Year after year, the population of Texas grows and grows, and this in no small part to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, bringing in more than 137,000 residents between 2017-2018 alone. Take the city of Dallas alone, for example. With a plethora of job options, enjoyable year-round weather, and a pleasant mix of cultures with shared values, it can be a great place to live.
If you’re looking to move to Dallas, here are a few tips that you may want to know beforehand.
1. Dallas is its own city
We wanted to start with this clear distinction that despite being proud to be part of the whole DFW area, Dallas is its own city. And while it certainly doesn’t disparage its neighboring cities of Fort Worth or Arlington, the people of Dallas take a sense of pride in their own city—as should you when you move there. Even within the city there are 26 distinct neighborhoods, from the urban areas of Uptown and Downtown to the more spacious Preston Hollow, you can find a place in Dallas for yourself.
2. Finding a job in Dallas shouldn’t be hard
While DFW is home to a number of corporate headquarters and routinely outpaces national job growth, Dallas definitely offers a number of great jobs in some of the top businesses and industries in the country. D-Town is home to ten Fortune 500 company headquarters, and another 50 notable and growing companies as well. So whether you’re looking to work your way into AT&T or swing into Topgolf, Dallas is the place to be.
3. Food is important, and Tex-Mex is king
There’s no denying that Dallas has some amazing food all over, but Tex Mex is without a doubt king. So, should you like Mexican flavors, you’ll be happy to know that locals love spots such as Meso Maya Comida Y Copas for its variety of options, including vegetarian, and appreciate its ample parking and relatively quiet seating. For a place with more of a bar feel, check out Gabriela & Sofia’s Tex-Mex, which is open to the whole family.
4. Keys to Dallas culture
Sure, the city has great nightlife, strong businesses, and is one of the most diverse cities in America, but it’s all built on decency to one’s neighbor and appreciation for all things local. And this cultural aspect isn’t just out of a desire to be nice, it’s the proper thing to do. Expect to be called “sir” or “ma’am”, and before long you’ll be obliged to speak the same. The city values its culture and history, probably why the Dallas Farmers Market is the largest market in Texas.
5. For those who drive themselves
A last little tip here for those who own their car: be ready for traffic. Ranked 21st among the most congested cities in America, drivers here lose about 76 hours per year. Thankfully, Dallas is also ranked 16th for best public transportation. So either have an audio book or podcast ready to play or checkout DART before you travel in the city.
One last tip would definitely be to checkout Dallas self storage. Dallas is big and it’s only getting bigger—in population, at least. While the mix of hundreds of thousands of people brings in some amazing culture, food, and experiences, it is definitely a drain on living space. Click here to see how a storage unit in Dallas can help you get the most out of life in the city without a higher cost of living.
Do you have a tip you’d like to offer for those moving to Dallas? Let us know in the comments below!
