Moving to Dallas: A Relocation Guide

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex is home to over six million people, making it the largest metro area in the state of Texas and the fourth largest in America. Though it has a sizable population, the DFW Metroplex also covers a very large geographical area – spanning over 9,200 square miles.

With bountiful employment opportunities, relatively low cost of living, moderate climate, a vibrant night life, 5 major sports teams, and plenty of wide open spaces, it’s easy to see why so many people are moving to Dallas, Texas.

Housing Near Dallas

If you are looking for houses or apartments in Dallas within the city limits, there are 11 districts to choose from. Each district has its own unique set of characteristics:

• Downtown, Uptown, and Oak Lawn are classic 'urban core' areas packed with retail outlets, fine dining, and crazy nightlife.
• Old East Dallas is quaint but hip, with lots of old houses and vintage boutiques. It is also the site of the Texas State Fairgrounds.
• Northeast Dallas is a collection of upscale neighborhoods.
• Northwest Dallas is home to Koreatown and other international flair.
• West Dallas consists largely of inexpensive housing, but is in the process of being (re)developed by a variety of entrepreneurial groups.
• South/East Dallas has an extraordinary concentration of museums. Housing is mostly low-income.
• Lake Highlands is mostly older homes (50's and 70's era) with a younger population.
• Oak Cliff is an interesting residential district that is split between a large low-income area and a newer, upscale area.
• University Park is a very wealthy, upscale area of the 'rows of million-dollar mansions' variety.

Jobs in Dallas

Numerous Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Dallas area. Some of the more notable companies include Exxon Mobil, AT&T, J.C. Penney, Texas Instruments and Southwest Airlines. As a state with no corporate (or personal) income tax, Texas has made an aggressive push to attract out-of-state businesses to its major cities. For this reason, there is an abundance of good paying jobs in the DFW area as its list of corporate residents continues to grow. For those looking for an entry-level job, there is no shortage of malls and retail outlets either. The DFW Metroplex has dozens of major malls with thousands of retail shops to choose from.

What To Do in Dallas

Dallas has an abundance of entertainment and recreational opportunities that provide a high quality of life for its residents. There are hundreds of golf courses and parks, several area museums, the well-known Dallas Zoo, lots of lakes for fishing, boating and jet skiing, and of course the 200+ acre Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park in Arlington. The DFW area is also home to five major league sports franchises; the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL) and FC Dallas (MLS).