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Landlord won't fix AC in July. What are my rights?

AC has been out for 4 days. It's over 100 degrees outside and my apartment is hitting 90+ inside. I've called maintenance three times. They came once, said they "ordered a part," and I haven't heard back since.

Trade jobs vs college degree: Texas edition

I'm 19. Everyone in my family says college. But I've been looking at the numbers and I'm not sure it makes sense anymore.

Dallas vs. Fort Worth vs. Arlington: Neighborhood safety comparison by the numbers

People ask "is Dallas safe?" but that question is meaningless without context. Every city has safe and dangerous areas. Here are the numbers.

• Overall violent crime rate: 7.8 per 1,000
• Safest neighborhoods: Lake Highlands (2.1), Far North Dallas (1.8), Preston Hollow (1.5)
• Most dangerous: South Dallas/Fair Park (18.4), Pleasant Grove (14.2), West Dallas (12.8)

Dating scene here is... something else

Been single for about 6 months. Back on the apps. Some observations about dating around here.

• Every third profile is someone holding a fish they caught
• The question "what church do you go to" comes up on the first date more often than I expected
• Distances are insane. Matched with someone who seemed great — they live 45 minutes away. That's a 90-minute round trip for a dinner date

How do adults actually make friends in a new city?

Moved here 8 months ago for work. Know my coworkers and that's about it. I'm in my early 30s. No kids. Don't go to church.

Road construction has been going on for 3 years and nothing changed

There's a stretch of highway near me that has been under construction since before the pandemic. Orange barrels. Lane closures. Reduced speed limits. For THREE YEARS.

USAA in DFW: The military-adjacent employer everyone wants to work at

USAA has a massive DFW presence in Plano. Here's the inside scoop.

• Financial services for military and their families
• Plano campus: 5,000+ employees
• You do NOT need to be military to work there (common misconception)

Texas heat survival tips for people who aren't from here

Your first Texas summer is going to be a shock. Here's what got me through mine.

• Hydrate before you're thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated. Keep water with you always.
• Car prep matters. Windshield sunshade, tinted windows, and a remote start if your car has it. Your steering wheel at 3pm is a branding iron without a shade.
• Plan around the heat. Outdoor stuff before 10am or after 7pm. Midday is for indoor errands and AC.

Private school vs public school in DFW: An honest comparison

The private vs public debate in DFW is heated. Here's the data-driven take.

• Hockaday (Dallas, girls) — $30,000-35,000. Source: hockaday.org
• St. Mark's (Dallas, boys) — $30,000-35,000. Source: smtexas.org
• Parish Episcopal — $20,000-28,000. Source: parishepiscopal.org

Charles Schwab Westlake campus: The finance bro dream or corporate grind?

Schwab moved their HQ from San Francisco to Westlake, TX (between Southlake and Fort Worth). 18 months in, here's the review.

• Brand new. Beautiful. Feels like a tech campus in the middle of Texas ranch country.
• On-site gym, trails, cafeteria, even a putting green
• Westlake location means very low crime, great schools, but ZERO nightlife. You need a car for everything.

NorthPark Mall: The final boss of DFW parking

NorthPark Mall parking structure was designed by someone who wanted to watch the world burn.

Is anyone else spending $400+/month on gas commuting?

My commute is 35 miles each way. That's 70 miles a day, 350 miles a week. My truck gets 20 mpg on a good day. Gas is hovering around $3.20.

How I met my partner in DFW without dating apps — it's still possible

I know this reads like a Hallmark movie but I met my partner at a Kroger in Lake Highlands and we've been together 2 years.

• Sports leagues — Dallas Social Sports, Players Sport & Social. You see the same people weekly. Friendship turns into something else naturally.
• Gym classes — not "hitting on people at the gym." Actual group classes. Orange Theory, F45, CrossFit boxes — same crew shows up at the same time.
• Farmers markets — Dallas Farmers Market on weekends, Clearfork in Fort Worth. The vibe is approachable.

Multi-car pileup on I-30 westbound near downtown — 8+ vehicles involved

A chain-reaction pileup on I-30 westbound just past the Haskell exit has traffic at a complete standstill. Initial reports say 8+ vehicles are involved.

• All westbound lanes blocked
• DFR has multiple ambulances on scene
• At least 4 people being treated, 2 transported to Parkland

Best mechanic in town that won't rip you off?

I need a trustworthy mechanic. Not a dealership — they quoted me $900 for brake pads and rotors on a midsize sedan. I can buy the parts for $200.

Broadband and internet comparison in DFW: Who has the best service?

Internet in DFW varies wildly by address. Here's the honest comparison.

• Speeds: 300 Mbps to 5 Gbps
• Price: $55-180/month
• Availability: expanding in DFW but not everywhere. Check address.

Best gym that isn't Planet Fitness?

Planet Fitness is fine for what it is but I've outgrown it. No squat racks, no deadlift platforms, the lunk alarm is embarrassing, and the gym is packed from 5-8pm every weekday.

I genuinely don't understand how people survive summer here

This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.

Texas inspection failed for the dumbest reason

Took my car for annual inspection. Everything works fine. Brakes good. Lights good. Emissions good. Failed because one of my tire pressure monitoring sensors is malfunctioning.

ERCOT is going to get someone killed one of these summers

Every summer the same thing happens. Heat wave rolls in. ERCOT issues a conservation alert. They ask everyone to set thermostats to 78+ and avoid running major appliances during peak hours. Meanwhile it's 108 outside.

Live music this week in DFW: Free and cheap shows April 1-7

Here's what's happening on DFW stages this week.

• The Rustic (Uptown) — live Texas country/Americana nightly. No cover most nights. Source: therustic.com
• Truck Yard (Lower Greenville) — live bands Thu-Sun, no cover. Source: truckyarddallas.com
• AllGood Cafe (Deep Ellum) — Sunday open mic, free. Source: allgoodcafe.com

Who has the worst drivers -- your city or the one next door?

Every city in Texas thinks the city next to them has the worst drivers. It's like a universal Texas experience.

Rideshare safety in DFW: How to avoid fake Uber/Lyft drivers and what to do if something goes wrong

Fake rideshare drivers are a real threat in DFW, especially in entertainment districts at bar close.

• Deep Ellum (Main St/Elm St area) after midnight
• Uptown/McKinney Ave on weekend nights
• Lower Greenville on weekends

What's one thing you wish you knew before moving to Texas?

Been here about a year now. There were things I expected — the heat, the big trucks, the BBQ obsession. All true.

DFW marathon and running event calendar 2026

DFW has a running event almost every weekend. Here's the major race calendar.

• Dallas Marathon — December 2026. Full, half, 50K, and relay. Flat, fast course through Dallas. Source: dallasmarathon.com
• Cowtown Marathon (Fort Worth) — February 2026. Full, half, ultra, 10K, 5K. Oldest marathon in DFW. Source: cowtownmarathon.org
• BMW Dallas Marathon Festival — includes Dallas Marathon + associated events. Source: dallasmarathon.com