Apartment Living In Dallas: Tips
April 26, 2021Whether you enjoy a lively nightlife, a vibrant arts, and culture scene, a neverending list of new and unique restaurants to try, or a fun-filled calendar of social events, living in Dallas truly lends itself to an array of adventures. That’s why it’s no wonder thousands of people think of moving to the big Dallas city every year. However, if you’re a newcomer or if you’re not familiar enough with Dallas, it can be pretty overwhelming in your first few days or weeks living in the city.
Much like relocating to any other new place, moving your life to Dallas can be both exhilarating and utterly stressful. From navigating the city to navigating your new life there, you have a full plate. So, here, we’ve put together a small list of tips and things to expect to help you figure out where to start a little easier and get to enjoy what Dallas has to offer if you’re new and maybe to help make your apartment life a little easier if you’ve been in the city for some time.
Tips for Apartment Living in Dallas
1. Taxes Work Differently In Dallas
Depending on where you’re from, you might have to readjust your entire budget framework when you get to Dallas because when you live here, you don’t have to pay state or local personal income taxes. You only have to pay personal property taxes as well as sales tax. Despite that, you might still want to prepare yourself because while you’re not paying state taxes, your property tax bill might still surprise you. Texas residents in general, pay some of the highest property taxes in the country.
2. Do Your Homework On Dallas’ Transportation System
Dallas is a car-centric city, however, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get around without a car. You just have to do your homework. Dallas’ DART system, for instance, can be pretty tough to navigate. The routes are quite difficult to understand so if you’re new, make sure to purchase a DART pass and give yourself enough time and space to learn and navigate the routes. Check out Dallas’ other transportation systems as well like the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) that connects downtown Dallas to downtown Fort Worth and the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, free vintage trolleys that go around the trendy Uptown area.
3. Be Ready For Traffic
Despite being such a huge metro, the average time commuters spend on the time is right around 26 minutes. And this is mostly due to the fact that Dallas has some of the most congested highways in the area. Some of the areas with the heaviest traffic include the North Dallas Tollway, Central Expressway, George W. Bush Expressway, and some parts of the LBJ Freeway. And as with most traffic situations, you can expect the worst of it before and after work hours. So if you’re headed out to work, make sure to factor in those extra minutes to your overall schedule.
4. Get Social With Neighborhood Groups
Dallas has plenty of tight-knit communities where it’s quite easy to get to know your neighbors and join groups. If you’re not living in one of them, however, it might be up to you to find a group you’d want to join. Find a gym to join, a local class to try, or a hiking group. You can even join your apartment complex’ association if it has one. It’s a pretty great way to meet the locals and start making new connections.
5. Get To Know and Support Local Businesses
To fully enjoy what Dallas has to offer, check out local businesses. Not only will it be a great way to get to know the lay of your neighborhood but it would also be a great way to find insight into the culture of your new city. Remember though, for some popular spots, you can expect some long lines. While it would be great to try those, also try discovering under-the-radar favorites to check out.
6. Prepare For Tornadoes or Hail
Dallas is usually a sunny place, however, there are moments when tornadoes, floods, or even hail might visit your neighborhood. To prepare for those moments, read up on basic safety tips, know who to call in case of emergencies, and prepare your basic emergency kits. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency plan in place just in case.
7. Know The Events To Go To
You’ll find that Dallas can never be a boring place. Aside from all the attractions to see and experience, the metro also plenty of events to fill up your calendar all year long. Search them all up and place them in your schedule already. Also, don’t forget to have some formal wear prepared. Dallas residents love getting dressed up for parties.
8. Make Your Home A Refuge
As fun and vibrant Dallas life is, you need a space where you can escape all the flurry of the city and simply relax in peace and quiet. That is why it’s important to design your apartment to fit your style and personality. This way, you’ll truly have a place to call home and a place where you can simply hide away from the world when you need to.
9. Keep a Good Relationship With Your Landlord
You will meet a lot of different landlords in your lifetime. The important thing is to always try and create a good if not a civil relationship with them. Remember, a good landlord can help make your stay a lot more comfortable and enjoyable while a bad landlord can sour the entire city’s name for you. Before you even move in, try establishing a good relationship already. You don’t always have to bow down to their wishes, of course, but whenever you find yourself at odds with them, remember to approach conflict nicely.
10. Prepare a Four-Season Wardrobe
Dallas typically has great sunny weather most of the year. However, conditions can still vary depending on where you live. Generally though, summers can be hot. Temperatures here can soar to the mid-60s and the wind can even have a desert-like feel to them. Some days can even feel hotter than a sauna. On the other hand, temperatures rarely drop below the freezing point in winter. However, they still happen, and when they do you’ll want to have a thick coat, some warm gloves, a great scarf in your closet. Plus, you’ll also have to remember that rains, tornadoes, and hail are not so rare in this area.
Get The Most Out Of Your Dallas Apartment Life
Whatever your reason is for moving or relocating to Dallas, the entire process can be a little stressful. However, by being prepared, you can smoothen out your transition and get to enjoy your new life sooner rather than later. Plus, with trustworthy partners like A OK Apartment Locators who can make your apartment search and move a lot easier, you can expect a far more comfortable move.
