Unlike its fancier sibling (Big D), Fort Worth stayed true to its roots and preserved much of what makes it a true Western town. If you’re into the Wild West, both authentic and available as entertainment, you’re going to dig it here and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, live music, cultural festivals, bars, restaurants, and the Fort Worth Stockyards!

The tricky thing for Fort Worth right now is it has become a great place to live but not so much to work. This means that lots of people who live here commute to Dallas to work and that makes Fort Worth feel a bit like a suburb of Dallas, at least economically. This lack of a tax base has resulted in a struggling school system and resulted in a city that is appealing to young people or retirees but not families as much.


Cowtowns Are Cool!

LookyLOO Review of Fort Worth

Urban style and cowboy culture aren’t two things that usually mix, but Fort Worth perhaps pulls it off better than anywhere else in the world. Fort Worth is known for being a family friendly area (and an area with friendly people more generally) with a Texas flavor. 

A dynamic hub of nightlife just minutes away from classic western museums? A six flags experience for the whole family and a wide variety of highly rated restaurants? Fort Worth has a unique environment that would be hard to replicate anywhere else. You’ll definitely want a car to experience everything the DFW area has to offer, and you’ll probably need it if you want to work in the area…

Check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.fortworth.com/events/) to see what's happening in Fort Worth. 

Lifestyle 

There’s a big commuter culture in Fort Worth, and making the drive to Dallas is one of the most popular(or unpopular) options for residents of all ages. For those not inclined to sit on the highway for forty minutes, however, there are still some options in town. Transportation is the big ticket in Fort Worth. American Airlines, Bell Helicopter, and BNSF Railway are three of the largest employers in Fort Worth.


Worklife

The [**Fort Worth ISD**](https://www.fwisd.org/) has struggled a bit over the years. As noted, a lower tax base and less innovative structure for raising funds for new schools than in the Dallas suburbs has put it behind the local market for perception and reality of the quality of the schools. Niche.com grades the district with a [**"B-"**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/fort-worth-independent-school-district-tx/). 

While the district overall has struggled in standardized scoring there are some real pearls amidst the district schools including:
-[**IM Terrell Academy for STEM & Visual Performing Arts**](https://www.fwisd.org/). The high school Academy receives an "A" ranking on [[niche. com]](url)(https://www.niche.com/k12/im-terrell-academy-for-stem-and-vpa-fort-worth-tx/?map) and strong ratings in Academics, Teachers, and College Prep. 
-[**Texas Academy of Biomedical**](https://www.fwisd.org/), is another high school in Fort Worth that receives an [**"A" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/texas-academy-of-biomedical-fort-worth-tx/?map).

If none of the public schools are appealing, check out the [**niche.com list**](https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/dallas-fort-worth-metro-area/) of the best private schools in the area. Plenty of A+ choices for private and religious schools. 

It should be noted that Fort Worth ISD is starting a big five-year strategic initiative to raise the level of the entire district. Right now you can find excellent schools in different pockets of the city and of course, the district aspires to the same level of performance across all schools. 

Schools

Fort Worth has a lot of nicknames (including Funkytown), but it remains a hidden gem among the Texas cities targeted for moves from the West Coast, Northeast and Midwest. Austin, Houston and Dallas come up first for transplanters, but we think everything true for the hottest Texas cities -- low/no taxes, booming economies, lower cost of living and no snow are true for Fort Worth but in a smaller, more manageable package. 


Won’t You Take Me To Funkytown?

 Why You Should Move Here Now?

**HawrdRawk**
Living in Fort Worth
Edited 2y ago
✭✭✭

Fort Worth is a beautiful “slower pace” city. The cultural scene is excellent with top notch museums and classical music venues. There are a lack of “outdoorsy” activities in most of the area. However we use the money we save from living here by taking a couple vacations each year.

Fort Worth is also very “un showy” when it comes to money. Many wealthy individuals who like to keep it under wraps (family ranches and oil money). This is in contrast compared to Dallas. I’d say Dallas compares more to LA in that people drive fancy cars, show off their money, etc. Fort Worth is much different.

Downtown is one of the cleanest cities I’ve been to.

If you buy a house, property tax runs about 2.6% of the value, so take that into account.

Crime is much lower in Fort Worth than most other cities. South of downtown can get sketchy, but never really unsafe unless at night. Weather is not bad, sometimes we get tornadoes but there is a warning system in place.

If you're interested in hearing from other locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/fort-worth/reviews).




"Un Showy"

Reviews of Fort Worth from Locals

**The Best Thing About Fort Worth?** Cowtowns Are Cool!

Unlike its fancier sibling (Big D), Fort Worth stayed true to its roots and preserved much of what makes it a true western town. If you’re into the wild west, both authentic and that available as entertainment, you’re going to dig it here and enjoy the laid back atmosphere, live music, cultural festivals, bars, restaurants and the Fort Worth Stockyards!

**The Worst Thing About Fort Worth?** Suburbia

The tricky thing for Fort Worth right now is it has become a great place to live but not so much to work. Which means that lots or even most people who live here commute to Dallas to work and that makes Fort Worth feel a bit like a suburb of Dallas, at least economically. This lack of tax base has resulted in a poor school system and resulted in a city that is appealing to young people or retirees but not families. 


**How You Living?** With The Youngsters

A lot of Fort Worth downtown living is in older buildings that have been renovated and converted to apartments/condos. Kind of a hipster paradise. It also includes beautiful suburban style neighborhoods like Arlington Heights, which is right next to the Cultural District, that draws both families and single millennials. While there are posh neighborhoods and plenty of retirees Fort Worth is definitely making it work for younger residents who like the smaller, more casual feel. 


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Won’t You Take Me To Funkytown?

Fort Worth has a lot of nicknames (including Funkytown), but it remains a hidden gem among the Texas cities targeted for moves from the West Coast, Northeast and Midwest. Austin, Houston and Dallas come up first for transplanters, but we think everything true for the hottest Texas cities: low/no taxes, booming economies, lower cost of living and no snow are true for Fort Worth but in a smaller, more manageable, package. 



Downtown is the first neighborhood to check out for young professionals. It's more chill than downtown Dallas (and less expensive) but has tons of tower and mid-rise condo, loft and apartment options. There's also a booming social scene in the Sundance Square district. 

You also get the outdoor experience of 4+ acres of water features in the oasis of the Fort Worth Water Gardens when you need to get a bit of zen time. Finally, you can experience arts, culture and live performances at Artspace111, Bass Performance Hall and the Scat Jazz Lounge. 
- Downtown
- Arlington Heights

Young Professionals

Downtown

If you want to live in a commercial district with social energy but also avoid Downtown then check out Arlington Heights. It borders the Cultural District and West 7th street bar, restaurant and shopping area but you also border I-30 so if you need to commute to Dallas or Downtown Fort Worth it's easy-peasy. 

You also get to live near Trinity Park, a beautiful open space for a run, a picnic, hoops or events like the Japanese Festivals and Holiday in the Garden at the Botanic Garden. 
- Arlington Heights

DINKs/SINKs

Arlington Heights

Fairmount's a good neighborhood for a family to start a search for a home. It's located near the Southside District so while you have it quiet at home, you also are close to great restaurants, bars and boutique shopping. You're also right next to the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, the John Smith Hospital, and Cook Children's Medical Center so you couldn't have better access to healthcare. 

The ares is known for cool eclectic, historic-district housing and architecture and tons of local events and ongoing programs for adults and kids like: Open Streets, ArtsGoggle and the Fairmount Community Garden.
- Fairmount
- TCU-Westcliff 

Families

Fairmount

Fort Worth

**Should I move to Fort Worth, Texas? Is it decent place?**
**HawrdRawk**
Living in Fort Worth
Edited 3y ago
✭✭✭


Having lived in both LA and Fort Worth, it’s nothing like LA. Not sure that is the right impression.

Fort Worth is a beautiful “slower pace” city. The cultural scene is excellent with top notch museums and classical music venues. There are a lack of “outdoorsy” activities in most of the area. However we use the money we save from living here by taking a couple vacations each year.

Fort Worth is also very “un showy” when it comes to money. Many wealthy individuals who like to keep it under wraps (family ranches and oil money). This is in contrast compared to Dallas. I’d say Dallas compares more to LA in that people drive fancy cars, show off their money, etc. Fort Worth is much different.

Downtown is one of the cleanest cities I’ve been to.

If you buy a house, property tax runs about 2.6% of the value, so take that into account.

Crime is much lower in Fort Worth than most other cities. South of downtown can get sketchy, but never really unsafe unless at night. Weather is not bad, sometimes we get tornadoes but there is a warning system in place.

**May move to FW in a year, pros and cons?**
**pinkbattt**
Living in Fort Worth
Updated 3yr
✭✭✭

As a 5th gen Texan who grew up in Ft Worth, but since lived in CA and now MI, this is my list.

Pros

Food. Really, really good TexMex and BBQ. Pretty decent Asian options. Texans like to eat, and Ft Worth doesnt disappoint. It's not the CalMex you're used to in CA, be warned. It's better. :)

People. I have tons of friends and family in Texas and IMO, Texans are good people. Very warm and welcoming. You'll find hicks and racists, but it's no worse than my current area of MI. For the most part, Texans pride themselves on hospitality.

Shopping. Hella better than MI, that's for sure. Good malls and shops. DFW is big. Really big. IMO it's better shopping in DFW than in Chicago, though more spread out vs. 1 central area.

Cons

Ft Worth can be a bit overly cowboy proud. They like to be the anti Dallas, which is fine, but it can seem somewhat pandering at times.

Weather. Texas is obnoxiously hot and humid. You get maybe 2 or 3 nice months of the year. Otherwise you get stupid hot or ice storms or hail or tornadoes or floods. For a few weeks in March you will say, "man, this is nice weather", then you might not say that again until November.

**elproblemo82**
Living in Fort Worth Area
6mo ago
✭✭✭

Ok I'm at a loss for these folks turning you away.

First off, I'd consider the areas of Colleyville, Southlake, Grapevine, or Roanoke.

Great Schools (especially Roanoke), easy access to Westlake via 114, near Lakes Lewisville and Grapevine, bike trails can be found throughout. Hiking is sort of hiking. Not like what you'd see in nore mountainous regions. I can't comment on what areas have specific cultures or denominations because my RE license prohibits that, BUT there are 2 synagogues located near these areas. Chabad of Southlake and Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville. Pawaday Asain market about 20 minutes away.

Grapevine is the food capital of North Texas. From Italian (Ferraris) to BBQ (Vaqueros) tex mex, steak (Bobs), and so on.

FlowerMound and Lewisville ISD are highly rated.

You'd anywhere from 15-30 minutes from DFW Airport so you can travel to California to visit family.

Hope this helps. Full disclosure, I'm a realtor here. You're welcome to message me with any more questions.

**FWJayhawk**
Living in Fort Worth
2y ago
✭✭✭

If you’ll be commuting from FW to Dallas, make sure you are ok with either long congested rush hours or find the commute time for a TRE/DART train stop near your work.

I’m originally from the Midwest and find FW to be a great city to live in. No where in DFW has the same outdoor feel as say Colorado, but FW has a nice trinity trail system. Dallas definitely has a more urban/crowded city feel. While not slow, FW is slower paced than Dallas and I think has more southern hospitality than Dallas. Personally, I would not live in Dallas but I enjoy it being in reach for different events.
As others have mentioned, Fort Worth is part of a much larger metroplex, (don't say "twin cities") and if you can't find what you're looking for here, you surely can in Dallas or one of the many cities between or surrounding the area. Fort Worth is for people who want the nostalgia of the wild west, we have that here both real and fabricated, and a laid back atmosphere to go along with all the usual urban amenities.

Oh, and if choreographed cattle drives for tourists aren't your thing, yet experiencing the old ways of the west are still an interest, you don't have to drive very far to find real working cattle ranches and people who use "cowboy/cowgirl" or ranch hand as an actual job description.

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Crunk

Looklyloo Score: 82