Over 7.5 million people call the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro home as of 2018, and the number keeps rising. The population increased by 1.8% in 2018, making it the fastest-growing metro in the country that year.
Are you considering living in Texas? Dallas-Fort Worth is a popular metro area to consider. But does it offer what you want?
The DFW area offers many perks, including financial and entertainment opportunities. The weather, tax situation, and proximity to other areas draw in new residents.
If you’re wondering if the DFW area is the right move for you, keep reading to explore the perks of living in the area.
1. Ample Job Opportunities
When you relocate, one of the major considerations is how easily you’ll be able to find a job. You don’t want to move only to find yourself jobless or searching for months to land the perfect gig.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is home to many corporations, including 24 Fortune 500 companies, and plenty of job opportunities. The unemployment rate was only 3.1% in September 2019.
That makes the city a good place to look if you’re ready for a career change or if you’re just entering the workforce.
2. Access to Sporting Events
For sports fans, Dallas is an ideal option. The Dallas area hosts a number of sports teams with year-round options to satisfy your preferences.
The Dallas Cowboys come to mind at the mention of sports. They play at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, making the games easily accessible from Dallas or Fort Worth.
If you prefer basketball, head to the American Airlines Center to catch the Dallas Mavericks. The WNBA also has a team, the Dallas Wings.
At Globe Life Park in Arlington, the Texas Rangers play in the MLB. Hockey fans can catch NHL action at home games for the Dallas Stars. We are also lucky to have FC Dallas located in Frisco!
3. Varied Entertainment
If sports don’t interest you, Dallas still has plenty to offer, including varied cultural activities and events. If you’re interested in art, the city offers the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Collection of Asian Art, as well as public art throughout the city.
For families, Dallas offers a range of kid-friendly attractions. Just a few options include the Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Noble Planetarium, and Six Flags Over Texas.
The area also boasts plenty of natural areas. You can easily escape the busy city life at local lakes, hiking trails, and other natural areas.
4. Affordability
In Dallas, the cost of living is just above the national average at 2% higher. Housing is the biggest factor in the higher cost of living, with the median rent being $1,140 per month and the median home price being $364,003. Food and grocery prices are 5% lower than the national average, so you can save money at the grocery store.
Even though Dallas costs a little more than the national average, it’s much more affordable than other large cities. Chicago’s cost of living is 23% higher than the national average. Seattle’s cost of living comes in at 49% higher than the national average.
5. Warmer Winter Weather
It’s true that Dallas temps are scorching in the summer, but even northern states experience temperatures in the 90s and even over 100 degrees Fahrenheit occasionally. Plan to stock up on plenty of sunscreen and spend lots of time in the air conditioning.
But the climate becomes more appealing during the winter months, when you’ll rarely see snow. This is a perk for people from northern states who’ve had enough of the snow and freezing temps.
The average January temperatures in Dallas range from 33 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. You still get cooler weather so you can experience different seasons, but you won’t have to bundle up as much as you would if you lived north of Dallas. You can enjoy outdoor activities much longer without worry of frostbite.
6. No Income Tax
Want to keep more of your paycheck? Living in Texas is your answer, whether you’re looking for an apartment to rent or a home to buy. Texas doesn’t collect income tax from its residents.
Instead of income taxes, the Texas state and local governments use property and sales tax and other revenue sources. If you rent, you avoid paying property taxes.
7. Variety of Food Options
It might surprise you to know that Dallas can give Houston and other Texas cities a run for their money in the restaurant scene. Tex Mex is huge in Dallas if you’re looking for regional cuisine.
If you love meat, you’ll love the barbecue scene in Dallas. Beef, especially brisket, reigns in the barbecue world of Dallas. It’s a popular food type at restaurants, but it’s not the only option for dining out in the area.
Tacos are popular throughout the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Steakhouses are also plentiful. And if you like ethnic cuisine, the metro hosts a variety of restaurants serving food from other countries.
Pop-up restaurants are common in Dallas. If you keep an eye on the events, you can experience unique dining.
Whatever your taste preferences, you won’t have any trouble finding a restaurant on nights you don’t want to cook.
8. Close Proximity to Other Texas Cities
The Dallas-Fort Worth area offers plenty of entertainment, but it also keeps you close to other cities with different entertainment options. You can drive a few hours in different directions to explore other cities with unique offerings when you need a change of scenery.
Austin is only about a 3-hour drive from Dallas. Houston is about 3.5 hours, and San Antonio takes about 4 hours to drive.
All of these cities offer entertainment, dining, and attractions that are slightly different than Dallas. It keeps your life interesting when you live in a large city and have easy access to other large cities.
If you want to travel to more exotic locations, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport connects you to domestic and international destinations with close to 2,000 flights daily.
9. Public Transit Options
Many people in Dallas-Fort Worth own cars. Traffic can get hectic, but it’s relatively easy to get where you want to go by car.
If you prefer public transit, you can get that, too. The area offers a robust bus system.
If you prefer the train, take the Dallas DART Rail with its four different colored lines to get you where you need to go. Another option is the Trinity Railway Express, which is a commuter rail line between Fort Worth and Dallas.
Enjoy Living in Texas
Living in Texas, especially in the Dallas Metro area, comes with many perks, from affordable housing options and no income taxes to ample food and activity options. The city is home to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving it a diversity everyone can appreciate.
Are you planning to relocate to the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Learn more about our process and how it can help you find the perfect apartment to rent.
