Why I Chose To Build My Life In Dallas
When people ask me why I moved to Dallas, the answer is usually much simpler than they expect.
I liked it.
But over time, I've realized there was probably more to it than that.
Funny enough, I was actually born in Texas. Houston, to be exact. I didn't spend much time here growing up, but it's always amused me that after years living elsewhere, I eventually found my way back. As I like to joke now, I got back to Texas as quickly as I could.
From Pennsylvania To Texas
After graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Finance, I began my career consulting with financial advisory firms across the country.
That work exposed me to different businesses, different leadership styles, and different ways of serving clients. I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the top firms and advisors in the industry, gaining a unique perspective on what exceptional client service looks like.
Eventually, in 2020, that path brought me to Texas. I moved to Houston, where many of my cousins and extended family already lived. It gave me the opportunity to build my career while reconnecting with family and rediscovering the state where I was born.
During that time, I began consulting with financial advisory firms across the country, including Apeiron Planning Partners in Dallas. What started as a professional relationship gradually became something more. The firm's commitment to comprehensive planning, long-term relationships, and doing right by clients stood apart from much of what I had seen throughout the industry. Over time, I realized I wanted to be part of building that future rather than simply advising from the outside.
Why Dallas
After several years in Houston, I found myself ready for a new challenge. I loved Houston and the relationships I had built there, but I was looking for a city that aligned with both my professional ambitions and the lifestyle I wanted to create.
I wanted a city with energy. A city with momentum. A city where people were building things. Dallas checked every box.
Coming from the Northeast, I appreciated being around people who were ambitious, driven, and focused on growth. Dallas has a pace that reminded me of much of what I enjoyed about the Northeast, but with the warmth, hospitality, and optimism that make Texas unique. The more time I spent here, the more I felt like Dallas offered the best of both worlds.
What stood out most, however, wasn't the skyline or the growth. It was the people. I've never lived anywhere else where people seem to focus so intentionally on two things: their families and their businesses. People here work incredibly hard. But they also prioritize being present for their families, supporting their communities, and building meaningful lives outside of work. That balance resonated with me immediately.
Finding Home In Dallas
When I first moved to Dallas, I lived in the Knox-Henderson area just steps from the Katy Trail.
Like many Dallas transplants, I quickly found myself exploring every corner of the city — Bishop Arts, Uptown, West Village, Inwood, Lakewood, Lower Greenville. Each neighborhood has its own personality and sense of community. One of the things I appreciate most about Dallas is that it feels like a collection of unique neighborhoods rather than a single city experience.
Today, my wife Bri and I live in Lower Greenville, one of our favorite parts of Dallas. Whether we're walking to dinner, meeting friends, exploring local businesses, or simply enjoying the neighborhood, it feels like home.
Some of my favorite moments in Dallas aren't tied to major landmarks at all. They're summer evenings at the Dallas Arboretum listening to a concert overlooking White Rock Lake. Long runs around White Rock training for races. Walking the Katy Trail with friends. Date nights with Bri at the Dallas Symphony. Those experiences have slowly turned Dallas from a place I moved to into a place that genuinely feels like home.
The Spirit Of Texas
Lately, I've also found myself becoming increasingly interested in Texas history. I've been reading The Big Rich, which tells the story of the Texas oil families that helped shape much of the state's development. What stands out isn't simply the wealth or business success. It's the pride.
There is a deep sense of identity throughout Texas that I've come to appreciate. People care about where they live. They care about their communities. They care about building something that lasts. That mindset resonates with me.
When I look at Dallas today, I see many of those same characteristics. The city feels like it's still in the middle of its story. New businesses continue to move here. New families continue to arrive. Entire industries are expanding their presence. There is a sense of optimism and momentum that is difficult to ignore.
Building A Life Here
At some point, a place stops feeling like where you live and starts feeling like home. For me, Dallas reached that point years ago.
It's where I chose to build my career. It's where I transitioned from consulting to working directly with families as a financial planner. It's where I've built incredible friendships and relationships. It's where Bri and I bought our home and built a community around us. And it's where I hope to continue building both my life and my business for many years to come.
When people ask why I moved to Dallas, the truth is that it started as a career opportunity. But I stayed because of the people, the culture, the community, and the sense that this is a place where you can build something meaningful.
I've lived in different places throughout my life, but I've never lived anywhere that values family and business with the same level of intentionality as Dallas. That's a big part of why I chose to stay.
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About Colton Richards
Colton Richards, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Apeiron Planning Partners, a Dallas-based financial planning firm. He works with professionals, families, and retirees throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, helping clients navigate retirement planning, tax planning, equity compensation, and long-term financial decision-making.
Learn more about Colton Richards →
About Apeiron Planning Partners
Apeiron Planning Partners is a Dallas-based financial planning firm helping individuals, families, professionals, and retirees coordinate retirement planning, tax planning, investment management, and estate planning.