Dallas vs. Austin
We just spent a few days in Dallas, while there I couldn't help but make a few comparisons to the two places. When we first pulled into Dallas I felt so homesick (I know homesick for Dallas!). it was so good to see places I knew, understand the freeway systems, and be able to get to where I needed to go without so much help from the GPS (still some help cause I'm not great at directions). But after a day... no a drive in afternoon traffic, I could see some of the perks of living in Austin.
When we lived in Dallas we had friends. We had a support system, people that we could ask for help when we needed. People were friendly, they expected us to show up, and seemed to be (sometimes) disappointed when we didn't. This was comforting. We didn't have much family in Dallas so building this support network was important and such a blessing. In Austin, well we don't have this. We actually don't have this at all, but to be honest we didn't when we moved to Dallas, so with some time and effort I think this is something that we can build. No, we won't be able to replace our previous friends, but we will make new ones. This is really the biggest perk of Dallas. I have found myself a few times needing helps with something and not having someone to ask, but it has all worked out in the end. Maybe we are becoming more self reliant, or finding work arounds, or maybe just prioritizing things better.
When we lived in Dallas traffic was a big deal. We liked our house, and our neighborhood, but we didn't like having to trek all the way out there. When we bought the house we didn't have kids and that made a huge difference. The road to the house has been under contraction for... well the entire time we had the house and even still. Now it is even worse, sorta like a little bit of a suicide mission to get out there (fast traffic, small road). Someday the road is going to be great, but I fear that someday is going to be another 5 years from now. We had to plan our trips to the grocery store around the high traffic times- need something from walmart at 4pm- not gonna happen unless you RUN in and even then you won't get back until close to 5. After 430 forget it. This was... annoying. And walmart was the closest place, if you needed to run to target (which was about 15 minutes with no traffic) you better choose the time of day you go wisely. We don't have that problem now. Not to mention that everything is much closer- there are two grocery stores (both brand new, walmart actually opened this week) within 2 miles of our house, target and costco are maybe 4 miles away. You can actually run and get something and be back in 15 minutes, not 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back plus however much time you spend in the store. this is wonderful, especially with 2 small kids, our errands don't take all day! Michael insisted we drive out to the curtain house, it was far, I hadn't remembered just how far it was, but for that alone I am grateful. Our new house will be slightly further from the retail center... but by slightly further I mean a mile or two. We will still be right there.
Brian also spent hours each day in traffic. His office was about 45 miles from our house, if he didn't hit any traffic he could make it in about 55 minutes. He almost always hit traffic. He would leave super early in the morning and often not make it back until late. Now his office is about 5.1 miles from our house. It will be a tiny bit further when we move, but only a mile or two. To put that in perspective we had some good friends in Dallas that we saw... well daily, their house was 5.9 miles from ours. Yes Brian's commute is shorter than driving to Kroger, the library, Target, Aldi, or even the Gehrings (old house) from our "curtain" house. There are 6 lights, there will be 6 (slightly different direction) when we move again. no freeways, no tollways, just surface streets. He makes it home for dinner now. and when he has to work late he comes home, eats dinner, puts mikey to bed, and goes back, it is so wonderful. So i think this is the biggest tradeoff. We have lost our friends, but we got Brian back. We can make new friends, but I think this part alone makes the move worth it- these sweet little boys get to see their dad on more than just the weekend. If we are doing something down by his office he comes out and says hi, he has come home for lunch a few times, when Michael needed X rays he popped over to help with that. The move hasn't been great every day, but some things are worth the trade.
When we lived in Dallas we had friends. We had a support system, people that we could ask for help when we needed. People were friendly, they expected us to show up, and seemed to be (sometimes) disappointed when we didn't. This was comforting. We didn't have much family in Dallas so building this support network was important and such a blessing. In Austin, well we don't have this. We actually don't have this at all, but to be honest we didn't when we moved to Dallas, so with some time and effort I think this is something that we can build. No, we won't be able to replace our previous friends, but we will make new ones. This is really the biggest perk of Dallas. I have found myself a few times needing helps with something and not having someone to ask, but it has all worked out in the end. Maybe we are becoming more self reliant, or finding work arounds, or maybe just prioritizing things better.
When we lived in Dallas traffic was a big deal. We liked our house, and our neighborhood, but we didn't like having to trek all the way out there. When we bought the house we didn't have kids and that made a huge difference. The road to the house has been under contraction for... well the entire time we had the house and even still. Now it is even worse, sorta like a little bit of a suicide mission to get out there (fast traffic, small road). Someday the road is going to be great, but I fear that someday is going to be another 5 years from now. We had to plan our trips to the grocery store around the high traffic times- need something from walmart at 4pm- not gonna happen unless you RUN in and even then you won't get back until close to 5. After 430 forget it. This was... annoying. And walmart was the closest place, if you needed to run to target (which was about 15 minutes with no traffic) you better choose the time of day you go wisely. We don't have that problem now. Not to mention that everything is much closer- there are two grocery stores (both brand new, walmart actually opened this week) within 2 miles of our house, target and costco are maybe 4 miles away. You can actually run and get something and be back in 15 minutes, not 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back plus however much time you spend in the store. this is wonderful, especially with 2 small kids, our errands don't take all day! Michael insisted we drive out to the curtain house, it was far, I hadn't remembered just how far it was, but for that alone I am grateful. Our new house will be slightly further from the retail center... but by slightly further I mean a mile or two. We will still be right there.
Brian also spent hours each day in traffic. His office was about 45 miles from our house, if he didn't hit any traffic he could make it in about 55 minutes. He almost always hit traffic. He would leave super early in the morning and often not make it back until late. Now his office is about 5.1 miles from our house. It will be a tiny bit further when we move, but only a mile or two. To put that in perspective we had some good friends in Dallas that we saw... well daily, their house was 5.9 miles from ours. Yes Brian's commute is shorter than driving to Kroger, the library, Target, Aldi, or even the Gehrings (old house) from our "curtain" house. There are 6 lights, there will be 6 (slightly different direction) when we move again. no freeways, no tollways, just surface streets. He makes it home for dinner now. and when he has to work late he comes home, eats dinner, puts mikey to bed, and goes back, it is so wonderful. So i think this is the biggest tradeoff. We have lost our friends, but we got Brian back. We can make new friends, but I think this part alone makes the move worth it- these sweet little boys get to see their dad on more than just the weekend. If we are doing something down by his office he comes out and says hi, he has come home for lunch a few times, when Michael needed X rays he popped over to help with that. The move hasn't been great every day, but some things are worth the trade.
Nothing is great enough to not have Daddy home!!! Dad's are the best for kids!!! :) I'm SOOOO Happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're finding plusses! Of course we miss you here, but Austin will be home soon. I always think when I hear of people moving to Lavon--"But do you know how far Target is from there?!" :)
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