What’s the draw to Dallas/DFW?
Posted by freshgold_@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 73 comments
As someone who has been to Dallas a handful of times I never understood why so many people move and continue to move to the dfw. There’s not much natural beauty compared to that of Austin or SA, or coastal/coastal adjacent like Houston. I don’t see what’s so attractive about the highway sprawl and middle-of-nowhere (geographically) that Dallas is.
This isn’t a dig on the city at all, just genuine curiosity
Strict-Blood4673@reddit
I'm moving from Springfield MO to fort Worth area. Same job, less hrs, 30k+ more a yr on salary when I'm hourly in mo. Hwys and drivers suck but so far that's the only downside I've encountered.
Mechaniker23950@reddit
My list of draws and reasons to stay goes back to 1977 when I became a "Dallasite," and sadly, a number of the draws are no longer here. The Village apartments namely The Wildflower, Oak Cliff like it used to be with La Cocina Alegre at Polk and Jefferson, the State Fair, the Old Turnpike, Old Airport 183, Greenville Avenue especially lower, Strawberry Fields on North Greenville, the Sportatorium, the incredible real estate market, the freeways, northpark Mall, the Galleria, Old Town, the incredible array of shops on Harry Hines, community crossing, Preston Center, Central expressway back when you can pull g's under Fitzhugh and Knox, the freeway system in general including the tollway, and most of all downtown and downtown hi-rise living. Now we have the food exchange and Ravenna Porta di Roma, and so many other places to dine and live. Dart will take you anywhere including Fair Park.
LatterLand8601@reddit
Yeah, Dallas isn’t winning awards for natural beauty. The appeal is more practical, tons of corporate HQs, good schools in the suburbs, relatively affordable housing (at least compared to other big metros), and you can fly almost anywhere direct out of DFW or Love field. A lot of people move for careers and end up staying for the convenience.
Admirable_Tax1701@reddit
I’d like to know too because I am born and raised here and I don’t see the appeal for real.
Signal_Ad_5496@reddit
Jobs and winter is great except for February.
Icy-Bandicoot-2677@reddit
The truth? Harry Hines. It attracts a lot of people and it's busy all year around. They never stop working and John's never stop going lol.
goodjuju123@reddit
It’s jobs. Also there’s a myth that it has LCOL but that hasn’t been true in decades.
lFallenOn3l@reddit
Compared to other cities with similar population, its sort of LCOL
UKnowWhoToo@reddit
These days it’s medium COL, at best.
Thetrufflehunter@reddit
I'm moving from Boston and getting half my paycheck back, so that's pretty neat
Binibot@reddit
You lose it in the property taxes instead. I’d imagine it’s kinda close net.
Texas_Lobo@reddit
not really. you would actually pay less tax on a similar home: (Chat GPT) "Even though Massachusetts has a lower tax rate, higher property values can lead to substantial tax bills. For instance, on a median-priced home in 2025:
Binibot@reddit
What kinda of % on mortgages are those 1990s??? Fuckin hell.
Texas_Lobo@reddit
would you believe that my Mom sold an entire subdivision in Arlington Texas of high-end custom homes at 18% interest? There were weekends where there was a steady line of buyers waiting for her to sell them a home, I remember moving more chairs into her model home/sales office.
UKnowWhoToo@reddit
Nice! Is your rent comparable or less?
Thetrufflehunter@reddit
I currently pay 1625 for the smaller room in a 2b2b in a condo. I will be paying roughly the same price for a luxury 1b1b + den in a building with lots of amenities, roughly the same distance from the city. So, same rent but better value.
CoastieKid@reddit
DFW has great value in comparison to NYC, LA, SF, or Chicago
DeeDeeW1313@reddit
Compared to other cities with the same job opportunities DFW 100% has a lower cost of living
EightEnder1@reddit
when I travel back to the Northeast to see family, I often cringe at how expensive things are there.
Depending on the field, pay isn't necessarily higher either. Some fields pay more here, others significantly less.
nonnativetexan@reddit
Every city in the US has grown more expensive. DFW is still affordable relative to other comparable cities.
TheBoyardeeBandit@reddit
We are looking at leaving DFW. From what we've seen, comparing to HCOL areas, such as Denver, housing cost seems to be the big difference. The day to say cost of living seems to be the same or even slightly lower due to lower taxes.
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
We have a major airport here, and being in the middle of the country makes flights to either coast fairly easy to come by, relatively short flight times, and comparatively inexpensive.
And then a smaller secondary airport with Love Field, but it does a fair share of flights too.
Kansas City is also kind of in the middle too, but I think our airports do more flights still.
For people who travel for work, or just need access to various parts of the country, maybe for family reasons, etc, then DFW is a solid place to pick.
8-dragonfly-8@reddit
So you’re saying the draw is that it’s easy to leave /s
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
Well the illusion is there at least 🤣
Puzzleheaded_Ad9492@reddit
MSP is great for that too. Many nonstop flights all over if you fly delta.
whiteholewhite@reddit
Yeah but DFW is leap and bounds better of an airport for everything. I say this as a guy that would absolutely consider moving to Minneapolis
consumer_xxx_42@reddit
could say that about MSP too
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
To be honest, if we left DFW, that’s on our list of places to go.
We have close friends up there and visit frequently. The vibe in their neighborhood is really similar to the one where we live here, and it feels like an easy enough transition.
Save for the winters, but I think we’d get used to it. I lived in northwest Montana before Texas, so I think I can handle northern winters ok, lol.
jdttx@reddit
It's relatively cheap for one of the largest metro areas and conveniently located for business travel, but we're all clinging to an outdated "Texas" that hasn't been true for a long time. I'm embarrassed by this state in a daily basis. If all of the parents weren't right at the age where declining health is a concern, we would already be gone.
scottwax@reddit
Great business environment.
dreamspeedmotorsport@reddit
Idk, the place is a shithole; the whole state mostly is. It builds itself as this cowboy state as part of its marketing but Texas didn't invent cowboys, ranching or any of that. Florida did, which blows my mind-- back in the 1500s. They are the oldest and original place of birth of all that. Texas is a place where bankers, used car salesmen, tax collectors and ambulance chasing lawyers wear Cattlemen's hats.....and that tells me all I need to about a place.
I moved from a southern state to Texas and never again will I ever step foot there. When Davy Crockett said, you can go to hell, I will go to Texas-- I really don't understand why you'd send yourself to a place worse than hell. Crime, people, culture, the stupidity it's all fake and dysfunctional-- except the crime and the stupidity. That's far too real. Oh, and the boredom. There's nothing to do ever.
So to answer your question, idk. We did it, and it was such a dumpster, despite our best attempts to convince ourselves to like it. In the end, we couldn't because there's not much to like.
BaldMurse69@reddit
The atmosphere is also somewhat more professional than, say, Houston which I consider ghetto and a bit less habitable than DFW.
freshgold_@reddit (OP)
The pretentious Dallasite that calls Houston ghetto 💔
BaldMurse69@reddit
Not sure if even call my self a “Dallasite[?]”
I’ve spent extensive time in Houston and also Dallas. Having spent several years in oil and gas I have been exposed to most mid-to-large Texas cities. I can formulate an opinion that’s more-or-less accurate.
Yes, Houston is generally ghetto and considered to have a less “professional” atmosphere than Dallas. It’s not a dig. It has a ‘hustle’ atmosphere. Which isn’t a dig.
GoodHomeInspection@reddit
What I’m seeing in these images is a sagging Lintel. The lintel wasn’t sized properly, and/or weep-holes had not been installed along the lintel to help the brickwork shed moisture. If this is above a garage entry, a lintel insert is an affordable and permanent solution. If it’s over a window, then the lintel needs to be reinstalled. Strengthen the lintel, then repair or re-point the mortar.
Don’t waste your time repairing the brickwork without first correcting the lintel. The crack is merely a symptom.
Dry_Peak_5335@reddit
Just because YOU don’t see the natural beauty doesn’t mean that others don’t. Besides, I didn’t know the cities in Texas were competing in a beauty contest lol 🩷😂
Primary_Excuse_7183@reddit
I say this everytime i hear that statement 😂 no mountains, no beaches but there’s plenty of beauty. Find you a park, find you a lake.
Suitable-Deer3611@reddit
Exactly. Chicago is literally the same weather aside and gets far less hate lol
Primary_Excuse_7183@reddit
Flat with a few nature preserves 😂 and a gorgeous lakefront. but point taken.
ApprehensiveAnswer5@reddit
I’ll go ahead and toss in ETX here.
Sitting around a campfire at the shore of a lake, surrounded by piney woods and wide open night sky is a favorite thing about Texas for me!
I will also second the Franklin Mountains and El Paso.
And yes, I’ve lived in “scenic” parts of the country. I moved here from the WA-ID-MT area, also lived in northern Colorado.
I still think there are beautiful parts of Texas too, people just don’t want to leave the city to find them.
MoreMeLessU@reddit
If there was, the Austin San Antonio soon to be megalopolis would be it.
Dry_Peak_5335@reddit
Really? I feel like lowkey El Paso would win because imo having a city in the desert gives it an “edge”. What the heck, maybe this beauty contest thing should be real!! 🌇🏜️
MoreMeLessU@reddit
To be fair I have only passed thru El Paso, so might have to reserve judgement til then.
nari-bhat@reddit
As someone who’s lived in Houston, Dallas, and El Paso, plus is in Austin right now, I can pretty confidently say El Paso beats Austin. The parks and trees are great in Austin and I think it beats most other Texas cities, but the Franklin Mountains in El Paso are just so striking and so beautiful.
CoastieKid@reddit
No state income tax, great airport situation, hit the softest by recessions compared to other metroplexes, veteran friendly, business friendly
Cool_Programmer_3732@reddit
Safety
HaidarBoss@reddit
Its a great place to live and raise a family but bad to visit or do anything touristy. Good weather 8 months of the year. Very well kept and clean. Generally speaking very safe. People seem to be happy here and there is a general positive outlook toward life. I moved here from the northeast and aside from natural beauty DFW is way better. I dont miss the depressing gritty vibe, dysfunctional social scene and the bitter cold
bahamapapa817@reddit
It used to be a preferred destination. It’s changed in the wrong direction but people still hold on to what Texas used to be.
DeeDeeW1313@reddit
Major metropolitan area. Option to make great pay with a relatively low cost of living.
lastcalltimetogohome@reddit
I moved here for jobs and more potential dating scene as a gay man. Moved from west texas area about 20 yrs ago.
TexasBaconMan@reddit
Dad’s job brought us here in 83. Just never left.
RandyChampagne@reddit
...skilled jobs, SKILLED.
AP_722@reddit
A job and LCOL. But after living here a minute, I’m with you, OP. I don’t get it.
PomeloPepper@reddit
Jobs and convenience. It's rare not to be able to find virtually anything you want here.
And if you like to try different foods, the DFW area has a huge international food scene.
pacochalk@reddit
"Why doesn't everyone just live in Maui?"
Archgate82@reddit
We moved here for jobs.
No_Obligation5739@reddit
As a Dallasite, I agree.
CatsNSquirrels@reddit
Native Texan. I left for the northeast 3 years ago. I’ve spoken to a number of people here who’ve said they wanted to move to Texas. Their impression is it’s cheap and low taxes, and they think the weather is pleasantly warm year round.
When I start explaining the realities (current cost of living, property tax, sales tax, tolls, etc. and also the tough climate), every single one has said, “Oh, I guess I didn’t know it was like that.” And most of them change their minds on wanting to go.
TXWayne@reddit
Sure Houston has the coast but have you spent any time driving in Houston?
freshgold_@reddit (OP)
Yep, it’s where I’m from..
gibbyhikes@reddit
Still asking myself this question.
23mou-sapnu-puas@reddit
Money
Beaver-on-fire@reddit
I only moved here because I was offered a job after being out of work for two years. I want to move, but finding a new job elsewhere under the our new king's reign is proving to be challenging.
DookieMcDookface@reddit
Jerbs
toastagog@reddit
They took er jerbs!
KawaiiDere@reddit
Family, jobs, cute trains with bad coverage and frequency, has existing infrastructure so it’s cheaper than moving everyone, hometown, some fancy neighborhoods, cheaper than some parts of Cali
Nappy_By_Nature@reddit
The Sugar scene is incredible.
pasak1987@reddit
Jobs, relatively lower col for it's size
karnivoreballer@reddit
It's a great place to raise a family, primarily without the kids having severe mental health issues. It had good weather and good food year round and there are great churches and communities you can join. It's not a party city per se but it's a place to settle down.
Setsailshipwreck@reddit
I moved for the airport, live 45min outside the city. Dallas has good flights between here and my fiancés home country. Makes it easier for us to visit eachother while we’re waiting for a K1 visa. Also my horse is loving all the green grass out here vs where we used to live up in a chaparral biome.
Primary_Excuse_7183@reddit
Historically jobs paid well compared to COL. Employers from a number of industries gives variety and resilience to the job market. the growth of the metro is attractive because it’s meant there’s always new builds going up which many people like. 2 major airports and 2 airlines HQd here means flight prices are competitive when you need to get away.
If you’re looking to become a homeowner and live a middle class suburban lifestyle without paying NY or LA prices… DFW was a bargain. there’s Chicago as well but who wants to put up with 6+ months of potential snow.
mentalscribbles@reddit
Jobs, a major international airport, many good school districts, lower housing prices (until you look at property tax). Fairly temperate weather most of the year.
Pit_27@reddit
Job offers