Dallas is a good spot for banking/mainframe type work, which I am heavy with per recent experience. Downside is (no offense) my dad hates the Cowboys :-), and mom and dad would most likely follow wherever we go.
Houston has a special place in my heart because that is where I spent most of my childhood, probably could track down some old childhood friends, and is probably the choice for entrepreneurship but may not be the best choice for high-tech.
Don't know much about the other cities.
Hoping to hear from some Texans on the subject.
Can’t give you much info on jobs per se. The Dallas area has some nice areas outside of Dallas/Fort Worth proper that conservative and good locations to raise children. But you are correct that the Cowboys would be blasted all over the news, tv/radio/print for you dad to see/hear.
Houston has grown and to me is a very hard area to traverse on a daily basis. So location, both job and home, would be a major item there it seems to me. But there are some nice areas out of Houston proper that are enticing.
Good luck.