Over the last decade, Dallas has experienced tremendous growth. And for good reason. Dallas is one of the best cities for desirable jobs, has a strong presence in many industries, is blessed with generally excellent weather, and has a talented population that attracts more all the time. If you plan to or are considering a move to the Big D, there are a number of things you should know about this world-class city before you arrive.
Thriving Economy
You might already be aware of this. Perhaps it’s one of the main reasons you are moving. As an array of economic indicators support, Dallas is a boom town.
The economy reached 40 billion earlier this year, and the metro area’s year-on-year population growth has hovered at about 100,000 per year the last few years. Construction is roaring.
With financial services, health care, technology, and defense industries that employ hundreds of thousands and help give the economy a strong foundation, Dallas is not a city that keeps all of its economic eggs in one basket. At 4.8 percent, the city’s unemployment rate is a full percentage point below the national average. Jobs are abundant, and many of them are highly desirable. In both 2013 and 2014, Forbes Magazine ranked Dallas as the city with the best job outlook in America.
Diversity
According to the Globalization and World Rankings Research Network, Dallas is more global than even Houston. Given that Houston is known for its multicultural flair and food offerings from around the world, this is quite a feat. Such demographic diversity stimulates economic growth, promotes vibrancy and dynamism, and equips residents to thrive in a globalized world. Because of the city’s diversity, Dallas apartment residents also enjoy access to a wide range of cuisines, traditions, and heritage celebrations. Like other world-class cities in the U.S., The Big D is a true melting pot, giving people access to a world of wonder and enjoyment.
Culture
Many people unacquainted with this north Texas behemoth of a city are unaware of just how thriving its arts district is, and think of it as little more than a concrete jungle. The Big D offers so much more!
In reality, it has the largest urban arts district in the U.S. The Dallas Museum of Art offers one of the best collections in the country and hosts exhibitions and events that appeal to adults and children with varied tastes. The Meadows Museum at SMU boasts the most impressive collection of art outside of Spain. The Perot Museum, a well-endowed natural history and science institution where you can learn about progress, innovation, sports, and other aspects of human life, has been bustling since it relocated to Victory Park two years ago.
Traveling theater shows, homegrown productions, dance company performances, and major concerts can also be caught most nights of the week. The city also has plenty of live music venues and talented local artists. Dozens of handcrafted brews drip from taps at regional brewpubs, with ales and lagers from Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Peticolas Brewing Company, Four Corners Brewing Co., Lakewood Brewing Company, and Community Beer Company ranking among the city’s favorites. Visiting a brewery will keep you pretty busy on a Saturday in the Big D.
…and Sports
If you’re more into sports, then Dallas won’t disappoint. With its five professional teams, there is almost always an exciting sporting event to watch. Residents also tend to put the pride they have in their alma maters on display. UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, and SMU flags adorn lawns and apartment windows throughout the city. And graduates can always find a place to watch their teams play with other alumni and fans.
In some cities, sports and culture are grouped together because there is a lack of either arts or sports offerings. Not in Dallas. The Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars, and Burns are proof of this. So is the Red River Showdown, fought between the UT Longhorns and OU Sooners on Dallas soil each fall. The event, which draws tens of thousands of die-hard fans, coincides with the Texas State Fair, the biggest state fair on earth.
The Dallas Skyline is Photogenic
Dallas’ skyline has been ranked as the most impressive in the U.S. by several indices. In a USA Today poll in 2014, readers rated it the most attractive skyline in the world. While the cityscape is spectacular from every angle, it’s the gems hidden inside, between, and around its tall, architecturally prolific buildings that makes the city such a joy to live in.
In addition to great beer and impressive arts, culture, and sports scenes, Dallas has tons of boutique shops, parks and other recreation areas. One recent addition residents love is Klyde Warren Park, a pet-friendly park connecting Downtown Dallas with Uptown. Klyde Warren Park also offers yoga classes and hosts several food trucks for those working downtown. Really, Dallas has just about everything you could need or want from a city.
If you’re moving to Dallas, you have a lot to look forward to. This is only a glimpse of what the bustling metropolis of seven million has to offer. Since neighborhoods and suburbs offer varied living environments and ease of access to different attractions and events, do a bit of research to choose an apartment where you can Live Life + Love Life according to your tastes.
Already a Dallas resident? Share your input on what you think people should know about the city before moving by leaving a comment below!
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