Dallas-Fort Worth Metro
Dallas-Fort Worth Metro

Where to Live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area (2025 Guide)

For people thinking about moving to Dallas or the surrounding region

The Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) is one of the largest and fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S., home to over 7.8 million people across 13 counties in North Texas. For many who haven't visited, it's a shock how big cities like Plano, Frisco, and other north suburbs are now. Whether you're thinking about a move to Dallas, Fort Worth, or one of the many growing DFW suburbs, this guide breaks down the region by lifestyle, location, and local vibe to help you choose where to live in DFW.

The Big Picture: Geography and Layout of DFW

The DFW Metroplex stretches from Denton in the north to Midlothian and Waxahachie in the south, and from Rockwall in the east to Weatherford in the west. It’s a flat, sprawling region, and interstate highways are how most people move through it. Three major interstates frame the core:

  • I-35W (through Fort Worth),
  • I-35E (through Dallas),
  • I-30, which connects the two cities.

A few key additional highways worth noting:

  • Highway 75 (Central Expressway) runs north out of Dallas and defines much of the North Dallas experience.
  • George Bush Turnpike (190) and Sam Rayburn Tollway (121) form loops around northern suburbs.
  • 635 (LBJ Freeway) encircles Dallas and is infamous for its traffic.

Bodies of water and green space are more than just scenic in DFW—they shape where people live and play:

  • White Rock Lake is a centerpiece for East Dallas culture and outdoor life.
  • Lake Ray Hubbard (east) and Lewisville Lake (northwest) are popular for boating and waterside living.
  • The Trinity River cuts through Dallas and Fort Worth, but feels more like a greenbelt than a divider.

DFW is car-centric, but public transit exists: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) covers much of Dallas and inner suburbs with light rail and bus service, while TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connect Fort Worth and DFW Airport to a few suburbs.

Not Sure Where to Start? Here's How DFW Areas Match Different Priorities

Lifestyle Goal----------------------------------Areas to Explore

  • Best schools & suburban comfort--------------Plano, Frisco, Southlake, Coppell
  • Affordable homes with space------------------Waxahachie, Midlothian, Forney
  • Urban walkability & culture--------------------Uptown, Oak Lawn, Bishop Arts
  • Lake life & outdoor access---------------------Rockwall, Rowlett, Flower Mound
  • LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods---------------Oak Lawn, East Dallas, Bishop Arts
  • Central location for commuting----------------Las Colinas, Irving, Grapevine

Dive into each area below to see what fits, or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched.

How the Dallas Metro is Structured: The Main Subregions of DFW

Each area of the Metroplex has its own flavor, mix of people, and set of trade-offs. The guide below is a breakdown by major subregions, with a mix of vibe, cities, housing, lifestyle fit, and commuting realities.

North Dallas Suburbs

The Vibe: These are the power suburbs—family-friendly, new construction, good schools, and booming with corporate campuses. Plano and Frisco are economic engines in their own right, home to HQs like Toyota, Liberty Mutual, and the Dallas Cowboys’ Star complex.
Why it Works: Tons of beautiful master-planned communities. Good parks. Upscale retail. The best public schools in the region.
Watch Out For: Traffic can be rough into Dallas proper. Growth is driving up housing prices.
Good Fit For: Families, remote workers, corporate professionals, families/families to be, seeking top public schools.

Cities to explore:
-Plano
-Frisco
-McKinney
-Allen
-Prosper
-Little Elm

Deep Dive: North Dallas Suburbs ->

Dallas Proper

The Vibe: This is the heart of Dallas, with diverse urban neighborhoods, high-rise living, trendy restaurants, and a creative energy.
Why It Works:

  • Uptown and Oak Lawn are walkable, apartment-heavy, and popular with young professionals and LGBTQ+ residents.
  • East Dallas (including Lakewood and White Rock) offers leafy, artsy neighborhoods with older homes and a strong community vibe.
  • South Dallas and Oak Cliff are more affordable and in transition, with strong cultural history and emerging redevelopment zones.
  • Public transit (DART) is most accessible here, though car use is still the norm.
    Watch Out For: City school district not as highly rated as the suburbs. Traffic can be rough.
    Good Fit For: Singles, young professionals, creatives, LGBTQ+ community, people who want walkability and culture.

Cities/neighborhoods to explore:
-Downtown
-Uptown
-Oak Lawn
-East Dallas
-Lakewood
-Bishop Arts
-Oak Cliff

Deep Dive: Dallas Proper ->

Fort Worth & Western Suburbs

The Vibe: Fort Worth is its own city. Don’t confuse or mash it up with Dallas. This is a city known for its cowboy roots, major museums, a growing food scene, and less sprawl than Dallas.
Why It Works: Housing is more affordable, and downtown is compact and charming. Suburban options are upscale and polished, with high-performing schools and family appeal.
Watch Out For: Tough commute to Dallas. Missing the economy of Dallas for working locally
Good Fit For: People wanting a slightly slower pace and Western charm. Families looking for better value for housing.

Cities to explore:
-Fort Worth
-Arlington
-Keller
-Southlake-Weatherford
-Benbrook

Deep Dive: Fort Worth & Western Suburbs ->

Northwest Corridor

The Vibe: This area mixes college town life (thanks to UNT in Denton), rural pockets, and suburban enclaves.
Why it Works: Denton has a funky, musical, liberal feel (mini-Austin).
Rolling hills here—rare in DFW—more space between homes.
Watch Out For:

  • Commuting into Dallas or Fort Worth is possible, but long; many locals work in the area or remotely.
    Good Fit For: Professors, creatives, families who want space, folks who like small-town life with city access.

Cities to explore:
-Denton
-Argyle
-Flower Mound
-Roanoke
-Trophy Club

Deep Dive: [Northwest Corridor ->]

East Suburbs & Lakeside Living

The Vibe: More affordable suburbs, with easy access to Lake Ray Hubbard and east-west commuting via I-30. Go-to for people who want lake views, boats, and family life.
Why It Works: Bigger lots and lower prices than in the northern suburbs. Still good schools.
What To Watch Out For: These areas can feel more traditionally Texan and conservative in tone. If that ain't your thing.
Good Fit For: Middle-income families, retirees, lake lovers, commuters to East Dallas or downtown.

Cities to Explore:
-Garland
-Mesquite
-Rockwall
-Rowlett
-Forney

Deep Dive: East Suburbs & Lakeside Living ->

South Suburbs and Exurban Growth Areas

The Vibe: Areas growing fast as people priced out of central Dallas or want more space. Area still feels a bit rural in parts, but the suburbs modernizing quickly.
Why It Works: Large homes for relatively low prices. Schools are good.
Watch Out For: Commutes are long unless you work south of downtown. Minimal social/cultural compared to Downtown/North Dallas

Good Fit For: First-time homebuyers, large families, people looking for space and value.

Cities to explore:
-Cedar Hill
-DeSoto
-Duncanville
-Waxahachie
-Midlothian
-Red Oak

Deep Dive: South Suburbs & Exurban Growth Areas

DFW Airport Corridor & Mid-Cities

The Vibe: Right between Dallas and Fort Worth, this is one of the most strategically located areas in the metro. DFW Airport dominates the economy here, and there’s a lot of business travel, logistics, and professional services.
Why It Works: Las Colinas in Irving is a beautiful planned business and residential hub. Grapevine is quaint and historic.
Coppell has excellent schools and a tight-knit feel.

Cities to explore:
-Irving
-Euless
-Bedford
-Hurst
-Grapevine
-Coppell
-Las Colinas

Deep Dive: DFW Airport Corridor & Mid-Cities ->

TL;DR – How to Choose Where to Live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro

Area----------------------------------------Best For

  • North Dallas Suburbs ----------------------Families, top-tier schools, new homes
  • Dallas Proper------------------------------Young professionals, creatives, LGBTQ+, walkability
  • Fort Worth + West Suburbs-----------------Western charm, families, affordability, slower pace
  • Northwest Corridor------------------------Denton culture, rural-suburban mix, college towns
  • East Suburbs + Lakeside-------------------Value seekers, lake access, middle-income families
  • South Suburbs----------------------------First-time buyers, space seekers, growing families
  • Airport/Mid-Cities-------------------------Business travelers, central access, professionals

We highly recommend you dive into the sub-areas linked to each section here or take the LookyLOO quiz to get matched with the city that matches you best. Also shoot in any questions about the areas you have to our concierge team. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metro

Q: What are the best suburbs of Dallas–Fort Worth for families?

A: Top-rated suburbs for families include Frisco, Southlake, McKinney, Plano, and Coppell. These areas offer highly rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and strong community amenities. Keller and Flower Mound are also great for access to nature and excellent schools.

Q: Is it better to live in Dallas or Fort Worth?

A: Dallas offers a more fast-paced urban lifestyle with big-city amenities, while Fort Worth has a more relaxed, Western charm. If you want walkability, nightlife, and diversity, Dallas might be a better fit. If you prefer slower pace, affordability, and a distinct culture, Fort Worth is worth serious consideration.

Q: What are the most affordable places to live near Dallas?

A: Mesquite, Garland, Forney, Duncanville, and Waxahachie are some of the more affordable suburbs. Prices are rising across the region, but South and East DFW tend to have more value than the northern corridor.

Q: Where do most professionals live in Dallas?

A: Professionals often live in Uptown, Oak Lawn, Plano, Frisco, Las Colinas, or The Colony — depending on whether they prefer city life or a corporate-suburban feel. Las Colinas is especially popular for those near DFW Airport or in the finance and tech industries.

Q: What’s traffic like in DFW?

A: Traffic can be intense during peak hours, especially on I-35E, I-635, and US-75. Suburban sprawl means most people commute by car. Tollways like Sam Rayburn Tollway and George Bush Turnpike help, but travel times vary widely depending on where you live and work.

Q: How is public transportation in Dallas–Fort Worth?

A: DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) serves Dallas and nearby suburbs with light rail and buses. Fort Worth has Trinity Metro and TEXRail, but most people drive. Public transit is usable for some commutes but not yet a full alternative to driving.

Q: Is DFW a good place for remote workers?

Yes. The DFW area has many suburbs with fiber internet, dedicated home office
A: spaces, and nearby coworking options. Areas like Plano, McKinney, and Southlake cater well to remote professionals.

Q: What are the safest neighborhoods in Dallas–Fort Worth?

A: Neighborhoods like Coppell, Southlake, Frisco, and Keller consistently rank high in safety metrics. Plano and McKinney also have strong reputations. Within Dallas proper, Lakewood and North Dallas are among the safer urban areas.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve got a sense of the region, the next step is to dig deeper into the cities or suburbs that match your lifestyle. Each of the areas above has its own guide, complete with housing price breakdowns, commute details, and local culture overviews.

Save your favorite cities and neighborhoods in a Movebook, or take the LookyLOO quiz to see which areas match your lifestyle best.