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

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

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.

Giving Dallas a Sporting Chance

Name: Jared Dudas

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Northeast Dallas – The Village

Company/Title: Dallas Cowboys, Group Sales Account Executive

When did you move here? From where?
May 2016, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Where else have you lived?
Arlington, Texas, for an internship; State College, Pennsylvania, for an internship; Athens, Ohio, for college

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
My job offer with the Dallas Cowboys drew me here. I was fortunate enough to have an internship with the team while still in college and got a taste of the city and how great it is before I moved permanently. Once I got the full-time offer, it was a no brainer — I knew this was the place for me.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I wanted to be close to other young professionals but still somewhat centrally located. I actually had my living situation all squared away before making the move down here with my roommate at the time. If I were to move again, I would consider Addison or Carrollton.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
Before moving here, I didn’t realize the Dallas Region is so large. The city is growing and expanding like crazy, which is awesome!

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I like The Village area because it’s centrally located and has all of the amenities of living in the Uptown area while still remaining affordable. It’s unique in the sense that it’s really its own community within the area.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
Do it! There’s something for everyone here, regardless of your background, interests, etc.

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it?
I’ve always been a big sports guy, and Dallas has so much to offer in that aspect, especially with my job. I also love meeting new people and trying new things. Dallas gives you so many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
The weather and the social scene. There’s never a shortage of things to do here, especially when the weather is nice.

Where do you go on weekends or days off?
Anywhere and everywhere. I’m a big foodie, so I love trying new restaurants and exploring different parts of the city. You can usually find me in Uptown, Deep Ellum, or Lower Greenville.

Where do you go to experience culture? Why do you like it?
Deep Ellum. I love the unique restaurants and bars. There’s so much to do, and it’s amazing to see how the community has been revitalized.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Definitely Gloria’s! There are a few locations around town, but I frequent the one on Lower Greenville.

What is your favorite festival/event?
State Fair of Texas

Where do you like to shop? Why?
NorthPark; it has everything you could need and then some. Plus, it’s only a stone throw from where I live.

Who is your local hero? Why?
Tony Dorsett, who is also a Pittsburgh native, made the move to Dallas when he was about my age after being drafted by the Cowboys. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tony a few times and love talking with him about our shared experiences.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
I travel a fair amount for both business and pleasure, and I find that flying in and out of Dallas is a great experience. Having both DFW and Love Field here as hubs for two major airlines presents a lot of options and flexibility.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Moving to Dallas is one of the best decisions I ever made to start my career. I would highly recommend Dallas to any young professional looking to relocate to a new city. The opportunities for growth here are endless!

Photo Credit: Meredith Mills