Olympic Medalist Calls Dallas Home

Name: Lauryn Williams

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: I live between Preston and Hillcrest, just north of Interstate-635 (LBJ).

Company/Title: Worth Winning, Founder and 3x Olympic Medalist

When did you move here? From where?
May 2013, from Houston and previously Miami, Florida

Where else have you lived?
I was born in Pittsburgh and raised in both Pittsburgh and Detroit. I went to college in Miami and stayed there for 12 years before moving to Houston.

When did you start running track?
I started running track when I was 9 years old. My mom will tell you it started with me beating the family German Shepherd. My dad will tell the story of me racing a Flo-Jo hologram at the Carnegie Science Center. They both agreed they had to get me into a track program.

I accepted a track scholarship at the University of Miami. After just 3 ½ years, I graduated with my finance degree and just so happened to run into this thing called the Olympics.

How did your college career lead you to the Olympics?
My junior year of college, I ran the second fastest time in the world at the national championships and had to turn my focus towards the 2004 Olympic Games. Made the Olympic team, went on to Athens, Greece to get a silver medal in the 100m. It was such an awesome opportunity.

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
I was in between jobs, so I was open to moving anywhere. The man I was dating, now my husband, had a great job opportunity here, so we moved. I have never regretted moving to Dallas.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I originally moved to Plano because of the proximity to my boyfriend’s job. After a year of getting to know the area, I moved in to Dallas.

What is the one thing that you could have done to make your move easier?
It would have been nice to know someone in town who I could have consulted about a place to live. Dallas is so big that it can be hard to orient yourself.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I was under the impression that if I liked Houston, I wouldn’t like Dallas. I was concerned I wouldn’t enjoy Dallas, but I do! My favorite thing to do is try new restaurants — my goal is to eat my way through town! There are so many great food options.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I live in an area of old homes. People are proud homeowners, have settled in, and look after one another. It’s one of those places where everyone knows your name.

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it?
My passion is helping young professionals organize their finances. Dallas caters to young professionals and entrepreneurs, so there are many opportunities to meet new friends or prospective clients.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
The hospitality! I love the values people here hold.

Tell us about the work environment here.
Everything is bigger in Texas. No matter your industry, Dallas has a large community to foster your professional growth. I am a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the DFW chapter is the largest in the country. There is also a large NexGen community, so I am in touch with other young financial planners.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
For someone my age, the options are limitless. I work virtually, so I can work from anywhere with an internet connection. I work primarily in Trinity Groves, Bishop Arts, on Greenville, and in Addison. They all have plenty of cool places to hang out, work, and play.

Do you have kids? How is the experience of raising them in the Dallas Region?
I don’t have children, but I love that everywhere I turn I see free kid-friendly activities.

What is your favorite restaurant?
I have to pick one?! How about my “Top Five:” True Foods, Whiskey Cake, Neighborhood Services, Tippy’s Thai, and Elote en Vaso.

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
Riding my bike or running at White Rock Lake.

What is your favorite festival/event?
Kaboom Town! I lived in an apartment in Addison, and I was able to watch from the rooftop.

Where do you like to shop? Why?
99 problems, but a mall ain’t one. The Galleria is closest to me, NorthPark is the best, Willowbend has my favorite Apple Store, and Stonebriar Centre is great too.

How do you interact with your community?
I do as much as I can to meet people and enjoy their company. I joined Junior League and a really nice church that has several activities.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
Yes! It is awesome. My number-one amenity is being in an American Airlines hub.

Photo Credit: Jane Martens



Newly Local and Loving It

Name: Corneil Montgomery

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Preston Forest Village

Company/Title: Toyota Motor North America, Sr., Personal Mobility Analyst – Social Innovation, Partnerships

When did you move here? From where?
March 2017, from Atlanta, Georgia

Where else have you lived?
I have also lived in South Carolina, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
I chose Dallas because of its booming economy — significant job opportunities and career growth; diversity — multiple nationalities and communities; rich culture — I’m a huge fan of art and nature; and the social amenities offered — music, sports, greenspace, and trails.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I’m still equally excited about Dallas and what it will offer me on my Dallas journey. However, being that the city is so big with so much to offer, I know that I’m only scratching the surface. The thought of that is exciting!

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I live in the Preston Forest Village area, a quiet, small area with a variety of housing options, restaurants and shops, parks and greenspace, and healthcare centers. It is central to other cities/neighborhood within the Dallas Region.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
Visit the city. Explore Dallas’ rich history and culture. Secondly, do your research and seek advice from relocation experts and ambassadors.

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it?
I have several passions; sports, fitness, arts, civic involvement, and my faith. Dallas is a city of many offerings, allowing me to explore my passions from minimum to maximum. For example, civically, there is always an opportunity to volunteer with local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, and Boys and Girls Club of America — in which I’m highly involved.

Tell us about the work environment here.
My work environment is team-oriented, family friendly, and challenging, yet extremely rewarding!

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
I’m an avid runner and enjoy doing so on the Katy Trail, White Rock Trail, and several paths in my neighborhood.

Photo Credit: Chase Mardis

Video Credit: Jane Martens 

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Running Through Uptown

Name: Paula Grunow

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Uptown

Company/Title: Moroch, Media Supervisor

When did you move here? Where from?
April 2016, from San Diego, California

Where else have you lived?
Los Angeles; I lived in Southern California my whole life before I moved to Dallas.

What made you Say Yes To Dallas?
My first encounter with Dallas was when I visited my cousin, who was a student at SMU at the time. Southern hospitality is very real thing — I fell in love with the people of the city. Between the job opportunities, great food, active lifestyle, and the affordable cost of living, I decided I had to move. That same weekend, I applied to a job listing through my LinkedIn app, and by the time I arrived home after a vacation, I had received an offer. I packed my belongings and drove halfway across the country to my new home.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I spent quite a bit of time investigating each neighborhood in Dallas; how pricing varies, and the commute time to work and activities I knew I wanted to do. I chose Uptown because I love running, so being close to the Katy Trail was a must.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I love the area even more! There are so many things to do and places to see, and I’m continuing to meet new people. Living in Dallas, you get the benefits of living in a big city without the claustrophobic feeling of being packed in.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I like Uptown because I can conveniently walk to everything. From shopping, to hair salons, restaurants, and bars — Uptown has it all. Also, the neighborhood is clean and well-maintained.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
DO IT!

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
Running the Katy Trail is the best activity outside of work. The people watching is great, and afterward, you can always stop at the Ice House with friends for a beer.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Every chance I get, I recommend eating at Trinity Groves. It doesn’t matter what type of food you’re in the mood for, you can find it all there. The fun environment doesn’t hurt either.

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
I can’t say it enough —running on the Katy Trail.

Where do you like to shop? Why?
NorthPark Center has great shopping at all price points and styles.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
Yes — I travel almost every other weekend. Southwest Airlines makes traveling affordable and convenient.

Photo Credit: Meredith Miles



Outdoor Adventure in Uptown

Name: Aaron Throneberry

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Uptown

Company/Title: Dallas Cowboys, Special Events Sales Manager

When did you move here? From where?
2014, from Conway, Arkansas

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
Because Dallas is only a six-hour drive from where I grew up, I have taken vacations and work trips to the area many times. I chose to live here because Dallas is thriving with innovation and entrepreneurs, which is inspiring.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
Being in the heart of the city where I could experience the big city life was important to me. I did my research online and with my friends, and Uptown, Deep Ellum, Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts were all contenders. I ultimately chose Uptown for its proximity to everything — food galore, parks and trails, nightlife and other young professionals. Not to mention that it was only a 25-minute commute to work.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I like Uptown because everything you need is within walking distance. Klyde Warren Park is my go-to — it has a dog park, food trucks, free concerts and entertainment, yoga classes and more. My favorite restaurants in the area are Savor, Uchi and Next Door.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
If you’re considering a move to Dallas, do your basic research and make sure your commute to work is opposite of the rush hours.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
I would miss that there is always something fun, entertaining and usually free to do.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
I am constantly exploring the city. As an avid outdoorsman, I spend my time at the trails on White Rock Lake, and the Dallas Arboretum is a must-see. I scored a deer and duck hunting permit, so I will be spending a lot of time on Lake Grapevine and Lake Lewisville, both of which are only half an hour away. 

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
Elm Fork Shooting Sports is the most impressive gun range and skeet course I have ever seen.

What is your favorite festival/event?
Dallas’ hugely popular annual St. Patty’s Day Parade on Greenville Avenue is my favorite for people watching.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
Traveling from Dallas is a huge bonus to living here! DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field are close and have extremely affordable flights out of Dallas.



Dog Days of Dallas

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Name: Chester Winthrop Levy; apparently my owner really likes the movie “Trading Places.”

Owner’s Name: Jared A Levy

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Kessler Park in Oak Cliff

When did you move here? From where?
I’m originally from Houston and have been in Dallas for two months. I already love the city and am enjoying getting acquainted with my new neighborhood friends and fire hydrants.

Where else have you lived?
I’ve traveled a few places, but since the signs were in a language I can’t read, I had taken my hints from pictures – and given all the BBQ and Cajun food I saw (and sometimes tasted!) – I deduced that much of my early life was spent in south Texas and Louisiana.

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
I’d always heard about Dallas, its diverse population, strong economy, a plethora of outdoor activities and so many food options.

As fate would have it, a Yankee human who has lived in Dallas for 14 years and absolutely loves it adopted me!

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
My human has lived all over Dallas. We toured some of his past neighborhoods, from Uptown and Turtle Creek to Oak Lawn and north Dallas.

While I loved the hustle and bustle of uptown and all the cute dogs that roamed the streets, we decided on Oak Cliff because of its history and laid-back vibe. There are so many parks and trees here for me to enjoy, and I can even chase geese and ducks at Kidd Springs Park.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
Oak Cliff is a hilly, historic and diverse gem just minutes from downtown. It’s loaded with trees, interesting people – and dogs – and tons of green space. Bishop Arts and the new TyPo Area (Tyler-Polk Corridor), which is about a half mile walk with my owner to the west of Bishop Arts, area have so much to do and experience culturally.

We both love Veracruz café. The seafood soup and carne texolo are my favorites, and my human seems to like them both too. For brunch, we either do Oddfellows or Jonathon’s. 

Maybe it’s because I’m an old soul, but the 100-year-old craftsman homes, unique character and classic old town feel of our area really get my tail wagging.

Is the Dallas Region dog friendly?
Dallas is incredibly dog friendly! There is a plethora of bars and restaurants that allow us to relax and enjoy the party along with our humans and provide water – and some even have treats. In fact, Eastwood’s in uptown even has a special menu just for dogs –  talk about a brunch worth barking about!

The best part about Dallas is the diversity in the neighborhoods. One day we might be jogging around White Rock Lake and the next hanging in Deep Ellum at Deep Ellum Brewery, downtown at the Main Street Garden Park or our own dedicated area at Klyde Warren Park, where I’ve even seen a few movies.

I think it’s safe to say that Dallas supports man’s best friend.

Where are the dog friendly restaurants and bars?
You can find them all over, but between Katy Trail Ice House, Bolsa, Truck Yard, OddFellows, Eastwoods and Gloria’s, we always have a place to hang out.

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
If I had the choice, I would spend the entire day at Mutts Canine Cantina in Uptown. I can socialize with so many dogs there, large and small. And after a couple margaritas, my human plays fetch and frisbee with me.

Where do you like to shop? Why?
My human is a recovering Yankee and doesn’t like chains or big stores (frankly, I love North Park Mall, but you need a service dog designation to get in). My human loves Bishop Arts and West Village, and since they are dog friendly, I happen to like them, too.

For antiques and cool collectibles, we always check out Uncommon Market, DFW M’antiques and Lula B’s.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
My human is a pilot and has an awesome plane. We’ve traveled all over the U.S. but typically keep within a 400-mile radius. Dallas is centrally located with fantastic weather which makes flying a pleasure.

And from what my human tells me, DFW International Airport and Love Field are both extremely easy for flying into and out of the Dallas Region to destinations near and far.