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Moving to Dallas TX
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is the fastest growing metroplex in the country, and not without reason. The region offers all of the advantages that come with living in a major urban area, while still maintaining the down-home southern charm and hospitality for which Texas is famous. Thinking about moving to Dallas? You won’t be alone. The metroplex is home to roughly 6.7 million residents and the metropolitan area offers something for almost everyone. With a temperate climate, booming economy, and a diverse array of entertainment and cultural events and venues, the DFW metroplex is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Dallas and Fort Worth are each major U.S. cities that continue to complement each other through sustained growth and development. Dallas, and the cities that surround it, are seen to offer a more urban, sophisticated living experience while Fort Worth continues to maintain the charm and character of a truly southern city.
A Big Metroplex With Lots of Smaller Cities
Geographically, the DFW metroplex is made up of thirteen cities that each have a population of greater than 100,000 residents (Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Irving, Plano, Carrollton, Denton, Frisco, Grand Prairie, McKinney, Mesquite, and Richardson). Additionally, there are fifty-plus smaller cities whose populations each range from 10,000 to 100,000 citizens. In combination with the surrounding smaller towns and unincorporated areas, the region as a whole is known to locals as North Texas.
Local governments maintain a great deal of autonomy, but city governments often cooperate on projects that affect the metroplex as a whole. A thriving middle-class calls the numerous suburbs home, living in neighborhoods where children can grow and play in safety while attending above-average public schools. New developments and residential neighborhoods continue to be created, but there is also a lively mix of the old and the new, with some cities such as Denton, Lewisville, and Irving able to trace their history back to the time of the Texas Republic. Downtown areas have been restored and retail shopping is thriving in the many renovated “old town” sections of the larger cities.
Business As Usual
The economy in the DFW area continues to out-shine most of the rest of the country. Local leaders have attracted numerous Fortune 500 companies to the area. Known as “Silicon Prairie,” the Dallas area is home to a number of prominent IT and tech-related companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, Dell Computers, and AT&T. The defense industry is also a major area employer with well-known defense contractors such as Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, and Lockheed Martin maintaining significant operations in the area.
Moving to Dallas is a great way to decrease the amount of state and local taxes that you pay. Taxes are low relative to other major urban areas in the country, with property taxes being the major source of revenue for local governments and school funding. Property tax rates vary widely throughout the area, typically relative to the amount of money earmarked for local public schools. Local and state sales taxes are capped at 8.25% by law, and Texas is still one of the few states that do not tax personal income.
Getting Around the Big D
DFW also offers an excellent transportation system including an extensive network of high-speed rail lines that continue to be expanded to meet the needs of a growing population. The area also boasts one of the most modern systems of highways, tollways, and roadways in the country, although residents typically endure daily congestion and heavy traffic on major roads and highways as demand continues to outpace construction.
The DFW metroplex offers its residents a tremendous array of the attractions that draw most people to urban areas, while maintaining its southern charm and roots. The strength of the local economy, quality of life issues, and the average standard of living all point to its long-term continued growth and development.
Moving To Dallas TX? Newborhood - The Newcomer & Relocation Network
Moving to a big new city can be an intimidating experience. With a city as big as Dallas, it is easy to get lost trying to navigate your way around the city as you find your group of new friends, favorite restaurants, popular hangouts, and local events. Newborhood is the social networking site for people that are moving to Dallas TX. Are you experiencing information overload? Join Newborhood and get first hand tips and advice from others that are currently going through a similar relocation. Worried about being lost in a city where you don't know anyone? You're not alone! Newborhood members are meeting up for coffee, drinks, and fun everyday. Find a group of newcomers nearby and start networking. New to the neigbhorhood.... Join Newborhood today!