Trip to Dallas
Feb 18th, 2007, 07:23 PM
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Abe, you seem to be not knowledgable about cities. Especially the concept of the "average american city".
The idea of average city doesn't have a real meaning, but I'll try to come up with something, just for the sake of discussion. The census bureau lists 361 metropolitan areas, in order of population, so I'll go halfway down the list and select Lynchburg, Virginia as the median population. Half of the metros in America are larger, half smaller.
Now Lynchburg is a fine city, but with a population of 236,910 people as of 2005. Metro Dallas had a population of 5,819,475 people as of 2005, and was the 5th largest metro out of 391 metros.
Do you honestly think that Lynchburg, Virginia has everything that Dallas has? As many good restaurants? Live musical performances? Concert halls? AS many zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens? As many theme parks? As much high end shopping, like Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Barneys, etc?
Dallas has several art film houses, and is currently showing about 20 specialty, independent, foreign and art films. Very few cities have that many, and Lynchburg is not one of them.
The American Airlines Center in Dallas is the most lavish and expensive sports arena in the United States, slightly more costly than the Staples Center in LA. I don't think Lynchburg is building a better one.
The Dallas Arts district will have, when completed in a couple of years, a set of concert halls of the scope of Lincoln Center in NYC. By 4 Pritzger Prize winning architects. Decidedly not average.
Very few cities have anything the size and scope of the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoo. If they do, it's usually fish in tanks... but the Dallas WA&Z is significant and unique... an entire jungle biome or two.
The Fair Park site is unique in the USA, with the possible exception of Balboa Park in San Diego. And it's the only Art Deco worlds fair site in the USA still intact. The Womens Museum in FP is unique in the United States.
The Nasher Sculpture Center is the best private collection in the world, according to the New York Times. The Kimbell is one of the best small museums in America.
Abe, you've been to Dallas on business so often that you're jaded. Burned out. Or maybe you're one of those people who can see the value of nothing, someone who tries to depress and discourage everyone. The killjoy character who rains on everyone's parade.
The bottom line is that you're useless as a guide to the city, and what it has that is interesting and worth experiencing. Nobody needs your downer attitude.
The idea of average city doesn't have a real meaning, but I'll try to come up with something, just for the sake of discussion. The census bureau lists 361 metropolitan areas, in order of population, so I'll go halfway down the list and select Lynchburg, Virginia as the median population. Half of the metros in America are larger, half smaller.
Now Lynchburg is a fine city, but with a population of 236,910 people as of 2005. Metro Dallas had a population of 5,819,475 people as of 2005, and was the 5th largest metro out of 391 metros.
Do you honestly think that Lynchburg, Virginia has everything that Dallas has? As many good restaurants? Live musical performances? Concert halls? AS many zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens? As many theme parks? As much high end shopping, like Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Barneys, etc?
Dallas has several art film houses, and is currently showing about 20 specialty, independent, foreign and art films. Very few cities have that many, and Lynchburg is not one of them.
The American Airlines Center in Dallas is the most lavish and expensive sports arena in the United States, slightly more costly than the Staples Center in LA. I don't think Lynchburg is building a better one.
The Dallas Arts district will have, when completed in a couple of years, a set of concert halls of the scope of Lincoln Center in NYC. By 4 Pritzger Prize winning architects. Decidedly not average.
Very few cities have anything the size and scope of the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoo. If they do, it's usually fish in tanks... but the Dallas WA&Z is significant and unique... an entire jungle biome or two.
The Fair Park site is unique in the USA, with the possible exception of Balboa Park in San Diego. And it's the only Art Deco worlds fair site in the USA still intact. The Womens Museum in FP is unique in the United States.
The Nasher Sculpture Center is the best private collection in the world, according to the New York Times. The Kimbell is one of the best small museums in America.
Abe, you've been to Dallas on business so often that you're jaded. Burned out. Or maybe you're one of those people who can see the value of nothing, someone who tries to depress and discourage everyone. The killjoy character who rains on everyone's parade.
The bottom line is that you're useless as a guide to the city, and what it has that is interesting and worth experiencing. Nobody needs your downer attitude.
Feb 18th, 2007, 07:36 PM
#203
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Almost a dead heat between Dallas and Philadelphia for the title of 4th largest American metro.
http://www.census.gov/population/www...ges_final.html
http://www.census.gov/population/www...ges_final.html
Feb 18th, 2007, 08:19 PM
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I don't even know where to begin, and I'm hesitant to even jump in on Honestabe and Stat_man. First off, stat_man, do not ever, ever, ever, ever compare Dallas to Rome, Prague, Bangkok, Boston, etc. Period. I don't need to say more.
I've lived in Dallas a couple of years now. I've also lived in many cities around the US and traveled around the world. You can use stats any way you want, but the real deal is that Dallas is a pleasant place to raise a family...nice climate, reasonable cost of living, nice people. THAT"S IT! Do not ever, ever, ever, EVER try to portray it as a world class city. It is not.
I've lived in Dallas a couple of years now. I've also lived in many cities around the US and traveled around the world. You can use stats any way you want, but the real deal is that Dallas is a pleasant place to raise a family...nice climate, reasonable cost of living, nice people. THAT"S IT! Do not ever, ever, ever, EVER try to portray it as a world class city. It is not.
Feb 19th, 2007, 02:41 AM
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Dabber, I think you are doing well at the Adolphus. You can visit the bars at ZaZa, Palomar and the W if you want to check out the scene.
Regarding your comments on the US dollars you just picked up, US banknotes are printed in Washington D.C. and...FORT WORTH, TX! The Bureau of Engraving and Printing conducts tours. I remember touring the facility in D.C. as a teenager and found it interesting. The website is www.moneyfactory.gov.
Regarding your comments on the US dollars you just picked up, US banknotes are printed in Washington D.C. and...FORT WORTH, TX! The Bureau of Engraving and Printing conducts tours. I remember touring the facility in D.C. as a teenager and found it interesting. The website is www.moneyfactory.gov.
Feb 19th, 2007, 03:37 AM
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Statman - Thank you so much for enlightening me on Lynchburg. Ironically, I was through there in my travels about 2 months ago. And I have to admit that you've got me: Dallas is better than Lynchburg! I agree. I guess I'm proven wrong.
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:27 AM
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Stat_man, I was just sitting here (in Dallas) and wondering where the 5.8 million people are living. There must be an underground city somewhere. So, I checked Wikpedia, which appears to be your source. As I suspected, Dallas has 1.2 million people and Fort Worth, around 600,000 people. Dallas' population in spread out over 385 square miles of suburbia. Fort Worth is about 45 minutes away from Dallas. While I realize it's considered a metroplex, that's really like grouping together Baltimore and Washington D.C. or Philadelphia and New York.
*****The 5.8 million number you are coming up with includes 12 counties and covers almost 9000 SQUARE MILES! *****
That's like grouping together most of the East Coast! The stats you've thrown out are deceiving.
One of the primary reasons Dallas and Fort Worth are grouped together is because there is one shared major airport (and for the most part, one major airline) serving these 5.8 million people in 9000 square miles. New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. all have multiple major airports (and airliines) in each city.
Dallas is a big, small town. There is a lot of money here and the bling that goes along with the money which means good shopping and restaurants. The museum/cultural environment is fine for a city of its size and is improving every day. The museums here have nice collections (especially the Nasher), but they cannot and will not ever compare with the museums of NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA (the Getty) and D.C. where the robber barons of the turn of the last century spent lifetimes and extraordinary fortunes accumulating art treasures from throughout the world. That cannot be replicated. Don't pretend that it is.
For anyone who lives near a city of any size, there is no compelling reason to make a special trip to Dallas for art or culture. If you live in rural Oklahoma or Kansas etc., and don't have access to live theater, shopping or museums, it would be fun to visit Dallas.
Like many southern cities, the business and economic environment is vibrant and corporate reloctation/migration into southern cities continues. That's good for those who live here.
Dallas is a fine place to live just like Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinatti, Raleigh-Durham, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Minneapolis, etc. etc. etc. are all nice places to live for various reasons.
*****The 5.8 million number you are coming up with includes 12 counties and covers almost 9000 SQUARE MILES! *****
That's like grouping together most of the East Coast! The stats you've thrown out are deceiving.
One of the primary reasons Dallas and Fort Worth are grouped together is because there is one shared major airport (and for the most part, one major airline) serving these 5.8 million people in 9000 square miles. New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. all have multiple major airports (and airliines) in each city.
Dallas is a big, small town. There is a lot of money here and the bling that goes along with the money which means good shopping and restaurants. The museum/cultural environment is fine for a city of its size and is improving every day. The museums here have nice collections (especially the Nasher), but they cannot and will not ever compare with the museums of NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA (the Getty) and D.C. where the robber barons of the turn of the last century spent lifetimes and extraordinary fortunes accumulating art treasures from throughout the world. That cannot be replicated. Don't pretend that it is.
For anyone who lives near a city of any size, there is no compelling reason to make a special trip to Dallas for art or culture. If you live in rural Oklahoma or Kansas etc., and don't have access to live theater, shopping or museums, it would be fun to visit Dallas.
Like many southern cities, the business and economic environment is vibrant and corporate reloctation/migration into southern cities continues. That's good for those who live here.
Dallas is a fine place to live just like Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinatti, Raleigh-Durham, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Minneapolis, etc. etc. etc. are all nice places to live for various reasons.
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:37 AM
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HonestAbe: "...I guess I'm proven wrong.
..."
No, Abe, you're just irresponsible and careless about the claims you make. Especially when you throw out high falutin words like "average". You don't know what that means, do you?
Another way to define your "average" city you compare Dallas to is to add the populations of all metros, divide by 361, the number of metros, and you get 682,775 as the average population of American metros. Average cities by this criteria are Columbia, SC, Greensboro, NC, Akron, OH. Still want to claim that Dallas is average? Care to explain how you came up with your idea?
DGG: "...do not ever, ever, ever, ever compare Dallas to Rome, Prague, Bangkok, Boston, etc..."
There are many valid ways to compare Dallas to Boston, Rome, Prague, etc. Population, growth rates, relative wealth, international connections, consumption of goods and services, and so forth. Perhaps you don't really mean the word "compare" but the word "equate"? This group of cities are so different from one another that they cannot reasonably be equated, although they can certainly be compared.
..."
No, Abe, you're just irresponsible and careless about the claims you make. Especially when you throw out high falutin words like "average". You don't know what that means, do you?
Another way to define your "average" city you compare Dallas to is to add the populations of all metros, divide by 361, the number of metros, and you get 682,775 as the average population of American metros. Average cities by this criteria are Columbia, SC, Greensboro, NC, Akron, OH. Still want to claim that Dallas is average? Care to explain how you came up with your idea?
DGG: "...do not ever, ever, ever, ever compare Dallas to Rome, Prague, Bangkok, Boston, etc..."
There are many valid ways to compare Dallas to Boston, Rome, Prague, etc. Population, growth rates, relative wealth, international connections, consumption of goods and services, and so forth. Perhaps you don't really mean the word "compare" but the word "equate"? This group of cities are so different from one another that they cannot reasonably be equated, although they can certainly be compared.
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:51 AM
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<you throw out high falutin words like "average". You don't know what that means, do you?>
The word has many definitions. ONe of them, according to Webster, is "typical; common; ordinary".
From an expeirence standpoitn, Dallas is a TYPICAL American metro. It is filled with any of the COMMON attractions you would find in any city. The visitor experience, compared to other metros, is rather ORDINARY.
And why you insist on using 361 cities to compare Dallas to is beyond me. You may not have realized it, but I suggested that Dallas is in a league with the top 30 or so American cities. I was complimenting your town. To compare Dallas to 361 cities really takes it down a few rungs. You're the one comaparing Dallas to Akron and Lynchburg, not me.
The word has many definitions. ONe of them, according to Webster, is "typical; common; ordinary".
From an expeirence standpoitn, Dallas is a TYPICAL American metro. It is filled with any of the COMMON attractions you would find in any city. The visitor experience, compared to other metros, is rather ORDINARY.
And why you insist on using 361 cities to compare Dallas to is beyond me. You may not have realized it, but I suggested that Dallas is in a league with the top 30 or so American cities. I was complimenting your town. To compare Dallas to 361 cities really takes it down a few rungs. You're the one comaparing Dallas to Akron and Lynchburg, not me.
Feb 19th, 2007, 06:26 AM
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DGG, the Dallas-FW area has been determined to be one unified metro by the Federal Office of Management and Budget. Not due to the number of airports, but because of commute patterns, economic dependencies, and so forth. Its suburban areas do cover a lot of land, but so do other metros of comparable population size, such as Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, San Francisco, etc. The plain fact is that most people in the USA want to live in suburbs, and every major metro sprawls. My source is the various web pages from the Census Bureau, especially the one I cited earlier in the thread.
Are we engaging in a wee-wee contest over who has the biggest museums? Yes, New York, Chicago, LA and Washington have larger and more prominent ones, but Dallas-FW museums are pretty good as well, and certainly worth visiting... especially the Kimbell and the Nasher. Yes, I've visited museums in DC, LA, NYC, but I still enjoy visiting the DMA, the Crow Asian, the Amon Carter.
"...For anyone who lives near a city of any size, there is no compelling reason to make a special trip to Dallas for art or culture..."
I think there is. Dallas' cultural offerings can expand your cultural horizons, allow you to see more than if you stayed at home. Just because I've seen a museum in one city doesn't mean I can't enjoy one in another city. Even though I have access to a dozen art museums in Dallas, I still visit other cities to check out their museums. The DFW area is definitely worth visiting for its art museums alone.
Unless you live in NYC, LA, Chicago, the Dallas assembly of culture, shopping, entertainment will be as good as anything you have at home... and if you live in any of the 350 metros below the top dozen, Dallas will be remarkably better than anything you have at home. Of course, people from New York also enjoy visiting Dallas-FW museums such as the Kimbell, the Nasher and the Meadows.
I don't see metro Dallas as a small town, but as a huge metropolis containing dozens of ethnicities and nationalities, and the cultural experience that results from diversity. It has Indian-Pakistani radio stations and movie houses, Serbian groceries, Ethopian neighborhoods, Greek festivals...
Yes, Dallas has some compelling qualities that attract people... that's how it became the 4th largest US metro. At a time when so many other large metros are losing more domestic migrants than they gain.
Dallas-FW's enormous population and diversity of interests and lifestyles generates urban activity and urban options that you don't find in the vast majority of America's cities. And people everywhere will be attracted to that...
Are we engaging in a wee-wee contest over who has the biggest museums? Yes, New York, Chicago, LA and Washington have larger and more prominent ones, but Dallas-FW museums are pretty good as well, and certainly worth visiting... especially the Kimbell and the Nasher. Yes, I've visited museums in DC, LA, NYC, but I still enjoy visiting the DMA, the Crow Asian, the Amon Carter.
"...For anyone who lives near a city of any size, there is no compelling reason to make a special trip to Dallas for art or culture..."
I think there is. Dallas' cultural offerings can expand your cultural horizons, allow you to see more than if you stayed at home. Just because I've seen a museum in one city doesn't mean I can't enjoy one in another city. Even though I have access to a dozen art museums in Dallas, I still visit other cities to check out their museums. The DFW area is definitely worth visiting for its art museums alone.
Unless you live in NYC, LA, Chicago, the Dallas assembly of culture, shopping, entertainment will be as good as anything you have at home... and if you live in any of the 350 metros below the top dozen, Dallas will be remarkably better than anything you have at home. Of course, people from New York also enjoy visiting Dallas-FW museums such as the Kimbell, the Nasher and the Meadows.
I don't see metro Dallas as a small town, but as a huge metropolis containing dozens of ethnicities and nationalities, and the cultural experience that results from diversity. It has Indian-Pakistani radio stations and movie houses, Serbian groceries, Ethopian neighborhoods, Greek festivals...
Yes, Dallas has some compelling qualities that attract people... that's how it became the 4th largest US metro. At a time when so many other large metros are losing more domestic migrants than they gain.
Dallas-FW's enormous population and diversity of interests and lifestyles generates urban activity and urban options that you don't find in the vast majority of America's cities. And people everywhere will be attracted to that...
Feb 19th, 2007, 06:52 AM
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Abe: "...From an expeirence standpoit, Dallas is a TYPICAL American metro. It is filled with any of the COMMON attractions you would find in any city. The visitor experience, compared to other metros, is rather ORDINARY..."
A TYPICAL American metro does not have 6 million people, a dozen art museums, 120 live musical performances nightly, etc.
Sure, Dallas has common attractions such as Hollywood movies, cable TV, and fast food shops. It also has UNCOMMON things, such as has already been mentioned.
We'll have to ask Dabber if he regards his experience of Dallas as ORDINARY. I have no respect for your opinion of what is ordinary.
"...You're the one comaparing Dallas to Akron and Lynchburg, not me..."
Sure, I compare Dallas to Akron, and conclude that Dallas has more people and more things to do. Akron is an example of your so-called "average" metro, if you go by average population.
By the way, what is your concept of a TYPICAL American metro? Do you know what you're talking about? Have a list of them, do you? In actuality, there is no such thing as a typical metro... they are all different.
You seem very opinionated, and like all opinionated people, you fail to provide any explanation or rationale for what you claim. You just repeat it over and over. Nothing you have said has any substantial basis in reality, just in your personal attitudes. And I see no reason to believe you.
A TYPICAL American metro does not have 6 million people, a dozen art museums, 120 live musical performances nightly, etc.
Sure, Dallas has common attractions such as Hollywood movies, cable TV, and fast food shops. It also has UNCOMMON things, such as has already been mentioned.
We'll have to ask Dabber if he regards his experience of Dallas as ORDINARY. I have no respect for your opinion of what is ordinary.
"...You're the one comaparing Dallas to Akron and Lynchburg, not me..."
Sure, I compare Dallas to Akron, and conclude that Dallas has more people and more things to do. Akron is an example of your so-called "average" metro, if you go by average population.
By the way, what is your concept of a TYPICAL American metro? Do you know what you're talking about? Have a list of them, do you? In actuality, there is no such thing as a typical metro... they are all different.
You seem very opinionated, and like all opinionated people, you fail to provide any explanation or rationale for what you claim. You just repeat it over and over. Nothing you have said has any substantial basis in reality, just in your personal attitudes. And I see no reason to believe you.
Feb 19th, 2007, 08:27 AM
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StatMan -
Your credibility was shot the moment you said "Dallas has better cultural life than almost any other American city". Let's see your empirical evidence behind that claim. It is proposterous.
You also said "the quality of a city is measured by the number of people who choose to live there". In that case, Tehran, Iran is a better place to live and visit than Dallas. Is that true, StatMan? Check your logic on that one.
Your credibility was shot the moment you said "Dallas has better cultural life than almost any other American city". Let's see your empirical evidence behind that claim. It is proposterous.
You also said "the quality of a city is measured by the number of people who choose to live there". In that case, Tehran, Iran is a better place to live and visit than Dallas. Is that true, StatMan? Check your logic on that one.
Feb 19th, 2007, 08:56 AM
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Ah, stat_man, you show your lack of knowledge.
It's obvious you had (or claim to have) some type of statistical background. Then you are probably aware that statistics can be bent in any way so that a point can be made, huh? Well, that is exactly what you are doing. Yes, Dallas may have about the same number of people as Philadelphia in terms of metro population, but it is spread out over a far larger area, so the density is much less. I travel frequently to Dallas, and I have been to the "so-called" attractions that you mentioned, and they really suck. The Fort Worth Zoo is better than the Dallas Zoo, and the Dallas zoo is terrible compared to say, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, which by all statistical standards would be deemed a minor city by your measures. Also, there is a Sea World in San Antonio, but not Dallas. If Dallas was so great, don't you think they would have put Sea World in Dallas instead? I mean, they are in the same state. By your statistics, you think Dallas is the center of the universe. But any self-respecting businessman would know that San Antonio is more of a historical city that interests tourists more and an attraction like Sea World would be more likely to succeed.
I think you lost all credibility when you said Dallas has "better cultural life than almost any other American city." So, you're claiming it has a better cultural life than New York City, Chicago, or LA? And if the claim itself wasn't absurd enough, you didn't back it with any statistical proof, which seems to be your cup of tea. Surely, a seasoned statistician like yourself knows that such a claim cannot be stated without proof...
Like I said before... Dallas did quite well for its location. A small outpost in the middle of nowhere managed to become a big city.
By the way, if population were everything, then Lagos, Nigeria would be considered more of a world class city than Los Angeles or Chicago, based on sheer population. We all know that is not the case...
It's obvious you had (or claim to have) some type of statistical background. Then you are probably aware that statistics can be bent in any way so that a point can be made, huh? Well, that is exactly what you are doing. Yes, Dallas may have about the same number of people as Philadelphia in terms of metro population, but it is spread out over a far larger area, so the density is much less. I travel frequently to Dallas, and I have been to the "so-called" attractions that you mentioned, and they really suck. The Fort Worth Zoo is better than the Dallas Zoo, and the Dallas zoo is terrible compared to say, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, which by all statistical standards would be deemed a minor city by your measures. Also, there is a Sea World in San Antonio, but not Dallas. If Dallas was so great, don't you think they would have put Sea World in Dallas instead? I mean, they are in the same state. By your statistics, you think Dallas is the center of the universe. But any self-respecting businessman would know that San Antonio is more of a historical city that interests tourists more and an attraction like Sea World would be more likely to succeed.
I think you lost all credibility when you said Dallas has "better cultural life than almost any other American city." So, you're claiming it has a better cultural life than New York City, Chicago, or LA? And if the claim itself wasn't absurd enough, you didn't back it with any statistical proof, which seems to be your cup of tea. Surely, a seasoned statistician like yourself knows that such a claim cannot be stated without proof...
Like I said before... Dallas did quite well for its location. A small outpost in the middle of nowhere managed to become a big city.
By the way, if population were everything, then Lagos, Nigeria would be considered more of a world class city than Los Angeles or Chicago, based on sheer population. We all know that is not the case...
Feb 19th, 2007, 09:18 AM
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"... Yes, Dallas may have about the same number of people as Philadelphia in terms of metro population, but it is spread out over a far larger area, so the density is much less..."
The Philadelphia suburbs are not as dense as the Dallas suburbs. The Dallas residential core of Uptown has a population density similar to a Northeastern city's.
"...I travel frequently to Dallas, and I have been to the "so-called" attractions that you mentioned, and they really suck. The Fort Worth Zoo is better than the Dallas Zoo, and the Dallas zoo is terrible compared to say, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans..."
The Dallas zoo is larger, more comprehensive than the National Zoo in Washington DC. You're entitled to your opinion. Also, the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoo is very popular with out of town visitors. As are many other attractions in the area.
"...There is a Sea World in San Antonio, but not Dallas..."
San Antonioo is an out-of-town vacation site for people from Dallas and Houston. When people in the major cities of Texas, such as Dallas and Houston, want to take a short car trip, they go to San Antonio.
"...By your statistics, you think Dallas is the center of the universe..."
No, the universe has no fixed center... it is expanding uniformly from every and any point. As was discovered by the astronomer Edwin Hubble, when he detected the so-called red shift of the galaxies.
"...But any self-respecting businessman would know that San Antonio is more of a historical city that interests tourists more and an attraction like Sea World would be more likely to succeed..."
Well, good for San Antonio.
I think you lost all credibility when you said Dallas has "better cultural life than almost any other American city." So, you're claiming it has a better cultural life than New York City, Chicago, or LA?.."
No, I said ALMOST, in order to exclude places like NYC, CHI, LA, etc.
"...By the way, if population were everything, then Lagos, Nigeria would be considered more of a world class city than Los Angeles or Chicago...",
There's no standard definition as to what "world class" actually means. But it is true that the population of New York and Los Angeles make them more important to the world than cities such as Akron and Columbia, SC, with their far smaller populations.
You seem to be pretty disturbed and antagonistic about Dallas? Is there any reasoning with an angry and disturbed individual?
The Philadelphia suburbs are not as dense as the Dallas suburbs. The Dallas residential core of Uptown has a population density similar to a Northeastern city's.
"...I travel frequently to Dallas, and I have been to the "so-called" attractions that you mentioned, and they really suck. The Fort Worth Zoo is better than the Dallas Zoo, and the Dallas zoo is terrible compared to say, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans..."
The Dallas zoo is larger, more comprehensive than the National Zoo in Washington DC. You're entitled to your opinion. Also, the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoo is very popular with out of town visitors. As are many other attractions in the area.
"...There is a Sea World in San Antonio, but not Dallas..."
San Antonioo is an out-of-town vacation site for people from Dallas and Houston. When people in the major cities of Texas, such as Dallas and Houston, want to take a short car trip, they go to San Antonio.
"...By your statistics, you think Dallas is the center of the universe..."
No, the universe has no fixed center... it is expanding uniformly from every and any point. As was discovered by the astronomer Edwin Hubble, when he detected the so-called red shift of the galaxies.
"...But any self-respecting businessman would know that San Antonio is more of a historical city that interests tourists more and an attraction like Sea World would be more likely to succeed..."
Well, good for San Antonio.
I think you lost all credibility when you said Dallas has "better cultural life than almost any other American city." So, you're claiming it has a better cultural life than New York City, Chicago, or LA?.."
No, I said ALMOST, in order to exclude places like NYC, CHI, LA, etc.
"...By the way, if population were everything, then Lagos, Nigeria would be considered more of a world class city than Los Angeles or Chicago...",
There's no standard definition as to what "world class" actually means. But it is true that the population of New York and Los Angeles make them more important to the world than cities such as Akron and Columbia, SC, with their far smaller populations.
You seem to be pretty disturbed and antagonistic about Dallas? Is there any reasoning with an angry and disturbed individual?
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:33 PM
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"You seem to be pretty disturbed and antagonistic about Dallas? Is there any reasoning with an angry and disturbed individual?"
No, I am disturbed by people that can't see something for what it is. All your so called statistics will never change my mind (or many others here) about what Dallas really is about. I've been to Dallas on business so many times (15 times per year over 10 years) that I can give an accurate representation of what the typical traveler to Dallas experiences. I have some relatives that live there too so I have that inside scoop as well.
No, I am disturbed by people that can't see something for what it is. All your so called statistics will never change my mind (or many others here) about what Dallas really is about. I've been to Dallas on business so many times (15 times per year over 10 years) that I can give an accurate representation of what the typical traveler to Dallas experiences. I have some relatives that live there too so I have that inside scoop as well.
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:38 PM
#218
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I'll close with what a friend of mine said about living in Dallas (he has since moved to San Jose, CA). He stated:
"Dallas is a New York wanna be. They wear their designer clothes and drive their fancy cars and build skyscrapers just to make themselves think they live in a world class city. On the other hand, Fort Worth is a cow town and they know it. Give me Fort Worth over Dallas any day. The people in Dallas are just so damn arrogant."
I think the above phrase has been proven by these Dallasite responses! LOL!
"Dallas is a New York wanna be. They wear their designer clothes and drive their fancy cars and build skyscrapers just to make themselves think they live in a world class city. On the other hand, Fort Worth is a cow town and they know it. Give me Fort Worth over Dallas any day. The people in Dallas are just so damn arrogant."
I think the above phrase has been proven by these Dallasite responses! LOL!
Feb 19th, 2007, 07:31 PM
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Ok folks, I think this will shed some light on what's going on in this thread. Shortly after moving to Dallas, my kids started school and came home curiously exclaiming that they were required to recite the "Pledge to Texas" each morning before class. That's both private and public school! I'm not aware of any other state that requires that. There is an allegiance to this state that most of us from other places cannot comprehend. I'm from Pennsylvania, the birthplace of American democracy (after Greece). Having said that, Texans are among the most patriotic people in the country. I like that.
For anyone who has visited Rome, Prague, Boston, Bangkok, Amsterdam, etc., you will find any attempts to compare or "equate" (from a tourist's perspective) these cities (to Dallas) as shocking.
Let's not mix apples with oranges. Day-to-day life here is quite pleasant. My kids have great schools, we have everything we need within a a 15 minute drive, there is a nice pool in our backyard that we can use 7-8 months out of the year, there are wonderful opportunities to fundraise for the community, the people are nice, there are great restaurants & shopping, we're surrounded by great church & school options and the business environment is vibrant. My husband and I can take our kids to "kid-friendly" places one night and visit a superb, trendy restaurant for adults another night. I came to Dallas kicking and screaming, but I like it now. Does that mean it's any better than hundreds of other places (including small towns) in the US that offer the same? No.
Perhaps we are a little more well-traveled than some, but Dallas would be very, very, very low on my list of must-see places in the US and certainly in the world. It's nice, but it is what it is. Stat_man, if you want to talk about urban and economic growth, that is one thing, but if you want to talk about tourist destinations, there are many, many, many better options.
Dabber wants to see the JFK assasination site. That's wonderful. I'm impressed that a European is so interested in one of our Presidents, even more so given that more than one of the conspiracy theorists imply the LBJ (a fellow Texan) may have been involved.
Dabber, just come to Dallas with an open mind and you will enjoy it. I think your expectations have been tempered and that's probably a good thing. The weather should be quite pleasant and the sky as big as ever. You'll have many memories with your wife and stories to share with your friends back home.
For anyone who has visited Rome, Prague, Boston, Bangkok, Amsterdam, etc., you will find any attempts to compare or "equate" (from a tourist's perspective) these cities (to Dallas) as shocking.
Let's not mix apples with oranges. Day-to-day life here is quite pleasant. My kids have great schools, we have everything we need within a a 15 minute drive, there is a nice pool in our backyard that we can use 7-8 months out of the year, there are wonderful opportunities to fundraise for the community, the people are nice, there are great restaurants & shopping, we're surrounded by great church & school options and the business environment is vibrant. My husband and I can take our kids to "kid-friendly" places one night and visit a superb, trendy restaurant for adults another night. I came to Dallas kicking and screaming, but I like it now. Does that mean it's any better than hundreds of other places (including small towns) in the US that offer the same? No.
Perhaps we are a little more well-traveled than some, but Dallas would be very, very, very low on my list of must-see places in the US and certainly in the world. It's nice, but it is what it is. Stat_man, if you want to talk about urban and economic growth, that is one thing, but if you want to talk about tourist destinations, there are many, many, many better options.
Dabber wants to see the JFK assasination site. That's wonderful. I'm impressed that a European is so interested in one of our Presidents, even more so given that more than one of the conspiracy theorists imply the LBJ (a fellow Texan) may have been involved.
Dabber, just come to Dallas with an open mind and you will enjoy it. I think your expectations have been tempered and that's probably a good thing. The weather should be quite pleasant and the sky as big as ever. You'll have many memories with your wife and stories to share with your friends back home.
