Plano

Plano is a suburb of the Dallas Fort worth Metroplex and has been rated amongst the best places to live in the southwest by many notable publication including Forbes and CNN Money magazines. Plano is ranked as one of the best for a variety of reasons including the higher quality of education in the school system and comparatively low crime rates by comparison to state and national levels. The cost of living in Plano is 2.5% lower than the national averages and 5.1% higher than the State averages. The median household income is over $80,000 annually which is 45.7% higher than the national average and 58.4% higher than state averages. Plano is home a number of corporate headquarters, including Frito-Lay, JCPenny, and Dr. Pepper.

North Dallas

North Dallas refers to the suburbs north of the city proper and downtown complex, since Dallas has grown significantly in the last few decades the area known as “North Dallas” has grown as well, but has maintained its pedigree as one of the best places to live in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. North Dallas has an average median income of $71,985 which is 39.6% higher than state averages. The North Dallas area is a desirable place to live due to its low crime rate, schools, pristine parks, and Amenities. North Dallas is home to a number of corporations such as Texas Instruments.

Oak Cliff

Incorporated in 1890 with a population of 2,470, Oak Cliff is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dallas and has that turn of the century architectural charm with large lot sizes that so many people find appealing. Its close proximity to the Downtown business district, local amenities and its stable housing market add to Oak Cliffs desirability. The real charm of the neighborhood is its history and culture. Musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and T-Bone Walker Called Oak Cliff home. Oak Cliff is also the setting of the novel “City Limits” by Lantzee Miller.

City Center District

If you are an urbanite that loves to be in the center of it all then the City Center District of Dallas is where you want to be. Within a short walking distance in any direction you have restaurants, libraries, cafés and upscale shopping. The low crime rates, good schools and local amenities outweigh the higher cost of living which is on par with the national average and 11.9% higher than the city of Dallas as a whole. The median house values are over$220,000, and with so many amenities and proximity to corporate headquarters, the housing market is stable and on the rise.

Fort Worth Neighborhoods

Downtown

Like the City Center District of Dallas, The Downtown District of Fort Worth gives the aspiring urbanite access to entertainment and culture along with business and commerce all within walking distance. With 48% lower crime rates than Fort Worth as a whole and High School Graduation rate over 80% it would seem the Downtown district has the complete package. The median home value is just over $200,000 and the average rental rate of over $1100, so the Downtown district can have a higher cost of living than other areas in Fort Worth.

Wedgewood

Wedgewood can be found to the southwest of the Fort Worth city center and is an affordable and quaint suburban neighborhood with a cost of living that is 8.7% lower than the national averages. The median home value is roughly $140,000 and going up due to a strong economy in Fort Worth and in the state of Texas as a whole. The rise in home values can also be attributed to a strong education system that has a high school graduation rate of over 80%. The suburb would not be complete without a variety of parks, libraries, and shopping centers all of which Wedgewood has in abundance.

Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights can be found roughly four miles from the central business district of Fort Worth. Its rolling hills and grass lands were ideal ranch land prior to the turn of the twentieth century and has since been developed into an quaint suburban neighborhood with its own historic nostalgia. Arlington Heights proximity to the Cultural districts and Business districts make it a highly desirable suburb to live in. The neighborhood has a strong Education system with a high school graduation rate of over 80% and low crime rates, being almost 60% lower than Fort Worth as a whole. With a strong education system, a feeling of safety and within minutes to places for work and play, Arlington Heights become a very desirable place to live.

Richland Hills

Richland Hills is approximately nine miles from the Fort Worth city center and twenty three miles from the Dallas city center. Being on the outskirts of both cities lends to the suburbs lower cost of living, being nearly 3% lower  than the Texas Average and almost 10% lower than the national averages. The median home value is roughly $148,000 which is 18.4% lower than national averages. The housing market is on an upswing since the Great Recession due to a strong local and state GDP.

These are only a few of the many and varied neighborhoods that can be found in the Dallas Fort Worth area. It is always helpful to research the area you are planning on relocating to so that you can have as smooth of a transition as possible.