Embracing Opportunity

Name: Cameron Woods

City: Lewisville

Neighborhood: The Colony

Company/Title: The University of Texas at Dallas

When did you move here? From where? 
I moved here from Chicago in August, 2017.

Where else have you lived?
Florida, Pennsylvania

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
My reasons for choosing Dallas and returning to Texas were numerous, including: family ties, cost of living and new opportunities in general.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I chose my first apartment here with proximity to work in mind (only a 15 minute commute), but I do plan on moving closer to friends near the downtown area at some point.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I think the level of diversity has been a great surprise. There are ALL stripes of people here, living and working together. It’s a very encouraging thing to see.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I live on the edge of Lewisville in the Colony, and it’s basically a nice and quiet enclave just north of the city. I really enjoy the space, friendly people and general “cleanliness” of the area, if that makes sense.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
Well since I’m from East Texas (Tyler) and also have immediate family down in Round Rock, I spend a lot of weekends road tripping to catch up with family and friends. When I’m not on the road, I love finding new food places, catching good movies OR going to places where I can get both – Alamo Draft House!!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here? **
I say do it! I think you should do a little research depending on your specific goals, but the sooner you make it happen, the better off you’ll be. And if you need new friends, look me up!

What is the one thing that you could have done to make your move easier?
I actually put a lot of thought into my move and had everything all planned out (thanks six sigma). However, I think joining Meetup groups beforehand is beneficial in forming a social network if you don’t have one prior to moving.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
I think I’d miss the people. They’re a diverse bunch and super polite but fun-loving as well.

What is your favorite restaurant in the region?
Earnest Donuts hands down

What is your favorite festival/event?
Dallas Brewfest

Where do you go to experience culture? Why do you like it?
I find myself drawn to the Deep Ellum area because of the entertainment factor. There are tons of bars, restaurants and live music venues.

Who is your local hero? Why?
I admire Jim Schutze from the Dallas Observer. I think he’s a great big-picture thinker.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
I live off of the Sam Rayburn Tollway, so it’s my mainline to everywhere in the region.

Photo Credit: Merissa De Falcis