Are you planning on moving to Dallas or Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex? Perhaps you are moving with your family or due to your job. It is one of the best places to move to for both people and companies in 2022. So, you might be curious about the living expenses, housing costs, and various amenities in Dallas, Texas. In this article, we’ll give you a detailed explanation of everything related to this Texas city. Below are the 10 things you need to know before you move to Dallas, Texas in 2022.
Things you need to know before moving to Dallas
Here’s the complete breakdown of the ten things you need to know before moving to Dallas.
Big city
You may have heard before that everything is bigger and better in Texas. The DFW Metroplex comes at number four in population, just behind Chicago, LA, and NYC. It’s a still-growing city both in population and job market.
The DFW area is spread over 9300 square miles. It’s so large that the entire Manhattan area can fit inside the boundaries of DFW airport.
Public transport is available. But as the city is vast, residents would often have to face longer commute times than the national average. So, be sure to find a place to live near your workplace.
Tex-Mex cuisine
Dallas, Texas, is famous for its incredible and exotic cuisine. It has even its own version of Mexican food called the Tex-Mex. In fact, Mexican food here is the most authentic you can find after the original in Mexico.
You’ll definitely love munching on the fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, chips, and salsa. Especially the breakfast tacos are a specialty here.
You’ll be surprised to know that the frozen margarita was invented in Dallas. Other than that, the most popular drink in Texas is Ranch Water, a bubbly cocktail to cool off in summers.
All about restaurants
Dallas is all about restaurants. However, there are few chain restaurants in the city as most are independent. You’ll find several new restaurants, bars, and clubs, with the construction of new ones continuously ongoing.
There is a lot of disposable income left as Texas has zero state income tax. So, people like to spend it on dining outside. In fact, residents’ favorite pastime is to eat out with family, friends, and co-workers.
Several areas of Dallas are dedicated to eateries and bars like Lower Greenville, V Bellum, Knox, and Henderson. There is so much diversity of cuisine in Dallas that you’ll be able to find any food you want quickly.
Recently, the whole of Central Dallas has grown obsessed with donuts, with Urban Donut shop offering its customers to personalize their own donuts.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are a frequent occurrence in Dallas, Texas. Once in a while, you’ll see a tornado hurling through the city and damaging the buildings.
However, the casualties are rare because numerous warning systems are in place to warn about upcoming weather.
Also, the property damage is not widespread and is confined to a specific area. If you are moving to Dallas, pick up a home with a basement or a safe place to seek shelter when the sirens go off.
Watch out for hail if you’re moving to Dallas
Other than tornadoes, Dallas also faces hail storms. If there is a forecast of a hail storm, avoid going outside unless it’s crucial. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic and hit by a hail storm.
When choosing a home in one of Dallas neighborhoods, covered garages and car parks are highly recommended. But worry not, as most homes and newer apartments in DFW come equipped with garages and cardboards.
However, you won’t be able to prevent your roof from hail damage. But you don’t have to worry about that account as your property insurance will cover the repair cost.
You’ll find that most hail storms occur in the northern suburbs of Dallas rather than in the city.
Moving to Dallas? Visit Texas state fair
The best part about Dallas is that there are many entertainment options to choose from. The city holds the largest state fair in the US. It’s a must to visit if you live in the DFW area.
You’ll find riots, livestock, and all kinds of fun and games at this fair. But the most popular thing about this fair is its food.
In fact, people throng here just to taste the delicious fried and unique food such as fried bubblegum, butter, beer, coke, bacon, and jelly beans.
There are also other varieties of fried food such as cheesecake, guacamole, gumbo balls, mac and cheese, and Oreos.
Dallas is not Forth Worth
People often confuse Dallas with Dallas-Fort Worth. But DFW is the name of a region and is quite different from Dallas, TX. These are two cities with distinct vibes and lifestyles. People always compare them due to various reasons.
Dallas Fort Worth is known as having more of a Texas vibe. To complete its cowboy stereotype image, this city has its own Dallas cowboys, the renowned football team in the whole US. When people think of Dallas-Fort Worth, the vision of Texas pops up in their minds.
DFW is a low-key city than Dallas as the traffic here is manageable, and it’s easier to maneuver your vehicle.
On the other hand, Dallas city tends to be more urban, busy, and glitzy. It also doesn’t have same Texas feel as DFW does have. This city is also famous for its Dallas Mavericks basketball team.
People in Dallas dress up
People in Dallas like to dress up in urban chic rather than in West Coast laid-back style. In terms of fashion, Dallas relates more with New York than with California.
Most people here don’t wear tank tops and flip-flops but like to dress up in a preppy style. You’ll find yourself at home in Dallas if you love getting dressed up. But if you don’t, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe and don a new style.
Watch out for Traffic before moving to Dallas
You’ll see the traffic congestion problem in all metropolitan cities. Likewise, you’ll also have to face this issue in Dallas, TX. The DFW area is vast, which means residents suffer due to substantial commutes.
But this has been alleviated somewhat since the covid pandemic changed people’s working and driving habits. Many people are working from home nowadays or going to their office a few times a week.
So, Dallas may have the most congested highways in the state, and Houston and Austin are even worse. One more thing to note is that it could be even worse. Drivers in New York, Philly, and Chicago spend an average of 85 to 100 hours in traffic per year.
San Francisco and LA drivers spend around 45 hours per year stuck in traffic. In contrast, Dallas ranks tenth among cities in the US with traffic problems. The drivers in Dallas spend an average of 34 hours per year trapped in traffic jams.
The moral of the story is to live close to your workplace to avoid commute jams. If your job is in Uptown or Downtown Dallas and your home is in Mckinney, you won’t want to drive to your workplace every single day or vice versa.
Dallas is booming
We already know that Dallas is a big city, but it’s also a fact that the headquarters of several conglomerates are located here.
You’ll find every kind of company here, from financing to banking, aerospace, aviation, semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, defense contracting, and the list goes on.
DFW itself is home to over 22 Fortune 500 company headquarters and hundreds of other large companies. Since 2018 more than 170 companies have shifted their base from California to Dallas.
It is also recognized as the number two city for tech job growth and the top city for starting a tech career in the US. So, you can find endless job opportunities if you move to Dallas.
Moving to Dallas: FAQs
Is Dallas cheaper to live in than other cities?
The cost of living in Dallas is less than the national average. It has more affordable housing, groceries, and healthcare than other metropolitan cities.
According to Zillow, the median home value in Dallas is around $237,200, and over $275,500 in the DFW metro area.
Particularly areas like Preston Hollow and Oak Lawn provide an urban feel, upscale housing options, and all kinds of amenities.
Although the sales tax and property tax in Dallas are higher than in other states, the zero state income tax makes up for it. The average salary for a single person in this city is also higher than in other cities.
How are the schools in Dallas?
Dallas is home to great schools. According to Niche.com, the top 8 schools in Texas out of 20 are located in Dallas-Fort Worth area. The number 2 and 3 top schools are both located in the Dallas Independent School District.
Are there any outdoor activities in Dallas?
Dallas has an abundance of green spaces. You’ll definitely love living here if you are a nature lover and an outdoorsy person. Dallas is home to The Great Trinity Forest, recognized as the largest urban park in the entire US and highly accessible from West Dallas.
You’ll find miles of scenic beauty and trails stretching over the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Another famous place here is the White Rock Lake Park, a 1500-acre water body situated northeast of Downtown Dallas.
It offers easy access if you live in East Dallas. Dallas offers lots, whether you want to hold a picnic or like cycling, running, or biking on the established trail system.
If you live in Dallas, you’ll also get the chance to visit the fantastic Dallas Museum of Art and Dallas Zoo. You’ll also find significant hip, chic and historical places to visit in Central Dallas and Old East Dallas.
Is Dallas a family-friendly place to live?
Dallas is the best place to raise a family with a higher average salary, zero income tax, and great job opportunities. The great part about Dallas is its diverse culture, infinite amenities, outdoor activities, and great schools for kids.
If you are a nature lover and a foodie, you’ll also find that it has both to offer in the way of natural parks, reserves, hiking trails, bars, restaurants, and exotic cuisine. However, you’ll need to find a neighborhood that bests your needs and lifestyle and provides easy access to your workplace.
How’s the weather in Dallas?
If you are moving to Dallas from a cold place, adjusting here will be a bit challenging as the summers can be pretty hot, but the temperature rarely goes above 102F. The winters are cold, but over the course of the year, the weather gives a pleasant and warm feeling. You’ll find many local events in Dallas, specifically summer and spring.
Are you moving to the Dallas area?
We hope you’ve checked our list of top ten things to know before relocating to Dallas in 2022. If you are wondering what it is like to live in Dallas or its surrounding neighborhood, you may ask us for more information.
We are a team of realtors located in Dallas, TX, ready to serve you 24/7 a day. Our work experience includes relocating hundreds of clients to Dallas from all over the world.
Watch our YouTube videos before moving to Dallas
We aim to showcase the real and live Dallas through our YouTube channel. Our expert realtors strive to cover everything about it, from the cost of living to its pros and cons, schools, best neighborhoods, housing, and new construction.
So, you can completely understand the area and won’t have difficulty choosing the place that fits your lifestyle. We will guide you every step of the way through your relocation process.
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