From the dazzling city skyline, to the friendly, diverse culture, and the endless job opportunities, Dallas stands as a leading city for relocatees. The city boasts major corporate headquarters, a booming housing market, and desirable weather suited for year-round outdoor living, proving why Dallas’ metropolitan and surrounding areas continue to see growing markets for new residents brought to the area for work, looking to purchase a home, or simply seeking a more suitable lifestyle.
Relocating can be as daunting as it is exciting, with so much to learn and explore. Follow this relocation guide to learn everything you need to know about Dallas and how to live like a local.
Things to Know:
As Texas’ third largest city, Dallas is a dynamic, rich area with strong local roots, as well as a growing, diverse culture brought by those relocating to the area.
The Landscape
Dallas residents get the best of both city, family-friendly communities, and the great outdoors. Located in North Central Texas, Dallas boasts mild winters, subtropical summers, and is surrounded by breathtaking rolling hills with diverse wildlife, as it sits near the headwaters of Trinity River.
The city’s urban environment is sprawling, serving as the leading banking, financial, and trade center for the Southwest, with nearly 6,000 corporate headquarters in the Greater Dallas Area such as AT&T, American Airlines Group, ExxonMobil and more. Surrounding cities like Irving, Forth Worth and Arlington also see a high number of corporate headquarters.
Neighborhoods and surrounding areas of DFW provide the space and housing necessary for families, homebuyers, and those who prefer a more suburban lifestyle. Popular suburbs in the Dallas area include Plano, University Park, Southlake, Allen and more, boasting top school systems and educational programs.
Navigating the Area
When relocating to a new city, knowing how to get around ensures a seamless transition. Driving is the predominant way people navigate the city and surrounding regions, with freeways like LBJ Freeway, Interstate 35, and Loop 12, as well as major interchanges such as High Five Interchange.
To escape the traffic, commuters often utilize the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Light Rail, Dallas’ public transit system, which connects the downtown areas of Dallas and Fort Worth with stops in the Mid-Cities and DFW Airport. The DART is the longest light rail system in the country, covering over 93 miles.
Local Government and News
Dallas is composed of 14 council districts and operates under a council-manager form of government, headed by the mayor, Eric Johnson. The DFW region has a large news network with major outlets in print with the Dallas Observer and The Dallas Morning News, broadcast with NBC 5, Fox 4, and CBS 11, and radio with KRLD.
Things to Do:
Culinary Scene
If there’s not enough already to love about Dallas, the food scene will surely convince anyone to stick around for awhile. As the capital of cattle country, Dallas barbecue is a Texas staple.
Because dining is a favorite local pastime in Dallas, the city offers eclectic food offerings in addition to traditional Texas and Tex-Mex cuisines. From different ethnic foods brought by the diverse population, to the many celebrity chefs bringing glitz and glamour to downtown like Stephan Pyles, Teiichi Sakurai, and Wolfgang Puck, Dallas is suitable for any taste buds.
Entertainment and Attractions
Dallas’ vibrant downtown and surrounding areas offer endless activities to do and sights to see. From premier shopping at Northpark Center and Dallas Galleria, to family-friendly attractions like the Dallas Zoo and Dallas Museum of Art, to live entertainment at Dos Equis Pavilion, AT&T Stadium, and The Toyota Music Factory, there’s no room for boredom.
Being a huge sports city, Dallas is home to major professional teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers, drawing in huge support and enthusiasm from fans.
Outdoor Escapes and Local Getaways
The Dallas Park system is one of the largest in the nation, consisting of 397 parks. Whether you’re looking for a break from the city, a weekend trip, or just wanting to feel more connected to nature, there’s many green spaces to check out in DFW.
Dallas is home to the urban oasis, White Rock Lake Park, which is over twice the size of Central Park, and Klyde Warren Park, which provides biodiversity to the city with 37 native plant species and 322 trees.
Surrounding Dallas, hiking and lake activities are popular for easy and rejuvenating time away. Major trails nearby include Piedmont Ridge Trail, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, and Cedar Ridge Preserve. Locals tend to flock to Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, Grapevine Lake, and many more as you travel outside of residential regions.
Calling all wine enthusiasts! North Texas Wine Country, which is the state’s wine region surrounding DFW, is quickly becoming one of the hottest new wine tasting destinations in the country. More vineyards are being founded in North Texas every year, currently 41 member wineries growing 53 varietals. Eden Hill Vineyard right in Celina, just 45 minutes outside the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, boasts options for red and white drinkers alike at its 10-acre estate, where you can visit its tasting room and tour its Tempranillo vineyard. They also have a tasting room right in Downtown Dallas at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Annual Celebrations
Every year, three annual Dallas staples, The Cotton Bowl Classic, Big Texas Beer Fest, and The Texas State Fair, draw incredulous and exuberant crowds between locals, fellow Texans, and out-of-state travelers alike.
The Cotton Bowl is not simply a long-standing college bowl game, it’s a beloved tradition for the many college football fans in the area.
Big Texas Beer Fest, Dallas’ original beer festival, is popular for its rare beers you can’t find on grocery store shelves. In 2022, beers from 100+ breweries and 450+ beers, ciders, hard seltzers, hard kombuchas, and meads were featured.
The Texas State Fair is the largest fair in the country, bringing in 2.25 million visitors annually. This significant Lone Star State event represents all things Texas culture by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through exciting entertainment like livestock shows, creative arts, rides, games, and tons and tons of food.
If you’re looking for corporate apartments in Dallas TX or simply desire spacious, comfortable temporary living, rent a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom furnished apartment in Irving TX at AVE Las Colinas. Give yourself time to get situated in your new city until you decide where to plant roots. AVE’s furnished apartments near Dallas offer all the comforts of home with custom furniture packages, fully accessorized kitchens, a washer and dryer in residence, bed and bath linens, and all utilities included. AVE Las Colinas only requires a 30-day reservation with the ultimate flexibility to extend month-to-month. AVE also has a friendly service team on site 7 days a week to support you with your transition. To view furnished apartments in Dallas or book, visit: https://www.aveliving.com/furnished/las-colinas.