Leaving Dallas: From High Costs to Quality of Life

Have you ever considered moving to one of the fastest-growing metropolises in America? You might be curious why so many long-term residents are leaving Texas' thriving economic center. This piece discusses the main reasons long-time residents leave Dallas. We'll explore lesser-known issues and whether it's the right choice.

Buckle up as we unveil the lesser-known side of Dallas, Texas, and discover if America’s fourth-largest city is your next dream destination or a cautionary tale. So, before we embark on our insightful tour around the urban core of Dallas, are you looking to move to a new location? Give us a call to begin your real estate journey, whether you're buying or selling.

A Snapshot of Life in the Big D

• Dallas historically stood at Texas' heart but longtime residents now feel constrained.
• The formerly tight-knit Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has swelled into an unwieldy concrete landscape, with sprawl stretching across a mind-boggling 9,000 square miles.
• With exponential growth comes exponential stress, from gnarled traffic to skyrocketing home prices pushing middle-income families to the fringes. 
• Weather, pollution, and lack of parks create daily challenges. For some, city living is no longer rewarding.

Packed Cities and Endless Pavement

Related: Living in Dallas, Texas Pros & Cons - Living in Dallas Metro

As Dallas grew to 1.3 million, unending sprawl spread across its metro. What was once a centralized city core is now spread thin over thousands of square miles of suburban fringe communities, office parks, and strip malls.

The increasing low-density, car-dependent development causes a few key issues:

• Low-density sprawl consumes open space and eats at nature.
• It extends commutes up to an hour as homes and amenities detach

Caught in Traffic

The struggle is real if you've been stuck in Dallas rush hour traffic. The average Dallas commuter spends over 54 hours a year sitting in traffic. This is equal to binge-watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Car Dependency Conundrum

All the sprawl promotes car dependency within city limits. With big box retailers and offices situated along busy thoroughfares rather than walkable town centers, short errands require using a car. This packs the streets with traffic and fills the air with smog.

Nearby suburbs like Plano implemented smarter planning decades ago for those weary of the endless concrete jungle. With mixed-use clusters and walkable neighborhoods, people feel less crowded despite higher density. In the end, residents vote with their wallets. They opt for the lower-stress suburbs just outside Dallas city limits that avoid overcrowding through more balanced, sustainable growth patterns.

The Rush Hour Struggle

Many commuters face rush hour when navigating the Dallas roads. According to the most recent statistics, the average Dallas commuter spends over 54 hours a year sitting in traffic, which is equal to binge-watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. So why is Dallas traffic such a nightmare? The city's design, which promotes reliance on cars, is a contributing factor to the problem.

Urban Design and Commuting Challenges

With miles-long communities and expansive highways, it makes sense to own a car. Long commutes—up to an hour each way—are the outcome of residences and workplaces being far apart. According to one research study, Dallas traffic ranked as the 17th most congested city in the US in 2023. Since a large part of the area was built primarily for driving rather than walking, traffic congestion is now the rule rather than the exception.

Public Transport Limitations

Public transport is available, although it's not always the easiest method to navigate the large metropolis. Relatively speaking, Frisco, Plano, and Allen—as well as other neighboring suburbs—are growing in popularity as havens for people seeking to escape the daily traffic jams in downtown Dallas. Thus, keep in mind that you'll be racing against the clock to avoid traffic jams if you decide to join this rat race.

Dallas Tolls

Tolls and Dallas Driving

Tolls are a big part of driving around Dallas. Some major roads, like Highway 161 and the Bush Turnpike, charge you money every time you use them. Over time, these charges can truly mount up. TollTags are one option to help reduce your toll costs. Instead of stopping to collect cash while you drive through the toll lanes, a TollTag will scan your car and bill your account afterward.

Savings with TollTags

Using a TollTag is said to save you between 10% and 25% compared to paying as you go. However, some people believe that TollTags allows toll companies to charge more overall. If a daily commute involves multiple tolls, you could end up paying hundreds of dollars extra per year, even with the "discount."

Tips for Managing Toll Costs

Our advice is to use free streets when possible instead of relying on tolls all the time. Yes, it may take a few minutes longer sometimes, but you avoid giving money to the toll collectors at every turn. In the end, only you can decide if a TollTag will truly save you more money in the long run. The most important thing may just be having a choice other than taking the toll roads every single day.

Cost of Homeownership in Dallas

First, let's address the foremost issue: housing costs. The median sale price of a house in Dallas as of June 2024 was roughly $431,000, and it has been rising like a determined mountaineer. For tenants, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs about $1,500 per month in rent. Now, I'm not sure about you, but those figures are giving me the chills!

Note:  This data reflects the trends observed in the Dallas housing market

Key Insights

• Consistent Growth: The median home price in Dallas has shown significant growth from $169,970 in 2014 to approximately $399,900 in 2023, reflecting a cumulative increase of 135% over the decade.
• Annual Increase: The average annual increase in home prices has varied, with notable peaks in certain years. The reported price in 2022 was particularly high, but there was a decline in 2023, indicating fluctuations in the market.

Property Tax Pinch

But wait, there's more putting financial pressure on homeowners. Property taxes in Dallas have been increasing, which some residents are feeling the effects of. The annual property tax rate in Dallas is 1.9% of the assessed value of a home, which is higher than average. In comparison, the majority of large Texas cities had rates ranging from 1.5% to 1.8%. Accordingly, the typical Dallas homeowner who owns a $250,000 house spends more than $4,000 in property taxes each year.

Comparing Annual Property Tax Burdens across Top Texas Cities

Note: The above figures are estimates only intended for broad comparative purposes between major Texas cities

Families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to stay in their houses for the long run as a result of the ongoing increase in real estate assessments and prices. One of the reasons why many residents are thinking about moving elsewhere is the cost of their ever-increasing tax payments.

Unpredictable Dallas Weather

The one constant in Dallas life is the weather, which is often erratic and downright wild. Mother Nature certainly keeps things interesting around these regions, with scorching summers and nasty tornadoes. In the summer, it's not uncommon for temperatures to push over 100 degrees, with humidity that'd make a swamp monster sweat.

Thunderstorms and Tornado Season

And don't even get me started on those epic thunderstorms that roll through—they dump buckets faster than an angry ex returning your stuff. Enter spring, and we have another weather phenomenon—tornado season. There can be significant damage left in their wake when tornadoes and hailstorms strike. Severe weather events may be quite frightening and disrupt daily life significantly. They can cause hail as big as golf balls and tornadoes that can make you run for cover.

Living in Dallas may be a rollercoaster, given the city's intense summers and constant threat of severe weather. The thought of enduring intense heat waves and being on the lookout for destructive weather phenomena is enough to discourage some folks from establishing permanent residence in this region of Texas.

Construction Everywhere

As Dallas continues to grow and evolve, the sound of construction becomes an ever-present backdrop to daily life. 

Constant Presence of Development

All around Dallas, it seems like they are always building new things. Roads have potholes while crews work, and new tall buildings and houses are going up too. While progress is good, living under the constant din of construction can be frustrating. Driving to work is like an obstacle course with roads closed and traffic jams all the time. And on weekends, it's hard to relax at home with jackhammers and trucks making noise.

Changing Neighborhoods and Rising Costs

Neighborhoods are changing a lot too. Old houses and stores get torn down to make way for newer, bigger things. This means areas can lose their character and charm fast. It also pushes prices up, making it difficult for many people to afford to live there. Potholes form easily during construction work, and a minor mistake can damage your car's bottom.

The Impact on City Living

Between disruptions, noise, and rapidly changing neighborhoods, it's no surprise construction drives some people away from Dallas. In the suburbs, you always know what to expect instead of navigating a different route or unfamiliar surroundings. So, does the constant presence of construction stress you out? Living farther outside the city, where it's calmer, may sound pretty good to escape the hustle and bustle of Dallas.

School Suburbs to Consider

Finding the right school for your child can significantly influence their educational journey and overall development.

The Importance of Schools in Family Life

Related: Best Private Schools in Dallas

When raising a family, one of the most critical factors to consider is the quality of schools. Several schools in the Dallas area have gained recognition for their distinguished academics and their commitment to developing future leaders.

Notable examples include the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, which offers a specialized program for gifted students, and the Irma Lerma Rangel School, known for its curriculum focused on female leadership. These innovative educational approaches are designed to empower scholars to make a positive impact in their communities.

Mixed Quality of Education in Dallas

The educational landscape in Dallas can be quite varied. While some schools stand out due to their innovative programs and strong academic performance, the overall quality of education fluctuates significantly across the city.

Inner-city schools often face challenges such as overcrowding, which leads to excessive class sizes and limited resources. In these environments, teachers struggle to provide the individualized attention each child needs, making it more difficult for families in disadvantaged areas to access a high-quality education.

Opportunities in the Suburbs

Concerned parents are increasingly opting to relocate to suburban areas outside Dallas, where the educational environment tends to be more favorable. Suburbs like Southlake, McKinney, and Prosper are desirable owing to their smaller class sizes and reduced congestion. By prioritizing their children's educational success, many families are willing to make sacrifices regarding the conveniences of city living to ensure a better future for their kids.

Is it Safe to Live in Dallas?

Even though Dallas has a lower crime rate than other large cities, many citizens are nevertheless concerned about their safety. Based on FBI data, Dallas had a violent crime rate higher than the national average in 2021—1,003 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. Theft and other property crimes have an above-average incidence.

Given these figures and the frequent news reports about violent crimes, some people wonder if Dallas is sufficiently safe, particularly for families with little children. Plano, Frisco, and Allen are nearby suburbs with consistently lower crime statistics that offer more peace of mind.

Some key points:

• Dallas has significantly higher violent and property crime rates than the featured suburbs.
• Plano has the lowest rates of violent crime (under half of Dallas) and property crime.
• All the suburb crime rates are well below national averages, while Dallas exceeds averages for violent crimes.
• Even lower-crime suburbs like Allen and McKinney have violent crime rates roughly half that of Dallas.

With well-patrolled neighborhoods and less stranger danger, many see the suburbs as a significantly safer environment to put down roots.

A New Face of Politics

Dallas's political landscape has changed in tandem with the city's changing demography. Dallas was formerly primarily Republican. But in recent decades, the city has seen a surge in immigration from other regions of the nation, which has forced it to shift to the center and left. Some neighborhoods such as Oak Cliff, Uptown, and North Dallas typically vote Democratic.

Shifts in Cultural Identity

The cultural fabric of Dallas is also transforming as a melting pot of backgrounds enriches the city. Longtime neighborhoods like Oak Cliff and Deep Ellum have seen their identities shift from cowboy culture to craft beer and trendier cuisine as more transplants arrive. This exposure to different lifestyles influences the citywide culture. While diverse, these changes mean some areas now feel unlike what longtime residents once knew.

Building Resonant Communities

As Dallas politics and culture change, some want a community that strongly resonates with their background. For these residents, the desire to find a place with more closely aligned political beliefs, cultural influences, and lifestyle choices factor into deciding to leave the transforming identity of Dallas for a better personal fit elsewhere.

Need Nature? Options are Limited in Dallas

While Dallas boasts pleasant urban parks and lakes, its selection of natural experiences does not fully satisfy outdoor enthusiasts. Locations such as White Rock Lake and Ray Hubbard Lake provide enjoyable spots, but the routine of weekend trips to the same areas can quickly become monotonous. For nature lovers seeking diverse experiences, Dallas often falls short.

A Desire for Diverse Outdoor Activities

Outdoor enthusiasts frequently wonder: where are the hiking trails winding through lush forests and up scenic mountains? Where can one find rivers perfect for kayaking and trout fishing? The variety of outdoor recreational activities in Dallas is limited compared to other regions. Many individuals start to feel confined, yearning for activities like camping under starry skies, foraging for mushrooms, or rock climbing on rugged terrain.

Alternatives Beyond Dallas

The nearest alternatives are few and far between, often limited to watching raccoons in the park after dark. It’s no surprise that those passionate about active, immersive nature experiences may feel cooped up. Consequently, many choose to relocate to areas farther away, such as Waxahachie or Cedar Hill, in search of forests, hills, and ample space to roam freely, enjoying a wider array of experiences that Dallas simply cannot provide.

Fewer Scenic Route Choices

Dallas lacks the dramatic elevation changes found in many other regions.

Limited Topographic Variety

While the flat, open landscape has its appeal, the lack of topographic variety translates to fewer scenic driving routes full of natural beauty. Compare Texas to places with coastlines, rolling hills, or mountain vistas. The identical flat horizon in all directions does little to immerse drivers in a dramatically changing scenery. Long stretches of straight roads through open fields deliver monotony rather than memorable landscapes.

Challenges for Sightseers

For those seeking to regularly explore new sightseeing routes filled with rugged terrain, lush forests, or cascading waterfalls, Dallas offers limited options. Regional day trips must traverse great distances to experience significant scenic diversity.

The absence of topographical features like rugged mountains or sweeping shorelines that define scenic byways in other parts of the country reduces opportunities for scenic local drives bursting with natural visual interest. This can foster a sense of limited outdoor exploration through automobile travel within city limits.

Taking Flight: Exploring New Horizons

This exploration of life in Dallas reveals several compelling factors motivating residents to seek change. While the city remains an economic powerhouse with a vibrant culture, quality-of-life challenges are pushing many long-time locals to spread their wings. 

Through countless client relocations from Dallas and surrounding areas over the past decade, we've helped hundreds of families find their perfect match for work-life balance, community values, affordability, and outdoor lifestyle. Our clients consistently thank us for the sincere guidance, local market expertise, and personal touch that helped make their transition to a new home seamless.

Are you looking for a better balance outside of Dallas's constraints? Our local experts can help guide your next move, whether upgrading to surrounding communities with smaller-town charm or embarking on an entirely new chapter elsewhere in Texas. Contact us to discuss customized relocation options and start planning your escape to prioritize lifestyle and community fit.