Living in Dallas-Fort Worth
10 Pros of Living in Dallas-Fort Worth
10 Pros of Living in Dallas-Fort Worth
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"Is the glass half empty or half full?"
As you well know this is a proverbial phrase, used rhetorically to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for pessimism (half empty) or optimism (half full), or as a litmus test to simply determine an individual's worldview. In regards to deciding whether to and where to live, work, and play in Dallas-Fort Worth there are definitely pros and cons to moving to and living here, and your worldview will have an impact on your ultimate choice.
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Those of us who have lived in Dallas-Fort Worth, 30+ years for us, discuss them daily, often in jest, and other times in debates about the need for change or acceptance of the way things are in Texas.
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#1 Friendly People
If you are looking for a place to call home where there is plenty of Southern Hospitality, the counties, cities, and neighborhoods of Dallas-Fort Worth are the places to be. While there are estimates that around 300 people make Dallas-Fort Worth home each day, and around 1,000 people make Texas their home each day, for the most part Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas are welcoming places, where warmth and kindness are the norm.
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There is no shortage of "Texas Hospitality" in Dallas-Fort Worth, and as you will hear Dallas and Fort Worth are two entirely different, and unique towns, both competing for the "Wow" factor as far as quality of life are concerned.
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#2 Diversity
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The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a richly diverse MSA in the Heartland, a melting pot of people from all over the world, and is a multilingual cultural center for people of all religions of the world, and welcoming as well to atheists and agnostics.
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As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,637,387 people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The racial makeup of the MSA was 50.2% White, 15.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 5.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.0% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races.
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Dallas-Fort Worth is made up of strong, healthy people from a wide range of backgrounds, histories, cultures, and approaches all working together to create a place to live, work, and play that is safe, dynamic, and economically strong.
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#3 No State Income Tax
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We know it is a state thing, not specifically a Dallas-Fort Worth thing, but every advantage adds up. This is especially true in Dallas-Fort Worth with its pro-business environment.
Living in a state that doesn’t tax income can be a major advantage – especially to those in high income households. While many states force high earners to pay high taxes, Texas, as one of the states without personal income tax does not tax their earnings at all. This allows high earners to save much more of their money. For this reason, many wealthy individuals choose to live the majority of the year in Texas bringing with them companies and jobs and a reasonable cost of living.
Of course, not having to pay state income tax also benefits individuals of all income classes. Come tax season, residents of these states are able to pocket their hard-earned money and save for retirement, vacations, school tuition and more.
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#4 Real Estate Values
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Dallas-Fort Worth has one of the best real estate markets and homes in Dallas-Fort Worth are still affordable despite the interest rates and the economy. Some cities have advantages over others. These advantages and their opposing disadvantages are best covered in a discussion with a real estate professional. Contact us to discuss the topic in general and to discuss specific cities and the real estate values associated with them.
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#5 Good Jobs & Career Opportunities
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Dallas-Fort Worth's diversity and strong economic environment along with the DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport attracts major corporations and entrepreneurs alike which bring with them jobs and career opportunities.
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Total nonfarm employment for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, metropolitan area increased by 242,200 over the year in November, resulting in a local rate of job gain, 6.1 percent, compared to the 3.2-percent national increase.
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, is made up of two metropolitan divisions—separately identifiable employment centers within the greater metropolitan area. Employment increased in both divisions over the year. Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX, with 72 percent of the area’s total nonfarm employment, gained 194,100 jobs over the year. Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, which accounted for the remaining 28 percent of the area’s workforce, gained 48,100 jobs during the period. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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#6 Shopping, Food, and Entertainment
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Dallas-Fort Worth is a shopper's paradise with more shopping centers per capita than any other U.S. city. It is home to America’s oldest shopping center, Highland Park Village.
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Dining in Dallas-Fort Worth is a magical hobby with great restaurants all over the area. If you like to start a lively conversation with locals, ask about their favorite spot for Tex-Mex, barbecue, or pizza. You are unlikely to reach consensus, but will certainly learn a lot.
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In Dallas there are plenty of restaurants in the West End Historic District. Walk a bit north of the West End to Victory Park or move up McKinney Avenue, through the Uptown neighborhoods. When McKinney hits Knox Street, you have arrived at another restaurant-rich area that spreads east and west. From Knox, head east until the street becomes Henderson Avenue. You will find even more restaurants and will eventually dead-end into Greenville Avenue. Head north and you will find another restaurant neighborhood—all within 7 mi. And that is just one small sample of the food paradise in Dallas.
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In Fort Worth, restaurants and nightclubs are grouped around Sundance Square (bounded by Houston, Commerce, 2nd, and 3rd streets) and the Stockyards National Historic District, west of the Cultural District. Fort Worth has an unbelievable food scene. Cowtown has upscale steakhouses and signature Tex Mex spots. Fort Worth has it all.
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#7 Big City, Suburbs, Rural
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The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has it all. You can live in either one of the big cities, Dallas or Fort Worth. Both are unique. Both have great amenities. Both have pros and cons. And, if you like city life, and are interested in finding our more about what each has to offer, check out NeighborhoodWired for great insights and information on Dallas-Fort Worth counties and their cities that will enable you to pick the right place to call home.
On the other hand, if you like living in the suburbs, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has that covered as well. There are counties and cities that offer diverse lifestyles and choices, and instead of being in the core of the metropolitan area, are on the periphery of either city's limits. Check out NeighborhoodWired for great insights and information on the suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth.
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Not to be left out, Dallas-Fort Worth also offers the rural lifestyle, with a number of cities whose charm and culture are as appealing as the cities and the suburbs. Check out NeighborhoodWired for great insights and information on the rural communities of Dallas-Fort Worth.
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Regardless of your preferences, there are cities and neighborhoods that have lots to offer and are still within reasonable drive times to all the amenities Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer.
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#8 Sports
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Dallas-Fort Worth is home to the Cowboys (NFL), Mavericks (NBA), Rangers (MLB), Stars (NHL), Jackals (Rugby - MLR), Panther City (Lacrosse - NLL), FC Dallas (MLS), Wings (WNBA), Texas Legends (NBA G), Frisco Rough Riders (MLB AA League), and Prestonwood Polo Club.
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#9 Activities and Attractions
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Destination DFW and Visit Dallas-FortWorth and Visit Fort Worth have a lot to say about the attractions topic and more!
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Texas Outside gives a great introduction to 100 fun outdoors activities to do in Dallas-Fort Worth!
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That Texas Couple gives their "101+ Things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth, whether you are coming to visit, or want to be a tourist in your own town!"
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DFW Child gives their 181 Things to Do with Kids in Dallas-Fort Worth!
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Destination DFW gives a great overview of sports and athletics in Dallas-Fort Worth!
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Destination DFW gives a great overview of things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth!
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Whatever your interests, Dallas-Fort Worth is up to the test!
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#10 Lakes and Reservoirs and Lake Living
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Dallas-Fort Worth is home to over 60 lakes and reservoirs! Check out Dallasrelo.com for the lakes and reservoirs larger than 100 acres within 100 miles of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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Pros - Bottom Line
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For more insights and information on the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, its counties and cities, and what they each have to offer, check out NeighborhoodWired.
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Dallas-Fort Worth is a great place to live, work, and play! However, it is not for everybody. Hopefully we have given you a realistic view of the pros and cons.
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If you didn't find what you were looking for or want more information, contact us! We love to talk about Dallas-Fort Worth, and we can help you make Dallas-Fort Worth your special place to live, work, and play!
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