the US. And Dallas sees, on average, 234 sunny days. This means you can enjoy outdoor adventure for the majority of the year. Since winters are not unbearable and snowfall is seldom, you can stay outdoors year-round in Dallas.
Texas doesn’t have a rich topography, but there are plenty of things to see and do. The landscape is flat, and the state is large. Thus, it isn’t difficult to grasp why Texans love long road trips.
The city of Dallas has several parks and recreational centers to keep you entertained.
Dallas is hot and humid, a perfect breeding environment for bugs. In the Lone Star State, you’re bound to encounter annoying bugs in your house. In fact, getting pest control done before you move is a piece of advice worth a million.
You’re going to have to prepare for a bunch of bugs like fleas, mosquitoes, bed bugs, fire ants, cockroaches, termites, wasps, among others.
Texas ranks as one of the buggiest US states. So come well-prepared with repellents, lotions, and nets.
Texas leans right — proudly. Thus, you’ll see an open gun culture in Dallas. In some events or rallies, you’ll see people carrying guns openly. It may be a culture shock, especially when moving in from San Diego, which leans left. The open gun culture also makes Dallas a bit dangerous. The city has the 7th highest homicide rate in the US. The crime rate is also higher when compared to San Diego. You should be aware of this before moving into Dallas and employ additional safety precautions.
Rest assured, the city has everything to keep you happy and content. So, all set to move to Dallas? Don’t forget to hire residential movers for a stress-free moving experience. Contact us today for any personal and corporate relocations.
