Living in Dallas offers a unique blend of culture and diversity alongside the ease of southern living. Businesses love Dallas because of its central location, and Texas’s business-friendly state income tax policies are ideal. Dallas’s booming business hub is seeded with abundant job opportunities, and earning a living is relatively easy when comparing states for relocation. For the workforce, balancing work and lifestyle in an affordable city with sunny weather and abundant career opportunities ranks Dallas high among big cities in America for relocation.
There is plenty to do for fun in the “Big D.” Indeed, everything is bigger in Texas. From big steaks, big hair, and their twenty-four-day State Fair to their love of sports teams, Dallas residents go big, or they go home.
Speaking of homes, the real estate market in Dallas is competitive. Unquestionably, Dallas is a standout among the major cities in Texas for relocation. Accordingly, the US Census reports that 9 million new residents moved to Dallas between 2000 and 2022, more than any other state in America. The median home value is over $400K. While some home prices are above the national average, the cost of living in Dallas is lower than in most of the US. Subsequently, financing a home in the Lonestar State is within reach, considering Texas offers lower cost of living rates and lenient tax implications.
Let’s venture into this gem of a town nestled within the Lonestar State and see what makes life in Dallas so compelling.
1. Living in Dallas is Unique.
In a nutshell, the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex is a metro area consisting of two divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. On the one hand, there is the true Texan ranching cowboy; on the other, we have the urban cityscape of high-end shopping and high-rise condos. Dallas is unique, and as the cultural and economic hub of North Texas, there isn’t much this incredible city lacks.
In a town of hidden treasures, life in the Big D offers variety. Here, you’ll find young professionals at lunch posting about their favorite Tex-Mex hotspot or taking in the nightlife in downtown Dallas. Dallas offers various outdoor activities in its lush greenspaces, like biking, golf, and mindblowing sporting events; it’s undeniable that life here is plentiful. To those looking for a convenient city with easily accessible amenities, where Southern hospitality is genuine and people are super friendly, then Dallas is it.
For homebuyers on the hunt for diversity, Dallas has homebuyers covered. According to Niche, here are a few of the best neighborhood schools and the most diverse places to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. Dallas boasts a unique inclusionary convergence of cultural diversity and educational prospects.
In this easy-going community, education is paramount. From preschool to doctorate degrees, the education system is top-tier—home to several institutions of higher learning. Texas has several state universities; three of the largest are the University of Texas at Dallas, Arlington, and Austin.
2. Living in Dallas is Easy.
Attention warm weather enthusiasts: Dallas’s weather is perfect for people looking for the ultimate work/life balance. These Texans spend their time on the golf course, sitting on their porches and patios and soaking up the gorgeous bluebird skies of their prolonged summer seasons. Expect the weather to be warm and subtropical. With 234 days of sunshine each year, stock up on that SPF! Dallas residents enjoy transitioning from season to season, and playing pickleball is a mainstay. Any location in the Midwest is susceptible to tornadoes, and weather events in Dallas make no exception. Therefore, equipping properties with storm shelters is recommended.
The Dallas suburbs and the North Dallas area offer life in the south with a small-town feel alongside the amenities of a booming city. For example, Highland Park Village, the first American shopping center, opened in 1931 and is a cornucopia of retail shopping, family fun, and dining. Given these factors, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a compelling destination for balancing success and relaxation.
3. Living in Dallas is Convenient.
Although most Dallas residents choose to drive their own vehicles, drivers experiencing Midwest and Southern Central American topography for the first time need to know that Texas is flat; likewise, navigating the city requires more than identifying landmarks for orientation. Thankfully, in the modern landscape, everyone is accustomed to plugging in addresses to access maps easily.
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the leading public transportation system. DART provides modern public transit services and customer facilities. The DART Light Rail, Trinity Railway Express commuter rail, Streetcar and bus routes, GoLink on-demand services, and Paratransit Services move more than 220,000 passengers daily across a 700-square-mile service area. With stops to and from Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park, to name a few.
Discover the Trolley Car Rides through living in Dallas and take an unforgettable ride on the M-Line. The Mckinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) offers a unique “free” service on its trolley car, in which riders can name their price and use their digital wallet or any debit or credit card as a tax-free donation.
Geographically, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) sits near the center of the United States. Coast-to-coast accessibility is a breeze from DFW. With over 190 domestic flights and 60+ international nonstop destinations, getting in and out of Dallas is convenient.
Fun fact: Although Dallas residents enjoy sharing the DFW International Airport and the DFW Metro area, Dallas and Fort Worth are two distinctly different cities. Most long-term Dallas residents will likely set the record straight.
4. Living in Dallas is Fun.
Texas and football are synonymous. From cheering on their iconic Dallas Cowboys to riveting high school football games on Friday nights, Dallas football enthusiasm is heartfelt. But it doesn’t stop there. Fans are rip-roaring and ready to cheer on the college games on Saturday nights and are primed and pumped for the mega-games with NFL games on Sundays. Tailgating is a recreational sport, and Dallas residents show up for their teams.
Venues
Venues for sports fans are abundant in Dallas. Look for the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) at AT&T Stadium. Fans loudly back the Dallas Stars (NHL), the Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and the Dallas Wings (WNBA) at their rink in the American Airlines Center. Baseball isn’t baseball without the Texas Rangers (MLB) in the Globe Life Field. NASCAR at the Texas Motor Speedway and soccer features FC Dallas (MLS). As if Dallas needs more entertainment, there is a 20-story Texas Star Ferris wheel at Fair Park and a 52-foot statue called “Big Tex,” the official icon of the annual State Fair of Texas. Big Tex is the world’s tallest cowboy, welcoming millions of fairgoers since 1952.
For the perfect road snack to traverse the miles and miles of Texas roadways, Buc-ees isn’t just a convenience store; it’s a tradition. Don’t miss Luling, TX, and the World’s largest 75,593-square-foot convenience store.
Today, Dallas hosts a variety of venues and community events showcasing its vibrant arts and culture scene. Step into a world of excitement and discovery in the Dallas Museum of Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The 68-acre Arts District in Dallas is one of the nation’s largest urban arts districts, offering various cultural experiences and immersive exhibits.
Entertainment
Entertainment never stops in a thriving city like Dallas. Ready-to-mingle residents hang out in UpTown, and since 1873, Texans have visited the historical Deep Ellum for entertainment. With restaurants, venues, and bars that host live music, theatrical shows, and a booming night scene, the area is the destination for fun. Frisco is another well-established, popular neighborhood in Dallas to consider, especially for sports enthusiasts. With the Dallas Cowboys headquarters in Frisco plus the Toyota Stadium within the neighborhood, there is plenty to do for entertainment.
When the outdoors beckons, Dallas answers. Amidst the art-filled and exciting sporting events, people looking for outdoor recreation find jogging paths, fishing trails, biking trails, and hiking trails in White Rock Lake Park. At Cedar Ridge Preserve, where tranquility and nature run hand-in-hand, is an Audubon Dallas destination, and a popular birdwatching area.
5. Living in Dallas is Lucrative.
Professionals who like to save money, earn a high wage, and enjoy bustling employment opportunities need look no further. Living in Dallas is ideal. Seven states in America do not impose state income tax on their residents; luckily, Texas is one. Since no state tax exists, earners take home more in each paycheck. Combine those savings with a thriving job market, lower housing costs, and a strong economy, and Dallas may be the city with the most to offer.
When weighing the pros and cons of living in Texas, the cost of living in Dallas is affordable. However, property taxes are among the highest in the nation, and instead of collecting income taxes, Texas imposes a sales and use tax. Consequently, taxes can reach 8.25% in some areas. Informed homebuyers can weigh the savings of Texas’s unique taxing system.
With 23 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in the DFW area, Dallas ranks 4th among the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the US, behind New York City, Chicago, and Houston. The economy primarily runs on logistics, transportation, energy, medical research, insurance, banking, commerce, healthcare, and telecommunications. With abundant job opportunities and access to top-notch educational facilities and careers in nearly every commerce sector, earning a top wage in Dallas is within grasp. Moving to Dallas is a step in the right direction for homebuyers looking for accessible career advancement.
Ready to Move to Dallas?
Are you thinking life in Dallas is right up your alley? A relocation to Texas means earning more, paying less, and accessing a lifestyle filled with entertainment and opportunity. If festivals, parks, football, and corndogs at the state fair sound compelling, Dallas is the ticket to more than a new home. It is the beginning of a new lifestyle.
Why not get the ball rolling and buy into the American dream by connecting with a lender who can finance your next real estate adventure? Now is the best time to improve your quality of life and finance a new home in Texas. Taking the plunge and purchasing a new property in Dallas is only a click or a phone call away.
The Steps are Simple:
Schedule a Call: An experienced loan officer can discuss your needs and guide you through the possibilities.
Get Approved: We’ll help you through the application process and facilitate the steps for approval.
Exhale: Put your feet up and feel secure knowing you made the best decisions about your home loan.
With proper guidance, you can get your first home, accommodate your growing family, and start that renovation project—whatever goal is on the horizon. An alliance with Mortgage Insiders will give you the confidence to know that your mortgage loan is setting you up for financial success. Mortgage Insiders offers today’s latest financial news and mortgage trends. Check out our channel for current events.
