I know Dallas well because I was there frequently for a couple of years. Here’s what it’s like with “outsider eyes” but an “insider knowledge”:
Dallas is very status-minded in most people above the blue-collar: status in looks, jobs, social, any appearance possible. My personal opinion )coming from the East) is that the Dallas men subjugate women, often ignoring them completely; but the women tend to get really strong after about age 45 (maybe because they’ve been squashed for so long? Dunno). Older men are very gallant, polite, and kind.
There’s nothing downtown but the buildings; not much in people.
If you move to the Oaklawn area (a mere 10 minutes down a main road to downtown, as this area is considered Uptown) you’ll find some great apartments (seek the Post apartments - there are many to choose from) and many trendy shops, clubs, and restaurants. This is a liveable area which is walkable and quite safe-feeling. It’s the gay area of town, so it’s rather artsy also. There’s a running path which winds through the area (The Katie Trail) that you may like also.
There are some very old apartment buildings are are located not far from downtown; some of these apartments are very big (I visited a friend in one) and the elevator gets off at each apartment. I was even on one of the best deck ever – which overlooked the neon of downtown. Really cool if you like this stuff.
Lakewood is a cool area also accessible to downtown - I like the little tudor houses, shady trees, and 1920’s feel. It’s a little ‘funkier’ (Dallas is not funky/artsy) and probably a nice area for a little house.
There are several more areas that I never hung out in. I don’t party, so hanging out in Deep Ellum or McKinney areas (where the bars are) didn’t do anything for me. Greenwood (I think that’s the name) is another party area. I did go to an art movie theatre a couple of times.
Plano is where Lance is from. It’s only the burbs/exurbs, but there’s an interesting park where I’ve been Mtn-biking— in the closest thing to Mtn-biking that Dallas has.
There’s a lake called White Rock Lake which is 11 mi loop, and has a great dog park there also.
There are many “gyms” of all sorts. Dallas people like their bodies (as you may be able to tell by the plastic surgery around). So the gyms are usually well-equipped, even the small ones. LOTS of gyms. Lots of tanning places. Lots of runners. Many places to run, too.
The Whole Foods stores are well-stocked and even has a butcher inside. You can get grass-fed beef in many places across Dallas. The food is pretty good across Dallas because Dallas people like to go out, and many of them have money.
Yes, it’s hotter than hell and all the indoor spaces are colder than Antarctica 
I used to wear a sweater all the time in the hottest of days. But biking or running should be done far from the heat of the day.
In general, it’s a fairly pretty city and rather clean, but the social scene, the people, and the prevailing attitudes are what you need to also watch over.
