Thinking of moving to Dallas Fort Worth? We’ve compiled an ultimate list of the Top 10 Secrets to Know Before Moving to Dallas Fort Worth that will help make the transition smoother when you get here. Hint: We are so much more than Real Housewives of Dallas and Cowboy hats. You knew that though, right?
10 Secrets to Know Before Moving to Dallas Fort Worth
1. Driving in Dallas Fort Worth.
For everyone who has never ventured to Dallas, Daalis, or Dallus, here is an aerial view of one of the major mix masters (highways intersecting) that is fairly close to where we live.
Driving in Dallas…
First you must learn to pronounce the city name. It is DAL-LUS, or DAA-LIS depending on if you live inside or outside LBJ Freeway.
Next, if your gps navigator is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton (or Collin) County and your map is one-day-old, then it is already obsolete. Even if you “update” your app.
Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. The DNT and 380 are a real fight for your life, I-35 and 121 construction will probably never end, 820 and 635 traffic is unavoidable, Denton and Collin counties are full of questionable roundabouts, and no one knows how to drive when white stuff falls from the sky so just stay home.
Dallas has its own version of traffic rules… “Hold on and pray.”
Just get a toll tag and save yourself the trouble.
No one knows how to ride public transportation, and even if they did, most are not willing to give up independence of driving their own vehicle on their own time.
All directions start with, “Get on Beltline,” which has no beginning and no end. Ask me how I got lost on Beltline trying to drive to the Galleria.
The blinking left yellow light still confuses me. Why is it blinking? Why can’t it just be solid? Why do y’all keep changing stuff up?
Stay out of the left lane unless you’re passing. No one wants to hear about how you ended up on the 6:00 news because of some idiot road-rager.
Your life will possibly pass before your eyes OR it’ll take you 2 hours to figure out how to get to your downtown Dallas or Fort Worth destination because of all the one-ways and spider-web-like roads. Live in Denton, want to go to downtown Dallas, and you’ve decided to take the DART train to avoid traffic? You’re still out 2 hours.
2. We judge restaurants based on their salsa.
If you’re after the same Mexican food like what you’ve had in Mexico or what you had growing up, well you ain’t gonna find it very easily in Dallas. What you will find plenty of is Tex-Mex. Really, really excellent Tex-Mex. No one wants to hear how this isn’t really Mexican food, so just try to learn to love it so we can get on with our lives. Still mad? Then open your own dang restaurant. Just know that we’re all giving you 5 stars or 1 star based on your salsa recipe.
3. The Texas State Fair is a must-see.
If you’ve never been to a state fair before, then moving to Dallas will be a definite eye-opener. No one does a state fair quite like the Lonestar State. If everything is better fried, then the State Fair of Texas knows how to do things right. Fried beer? Got it. Deep Fried Shepherd’s Pie? Check. Fried Cotton Candy Taco? OMG. Birthplace of corny dogs. Here’s the 2018 List of State Fair of Texas foods.
And if everything in Texas is bigger…then be sure to get your pic with Big Tex.
Howdy folks, Welcome to the State Fair of Texas!
4. How About Them Cowboys.
There was that one time in the 1990s that I voted against the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl, and I will never, ever, ever live it down. Even if the Cowboys haven’t won a single Super Bowl since 1996.
The Dallas Cowboys are king in Dallas Fort Worth and you’re gonna get publicly razzed if you say any different. Don’t fly any other team’s insignia if you don’t want your house targeted by the neighborhood Cowboys fans or HOA. Them’s fightin’ words. Gonna ignore my advice? You’re braaaaave.
Although they actually play in Arlington (at what locals affectionately call “The Roach”) and are headquartered in Frisco at The Star, those living in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex from 1960 til 2008 will recall the Cowboys playing at either The Cotton Bowl located at Fair Park in Dallas or Texas Stadium in Irving. All of DFW gathered around their television sets and watched and cried as Texas Stadium was imploded on April 11, 2010.
The Dallas Cowboys are a piece of our culture. Don’t mess with Texas, y’all.
5. Choose your neighborhood carefully.
Different neighborhoods in the metroplex have different features that make them unique. Even though the same could be said of any city, in Dallas Fort Worth this is especially true. What this means is that you really need to hire an real estate agent that is actually familiar with DFW and its many different key factors. Here’s a summary:
Inexpensive country living to the south.
Expensive country living to the north.
Austinites will feel welcome in Denton.
Californian transplants should consider Plano.
If Real Housewives of Dallas is relatable to you, then we’ve got Highland Park, Frisco, and Southlake calling your name.
Looking for a piece of the West? Then Fort Worth is where it begins.
Enjoy perpetual traffic? Anywhere along 183 in the HEB corridor will suffice.
Consider renting for a year so you don’t feel like you are trapped once you’ve moved.
It’s a good idea to check up on local school ratings and county taxes while planning your move. One city may contain multiple school districts and be located in multiple counties, and that can make a huge difference not only in your child’s education, but also in your bank account.
6. Dallas Fort Worth is foodie paradise.
DFW’s restaurant scene is huge. There’s a restaurant, bar or club for every budget. Search instagram hashtags for Dallas foodies and you’ll get what I mean. We have every cuisine available here in the metroplex. Apart from the usual American, Chinese, and Tex-Mex fare, we also have Indian, Turkish, Greek, South American, African, and Asian offerings. Not finding something you want? Hop onto any community Facebook group and ask for recommendations because you’re sure to discover plenty of options.
7. The arts and culture scene is vibrant.
There’s a high level of philanthropy and support for the arts in Dallas Fort Worth. From small galleries to major museums and bar music to fancy galas, DFW has an arts and culture scene that would impress even a snobby New Yorker.
8. Tornadoes are a fact of life.
Scroll to the :50 mark in the above video.
Everyone still talks about the tornado that ripped through Downtown Fort Worth in 2000 and the tornado that tossed red tractor-trailers like toys in 2012 in Dallas.
The fact is that at some point in your life here in DFW a tornado will most likely affect you in one way or the other. Educate yourself on safety if you ever come across one. Don’t be like your neighbors running outside to catch a glimpse and record it on their smartphones. They’re probably native Texans and therefor crazier than you.
9. Your car might get damaged in a hail storm.
Tornadoes are the only thing to worry about. Let’s talk hail for a moment. Any size from peas to grapefruits get thrown down from the sky and they’re aiming right for your vehicle. Covered parking is a highly coveted feature of Dallas Fort Worth real estate. Don’t turn your garage into a storage unit, because you’re gonna need to park inside it.
10. 10,000 corporate headquarters.
Dallas Fort Worth is home to over 10,000 company headquarters of major companies you’ve probably heard of before, so likely there a job opportunity available if you’re looking for it and/or have the right connections. If you’ve moved from a major metropolitan area to get to the metroplex, then you will also likely be paying less in taxes and getting more home for your buck–especially if your move was from California or New York.
Summary
Dallas Fort Worth is an excellent place to live with lots of opportunity, a unique culture, and friendly people (except if you’re stuck in traffic). Knowing exactly what you’re looking for will help you decide which part of the metroplex you want to live. We have it all here!
Did we miss something? What do you wish you would’ve known about Dallas Fort Worth before moving here?