Highlights

  • Dallas offers a modern, culturally diverse environment with attractions, affordable housing, and an established economy.
  • Dallas enjoys a warm subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers, making it a desirable destination for many.
  • The city consists of 11 districts with affordable housing, catering to various preferences and budgets.
  • It boasts a strong job market with numerous Fortune 500 companies and is a shopping paradise with various malls and stores.
Dallas moving guide
Moving to the ninth largest metro in the USA – the complete Moving to Dallas Relocation Guide.

Moving to where the real patriots live means moving to the South. Or more specifically to Dallas, TX. This city is the ninth largest in the country as the metro area has over six million people.

Not all of them are those modern-day cowboys with a huge Texan ego and an oversized pickup truck, but as we all know there is a little truth in every story. Living in Dallas has its pros and cons, but honestly, when you do your research you will confirm for yourself that the pros are more.

Dallas and the Forth Worth metro area are together known as The Metroplex. Both places are modern, exciting, and culturally diverse where you will find nice weather all around, affordable housing, in and outside attractions, an established economy, and educational opportunities. This is your what to know before moving to Dallas complete guide.

Dallas relocation newcomer guide

Housing In and Around Dallas

Texas State Fair Park
The Texas Fair Park is the only intact and unaltered pre-1950s world fair site remaining in the USA.

Dallas consists of 11 districts all offering affordable housing in and around the city. Dallas is known for its low housing cost and lower cost of living in general. Dallas’s average home price is around $400,000 and the average rent ranges from $800 to $4,000. You can find a 1-bedroom apartment for around $1,300 per month.

Dallas divides into Downtown, Uptown, East, West, South and Northwest Dallas, Lake Highlands, Oak Clif, Oak Lawn, University Park and more suburbs such as Arlington, Addison, Irving and Grapevine.

  • Downtown, along with Uptown and Oak Lawn, is the epicenter of urban life characterized by crowded retail, restaurants and flourishing nightlife.
  • East Dallas, contained with many neighborhoods, is the largest area north of Highway I-30 extending from Central Expressway to White Rock Lake. It features. It is a homey but hip area featuring many old-fashioned houses and vintage shops.
  • North Dallas is made up of several more upscale neighborhoods, while Northwest is home to Kreatown and the city’s second biggest airport, Dallas Love Field.
  • Oak Cliff is a residential district southwest of downtown and one part is a large low-income area, while another nestles upscale homes.
  • South Dallas is home to Texas State Fairgrounds and the Fair Park is open all year and is home to several museums.
  • West Dallas is largely an area hit by poverty, but also re-development projects. It does feature The Belmont Hotel which offers a unique view of the city.

So, there are many places to choose from when moving to Dallas and a lot of research is to be done. Don’t forget that a pre-move trip is a good way to get a taste of what the city really is and to pick your neighborhood or suburb.

Wondering how much does it cost to move to Dallas? Our moving estimator will provide you with a quote or you can call us at (800) 680-6439.

The Metroplex area is not the typical western laid-back Texas atmosphere, but you will also not be surrounded by unfriendly and tame tones. So, before relocating to Dallas and starting stereotyping, think that the truth always lies somewhere in between.

Jobs & Shopping in Dallas

The two activities listed above involve either spending money or making money. In Dallas, you will have both opportunities, to make and to spend money. Dallas is known as the birthplace of malls in the US and a for offering good career opportunities.

The Metroplex area has one of the highest concentrations of corporate headquarters of publicly traded companies. Moving to Dallas will mean moving to the city with the second highest concentration of  Fortune 500 companies, 12 for the city and 20 for the metro area.

The average salary in Dallas is around $35,000-40,000. However, a good salary is considered everything above $45,000.

The job market is well established in industries like banking, the oil industry, technology, and health care. Some of these companies include ExxonMobile, Kimberly-Clark, Flour, and Commercial Metals. Additionally, headquartered in the Metroplex are Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Neiman Markus ENSCO Offshore Drilling, HP Enterprise Services and more.

In addition, one of the world’s largest non-profit breast cancer organizations was founded and is also headquartered in Dallas – Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Thus, moving to Dallas will definitely offer a lot of career opportunities depending on your area of occupation.

Dallas cowboys sports
The Dallas Cowboys stadium – the largest domed stadium in the world and the largest high-def video screen which hangs from 20-yard line to 20-yard line.

Furthermore, if shopping is your passion, Dallas is the place. It has more shopping centers per capita than any other US city and it is also home to the shopping center ever built in the US.

The two major malls in North Texas, Dallas Galleria and North Park Center, are also located in Dallas. Those malls draw many tourists years around as both feature many high-end stores.

Moreover, you will find many outlets and single stores all over the city and the suburbs, among them the flagship store of Neiman Markus.

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The Weather in Dallas and The Outside

The weather surely is a major factor for many people to decide to relocate to Dallas. The subtropical climate makes it warm year around and rarely snows. For many of us, living in the northern states, the prospect of not shoveling snow five months in a year may work as the single decisive factor making us relocate to Dallas.

Sure it could be quite hot in the summer, with temperatures reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit yet the winter-free idea will prevail and make you relocate. So, the winter is mild with average high temperatures in the 50s and 60s, and average low in the 30s while the summer is really hot.

The spring and fall seasons bring in very nice temperatures, but very wet and stormy conditions as well. Dallas lies within the Tornado Alley and spring weather could be severe.

With Texas being the second largest state in the US, nature lovers can imagine that there is a huge recreational area around Dallas. Texas includes mountains, lakes, plains, and deserts. Its natural diversity draws many visitors each year.

Dallas is surrounded by many state parks featuring forest preserves and lakes. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department maintains over 21,000 acres of parkland that includes 17 lakes. That has over 60 miles of jogging and bike trails, 22 swimming pools, 6 golf courses, and over 200 tennis courts, just to name a few.

Moving To Dallas

After reviewing some of the things to know before moving to Dallas TX, if you hadn’t already made your decision, you will surely decide to make the move and relocate to this fantastic southern city. Moving to the other end of the country (for some it will be a coast-to-coast relocation) will take some time and good organization.

Local Dallas Moving Companies

Finding the right moving company will also take some time and research on your side. Most companies execute state-to-state moves, and they will gladly answer all your moving questions. You can also search for a moving company that serves the region.

Check out the best-rated Texas moving companies or go with a cross-country moving company. The first question that comes to mind is of course How much will it cost to hire movers? Well, the price will vary depending on how much and what you are moving.

Dallas Relocation Cost

After carefully separating those things, you can call a few Dallas movers and get free moving estimates. You can do this over the phone, but it is always better to call your local moving companies and request an in-house estimate that will give you an accurate idea of how much your Dallas relocation will cost.

The moving cost of your relocation will be based on the weight and the cubic feet of your items. Dallas is approximately the same distance far from both East and West Coast, so moving from there would cost you around $4,000 for a regular 3-bedroom home with around 6000lbs worth of furniture and belongings.

Then moving from the Midwest to Dallas would cost approximately $3,000 for the same amount of stuff and here the moving price is lower just because of the distance.  You should not take my word for this moving cost and contacting a relocation consultant and going over your inventory would be the thing to do to obtain a price for your upcoming move to Dallas.

Tune up for the hot weather in Dallas, Texas, and then try to find some hot moving deals that will get you there easily and hassle-free.

As we try to cover all the Dallas relocation information and things to know before moving to Dallas, TX you should know in our Dallas Moving Guide, most certainly we’ve missed something. If you have something to add, please share it in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it a good idea to move to Dallas?

Dallas is a modern city with a warm climate and affordable housing. It offers a strong job market with numerous Fortune 500 companies. The city has many recreational areas and a vibrant shopping scene. Moving to Dallas can be a good idea, but it’s essential to research and consider your preferences before making the decision.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dallas?

The average salary in Dallas is around $35,000-$40,000, but a good salary is considered to be everything above $45,000. To live comfortably in Dallas, it’s generally recommended to earn a salary higher than the average, at least $45,000 after taxes, to cover living expenses comfortably. Keep in mind that the cost of living can vary depending on individual lifestyle choices and family size. It’s essential to budget and plan accordingly to ensure a comfortable living experience in Dallas.

Is Dallas a better place than Houston?

According to TexasView.org Dallas’ income and economy is a bit better and Dallas is a more expensive place to live.

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27 Comments

  1. This article says Texas is the largest state in the U.S. Last I checked, that distinction goes to Alaska. Texas is the largest in the lower 48.

  2. The uptown area is very cool, but, I have found that places a little east of there are for lack of a better word shady.

  3. My husband and I plan on moving to Dallas Texas within a few years. We are sick of the snow in Illinois, and the high taxes.

  4. My original choices were California and Florida. Neither one seemed interested to get up and move from Chicago. High cost of living in California and Florida I don’t want to move back to Chicago. I stumbled across why I should move to Texas. Besides the bugs I can deal with but this snow and cold in Illinois sucks. Can’t wait until I move.

  5. Thinking of relocation, but prices for 1 bedroom have gone up for 2014 $930-1300 is what can find

  6. I’m looking to move to Dallas from Manhattan, NY. I’m a 37 year old single woman & am curious what areas are good to find sales or office positions as well as areas that have a good population of single attractive men. Currently I model & am in sales.

  7. I am a single African American Male with a BA in Human Services from IL. I’m curious as to the job market/availability in the counseling fields such as substance abuse, case manangement for troubled youths, etc.

  8. Seems like no one can read lol. It says 9th largest CITY, and 2nd largest state. Both of which are true statements… don't understand how so many people are mis reading this.

  9. Hi all,

    I am debating moving to Texas from Denver. I am hoping to get advice on whether Dallas, SA, or Austin would be best for me. I am a single guy who has an Econ degree, but have been teaching abroad for the past few years. Thanks!

    P.S. I won’t try to claim that the article says TX or Dallas is the largest city or state in the nation 😉

  10. What's wrong with you people did you not graduate elementary school. You shold already know tx is the 2nd largest and it does indeed say 2nd largest STATE

  11. I’m planning on moving to Dallas in a couple of months from a very, very small Arkansan town. This was a very helpful briefing before starting my search! I’ve already chosen Arlington as the suburb I’d most like to live in and it’s not too far from expensive Addison (which is where the Art Institute is)! Thanks again for the helpful briefing! I’m super excited for the move!

    Also, people.
    Texas is the second largest state in the U.S.
    Dallas is the ninth largest city in the U.S.
    XOXO

  12. Does anyone who lives in or near the south dallas area know if snakes are frequently seen in that area? Thank you for the heads up!

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