Moved from Chicago to DFW 4 years ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me.
The good:
- No state income tax. This alone was a 4-5% raise.
- Cost of living is lower (but closing the gap fast)
- Job market is enormous — DFW has more Fortune 500 HQs than any metro except NYC
- Food scene is world-class and diverse
- People are genuinely friendly
The bad:
- Property taxes are brutal. No income tax but 2.1-2.5% property tax. On a $400K house that's $8,400-10,000/year.
- You NEED a car. DART exists but it's not a real transit system. Budget $400-600/month for car + insurance + gas.
- Summer heat is not a joke. 100+ degrees for weeks. June-September you live indoors or in pools.
- Toll roads everywhere. The DNT, PGBT, Sam Rayburn — budget $100-200/month in tolls if you commute on them.
- Sprawl. Dallas to Fort Worth is 35 miles. "DFW" is the size of some states. Your friend in Frisco and your friend in Arlington live 50+ miles apart.
Neighborhood guide for transplants:
- From NYC/Chicago: Start in Uptown or Lower Greenville. Most urban feel.
- From LA: Bishop Arts or Deep Ellum. Creative vibes.
- From suburbs elsewhere: Frisco, McKinney, Southlake. You'll feel at home.
Sources:
- Tax Foundation — Texas vs. other states tax comparison
- Zillow — DFW cost of living data
- NCTCOG — DFW transportation data
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — DFW metro employment data
Summer heat deserves its own post. My first July here I thought my car was going to melt. 108 degrees and the steering wheel is lava.