Moving to Dallas – Everything You Need to Know

Why Dallas Might Be the Best Place to Live in Texas

After wast, cold Alaska, Texas has the largest territory in the USA. Those two opposite sides of the climate spectrum have one thing in common – not all their parts have the same living conditions.

While you might consider moving to Houston or San Antonio, the more populated cities in the state, that might be the precise reason why relocating to the Big D is the better option. Although it is less populated than the cities we just mentioned, it is the largest inland metropolitan area in the USA and home to the nine fortune 500 companies.

What to know before moving to Dallas? Education opportunities, job market, above-average paychecks, fresh produces and the absence of state income taxes are just some of the things that can upgrade your overall quality of life. Not convinced to move there yet? Don’t worry, there are plenty of more reasons to nudge you in that direction.

The Costs of Living

While Cowboy land may not be the cheapest option and the rough overlook on the housing market, utility bills, and everyday expenses might put you off, you should always have in mind that the income here is not to be joked with. The yearly average income is $64.000, which means you’ll cash in $2.134 every two weeks on your gross paycheck. Now for the expenses:

• The good news is that rents have a decreasing trend in the last few years. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1.058 for a one-bedroom apartment and  $1.143 for a two-bedroom apartment on average.
• Utility bills will cost you around $150
• Overall average consumer price basket is $2.760
• A meal in a restaurant will cost you $15 if you are opting for the inexpensive one, while the 3-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant is around $50
• Childcare for toddlers will cost you $900 and the yearly rate for the International Primary School is $17.700 on average

What will make a sizeable dent in your wallet for the first month are moving expenses that you have to consider when planning your relocation budget.

Job Market

The job market is one of the strong points of this town. You have an option to work in one of the many large companies that are headquartered here or to embark on a path of entrepreneurship.

Some of the corporate giants that operate from here and employ a large percentage of people in the area are AMR Corporation, Southwest Airlines, AT&T, JCPenney, Fossil, Texas Health Resources, Baylor Healthcare System, and many others. You could easily start your career in one of these companies and make the transition easier if you move with the help of your employer.

Don’t forget to ask your employer all the important questions when relocating for a job opportunity. You also have the option to move first and find a job later. Although this may be tricky sometimes, it is not impossible to achieve. You just need a few good tips and tricks on how to get a job in a new city. If you are planning to start your business here, you’ll be glad to know that the whole state has a fruitful climate for small business owners.

The Best Places to Live in the “Cowboy Land”

This metropolitan area has no lack of choice in where to live. Depending on your job, personal preferences, and daily necessities, you can pick your residential zone. You can choose between suburban communities or the city hype, just be aware of what each one brings to the table. Besides the obvious differences like traffic, picket fences, and lifestyle, you should seriously consider the property taxes because Texas property taxes are the highest ones in the country. You can expect to pay up to 1.973% of the assessed property value which can add up to $4.933 a year. With this in mind, here are some good locations to throw your anchor.

• Preston Hollow is especially popular with upper-middle-class people and there are many great reasons for that. It is 6 miles away from downtown and it is bordering the University Park on the south. If you want, and can afford a residency in this flatland suburb, you should know that the median home value is $767,055, but some of them go up to $30.000.000 (this is not a typo).
• Lakewood neighborhood is adjacent to White Rock Lake. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the community, and you can find many old mansions on the roadside that give it its unique charm. The vicinity of the lake gives you the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. There are biking and hiking trails, boathouses, and botanical gardens.
• The central sector is very popular if you are one of those people who like to be where all the action is. This town is known to be a big consumer market, it has multiple shopping malls and more restaurants per capita than New York. There is no shortage of bars and nightclubs either. So, if you can’t go without the urban buzz, this is a place for you.
• Uptown can be considered as the “Hip” part of the town. You can find all that you need in this community, from bars and cocktail lounges to biking and hiking trails.
• Deep Ellum is the artsy part of the town. Streets are full of urban Grafitti street art. This zone is loud and alive, and if that is your jam and you don’t mind the live music at all hours, you will enjoy Deep Ellum.

What Is the Housing Market Like in Dallas

When it comes to property rates, it is much more affordable than Houston or Austin. It is not among the cheapest cities in the US, but if you work here, it is affordable, since average wages pretty much cover the costs of living. The average home price is around $162.000. If you want to rent an apartment, depending on the exact location where you want to move, you can expect to pay from $800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, up to $3.000 for a three-bedroom apartment in the same location.

Where to Search for Affordable Apartments

You will find the most affordable apartments in downtown Bryan Place. That goes for the other downtown neighborhoods, which can have a slightly higher price, but not even close to the prices of the upscale suburban areas.

You have the option to share the apartment or a house with roommates and save a lot on rent and utility bills. This is a very good option if you are relocating alone, not only that you will save money, but having roommates can help you cope with anxiety about relocating to another state.

Pros and Cons of Relocating to Dallas

“Cowboy Land” has a lot to offer and the perks of living here are numerous. There are many reasons to move here, but there may be a few things that can present quite an obstacle. What should you know when relocating to Dallas? A strong economy and industry equal many jobs, but they also mean traffic and lower air quality. These are the pros and cons to help you make the final cut.

Pros:

• The weather is nice and sunny
• The whole area is a big business zone with many opportunities for a job with a reputable employer
• Wages are good and slightly above the national average
• You can have a vibrant social and nightlife
• There are many educational centers in and around the area, starting from daycare up to college
• Countless restaurants with great food and diverse cuisines
• The cultural scene is flourishing
• It is a sporty town
• There are many world-class shopping malls

Cons:

• There is such a thing as too warm and too sunny weather
• It is in the middle of the tornado alley
• It is in a pretty flat area
• It is considered to be on the pricey side, not LA or New York pricey, but not the lower-tier either
• The traffic is congested
• There are not as many “Green areas”
• Popular spots are overcrowded most of the time

Home of the Great Tex-Mex Cuisine

The cuisine is the category on its own in Texas. The city has more restaurants per capita than New York, the home of leisure. One cuisine, in particular, deserves to be noted, since it was born here, and that is Tex-Mex. This is a mashup of cowboy BBQ and Mexican food.

One of the most renowned chefs, Wolfgang Puck, has a famous restaurant, “Five Sixty” set up here.

Be Prepared for Crazy Weather If You Want to Live in Dallas

Summers here are long and can be very hot. Desert surroundings do not provide much shade when the heatwave strikes. Although summers are hot, winters are not without their icy storms. There is either not enough rain or too much of it.

Texas area is no stranger to frequent hurricanes and tornados, this state has an average of 139 tornados a year, making it the most tornado-affected state in the USA.

What to Do in the “Big D”

Although there is not much greenery, no mountain, and no ocean nearby, this town can offer many possibilities for outdoor activities, since it has a very good hiking and biking trails network. One popular spot for nature enthusiasts here is White Rock Lake. This lake has many possibilities for sports activities like sailing, rowing, paddleboarding, hiking, and running.

When it comes to the cultural scene here, you have an abundance to choose from. This town has so much to offer that it will be easy to adjust to living in a new town. The Arts District in the north section of the city has several art venues and it is the largest uniform art district in the US. Some of the more notable venues here are the Museum of Art, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, etc. It is worth mentioning that this is not the only artsy part of the town.

Besides the restaurants, bars, nightlife, culture, and sports, the town is an attraction on its own with diverse architecture, so every walk down the lane can become a sort of sightseeing.

The town and the vicinity are also famous for their fairs, carnivals, sports events, and farmers’ market.

Places to See and Experience

Here are some of the more notable landmarks worth visiting :

• Arts District
• Arboretum and Botanical Garden
• Museum of Art
• Dealey Plaza
• Design District
• Fair Park
• Farmers Market
• Highland Park Village
• Kalita Humphreys Theater
• Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
• Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
• Munger Place Historic District
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science
• Reunion Tower
• Thanks-Giving Square
• Trinity River Audubon Center
• White Rock Lake

You wouldn’t want to miss these events:

• Red River Shootout
• Cinco de Mayo
• Saint Patrick’s Day parade
• State Fair of Texas
• The annual Halloween event “The Wake”
• The annual New Year’s Eve celebration in AT&T

How to Organize for Moving to Dallas

If you decided to move here, then it is time to make your packing strategies and find a relocation company that does international and long-distance moves. This is your best option since you won’t have to deal with many hassles and problems that could arise during relocation. Do you think that it is easy to pack an apartment? Think again. This is a long process that includes a lot of preparation and planning ahead. Packing your kitchen, which includes many fragile objects, your house electronics, or your bulky furniture and other oversized items, can prove to be quite a challenge.

If you decide to do it on your own, however, there are a few steps that you should follow:

• Make a relocation agenda
• Create a relocation timeline and stick to it
• Organize your transportation way ahead of time if it is possible
• Create your home inventory list
• Declutter
• Gather packing supplies
• Organize your paperwork
• Pack your items according to schedule ( start with the non-essentials)
• If you are moving with pets, prepare them for relocation

The Cost of International and Long-Distance Relocation

There is no rule of thumb for moving expenses, and relocating to Dallas is no exception. Several factors will determine the final price like the distance between the cities, weight, and volume of your belongings, delivery point, manpower, etc. The best way to get a clear picture is to contact relocation companies after you’ve determined what you will transport and get a quote. This would be, of course, if you decided on relocating with the help of moving services.

If on the other side, you opt for the DIY move, you have to be aware of all the costs and separate engagements you will have to make. You might have to employ workers to do the heavy lifting, you have to count in the gas for the transportation, the insurance for the vehicle, and the payment for the driver. Relocating on your own can add up to be much more expensive than you planned if you don’t prepare and organize your budget on time.