•
•
•
•
- BBB Resource Centre
- Immigration News
- Moving Overseas
- Finding A Job Overseas
- Buying Property Overseas
About Dallas
Dallas, Texas is located in the southern United States, centrally located for both travel and commerce. Often depicted as a cow town in television, movies and literature, Dallas is this and much more. Dallas is a big city with small town friendliness.
As you would expect from a city in Texas, big means big! The Dallas metropolitan area has grown into the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, trailing only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
On arrival in Dallas it does not feel as though you are in one of the world's largest cities. Dallas and its surrounding communities are more spread out than in most traditional large cities - if there is one thing there is no shortage of in Texas, it is land, including almost 1,000 square kilometers (385 square miles) that calls itself metropolitan Dallas.
Money and the Cost of Living in Dallas
Dallas is a highly affordable city to live in, undercutting other big cities in the United States by a wide margin. You will find residential property values are affordable and housing options are plentiful. Consumer goods also have affordable price tags in Dallas.Further good news is that Texas has no state income tax.
Money goes further in Dallas than in many other large cities in the United States.
Work and Business
Many large employers as based in Dallas.Companies such as American Airlines, JC Penny's, EDS, Southwest Airlines, Tandy (Radio Shack), Texas Instruments, Boeing, LTD, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, Nokia, Motorola and Raytheon all have a significant presence.
The tech-sector in Dallas offers its employees well-paid positions and the city has been a high-tech hub for many years.
The city's technology corridor is home to many large technology companies, supported by thousands of smaller, related businesses. The aerospace industry and semi-conductor industries are both well represented.
The approximate split of technology industries in Dallas is as follows:
- 40% aerospace manufacturers and computer and electronics industries.
- 30% technology services including ISPs, software publishers, telecommunications and data processing companies.
- 30% others - including defense contractors, service industries, etc.
Dallas' Climate
Dallas has a humid subtropical climate. The weather can be extreme in the summer months with an average July high of 96 degrees Fahrenheit; 100 degree Fahrenheit days are not uncommon. Fortunately, the average low in winter is still well above freezing. If you can handle the hot summers, Dallas rewards you with mild winters.Popular Neighborhoods in Dallas
Among the most popular neighborhoods in Dallas are the burgeoning suburbs to the north. Popular northern suburbs, catering to different tastes and different sizes of bank balance, include older communities like Plano and newer communities like Frisco and Allen. These areas offer progressive school systems, affordable living, and also enjoy extremely low-crime rates. All of the amenities any suburban family could require are available in these areas. If you are sufficiently wealthy, you could consider living in neighborhoods like Highland Park and Park Cities. These are among the most upscale neighborhoods in the entire United States.Education
Several good schools are available in the higher education sector in Dallas.Public schools include the University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, Collin County College and Tarrant County College.
Private schools include Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas Christian University in nearby Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan and Texas Women's College in nearby Denton.
Getting Around Dallas
Public transportation is becoming more important in Dallas, but the city remains very much a drive your own car sort of place. The train system now covers the vast majority of the metropolitan area, allowing you to live 30 miles or more from downtown Dallas without having to fight traffic.Two airports, including Dallas-Fort Worth International - one of the busiest airports in the world - are conveniently located for Dallas.