Moving to Dallas-Fort Worth? Discover the Best Suburbs, Homes & Schools

Explore DFW’s top-ranked suburbs, real estate trends, and relocation tips for families and professionals

Learn About Living in Dallas Fort Worth

Learn About Living in Dallas–Fort Worth

Discover the culture, lifestyle, and what it’s like to call Dallas-Fort Worth home.

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Dallas Fort Worth Suburb Guide

Dallas–Fort Worth Suburbs Guide

Explore top suburbs, local insights, pros & cons, and what makes each area unique.

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Start browsing homes across DFW and customize your perfect relocation plan.

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📊 DFW Metro by the Numbers

Thinking about relocating? Here are the key facts families and professionals want to know about Dallas–Fort Worth.

7.9M+
Metro Population
4th largest in the U.S. (2025)
🏠 $410K
Median Home Price
Well below many major metros
0%
State Income Tax
Keep more of what you earn
3.6%
Unemployment Rate
Thriving job market (2025)
A+
Top School Districts
Frisco, Southlake, Coppell & more
61%
Homeownership Rate
Family-friendly communities
🌎 Very High
Diversity Index
One of the most diverse U.S. metros
✈️ 2 Airports
DFW & Love Field
Easy national & international travel

Why Move to Dallas–Fort Worth?

✅ Strong Job Market

DFW added over 150,000 jobs in the last year, led by sectors like tech, healthcare, and finance. Major employers include Toyota, Lockheed Martin, American Airlines, and Charles Schwab.

💸 No State Income Tax

Texas has zero state income tax, which means more take-home pay compared to states like California or New York.

🏠 Affordable Suburbs

DFW offers top-ranked suburbs like Frisco, Flower Mound, and Southlake — with homes priced lower than comparable areas on the coasts.

✈️ Central Travel Hub

With DFW International and Love Field, you can reach either coast in under 4 hours. Business and personal travel is easy and frequent.

🎓 Education Options

DFW has multiple top-rated public ISDs, magnet schools, and access to higher education including SMU, TCU, and UT Dallas.

🌤️ Better Year-Round Weather

While hot in the summer, DFW enjoys short winters, tons of sunny days, and very little snow — great for outdoor living.

Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas–Fort Worth

What Families Love About DFW

  • Strong Job Market – The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is home to a wide range of major employers in tech, healthcare, finance, and energy, offering solid career opportunities across industries.
  • Top-Rated Suburbs – Cities like Frisco, Southlake, Allen, and Plano are known for excellent schools, master-planned communities, and strong family appeal.
  • Central U.S. Location – With two major airports and a central time zone, traveling nationally or internationally is convenient from DFW.
  • No State Income Tax – Texas has no personal state income tax, which can help with overall affordability depending on property taxes and home prices.
  • Diverse Amenities – From professional sports teams and top-tier hospitals to museums, live music, and great restaurants, the DFW metro offers something for everyone.
  • Wide Housing Variety – Whether you're looking for new construction, historic homes, or suburban neighborhoods, DFW offers a range of price points and styles across its many communities.
  • Family-Oriented Lifestyle – Parks, youth sports leagues, libraries, and recreational programs are abundant across most cities, making the metro highly livable for families with children.

Things to Consider

  • Hot Summers – Expect extended stretches of 100°F+ weather from June through early September. Air conditioning is a must.
  • Property Taxes – With no income tax, local governments fund schools and services via relatively high property tax rates, which can add significantly to mortgage costs.
  • Urban Sprawl – DFW is geographically massive, and many suburban commutes can take 30–60+ minutes depending on traffic and distance.
  • Storm Risk – North Texas is part of Tornado Alley, and spring storms can bring hail, high winds, and occasional tornado watches.
  • Limited Public Transit – Most areas outside of Dallas proper and a few rail corridors lack robust transit options, making a car essential for most residents.
  • Housing Prices Climbing – Popular suburbs have seen significant appreciation in recent years, with some areas experiencing bidding wars and inventory shortages.
  • School Variability – While many districts rank well, some parts of the metro have underperforming schools, so careful research is important before buying or renting.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, NTREIS, D Magazine, Niche.com, Texas Tribune, and local relocation trends (2024–2025).

Kristen Carpentier Dallas-Fort Worth Relocation Realtor

Meet Kristen Carpentier

As a relocation specialist and licensed Texas Realtor®, Kristen helps families confidently find their next home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Whether you’re moving from out of state or just across town, she provides expert local guidance, neighborhood insights, and trusted home-buying support.

Get in Touch

How We Can Help

Whether you're buying or selling in Dallas–Fort Worth, we provide tailored plans to help you succeed in today’s market. Explore your options below:

Buyer Consultation

We’ll help you explore neighborhoods, understand your budget and financing options, build a winning offer strategy, and navigate DFW’s competitive housing market with confidence.

Looking to buy a home in Dallas Fort Worth
Fill Out Buyer Form

Seller Consultation

Let’s position your home to attract the right buyers. We’ll help with staging tips, pricing, and creating a step-by-step plan to maximize your sale.

Looking to sell your home in Dallas Fort Worth
Fill Out Seller Form

⭐ What Clients Are Saying

★★★★★
Mariela G
April 2025
“Kristen, THANK YOU for helping us find our house so quickly. … we are already recommending you to friends and family. Blessings to you and yours ❤️”
★★★★★
Dillon P
March 2025
“Our experience with Kristen was amazing. … when the time came she helped us find a deal worth breaking our lease over!”
★★★★★
Scott
February 2025
“Kristen … saved me tens of thousands in negotiation, coordinated inspections, and followed up afterwards.”
★★★★★
Quinn J
January 2025
“Extremely knowledgeable … her nonstop attentiveness helped us get our home during our busiest year.”
★★★★★
Mike E
December 2024
“A great realtor, professional, knowledgeable, and above all a very nice friendly person. You won’t regret working with her.”
★★★★★
Emily C
November 2024
“Mentored us through a big move to Dallas … helped us narrow down the perfect location, was so patient with our kids, and communication was incredible.”
⭐ See All Client Reviews

Dallas Texas Suburbs Full Tours

Which city is right for you and your family? Watch this collection of full driving and drone tours showcasing some of the best Dallas suburbs. Whether you're relocating for work, family, or lifestyle, this series gives you a firsthand look at neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and everyday life in the DFW area.

These videos will help you compare different suburbs and get a feel for what it’s really like to live in Dallas, Texas. Don’t make a move without seeing the full picture—then reach out so we can help you create the perfect relocation plan.

Dallas-Fort Worth Top Suburbs for Families to Begin Their Search

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is filled with incredible communities—these ten suburbs are among the most popular for families relocating to the area. Each offers its own lifestyle, price point, and neighborhood feel. But this is just the beginning—there are many more great options depending on your needs. That’s why we’re here: reach out and we’ll help you find the perfect place to call home.

See All DFW Suburbs
Coppell Texas neighborhood overview

Coppell

Top-rated schools, parks, and easy airport access make Coppell a favorite for professional families relocating to DFW.

 Colleyville Texas homes and lifestyle

Colleyville

Known for luxury homes and quiet neighborhoods, Colleyville blends small-town charm with big-city convenience.

 Flower Mound Texas parks and schools

Flower Mound

Popular for its family-focused vibe, large lots, and access to nature near Grapevine Lake and top-rated LISD schools.

 Southlake Texas upscale community

Southlake

Affluent and well-planned, Southlake offers luxury shopping, Carroll ISD, and a strong community reputation.

 Frisco Texas family-friendly suburb

Frisco

One of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. — Frisco is a hub for tech, sports, and award-winning Frisco ISD schools.

 Allen Texas family neighborhoods

Allen

Allen combines suburban affordability with great schools, active town events, and strong resale potential.

 Plano Texas schools and corporate centers

Plano

A mature city with established schools, corporate campuses, and a reputation as one of the best places to live in Texas.

 McKinney Texas historic downtown and homes

McKinney

Charming downtown, great schools, and a blend of new and historic neighborhoods make McKinney a standout suburb.

 Prosper Texas new developments and schools

Prosper

Fast-growing with new construction, Prosper is known for family-oriented neighborhoods and strong public schools.

 Argyle Texas quiet family suburb

Argyle

A quieter, semi-rural option with top-rated schools and a slower pace — ideal for families seeking more space and privacy.

🏡 Search All Homes for Sale in Dallas–Fort Worth

Explore the latest real estate listings across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — including new builds, resale homes, luxury properties, and family-friendly neighborhoods. This live feed is updated daily directly from the MLS.

MLS listing feed showing Dallas-Fort Worth homes for sale
🔍 View All DFW Listings

🛠️ New Construction Homes in Dallas–Fort Worth

Discover the latest new build homes across the DFW metroplex. Explore builder communities, incentives, quick move-ins, and more.

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Realtor When Buying New Construction

1
We work for you — not the builder.
The sales agent in the model home represents the builder. We represent you, your interests, and your money.
2
Negotiation and Incentives.
We know what’s negotiable and can help you get upgrades, closing cost credits, or better terms.
3
Builder Reputation Insights.
Not all builders are the same. We know which ones have a track record of quality and happy clients.
4
Experience with Builder Processes.
We've helped clients purchase homes from many builders and understand each one's unique process.
5
It costs you nothing.
The builder pays our commission — not you. There’s no downside to having expert representation on your side.
Dallas Fort Worth New Construction Home Search

📊 Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Market Trends

These interactive charts highlight current housing market trends across the entire DFW metro area — including home prices, inventory levels, market supply, and more. All data is updated monthly from NTREIS MLS to help you understand where the market is heading.

📍 Prefer local stats by city? Browse our DFW suburb pages →

Frequently Asked Questions About Relocating to Dallas–Fort Worth

Families are drawn to DFW for its strong job market, top-rated schools, no state income tax, and affordable cost of living compared to coastal metros.
Frisco, Flower Mound, Southlake, Highland Village, Coppell, and Prosper are consistently rated among the best for families due to schools, safety, and community amenities.
Texas has no state income tax, which can save families thousands each year. However, property taxes are higher than average, so it’s important to budget accordingly.
If you already know the area you want to live in, buying can help you build equity faster. Some families choose to rent first while exploring neighborhoods and schools.
Many suburbs have “A” rated districts with excellent academics, extracurriculars, and college readiness—such as Frisco ISD, Carroll ISD (Southlake), and Coppell ISD.
From initial planning to move-in, most relocations take 6–12 weeks. This includes home search, offer, inspections, financing, and closing. We can help streamline each step.
Most suburban homes in DFW offer 3–5 bedrooms, modern floorplans, spacious yards, and are located in planned communities with nearby parks and schools.
Commute times vary. Suburbs like Frisco, Coppell, and Flower Mound offer convenient access to highways like 121, DNT, and I-35. Many families choose areas based on work location.
Yes! We assist with everything from virtual tours and neighborhood guidance to offer negotiation and closing. Our goal is to make your move smooth and stress-free.
While housing is more affordable than major coastal cities, prices have increased. Families should consider property taxes, HOA fees, and transportation when budgeting.
Neighborhoods like Tanglewood, Heritage, and Westover Hills are commonly cited for safety, low crime, and strong community presence in Fort Worth.
DFW has DART, TRE, and TEXRail, but most residents rely on cars. Public transit is improving but limited outside city centers.
DFW is one of the most diverse metros in Texas, with a growing multicultural population and inclusive communities throughout the suburbs and urban core.
Top school districts include Southlake Carroll ISD, Frisco ISD, Allen ISD, Plano ISD, and Highland Park ISD.
Expect hot summers, mild winters, and occasional severe weather. Tornadoes and hail are seasonal risks but forecasts and storm shelters help reduce concerns.
Healthcare, tech, logistics, energy, and finance are major sectors. Companies like Toyota, JPMorgan Chase, and Texas Instruments have major offices here.
Home values have steadily increased over the last decade. Inventory is competitive but new construction helps meet demand, especially in suburbs like Prosper and Celina.
DFW offers lower housing costs, no state income tax, and more space—but fewer public transit options and more extreme summer heat than Chicago or Miami.
One-bedroom apartments typically range from $1,300 to $1,800 depending on location, with higher-end options in Uptown Dallas or legacy suburbs like Plano.
Yes. Excellent schools, parks, libraries, community events, and family-focused amenities make DFW a great choice for raising children.
Joining school PTAs, local churches, sports leagues, or neighborhood Facebook groups are great ways to meet other families and build community.

Services

Buyer Consultation

Are you in the market for your next house? We can sit down, discuss goals, and develop a unique strategy for this competitive market. There’s a lot that goes into a home purchase, and I can help!

Seller Consultation

Whether you’re looking to sell later this year or later this month, I can provide an actionable step by step plan geared specifically for your home and your goals.

Staging

When you work with me to sell your home, I’ll make sure that your home is ready for it’s close-up with my photographer and the buyers. My approach is simple, but it will save you time and money.