Grad Advice

Only one city outranks Dallas in affordability for college graduates

Now that the school year is over, millions of recent college graduates are looking for jobs and places to live, and according to a new study, Dallas is one of the country's most affordable cities for them.

Real estate website Trulia found that two Texas cities are within the top five most affordable rental markets for recent grads: Dallas ranks No. 2, followed by Houston at No. 3.

To conduct the study, Trulia looked at the portion of rental homes on the site within financial reach of employed college graduates between the ages of 22 and 25. The standard for affordability is whether the total monthly payment, including rental payment and insurance, equals less than 31 percent of the metro area's median income for recent grads.

In Dallas, 14.9 percent of rental units are within reach for this group, with a maximum affordable rent payment of $799 per month. In Houston, 10.4 percent of rentals are attainable for recent grads, at a max monthly payment of $746.

No. 1 on the list is St. Louis, where early twentysomethings can afford 18.6 percent of rentals. Atlanta and Phoenix round out the top five.

According to the study, renters in Dallas and Houston might still need a roommate to make the median rental affordable. (Technically, in Dallas, it might require .5 of a person, but that has been rounded up.) In places like New York, Miami and Los Angeles, it could take as many as three roommates to make rent.

The most expensive cities for college grads are Portland, Oregon; southern California locales Riverside-San Bernardino, Orange County and San Diego; and Miami.

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A Salute to the Military

Dallas restaurants honor military with deals on Veterans Day 2024

Photo courtesy of Tarrant Co. Veterans Council

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Due to the sacrifice they make for the United States on a daily basis, current military servicemembers and veterans are the recipients of discounts at various business throughout the year. But Veterans Day offers the opportunity for restaurants and other places to give a boost to that appreciation.

We have gathered together all of Veterans Day deals being offered by Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants, bars, and other vendors on November 11, 2024 (and in some cases, before and after the day itself). Unless otherwise stated, all deals are solely for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID.

Applebee's: The casual restaurant chain, which has over 20 locations through Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free meal on November 11. They can also get a free Budweiser, Bud Light or Budweiser Zero, although the free beer is dependent on the number Folds of Honor beers bought by guests for veterans prior to Veterans Day. Any unclaimed funds for pre-purchased Buds will be donated to Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to families of America’s fallen or disabled military as well as families ofAmerica’s first responders.
Bar Louie: The restaurant/bar chain, which has five locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free burger on November 10 and 11. The deal is good for dine-in only and excludes the Big Louie. Guests can upgrade to the Impossible Burger for $4.
Barrel & Bones: The craft bar and smokehouse, which has four locations in the Dallas area, will offer a complimentary item of from the Handhelds section of the menu, such as the Spicy Pastrami Brisket, Smokehouse Sandwich, or the Smoked French Dip. The deal is only good on November 11.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: The casual restaurant chain, which has 11 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, will offera free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie® with any dine-in purchase of $11.95 or more on November 11. Additionally, veterans will receive a bounce back coupon for a free appetizer, good anytime between November 12 and December 31. It can be used for dine in or take out and is redeemable with a purchase of $14.95 or more.
Black Agave: The Mexican restaurant in Farmers Branch will offer 50 percent off all menu items (alcohol excluded) on November 11.
Broken Yolk Cafe: The breakfast restaurant chain, which has a location in McKinney, will offer a free short stack of pancakes on November 11.
Cantina Laredo: The Mexican food chain, which has locations in Frisco and Addison, will offer an entrée of the guest's choice, up to a $25 value, on November 11. The deal is not good at the three airport locations.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: The Italian restaurant chain, which has two locations in Dallas and Plano, will offer veterans an opportunity to order an entrée when they dine-in and take home another entrée of equal or lesser value for free, November 8-10. On November 11, veterans can order a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a free nonalcoholic beverage. They also offer a Heroes Discount year-round offer of 10 percent off to all service members, veterans and first responders.
Cotton Patch Cafe: The casual dining restaurant chain, which has 15 locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken on November 11 for dine-in only orders.
Dog Haus: The hot dog restaurant chain, which has four locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free Haus Dog on November 11.
El Chico: The fast casual Mexican food chain, which has three locations in Pantego, Richland Hills, and Rockwall, will offer an entrée of the guest's choice, up to a $25 value, on November 11.
El Fenix: The Mexican restaurant chain, which has 11 locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer its Enchilada Plate with a choice of two cheese, chicken, or beef, or the Taco Platter that includes two chicken or beef tacos. Both meals include rice and beans. The deal is good for dine-in only on November 11.
Fogo de Chão: The Churrasco chain, which has four locations in the Dallas area, will offer 50 percent off the Full Churrasco experience for the veteran, and a 10 percent discount for up to three of their guests on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Golden Corral: The buffet chain, which has nine locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free “thank you” buffet and beverage on November 11 from 4 pm to close.
Hutchins BBQ: The barbecue restaurant, which has locations in McKinney and Frisco, will offer a sandwich (pulled pork, smoked turkey, house-made sausage, or sliced or chopped brisket), along with a side and a beverage.
John Wayne: An American Experience: The Fort Worth museum dedicated to the late actor, John Wayne, will offer free walk-in admission, November 9-11.
Kolache Factory: The kolache restaurant, which has four locations in the Dallas area, will offer one free kolache (any kind) and one cup of freshly brewed Katz coffee (any size) on November 11. Offer excludes croissants, Polish varieties, and espresso drinks.
Lazy Dog Restaurants: The casual restaurant chain, which has six locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free entrée on November 11.
Logan’s Roadhouse:
Luckys Café: The Oak Lawn diner will offer an entrée of the guest's choice, up to a $25 value, on November 11.
MOD Pizza: The pizza chain, which has 14 locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer the all-new Mega Cookie for free with the purchase of any MOD-sized pizza or salad. The offer is available in-restaurant only, and can be used by veterans and their spouses.
Omni PGA Frisco: The golf resort will offer 25 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages at Ice House and Lounge by Topgolf, November 9-11.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: The steakhouse chain, which has three locations in Uptown Dallas, Frisco, and Grapevine, will offer a free dinner-cut pork chop on November 11 from 4 pm to close when accompanied by a guest purchasing one dinner entree. If dining alone or with other veterans, veterans will receive a dinner-cut pork chop for half off original price. The deal is good for dine-in only.
PJ’s Coffee: The coffeehouse chain, which has eight locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew iced coffee on November 11.
Pluckers Wing Bar: The chicken wing restaurant, which has eight locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free meal (includes entree, side and non-alcoholic beverage) on November 11.
QDOBA: The fast casual Mexican restaurant chain, which has 14 locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer 50 percent off any full-size entrée on November 11 (in-restaurant only at participating locations).
Silver Fox: The upscale steakhouse chain, which has locations in Richardson and Fort Worth, will offer up to $30 off an entrée on November 11.
Snuffer's: The fast-casual burger chain, which has seven locations in the Dallas area, will offer one free burger or sandwich of the guest's choice on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
The Statler: The hotel in downtown Dallas will offer 25 percent off all food and beverage on November 11 their bars and restaurants, including Waterproof, Scout, Bourbon & Banter, and Overeasy.
The Swing: The 10-hole Par 3 course at Omni PGA Frisco will offer a complimentary round on November 11 from 9 am to 3 pm. Tee times are available on a walk-up, first-come, first-served basis.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: The Mediterranean restaurant chain, which has four locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free Grilled Chicken Gyro meal, which includes chips and a choice of a side. The deal is good for dine-in only. They will also donate $1 from every gyro sold to the Wounded Warrior Project.
III Forks: The steakhouse in Frisco will offer a free entrée up to a $60 value on November 11.
Twin Peaks: The breastaurant chain, which has 11 locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a free lunch (11 am-3 pm) from a select menu on November 11. Choices include a cheeseburger & fries, chicken tenders & fries, Caesar salad with chicken or shrimp, or smoked chicken street tacos with a side of chips & salsa.
Yogurtland: The frozen yogurt chain, which has nine locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, will offer a 15 percent discount on November 11.

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