Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Neighborhoods and Communities |
The vast chunk of territory in and around Dallas/Fort Worth is comprised of 200 cities and 12 counties, and is commonly called the Metroplex. The Metroplex can be intimidating to newcomers when faced with the choice of selecting a place to call home because of the sheer options available. It is no surprise that some people may be wondering where to start. The following information will give you an overview of regions and neighborhoods to select from. Having many choices in this large real estate market means the opportunity to find a home that truly matches your lifestyle, taste, and priorities at a price the suits your budget is much greater here than most other metropolitan cities.
Quality of life and cost of living are two factors which are attracting young professionals, empty-nesters, and established families alike. A strong real estate market is sustaining the economy while providing affordable, convenient apartments to those not ready to buy, and elegant homes at many price levels for those who are.
Texas is estimated to be the third most transient state in the nation but more people are moving in (50 percent more according to Daily Real Estate News) than moving out which means Texas is preparing for a population increase of substantial size in the next few decades. In response to the current and future demand, builders are starting construction on master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, apartments, and condominiums. Older homes are remodeled or restored to satisfy market demand while some existing buildings are being repurposed as lofts for the demographic that wish to be void of a commute while also being able to live, work, and play in the same central location.
COMMUNITY COMPOSITION
You may be new to Dallas/Fort Worth but you are not alone. Only slightly more than half of the population are native Texans, leaving 26.5 percent relocating from another state and 17.7 percent being foreign born. According to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, White Americans comprised 69.2 percent of the population, Black or African American 14 percent and Asians 4.8 percent.
The average household size in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 2.84 people. The percentage of family households is 69.1 of which 36.6 percent have children under the age of 18. Of the population age 25 years and older, 20.3 percent earned a bachelor’s degree and 9.4 percent earned a graduate or professional degree. The median age for residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA is 33.2, which is younger than the national average of 36.8 years.
HOME FINDING RESOURCES
Once you have decided to purchase a home or rent property in Dallas/Fort Worth, there are many resources available to assist in the process. One such resource is the MetroTex Association of REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict code of ethics. The MetroTex association has over 14,000 professional members who are highly trained to work in all aspects of the real estate industry.
MetroTex Association of Realtors
8201 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75247
www.dfwrealtors.com
Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas
Local # 4524
5816 West Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
www.dallasbuilders.com
Greater Fort Worth Builders Association
Local # 4530
70001 Boulevard 26, Suite 323
Fort Worth, TX 76180
www.fortworthbuilders.org
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Before the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened in 1974, Fort Worth and Dallas were the cities where most people settled in North Texas. After the airport opening, numerous towns suddenly found themselves just as desirable as other metropolitan cities. These little known towns and unincorporated areas were mostly farm land in the early 1900s and remained somewhat anonymous until the chance to attract residents and businesses presented itself. New suburbs sprouted while existing ones flourished and overall the area boomed in the 1990s and again in present day. While each part of the Metroplex has something unique to offer a new resident, narrowing your search will likely come down to where you work and how long or short you’d like your commute to be. Using your place of business as a focal point will allow you to start your search of communities within a particular radius. Of course other factors are highly important too, such as private and public schools, culture and arts, and neighborhood composition. Decide which few features are most important and will triumph other attributes so you can always think back to them when weighing all possibilities.
DALLAS/FORT WORTH CENTRAL
Dallas:
The city slogan, “Live Large. Think Big”, is an appropriate motto that can be seen in spirit of the high-rise condos, first-rate entertainment venues, and numerous retail stores that line the streets. The humble beginnings which founded the city in the mid-1800s are a far cry from what is now the ninth-largest city in the U.S. As most thriving cities are, Dallas is composed of districts and areas commonly known by locals as the following:
Quality of life and cost of living are two factors which are attracting young professionals, empty-nesters, and established families alike. A strong real estate market is sustaining the economy while providing affordable, convenient apartments to those not ready to buy, and elegant homes at many price levels for those who are.
Texas is estimated to be the third most transient state in the nation but more people are moving in (50 percent more according to Daily Real Estate News) than moving out which means Texas is preparing for a population increase of substantial size in the next few decades. In response to the current and future demand, builders are starting construction on master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, apartments, and condominiums. Older homes are remodeled or restored to satisfy market demand while some existing buildings are being repurposed as lofts for the demographic that wish to be void of a commute while also being able to live, work, and play in the same central location.
COMMUNITY COMPOSITION
You may be new to Dallas/Fort Worth but you are not alone. Only slightly more than half of the population are native Texans, leaving 26.5 percent relocating from another state and 17.7 percent being foreign born. According to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, White Americans comprised 69.2 percent of the population, Black or African American 14 percent and Asians 4.8 percent.
The average household size in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is 2.84 people. The percentage of family households is 69.1 of which 36.6 percent have children under the age of 18. Of the population age 25 years and older, 20.3 percent earned a bachelor’s degree and 9.4 percent earned a graduate or professional degree. The median age for residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA is 33.2, which is younger than the national average of 36.8 years.
HOME FINDING RESOURCES
Once you have decided to purchase a home or rent property in Dallas/Fort Worth, there are many resources available to assist in the process. One such resource is the MetroTex Association of REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict code of ethics. The MetroTex association has over 14,000 professional members who are highly trained to work in all aspects of the real estate industry.
MetroTex Association of Realtors
8201 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75247
www.dfwrealtors.com
If you are in the market for a new home, a good resource is the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association which are local branches of The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB is a trade association with a focus on building quality homes at affordable prices for their consumers. With over 800 state and local associations, NAHB’s members build 80 percent of new homes in the U.S. annually. The local associations provide consumers with members’ profiles and products and help find planned communities and developments.
Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas
Local # 4524
5816 West Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
www.dallasbuilders.com
Greater Fort Worth Builders Association
Local # 4530
70001 Boulevard 26, Suite 323
Fort Worth, TX 76180
www.fortworthbuilders.org
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Before the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened in 1974, Fort Worth and Dallas were the cities where most people settled in North Texas. After the airport opening, numerous towns suddenly found themselves just as desirable as other metropolitan cities. These little known towns and unincorporated areas were mostly farm land in the early 1900s and remained somewhat anonymous until the chance to attract residents and businesses presented itself. New suburbs sprouted while existing ones flourished and overall the area boomed in the 1990s and again in present day. While each part of the Metroplex has something unique to offer a new resident, narrowing your search will likely come down to where you work and how long or short you’d like your commute to be. Using your place of business as a focal point will allow you to start your search of communities within a particular radius. Of course other factors are highly important too, such as private and public schools, culture and arts, and neighborhood composition. Decide which few features are most important and will triumph other attributes so you can always think back to them when weighing all possibilities.
DALLAS/FORT WORTH CENTRAL
Dallas:
The city slogan, “Live Large. Think Big”, is an appropriate motto that can be seen in spirit of the high-rise condos, first-rate entertainment venues, and numerous retail stores that line the streets. The humble beginnings which founded the city in the mid-1800s are a far cry from what is now the ninth-largest city in the U.S. As most thriving cities are, Dallas is composed of districts and areas commonly known by locals as the following:
1
2
3
4
5
