Cities to Watch: Dallas, TX

Cities to Watch: Dallas, TX

By Charles Peckman, Originate Report

The ninth most populous city in the United States, Dallas, Texas, which sits in the heart of Dallas County, was initially established because of the construction of major railroad lines through the area. Like so many cities built during the mid to late 19th century, the railroad gave Dallas the opportunity to trade goods such as cattle, cotton, and later, oil. Today, Dallas has a robust economy and is home to several industries – within its city limits, nine Fortune 500 companies have major offices. This city is also diverse concerning ethnic and religious backgrounds and has the sixth largest LGBTQ+ population in the country.

Must-see locations

Although Texas may be associated with large cattle and even larger ‘cowboy hats,’ the city is also bursting at the seams with rich, American history. This history ranges from the positive – George W. Bush’s Presidential library, to the somber – the site where John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Regardless of your political leanings, there is much to see on a historical front. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza covers the assassination of an American President but also creates a portrait of a country in the midst of conflicts at home and abroad.

The Dallas Museum of Art is packed full of some of the most well-known names in art: Cezanne, Chihuly, O’Keefe, and Van Gogh. You will surely be able to lose yourself amongst the 22,000 pieces in their collection. Outside of history and art, there is still plenty to see and do.

Located only eight miles from the heart of downtown, Texas Horse Park allows visitors and residents alike to feel like a cowboy for the duration of their ride on one of the park’s horses. If you’re really looking to play the part, visit the famous Wild Bill’s Western Store and buy yourself a 10-gallon hat.

Nightlife

Dallas’ diverse background gives way to its action-packed nightlife. The majority of Dallas’ night scene can be found off the highway, guiding visitors with a neon sign – Deep Ellum Texas, as it is called, was once a warehouse district, but is now home to some of the hottest clubs in the state. The Curtain Club, a two-level bar and music venue, boasts an outdoor patio, live music from nationally-recognized acts, and a slew of unique cocktails. The Door, another music venue, is Dallas’ unofficial entryway for music groups looking to make it big – similarly, Louie’s Dueling Piano Bar offers music of a different kind (yet equally enjoyable, of course.) If bands – and jazz – aren’t necessarily for you, the city’s dance clubs will surely tire even the most experienced dancing feet. Le Vu Discotheque has been rated as one of Dallas’ best dance clubs, with disco-goers routinely coming back for more.

Dining

If you were to attempt to summarize Dallas’ culinary scene, you would most likely label it as diverse. From classic Italian eateries to the latest and greatest in gastronomy, there is a litany of options to choose from. Of course, given its location, Dallas is known for its barbeque – Pecan Lodge, which has over 3,000 positive reviews, serves a wide variety of barbeque-inspired dishes.

Another Dallas-area mainstay for Texas-style barbeque, Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ, serves their rendition of barbeque counter-serve, for those travelers who want their fix on the go. Because the city is close to the Mexican border, there is also a wide range of offerings of Tex-Mex food – with its stylish décor and traditional Mexican menu, Meso Maya Comida Y Copas has served thousands of patrons during its tenure in the Dallas area.

Attractions

Located southwest of Dallas on US 67, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center takes up a sprawling 1,800 acres and is home to 1,000 endangered species. With more of these species going extinct every day, the Center is home to groundbreaking research in the field – on top of that, all of the animals can be viewed from your car window. Similarly, the Dallas World Aquarium houses scores of species, both of marine life and birds. In between riding horses and taking part in the city’s vibrant nightlife, take the time to peruse the upscale retailers at Highland Park Village, which houses world-renowned names like Cartier, Ralph Lauren, and Dior. On top of that, the location is also known for its unique architecture.

Economy:

• Major industries: Defense, financial services, information technology, and telecommunications

• Minimum wage: $7.25

• Cost of living: 1.08x greater than the rest of the U.S.

Housing:

• Median household income: $67,382

• Median home price: $201,500

• Home price change: 13.4 percent increase (past 12 months)

• Homeownership: 54 percent

• Median rent price: $1,325 (for a two-bedroom, 1,040 square foot apartment)

Job Market:

• Forbes List: Best places for business and careers #6

• Unemployment: 3.5 percent

• Job growth: 2.6 percent increase (past 12 months)

• Loan originator average salary: $77,738