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Dallas-Fort Worth Metro
Dallas-Fort Worth Metro

Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area Guide

For people thinking about moving to Dallas or the surrounding region

Thinking about a move to North Texas? The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (DFW) is massive—not just in size, but in personality, people, and possibilities. With more than 7.8 million people spread across 13 counties, this is one of the largest and fastest-growing metros in the country.
It’s not just “Dallas” or “Fort Worth”—this region is a patchwork of suburbs, cities, and corridors, and if you’re relocating from afar (or even just from Austin or Houston), it helps to understand the lay of the land first.

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.

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. Below is a breakdown by major subregions, with a mix of vibe, cities, housing, lifestyle fit, and commuting realities.

North Dallas Suburbs (Collin County + parts of Denton County): Includes: Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Little Elm

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.

Pros:

  • Tons of beautiful master-planned communities
  • Good parks
  • Upscale retail
  • If you like a suburban lifestyle with a modern edge, this is the zone.

Cons:

  • Traffic can be rough if you’re commuting into Dallas proper, but many folks live and work within the northern loop.
  • Growth is driving prices up for housing.

Best for:

  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • Corporate professionals
  • Families/Families to be, seeking top public schools.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into North Dallas Suburbs to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Dallas Proper (Central Core + East, North, and South Dallas): Includes: Downtown, Uptown, Oak Lawn, East Dallas, Lakewood, Bishop Arts, Oak Cliff

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

Pros:

  • 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.

Cons:

  • City school district not as highly rated as the suburbs.
  • Traffic can be rough.

Best for:

  • Singles
  • Young professionals
  • Creatives
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • People who want walkability and culture.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Dallas Proper to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Fort Worth and the Western Suburbs (Tarrant County): Includes: Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Weatherford, Benbrook

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.

Pros:

  • Housing is generally more affordable here than in Dallas
  • Downtown Fort Worth is compact and charming.
  • Arlington, which is between the two cities, is home to the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers stadiums.
  • Suburbs like Keller and Southlake are upscale and polished, with high-performing schools and family appeal.

Cons:

  • Tough commute to Dallas
  • Missing the economy of Dallas for working locally

Best for:

  • People wanting a slightly slower pace and Western charm
  • Families
  • Better value for housing.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into Fort Worth and the Western Suburbs to better understand whether this area is right for you.

Northwest Corridor: Includes: Denton, Argyle, Flower Mound, Roanoke, Trophy Club

The Vibe: This area mixes college town life (thanks to UNT in Denton), rural pockets, and suburban enclaves.

Pros:

  • Denton has a funky, musical, liberal feel—kind of like a mini-Austin.
  • Roanoke and Trophy Club are nice suburbs
  • You’ll find rolling hills here—rare in DFW—and a bit more space between homes.

Cons:

  • Commuting into Dallas or Fort Worth is possible, but long; many locals work in the area or remotely.

Best for:

  • Professors
  • Creatives
  • Families who want space
  • Folks who like small-town life with city access.

East Suburbs and Lakeside Living: Includes: Garland, Mesquite, Rockwall, Rowlett, Forney

These are more affordable suburbs, with easy access to Lake Ray Hubbard and east-west commuting via I-30.

Rockwall has become a go-to for people who want lake views, boats, and family life—plus it’s growing fast.

These areas can feel more traditionally Texan and conservative in tone, but offer solid value.

You’ll get bigger lots and lower prices than in the northern suburbs.

Best for: Middle-income families, retirees, lake lovers, commuters to East Dallas or downtown.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into East Suburbs and Lakeside Living to better understand whether this area is right for you.

South Suburbs and Exurban Growth Areas: Includes: Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Waxahachie, Midlothian, Red Oak

The Vibe: These areas are growing fast as people get priced out of central Dallas or want more space.
The area still feels a bit rural in parts, but the suburbs are modernizing quickly.

Pros:

  • You’ll find large homes for relatively low prices, especially compared to North Dallas.
  • Schools are good

Cons:

  • Commutes can be long unless you work south of downtown.
  • Minimal social/cultural compared to Downtown or North Dallas

Best for:

  • First-time homebuyers
  • Large families
  • People looking for space and value.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into the South Suburbs and Exurban Growth Areas to better understand whether this area is right for you.

DFW Airport Corridor / Mid-Cities: Includes: Irving, Euless, Bedford, Hurst, Grapevine, Coppell, Las Colinas

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.

Pros:

  • Las Colinas in Irving is a beautiful planned business and residential hub with luxury apartments and corporate HQs.
  • Grapevine is quaint and historic
  • Coppell has excellent schools and a tight-knit feel.
  • Proximity to airport

Best for:

  • Frequent travelers
  • Professionals,
  • People who want central access to both cities.

Check out LookyLOO's Deep Dive into the South Suburbs and Exurban Growth Areas to better understand whether this area is right for you.

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

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.

We’ll help you figure out what works best for your budget, your commute, and your vibe—and connect you to the right partners if you’re ready to tour or make a move.

Want to start saving cities to compare? Set up your Movebook now and keep track of what you love (and what’s a no-go).