Elena R.

Referrals are everything. I got my current job because I met a senior engineer at a DFW React meetup. She referred me 2 months later. Meetups > job boards.

Deep Ellum parking: use the Elm Street or Good-Latimer lots. They're lit, patrolled, and $10-15. Not worth saving $5 to park on a dark side street.

Newcastle stripes will always be top 3. The most visually striking kit in the league. No notes needed.

The Berm is perfect for casual fans with kids. $10 for a family experience.

Rover sitters are hit or miss. Read reviews carefully and do a meet-and-greet first. My best sitter I found through Rover and now I book directly.

The "right to old parts" tip is gold. Asked for my old brake pads back at a shop in Irving. They couldn't produce them. Dispute resolved in my favor.

Dallas Zoo membership with Fort Worth Zoo reciprocal is a cheat code for parents. Weekend sorted for $0 every time.

DFW HVAC techs are booked 2-3 weeks out in summer. There is more work than there are workers. If you want job security, learn HVAC.

Chai Pani in Asheville is one of my favorite restaurants in the South. If the Dallas version is half as good it'll be a hit.

Fortis MMA watch parties are the best experience if you can get in. Watching fights surrounded by actual fighters who break down technique in real time is incredible.

The Grape was here before I was born. 48 years. My parents had their first date there. Dallas is losing its identity.

Aledo with 12 state championships is absurd. They have won the state title in a third of the seasons they have been eligible. That is unprecedented dominance.

The overpayment scam got my roommate. They "sent" him $4,000 for equipment, asked him to send $2,500 to a "vendor." Check bounced 5 days later. He was out $2,500.

Frisco ISD maintaining A ratings with 75,000+ students is impressive. They're building new schools every year and somehow keeping quality high.

The Londoner in Addison is the underrated pick. Less crowded than Barca's, better food, and they always have the sound on for the early kick-off.

The location advantage is real but it is also a disadvantage. Students can drive 30 minutes to see the Cowboys or Mavs. Why would they stay in Denton for a G5 football game?

The non-subscriber system in Texas is a double-edged sword. More potential recovery, but also no guaranteed benefits. Know your employer's status.

The mission matters. My team serves veterans navigating insurance claims. It gives the work meaning in a way I never felt at my previous corporate job.

Downtown Fort Worth for retirement is an underrated play. Walkable, cultural, safe, and condos are affordable compared to Dallas.

Narcan at the library is brilliant public health policy. Dallas Public Library started this in 2024.

The NBA 2 Minute Report shows incorrect calls in almost every game. But they only review the last 2 minutes. What about the first 46 minutes of officiating errors?

Biggest mistake newcomers make: only exploring one area and deciding they've "seen DFW." The metroplex is 100 miles across with totally different vibes. Uptown Dallas is nothing like Fort Worth Stockyards which is nothing like Bishop Arts which is nothing like Denton.

The DFW recruiting pipeline is the key to everything. If McGuire can consistently pull 3 and 4-star guys from the metroplex, Tech competes in the Big 12.

Pro tip: sit lower level behind the glass at least once. When players hit the boards 3 feet from you, it's a completely different experience.

The "right to old parts" tip is gold. Asked for my old brake pads back at a shop in Irving. They couldn't produce them. Dispute resolved in my favor.