The time has come for you to break up with Dallas. You've felt trapped in this relationship for years, and it's not getting any better. We understand. There's no need to tell us that it's not Dallas, it's you. We know better. You're leaving Dallas for Austin, the younger, edgier girl you met at a rock concert. It's whatever, man.
Austin is a beautiful place with a gorgeous lake, kickass coffee shops, awesome bike paths and some of the best experimental theater in the state. But the city also has terrible traffic, a bat infestation, and overcrowded music festivals that turn the entire city into a tourist trap several times a year. Just so you don't think it's going to be rainbows and butterflies, we've complied this list of things you'll miss about Dallas.
Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas Fair Park is the sister-in-law you won't miss until you're divorced. Then, you'll look back and maybe you won't miss your neighborhood, the restaurants or the general culture of Dallas, but you'll wish you would've befriended Fair Park. One of the country's largest collections of Art Deco architecture, Fair Park was named one of the Top 10 Great Places in America by the American Planning Association. It's home to the Dallas Summer Musicals, Margo Jones Theatre, the African-American Museum, a gorgeous butterfly garden and for few weeks each year, it's the world capital of fried food.
Being More Hipster than Your Friends That avant garde theater troupe or the off-the-beaten path taco joint you found? Yeah, your Austin friends already know about them, plus about 14 others. If Expo Park were in Austin, you wouldn't be able to find a seat on the Amsterdam Bar's patio and It'll Do would be overrun with ironic mustaches.
Gallery Hopping Sure, there are art galleries in Austin, but the Dallas visual arts scene has never been so vibrant and inviting. There are gallery walks almost every month in the Design District and Deep Ellum with both experimental and traditional art exhibitions. From Oliver Francis Gallery in East Dallas to downtown's RO2 Art or the brand new Zhulong Gallery in Design District, artists and gallerists across the city are changing the artistic landscape.
Real Sports We've got the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars. Sure, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers are technically in Arlington, but we're counting them. And now that both SMU's basketball and football teams are improving, you can even get your college sports fix. Also, you will miss Dirk.
Avoiding Uptown Sixth Street just became your uptown, but even younger, and somehow, drunker. Never forget that it was Austin that gave us the sleazy chaos of Kung Fu Saloon.
The Peace of the Arts District and the Chaos of Klyde Warren Park If you want to rub elbows with your Dallas neighbors, all you have to do is head to Klyde Warren Park on any given Saturday. Even during the winter the 5.4-acre park packs in visitors from all over the city and everyone there is smiley and friendly. A block over in the Arts District, Sammons Park is the gorgeous - and sadly underused- front lawn of the Winspear Opera House. The Nasher Sculpture Center is another great respite from the chaos of K-Dubbs Park.
Denton Austin is a college town. Every bar, restaurant, concert hall is overrun by college-aged co-eds. In Dallas, if you want to hang out in a college town, you can hop on Interstate 35 and head to Denton to hear some live, often local, bands and drink cheap beer.
Not Being the Only Tattoo-less Person You Know Every single person in Austin has a tattoo. Scratch that. Every single person in Austin has a visible tattoo. You will be required to show yours when you sign a lease.
NorthPark Center Even if you don't like shopping, you have to admit that NorthPark is a beautiful mall. Between the art, the picturesque interior courtyard, and the luxury stores, it's literally a museum of wealth.
Eating Meat and Drinking Real Milk Everyone who moves to Austin becomes a vegan and vegans drink almond milk. It's disgusting.
