Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Dallas at a Glance |
Now that you’ve settled in to your new home and neighborhood, it’s time to take care of a few immediate tasks, including applying for a Texas driver’s license and registering your vehicle. You’ll also find answers to your commuting questions, including which freeways connect the area to places beyond and an overview of public transportation. Learn about local laws which may differ from your previous city, plus what you need to know about registering to vote. After you’ve completed your essential tasks, enjoy some area attractions and historic sites which are highlighted for your convenience.
Originally inhabited by the Caddo Native Americans, then claimed by Spain, France, and Mexico during the following years, the territory in Northern Texas has been sought after for decades. It wasn’t until 1841 that present-day Dallas was settled by John Neely Bryan. Bryan chose the east bank of the Trinity River with the idea of establishing a trading post to serve the population migrating into the region but it is unclear why the name Dallas (now nicknamed “Big D”) was selected. Some believe that the city’s namesake comes from George Mifflin Dallas, the U.S. Vice President under James Knox Polk. Around the same time, an army outpost was established several miles west, called Fort Worth. As the last major stop on the cattle trail which made its way north to market, Fort Worth soon picked up the moniker “Hell’s Half Acre” because of the gambling parlors, saloons, and dance halls which catered to the cowboys. Fort Worth is now more commonly called “Cowtown”. In 2003 the U.S. Census Bureau decided to name Dallas, Fort Worth, and all cities in 10 surrounding counties, the Metroplex.
POLITICS
According to America by the Bay Area Center for Voting Research, Plano and Arlington are two of the top 25 most conservative cities in the U.S., which is common for a large evangelical Protestant Christian society. Overwhelmingly, national and federal legislators representing Dallas are Republican. However, voting patterns show that behind Austin and El Paso, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the third most liberal in Texas. Downtown Dallas has the largest number of liberals and as you travel away from Downtown the number of conservatives increase. Presently, the upper-middle class of north Dallas suburbs are usually Republicans but the city of Dallas generally votes for Democratic political candidates in local, state, and national elections. As cultures diversify it is expected that the political environment will also.
RELIGION IN DALLAS
Being located in the Bible Belt means there is a large Protestant Christian influence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, as one might expect. The Catholic Church plays a substantial role in the Dallas area with 70 parishes in the Dallas Diocese and three Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Located in the Arts District, the Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe is one of only a few original downtown buildings that date back to the nineteenth century. The Catholic Church order of the Society of Jesus operates the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and is active in the community. Many Christian denominations including Methodist, Baptist, and Lutheran have churches throughout the region, much like other metropolitan cities. Southern Methodist University, University of Dallas, and Dallas Baptist University are private universities in the area which were founded on their respective religious principles and have many churches near their campuses. In addition to Christian worship centers, many other religions are represented in Dallas/Fort Worth and have brought a more diverse spiritual landscape. The Jewish religion in Dallas dates back to 1875 when the first local congregation was formed. Now Dallas and its surrounding suburbs have one of the largest Jewish communities in the United States which is centered around Temple Emanu-El on Hillcrest Road. In north Dallas cities and northeastern portions of Dallas, is a large Muslim community represented by The Islamic Society of Denton and the oldest mosque in Texas. Nearly 50 mosques’ are in Greater Dallas. There is also a sizable Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness community throughout Dallas and surrounding suburbs. As the Metroplex continues to become a global community, varied cultures will add to the religious setting in which there are already some Buddhist, Sikh, and Hindu populations.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY/QUALITY OF LIFE
The Metroplex has many reasons to appeal to individuals and families wanting a metropolitan city with suburban options. The low cost of living and lower-than-average home prices are ideal for families looking to stretch their dollars while providing a comfortable environment for their children. With varied industries and corporate headquarters in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, parents have plenty of professional opportunities that can be accessed within a reasonable commute. Dallas is the least-densely populated major metropolitan area in the world so even downtown living won’t feel too cramped. Mild winters and hot, dry summers are suitable for outdoor activities. Green space is used almost year-round under the average daily temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Many area attractions and museums cater to children, like the Museum of Nature & Science’s Children Museum and the Dallas World Aquarium. K-12 education is held in high regard with prestigious private schools and nationally ranked public schools amid the best according to U.S. News & World Report. Lastly, the Dallas/Fort Worth area has been ranked among the seven most livable urban complexes in the world.
Originally inhabited by the Caddo Native Americans, then claimed by Spain, France, and Mexico during the following years, the territory in Northern Texas has been sought after for decades. It wasn’t until 1841 that present-day Dallas was settled by John Neely Bryan. Bryan chose the east bank of the Trinity River with the idea of establishing a trading post to serve the population migrating into the region but it is unclear why the name Dallas (now nicknamed “Big D”) was selected. Some believe that the city’s namesake comes from George Mifflin Dallas, the U.S. Vice President under James Knox Polk. Around the same time, an army outpost was established several miles west, called Fort Worth. As the last major stop on the cattle trail which made its way north to market, Fort Worth soon picked up the moniker “Hell’s Half Acre” because of the gambling parlors, saloons, and dance halls which catered to the cowboys. Fort Worth is now more commonly called “Cowtown”. In 2003 the U.S. Census Bureau decided to name Dallas, Fort Worth, and all cities in 10 surrounding counties, the Metroplex.
POLITICS
According to America by the Bay Area Center for Voting Research, Plano and Arlington are two of the top 25 most conservative cities in the U.S., which is common for a large evangelical Protestant Christian society. Overwhelmingly, national and federal legislators representing Dallas are Republican. However, voting patterns show that behind Austin and El Paso, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the third most liberal in Texas. Downtown Dallas has the largest number of liberals and as you travel away from Downtown the number of conservatives increase. Presently, the upper-middle class of north Dallas suburbs are usually Republicans but the city of Dallas generally votes for Democratic political candidates in local, state, and national elections. As cultures diversify it is expected that the political environment will also.
RELIGION IN DALLAS
Being located in the Bible Belt means there is a large Protestant Christian influence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, as one might expect. The Catholic Church plays a substantial role in the Dallas area with 70 parishes in the Dallas Diocese and three Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Located in the Arts District, the Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe is one of only a few original downtown buildings that date back to the nineteenth century. The Catholic Church order of the Society of Jesus operates the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and is active in the community. Many Christian denominations including Methodist, Baptist, and Lutheran have churches throughout the region, much like other metropolitan cities. Southern Methodist University, University of Dallas, and Dallas Baptist University are private universities in the area which were founded on their respective religious principles and have many churches near their campuses. In addition to Christian worship centers, many other religions are represented in Dallas/Fort Worth and have brought a more diverse spiritual landscape. The Jewish religion in Dallas dates back to 1875 when the first local congregation was formed. Now Dallas and its surrounding suburbs have one of the largest Jewish communities in the United States which is centered around Temple Emanu-El on Hillcrest Road. In north Dallas cities and northeastern portions of Dallas, is a large Muslim community represented by The Islamic Society of Denton and the oldest mosque in Texas. Nearly 50 mosques’ are in Greater Dallas. There is also a sizable Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness community throughout Dallas and surrounding suburbs. As the Metroplex continues to become a global community, varied cultures will add to the religious setting in which there are already some Buddhist, Sikh, and Hindu populations.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY/QUALITY OF LIFE
The Metroplex has many reasons to appeal to individuals and families wanting a metropolitan city with suburban options. The low cost of living and lower-than-average home prices are ideal for families looking to stretch their dollars while providing a comfortable environment for their children. With varied industries and corporate headquarters in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, parents have plenty of professional opportunities that can be accessed within a reasonable commute. Dallas is the least-densely populated major metropolitan area in the world so even downtown living won’t feel too cramped. Mild winters and hot, dry summers are suitable for outdoor activities. Green space is used almost year-round under the average daily temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Many area attractions and museums cater to children, like the Museum of Nature & Science’s Children Museum and the Dallas World Aquarium. K-12 education is held in high regard with prestigious private schools and nationally ranked public schools amid the best according to U.S. News & World Report. Lastly, the Dallas/Fort Worth area has been ranked among the seven most livable urban complexes in the world.
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