Saddle up buckaroos because we think that moving to Dallas, TX may just be the smartest move you make next. With gorgeous skylines, affordable housing, and booming new industries, you’ll be happier than a hog in mud. Many people think of Austin or San Antonio when then consider making the move to the Lone Star State, but we’re here to tell you that Dallas may just be the most underrated contender. 

To convince you, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best reasons that you should consider moving to Dallas, TX. Take a look, mull it over, and next thing you know you might just be packing up the wagon and heading west to Dallas. 

Housing Prices That’ll Make You Holler

First off, one of the best reasons to move to Dallas is that housing in and around the city is still pretty darn affordable. While some areas in the country — think California, New York, and even Austin, TX — are seeing housing prices that’ll make your eyes water, Dallas remains a great place to get some space and raise a family. 

Just a hair over $226,000, the average housing price in Dallas is plenty affordable for many different income brackets. The American dream of a two-story house with a big yard for the dog and a two-car garage is totally feasible in Dallas, especially if you’re working with a double-income family. It definitely makes you wonder why anyone would consider living in a place like San Francisco!

If you’re not looking to buy just yet, don’t frown. Rentals in Dallas are affordable as well. In fact, you can get a new rental in DFW starting at $647. With rent prices easily topping 2k for a one bedroom in some coastal locales, you’ll be living large in your spacious Dallas apartment with plenty of money left over for fun. Speaking of which, let’s talk about money for a minute. 

Texas-Sized Booming Economy

Texas is growing, no doubt about it. And among the boom towns surging up in the Great State is Dallas. There are tons of industries that are rapidly growing in the city, bringing more wealth into town, and with it, plenty of jobs. Here’s just a taste of the industries currently booming in the Dallas area:

  • Tech and engineering
  • Media and communications
  • Healthcare
  • Petroleum 
  • Finance
  • Food and agriculture

With job boards practically overflowing with new positions, and growing companies eager to reward ambitious talent, it’s no wonder why so many younger people who have been burned out by the high prices and sparse job prospects of coastal cities are turning to towns like Dallas for their next big career move. 

Factor in that lower rent we talked about, and you’re fixing to set yourself with a mighty fine slice of pie by making the move to Dallas. However, if that hasn’t got you sold, there’s still more to love about the city and the surrounding area. 

Natural Beauty You’ll Tip Your Hat to

If you’re a lover of nature, then moving to Dallas might be just what you need. Yes, you read that right; we’re not talking about Denver or Portland—we’re talking about Dallas, TX. Located in Northeastern Texas, the Dallas Fort Worth area offers a bit of the Southern charm you might find hiking in a state like Louisiana, while also boasting views closer to what you might expect in the Great Plains. 

Looking for a few trails near Dallas to get you excited about the big move? These are some of our favorites:

  •  The Cedar Brake Trail located in the Cedar Ridge Preserve
  • Oak Cliff Nature Preserve Trail
  • Boulder Park Trail
  • Cedar Ridge Outer Loop

Getting outdoors is definitely something you’ll want to do if you live in Dallas. Plus, with many trails allowing mountain biking, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your outdoor recreation game. 

Plenty of Art ’n Culture

Now, when you think of big cities known for their art and culture, you probably think of the theater in New York, the art museums in LA, or even the Seattle and Nashville music scenes. But what many people neglect to realize is that Dallas Texas has a mighty fine arts and culture scene of its own, too!

And trust us, we’re not all hat and no cattle. The Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous arts district in the US. With museums, events centers, theaters, zoos, and plenty of boutiques, you’ll find more culture in the city than you can shake a stick at. Plus there are tons of bistros, gastropubs, cafes, and other fancy style places that serve everything on a brioche bun, so you’ll never go hungry while taking in the arts. 

Here are just a few of the city’s famous museums you may want to poke your head into:

  • The Dallas Museum of Art
  • Perot Museum of Nature and Science
  • Nasher Sculpture Center
  • Crow Museum of Asian Art
  • Dallas Contemporary
  • Museum of Biblical Art

Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore each destination!

Central Location for Any Destination

Lastly, one of the best things about moving to Dallas is that it’s centrally located in the USA. Let’s say your mom lives in St. Petersburg, your dad moved to Reno, and your best friends from college are all living up and down the coasts. It can be hard finding the right place to settle down where you can feel close to everyone even though they live thousands of miles away.

We’ve got the solution for you: Dallas, Texas. With luxury hotels and the massive DFW International Airport flying out to just about everywhere in the country, you won’t have a hard time finding a flight to where you need to be for that special birthday party or retirement celebration. Plus, because Dallas is smack in the middle of the country, you’ll never be more than a few hours’ plane flight away from your kin. 

Trust us: moving to Dallas might just be the smartest decision you make this year. With plenty to love for just about everyone, and all at a reasonable price compared to many other parts of the country, you’ll settle into D-Town more eager than a pig to persimmons.