Why Locals Love Living in Dallas
Published By Antonio Chavez, General Manager-Dallas August 7, 2024
Country songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore immortalized Dallas more than 50 years ago when he wrote his hit, “Have You Ever Seen Dallas from a DC-9 at Night?” Even though the last DC-9 flight took off in 2014, Gilmore’s lyrics perhaps ring truer today than even back then. Because anyone who has seen this stunning Texas metropolis – by air or up close – knows that indeed, “Dallas is a jewel. Dallas is a beautiful sight.”
Dallas
They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and Texas’ two largest cities – Houston and Dallas – have longed battled for bragging rights as the biggest. Yes, it is true that if you measure population and land size strictly by city limits, Houston edges out Dallas. But locals know that “Dallas” is commonly defined by its much larger “Metroplex” moniker, which spans across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.
At 9,286 miles and 13 counties in total, the Dallas Metroplex is currently the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the US – larger than the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined!
What's the draw?
Businesses and workers are migrating here in record numbers. A recent MoveBuddha report predicts DFW will surpass New York City as the largest metroplex by the year 2100.
National’s local experts point to several factors at play in Dallas’ popularity. Among them: job opportunities, quality of life, and affordability.
Dallas’ diversified economy means job opportunities in everything from manufacturing, professional services and hospitality, to education, utilities, and transportation, says the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. In fact, more than 10,000 businesses are headquartered here. Since no single industry makes up more than 20% of the economy, Dallas is positioned well for stability.
Living and working in Dallas means enjoying all the big city attractions, without the traffic snarls, high taxes and even higher priced housing common in large cities. It is considerably less expensive than other major metros (129% lower cost of living than New York City and 14% less than Miami, for example). So, if you are dreaming of experiencing big city life without big city costs, Dallas is a great destination.
Here are a few other reasons why we love living in Dallas.
Sports, sports, and more sports.
Dallas is a sports lover’s city. Watch a Dallas Cowboys game live at the iconic “Jerry World”, or head to downtown Dallas where you can catch games at the AT&T Discovery District. With its location between the Texas Rangers and Cowboys stadiums, Texas Live in Arlington is another great option. You can enjoy the action from multiple screens and enjoy a variety of restaurant fare from the two-story venue.
Unique locales.
The Sixth Floor Museum at the Dealy Plaza chronicles President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination and explores the history of the 1960s. One block east sits the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza.
Founders Plaza at the DFW International Airport is a favorite spot for watching the busy airport’s takeoffs and landings. Dedicated in 1995, the plaza’s picnic tables and telescopes provide the perfect vantage point. You can even listen to the FAA tower communications from the plaza’s radio broadcast.
The great outdoors.
It may be a big city, but Dallas offers lots of ways to get back to nature. For starters, check out some of the 100-plus miles of trails that meander through it. One of our favorite spots for a bike ride is White Rock Lake, a 1,015-acre lake just northeast of downtown. Pack a picnic, explore the lake in a rented kayak, or bring the pups for a romp in the 3-acre dog park.
More than BBQ.
Sure, you can get some pretty amazing Texas barbecue here. But a hangout we love is the locally sourced variety at Haywire (hint: chicken fried chicken with elk tacos and gulf crab ceviche). We also give two thumbs up to the New Mexican Yankee Pizza at Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse and the iconic Lucky’s Chicken.
Retail therapy.
Shopping is as much a part of Dallas as barbecue is of Texas. The luxury department store Neiman Marcus was founded here in 1907, setting the stage for Dallas to emerge as a mecca for shoppers of all tastes. If browsing designer brands and local boutiques is your thing, Dallas is your place. Among the dozen-plus malls in the Metroplex, we like to stroll the Galleria Dallas for its central location, tons of stores -- and bonus points for a year-round ice rink.
Whether you are staying in Dallas is a few weeks or on a long-term assignment, National’s local experts have the intel and resources to get you settled and enjoying all that this vibrant city has to offer.
National’s on-the-ground Dallas corporate housing experts are your trusted source for all things Dallas. From travel and housing solutions, to settling-in services and locals’ tips for where to eat, play, and shop, we have you covered.
Learn more about Dallas and why we love it here.
About the Author
Antonio is the General Manager of the Texas markets which includes Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and parts of Louisiana. He began his career with National in 2018 as an account manager for the Houston market and was promoted to General Manager of the Dallas/ Fort Worth area in 2020. He has over 8 years of experience in corporate housing and property management. With a commitment to customer service and market profitability, Antonio is focused on building a customer-centric organization and delivering high-quality temporary furnished accommodations to all clients.
