Dallas, Texas, a family-friendly, business-savvy, artistic, and hip metropolitan city, has a lot to offer everyone. Very few cities have the benefits that Dallas provides. If you’re considering moving to Dallas, discover what this city has in store for you. Learn the pros and cons of living in Dallas before moving to the city.

Pros of living in Dallas

Dallas offers several benefits for renters. Here are some of the top pros of living in Dallas:

1. Low cost of living

Rent prices are more affordable than in other metropolitan cities, with an average rent of $1,450 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. 

Lake Highlands is the most affordable neighborhood, with an average rent of $1,125 per month, while Victory Park is the most expensive neighborhood, averaging $2,009 per month in rental expenses. Downtown Dallas, Uptown, and Victory Park have the most popular neighborhoods. 

2. Vibrant arts and entertainment scene

Dallas has much to offer for entertainment across arts, music, and sports. Explore the Dallas Arts District, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, and the Dallas Museum of Art for artistic inspiration. Discover artwork exhibits and artifacts at Fair Park, a National Historic Landmark, and Turtle Creek. Music lovers can enjoy everything from country to jazz in several parts of the city, including the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Deep Ellum, Highland Park, and Uptown. 

You’ll find many sports centers where you can watch live football, baseball, soccer, basketball, college games, and the local rodeos. The Dallas Park System includes seven lakes, 33 ponds, 397 parks, and over 20,000 acres of green space, including trails, recreation centers, playgrounds, golf courses, and basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts. Among recreational activities, you can enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Dallas is also home to the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

3. Strong job market 

Dallas has a healthy job market, particularly in the manufacturing, transportation, health care, and finance sectors. Did you know that American Airlines, AT&T, Bank of America, Baylor University Medical Center, Capital One, and Walmart are some of the biggest employers? Money Geek ranked Dallas in its top five best cities for job seekers in the country in 2022.

4. Cultural diversity

As the fourth most diverse city in the United States, Dallas is home to residents from various cultures, lifestyles, and religions. According to the Dallas Economic Development, Dallas residents are 42.3% Hispanic, 22.9% African American, and 24.8% foreign-born residents, and 43.6% speak English as a second language.

Owing to its cultural diversity, you’ll find many ethnic restaurants, such as Sheba’s Ethiopian Kitchen, Kang Lee’s Sushiya Japanese and Sushi restaurant, and Goji Cafe. Dallas has one of the top shopping centers in the country, the NorthPark Center. Bank of America Plaza, Renaissance Tower, and Comerica Bank Tower are some of the tallest skyscrapers in Dallas.

Cons of living in Dallas

Living in Dallas can have some disadvantages, including the following:

1. Limited public transportation 

While Dallas has The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) public transportation system that’s cheaper and well-connected to most parts of the city, it’s slow and has safety issues, according to The Dallas Morning News. Other popular means of transportation include ride-sharing, carpooling, or driving your car. Uber, Alto Rideshare, and Lyft are popular ride-sharing providers in Dallas. Yellow Cab and Cowboy Cab are the best taxi options. If you prefer car-sharing services, Zipcar is a great option.

A personal vehicle is particularly beneficial if you intend to relocate to the suburbs, as Dallas is massive, and it can take over an hour to reach the other end of the city. 

2. Traffic congestion

Over the decade, Dallas has witnessed hundreds of thousands of new residents. You can often experience severe traffic congestion on highways, especially during rush hour. Road conditions and construction work can add to the woes. It’s best to avoid traveling during the early morning and late afternoon hours, especially if you’re driving and not using public transportation. 

3. Severe weather 

Dallas is prone to extreme weather conditions, with intensely hot summers. It’s common for temperatures to go above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, so you may have to stay inside air-conditioned spaces, especially during the day. Besides the intolerable heat, Dallas is extremely humid in the summer. Dallas also experiences weather threats from droughts, thunderstorms, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

4. Poor air quality

According to the American Lung Association, Dallas ranks 16th as the most polluted city by ozone levels. The Air Quality Index is also poor for particulate matter. High vehicle use and rapid industrialization mainly contribute to elevated air pollution levels in Dallas.

FAQs about living in Dallas

Examine Dallas’s cost of living, safety factors, and more attributes below.

Final thoughts

Dallas offers several benefits for renters, including an affordable cost of living, a booming job market, and cultural diversity. In Dallas, renters will discover rental prices comparatively lower than in other U.S. cities. Dallas offers activities and attractions that appeal to individuals of all age groups, including older adults.

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