Texas Real Estate Blog & Market News

Are you considering moving to a new city? You'll be in good company if you choose to join millions of other transplants from out of state in moving to Dallas.

The third-largest city in Texas, this booming modern metropolis is a hub for different industries including finance, business, and technology.

To help you make the right decision, this blog will discuss living in Dallas, Texas, and the pros and cons of moving to the Big D.

Whether you plan on a brief stay or you're looking to put down roots, contact us today to help you find a great spot that is suitable for your budget or lifestyle.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros

• Cost of living
• Affordable housing
• Job market
• Plenty of things to do

Cons

• A car is a necessity
• Traffic congestion
• No beach access
• Flat terrain

Living in Dallas

Dallas was the fastest-growing city in the country in 2017 when roughly 300,000 people packed their bags and relocated to the area.

The same year saw Dallas record the second-highest job growth rate in the country. 2018 also saw Dallas top Homes.com ranking of the nation's top 25 metropolitan areas on family-friendliness.

Today, Dallas is booming in different ways including the ongoing downtown renaissance and an array of different types of cultural activities—film festivals, microbreweries, and more. Plus it's home to many corporate headquarters and industries.

Pros of Moving to Dallas

Cost of Living

Though living in Dallas may be expensive for some folks, it's not as expensive as living in San Francisco or New York.

Despite the increasing cost of living across the country, the Dallas area continues to post some of the lowest living costs compared to other larger cities.

This phenomenon can be credited to minimal regulations, local food sources, lower-cost energy, and enormous space that lowers the cost of acquiring land to build new homes and developments.

Affordable Housing

Although housing costs have shot up across the country, Dallas is still one of the most affordable cities in the U.S. Thanks to affordable housing the homeownership rate in Dallas is 64.7%. Compared to other U.S. metro areas, Dallas also offers unmatched value.

Below is what buyers in different cities have to pay for a standard house:

• $861,000 in Los Angeles
• $850,000 in San Diego
• $564,000 in New York
• $498,000 in Austin
• $345,000 in Dallas-Fort Worth

Top Three Dallas Neighborhoods

Related: A Closer Look at Highland Park Luxury

Uptown Dallas

A stone's throw away from Downtown, Uptown is Dallas' most walkable live-work-play neighborhood. Residents enjoy an excellent food scene and vibrant nightlife.

Preston Hollow

Home to many of the Dallas elite including former U.S. Presidents, NFL royalty, and business tycoons, Preston Hollow is a prestigious and established neighborhood.

Highland Park

Aptly named for its abundant park space and higher ground, Highland Park is an upscale neighborhood with a small-town vibe. The neighborhood features large homes as well as some of the best schools in the state.

Top Three Dallas Suburbs

Frisco

Home to five professional sports teams including the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Frisco has had the highest job growth among mid-sized cities for two consecutive years.

Coppell

Ranked #8 on Money's annual list of Best Places To Live in America, Coppell is widely regarded as one of the best places for families in Dallas.

Las Colinas

Upscale and master-planned, the main attraction of this development in the northern part of Irving is its professional, cultural, and entertaining atmosphere.

Job Market

The Dallas job market is hot and for good reason. With a 2.5% job growth year over year, Dallas has had the highest job growth percentage among the country's 12 largest metro areas.

A median household income of $72,205 makes Dallas third in the U.S. for the highest salaries. The many corporations that have headquarters in or near Dallas are key to the massive increase in wages and employment opportunities.

Below are the five largest employers in the DFW Metroplex:

• Dallas Independent School District
• American Airlines Group 
• Bank of America
• Baylor Scott & White
• Texas Health Resources

Ranked tenth by Forbes Magazine for "Best Places for Business and Careers", Dallas is also conducive for business owners and small start-ups.

Plenty of Things to Do

Related: A Tourist's Guide Of Things to Do In Dallas

One of the best things about living in Dallas is the variety of things to do for all ages.

Park System and Green Spaces

They say everything is bigger in Texas and the Dallas Park System lives up to this billing. As one of the largest in the country, the Dallas park system includes 397 parks and over 20,118 acres of green space. The park system also maintains 17 lakes including Bachman Lake and White Rock.

Food and Drinks

Home to several Michelin Star-awarded chefs, Dallas is a foodie paradise. Boasting nine nominations in 2022, the James Beard Awards have recently taken a liking to the culinary growth of Dallas. Additionally, the abundant food tours mean plenty of dining options to explore.

Entertainment

The city of Dallas has an electrifying entertainment scene which includes music and art. If art appreciation isn't your cup of tea, opportunities for professional sports are aplenty including Friday night high school football, Saturday college games as well as the Dallas Cowboys games on Sundays. Other notable sporting events include professional baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, and local rodeos.

Cons of Living in Dallas

A Car is a Necessity

Spread over 383 square miles, the city of Dallas is more extensive than other more densely populated metros such as New York City and Chicago. Thus the longer commute times mean having a car is a necessity.

Traffic Congestion

Compared to other smaller cities in Texas, Dallas's congested highways have the worst traffic. With an average of 44 hours per year of driving time lost in traffic, a 2020 INRIX scorecard ranked Dallas 97th for cities in the US with the worst traffic.

No Beach Access

Because Dallas is located in the northern part of Texas, residents don't have direct access to beaches. With the closest beach approximately 270 miles away in Galveston, living in Dallas means zero time spent along a white sandy beach.

Flat Terrain

Though there're some areas outside of town where locals can view mountain vistas, the majority of Dallas is flat terrain. The Guadalupe Mountains which is 530 miles away is the closest mountain range to Dallas.

Moving to Dallas—the Wrap-Up

Every city offers a set of advantages and challenges that make choosing the location of your new home feel like a stream of unending questions. Dallas, Texas, is no different. The trade-off for traffic congestion and urban sprawl is a wealth of economic gains coupled with plenty of things to do and see.

The city and the surrounding suburbs offer a great place to live, and with expert agents in your corner, moving to Dallas has never been easier. If you’re ready to buy or sell a property, contact us to schedule an appointment or visit our website for more information.