Thinking about moving to DFW? Each year, over 31 million people in America move house for a whole range of different reasons. You might have to move for work, be looking for a larger home for your family, or simply want a change of scene.
No matter your reason for moving, finding the right location for your new home is essential. Your new home will have a huge impact on the quality of your daily life, from the cost of living to home security and local entertainment. So it is important that you plan your move carefully.
Every year, more than 500,000 people relocate to Texas and it isn’t hard to understand why the state is so popular. Living in Texas offers great weather, great job opportunities, and a vibrant social landscape. If that sounds good to you then it’s time to think about moving to Dallas-Fort Worth!
But if you are going to move to one of Texas’ most popular cities, exactly where should you live? Choosing the right location for you will ensure that you can enjoy everything Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer. In that case, read on to find out all the benefits of moving to DFW and the best places to areas while you’re there.
Moving to DFW: The Basics
With a collective population of more than 2 million people, it’s safe to say that the Dallas-Fort Worth area is popular. Although they are technically 30 miles apart, the city of Dallas and the Metroplex of Fort Worth are so well connected that you can travel from one to another in half an hour.
Together they offer all the benefits of modern living in an area of Texas that is steeped in a rich history. So whether you are looking for an exciting life in a city job or want to find green spaces for your family, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has a place for you.
But which are the best spots in town? Well, this depends a little on what you’re looking for. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods and their unique perks!
Uptown
If you are looking for a sociable and bustling neighborhood then Uptown is the place for you. This area is full of exciting things to do and see. From the Magnolia Theatre to the Katy Trail Ice House and a whole host of boutique shops and arts venues, you certainly won’t be bored!
If you enjoy an active lifestyle then you can get out and about on the Katy Trail. And if you have a dog this is the perfect place for you. Most venues in Uptown are extremely dog-friendly.
Due to its busy and lively nature, Dallas’ Uptown is extremely popular with young professionals.
Bishop Arts District
As the name suggests, this neighborhood is full of brilliant art galleries. It also hosts a lot of exciting community events and delicious eateries. If you’re looking for a place with a bit of small-town heart then the Bishop Arts District is for you.
Although it was originally a warehouse district, the Bishops Art District is now an up-and-coming area. However, its humble roots mean that there is plenty of affordable housing on offer. Because of this, the neighborhood is popular with single people in their early 30s and young families.
Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn is the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth LGBTQA+ community and this makes it the home of Dallas’ annual Pride Parade. However, it doesn’t just get lively once a year. In fact, Oak Lawn is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and luxurious bars.
But below the surface, Oak Lawn also has a rich history to offer. The neighborhood showcases stunning brownstone architecture and pillared porches that are sure to impress any visitors!
This walkable district tends to be popular with a younger crowd, with the majority of residents being between 25 and 40. That said, it also offers great transport links to the medical district and Love Field Airport.
University Park
As its name suggests, University Park is centered around Southern Methodist University but this doesn’t mean it is full of students! In fact, this district has a more suburban feel and is popular with young professional families.
The local community activity centers around the stunning Snider Plaza, which is a hub for shopping and entertainment. Or if you are looking to enjoy a day in the sunshine, Caruth Park is right on your doorstep. This boasts brilliant play areas, a fishing pond, and the Holmes Aquatic Center — so there is plenty to do during the summer months!
Preston Hollow
While you might not be familiar with the Preston Hollow neighborhood itself, some of the residents may be familiar faces. This is because Preston Hollow is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods to live in in Dallas. From business tycoons to former presidents and NFL players, you’re sure to see some famous faces while you’re out and about in this area.
That said, the neighbors aren’t the only interesting thing about Preston Hollow. This district also boasts some stunning 1950s architecture, luxurious streets, and some of the best public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This stunning, private neighborhood also offers a host of great outdoor amenities. This includes soccer fields, private parks, tennis courts, nature trails, and baseball pitches.
Lakewood
Due to its location along the shoreline of White Rock Lake, the Lakewood district is a favorite with nature lovers. It is the perfect place to get outside for hiking, cycling, or just a gentle walk. Or if you want to get fishing on the water, there are plenty of great boating clubs to join!
That said, there is plenty to do away from the water in Lakewood too. This district is home to some of the area’s finest theatres, jazz clubs, and shopping centers. So you won’t feel bored living in Lakewood.
Lakewood Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School are also some of the best in the state. This and the district’s strong sense of community, make it a popular spot for families.
Addison
If you are thinking of moving somewhere with a family and still want to hold onto a bit of city life then Addison is the place for you. This vibrant suburb is home to a range of performance venues, bars, and eateries. And each year it hosts a range of outdoor festivals, including Taste of Addison and Oktoberfest.
At the center of the neighborhood lies Vitruvian Park, which offers 19 stunning acres of parkland, public art, and water installations. So you’ll never be stuck for something to do in Addison.
While life here has a calm pace, it is a popular spot for those commuting into the city. The direct DART train from Addison will get you into Dallas in no time.
Colleyville
If you are looking for something a little more suburban then Colleyville is the place to go.
This district has a population of around 25,000 residents so offers a calm and family-friendly pace of life. Combined with an exceptionally low crime rate and the prestigious Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, it is the perfect place to raise a family.
However, it is important to note that all of these great benefits come at a price. Due to the limited housing inventory, house prices in the area are some of the highest in Dallas-Fort Worth. So you will need a decent budget to buy in this district.
Plano
In recent years, the Plano district has seen huge investment as big hitters, such as Toyota and Pizza Hut, chose it as the neighborhood to relocate their offices. Because of this, the area is a hub of great employment opportunities, affordable housing, and offers a high quality of living.
If you drive, getting into Dallas is simple from Plano — just jump on Highway 75 and you’ll be there in no time at all!
Frisco
Frisco is one of the fastest-growing areas of Dallas and this is great news for families moving to Texas. Some of the highlights of Frisco include:
- 1,600 acres of park and green land
- 90 miles of hiking and biking trails
- A range of amazing museums
- Five professional sports teams (including the Dallas Cowboys) and their sports venues
On top of all this, last year Frisco was named the best place in America for first-time buyers to move to. This is mainly thanks to Frisco’s low property tax rates, excellent public schools, and brilliant job growth.
Flower Mound
If you are looking for something with a small-town feel then you should definitely visit Flower Mound. This is a great district to move to if you aren’t used to the hustle and bustle of city life. Or if you just prefer a slower pace!
This historic enclave is a great spot for nature lovers thanks to its location between the Grapevine and Lewisville lakes. Both of these are prime locations for swimming, boating, or fishing.
When it comes to the residents of Flower Mound, there is no fixed demographic. A mixture of young and old people live in the area and the architecture of Flower Mound reflects this. The district is home to a range of 1960s architecture and new-build family homes — so you are sure to find a property to suit you.
Highland Village
Located close to Flower Mound, Highland Village is generally acknowledged as a slightly more affluent area. Because of this, the cost of housing is higher and the average age of its residents is 43.
As you might imagine, this means that Highland Villages offer a very safe, family-friendly environment. It is home to a range of shops, restaurants, schools, parks, and local nature trails.
This is the perfect location for anyone wanting to be able to enjoy the benefits of Dallas, without living right on its doorstep.
Roanoke
If food is your thing then you will definitely want to visit Roanoke, even if you do not live there! This is the culinary capital of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, offering 60 restaurants in six square miles. So you won’t be stuck for a choice of eatery.
On top of this, Roanoke hosts a range of outdoor festivals throughout the year. These include the Evenings on Oak Street Concerts and Roanoke EggAPalooza. There is also a brilliant farmer’s market that runs throughout seven months of the year.
While this might sound like a very affluent area, the housing in Roanoke offers a range of prices so you should be able to find a property to suit you. Thanks to the brilliant local schools, this is a great spot to move to or simply visit with your family!
Southlake
If you are working parents then Southlake is the perfect neighborhood for you. This district is incredibly family-friendly and is home to some of the best schools in the city.
On top of all this, it offers a 30-minute commute into Dallas’ Downtown district. So you won’t struggle to balance your work commute and family life!
So now you know some of the best places to move to in Dallas-Fort Worth, let’s take a look at why it’s such a great place to live.
1. Buying a Home in DFW is a Sound Investment
If you are thinking about living in Texas, you may be deciding between renting a home or buying one. Renting for a short period can be a good idea if you are moving across the country. That way you can get a feel for the neighborhoods that you like and go to house viewings in person.
No matter where you finally buy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, though, you’ll be pleased to hear that you will be making a great investment. This is because, over the next 12 months, the value of properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is due to rise by 7.3%! And property value in the area is set to continue going up beyond this.
This means that even if you end up having to move out of the area, you are likely to turn a profit on a property that you buy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
2. You’ll Find Some of the Best Schools in Texas
As you will probably already have noticed from the districts that we have mentioned, there are lots of great schools in Dallas-Fort Worth.
In the Fort Worth Independent School District alone there are 145 public schools that serve 84,000 students. This school district includes a range of elementary, middle, and high schools along with special educational needs schools.
Because of this, schools in the area are able to cater to and support a wide range of students and their learning styles. This means that each school body is extremely diverse.
If you are interested in further education, there are also lots of great colleges and universities to choose from nearby. These include the University of Texas, the Texas Wesleyan University, and the Health Science Center for the University of North Texas.
3. Moving to DFW Offers Great Employment Opportunities
Dallas-Fort Worth is a city that centers around vibrant communities. Because of this, it offers great employment opportunities. In fact, Dallas itself is the third best city for job seekers in America. So, if you are looking for great employment opportunities you might want to think about moving to DFW.
The area is home to three Fortune 500 companies along with other brilliant companies, including:
- AT & T
- American Airlines
- Exxon Mobile
- Pier 1 Imports
- BNSF Railways
Thanks to this, the area has a very low unemployment rate, especially compared to the rate of the United States. So if you are looking to kickstart your career, this is a great place to do it!
4. The Cost of Living is Cheap
If you are planning to relocate then one of the first things you need to think about is your finances. If you have been living in one area for a while, you will have become used to the cost of living. This can make moving to a more expensive area a harsh shock to the system!
The cost of living will have a huge impact on your quality of life. So the last thing you want is to overlook this factor.
Fortunately, the cost of living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is 7% lower than the national average (and 21% lower for housing!) This means that you can expect to pay less for:
- Your home, mortgage, or rental payments
- Your monthly utilities
- Your gas
- Meals and drinks out
Of course, it is important to note that if you have been living in a very cheap area, living costs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area may be higher than you’re used to. So it is worth checking the cost of living in your area first.
5. You Can Avoid Freezing Winters
As we’ve already mentioned, there are loads of great green spaces around Fort Worth and you want to be able to make the most of these! Thankfully, the climate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will ensure that you can do just that.
During the winter months, temperatures tend to stay well above freezing at around 34°F. While the city can be subject to cold spells and winter winds, it rarely struggles with heavy snowfall and ice. So you will still be able to get out and about easily.
During the summer months, temperatures tend to stay below 87°F and the city offers plenty of gorgeous shady spots to relax in.
6. Dallas-Fort Worth is Home to Gorgeous Parks
Speaking of shady spots, we have only mentioned a handful of the stunning greenspaces that Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer. These ensure that you can enjoy the highlights of city living without having to give up natural landscapes.
Some of the areas most popular parks include:
- Oakmont Park
- The Arcadia Trail Park
- Trinity Park
- The Fort Worth Water Gardens
- Northwest Community Park
A lot of these spaces are also home to art and performance spaces or host festivals during the summer months. They offer the perfect way to stay active and get out in the community.
7. The Population is Culturally Diverse
When it comes to community, Dallas-Fort Worth is home to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. This is one of the things that makes the city such an exciting place to live!
While most of the population is white, the area is also home to huge Asian, Black, and Hispanic communities as well as people from a range of religions or non-religious backgrounds.
The diversity of your local community may depend a little on which neighborhood you choose to live in. This is because certain communities gravitate towards particular areas. For example, the Bishops Arts District is home to a large Hispanic community while Oak Lawn is a hub of LGBTQA+ activity.
8. The Area Offers Great Transport Links
Once you have settled on a neighborhood to live in you are not simply restricted to that area of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Thankfully, the entire area has a range of brilliant transport links so you won’t struggle to get around, even if you don’t drive!
There are plenty of great bus routes around the city, as well as excellent purpose-built commuter railways. If you are trying to get fitter, then why not make the most of the local cycling programs, such as B-cycles on offer?
Or, if you are planning on going further afield, the fourth-biggest airport in the world is right on your doorstep. This means international travel is just a bus ride away!
Get Help Moving to DFW
As you can see, if you are planning on moving to DFW you’re making a great choice. This area of Texas has something to offer everyone and this handy guide will help you find the perfect neighborhood for you.
Are you getting ready for a move and need a hand? Olde World Movers has locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area so we are in the best place to help you! Get in touch today for a free estimate and to find out more about how we can help you.
