As you probably remember from elementary-school geography class, Texas is one really — really — big state. And, North Texas, specifically, with its wide-open spaces, diverse beauty and both rural and cosmopolitan lifestyles, offers a great number of selling points for first-time homebuyers looking to move to the Lone Star State. Consider this North Texas relocation guide an ideal source to get a quick overview of the place you're about to call home.

Wonderful Neighborhoods

From Dallas, west to Fort Worth, and in every town in between, you'll discover a variety of neighborhoods that cater to all types of lifestyles. From singles and young couples looking for excitement and adventure to growing families and downsizers looking for a strong sense of community, you'll find it all in North Texas. You'll find lakefront properties, gated communities and suburban oases bursting with character, as well as luxury living in the heart of each city's downtown district. 

Fantastic Weather

With mild temperatures during much of the year and only the occasional cold snap (and the even rarer snowstorm), Dallas-Fort Worth residents typically enjoy about 230 days of sunshine. Much of what the metropolitan area has to offer centers on an outdoor lifestyle, whether it's enjoying cocktails and lunch on a patio, hopping on a bike and riding on various trails — including the gorgeous Great Trinity Forest — or renting a paddleboard or kayak and venturing out onto one of the region's many lakes.

A Booming Real Estate Market

The real estate market in North Texas has seen a dramatic sales increase since the third quarter of 2020, according to Robbie Briggs, president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty. The National Association of Realtors has named Dallas-Fort Worth one of the top 10 markets both during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, and Texas luxury home sales, specifically, have risen by an average of 23 percent over the same period last year. While this was a result of many factors, it's no doubt that the low cost of living is a major perk for those living in and migrating to Texas. 

Homebuyers and renters can get more bang for their buck with more square footage for the price than almost any major market. One of the biggest perks of North Texas life is the aforementioned low cost of living. Fuel, utility bills and grocery prices all clock in at lower-than-average rates when compared to other large cities in the United States.  

World-Class Attractions

With more than 7.5 million people now calling the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex home, you'll never be at a loss for a daily adventure, whether it's some of the best shopping in the world, such as at NorthPark Center and Highland Park Village; catching the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium or the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center; or dining your way around the city, indulging in staples such as chicken-fried steak and frozen margaritas. In downtown Dallas, the largest contiguous arts district in the nation delivers every type of art form imaginable, from symphonies and Broadway musicals to sculpture gardens and the impressive Dallas Museum of Art. 

A Booming Job Market

Along with the oil-and-gas industry as a large employer of North Texans, several major international corporations have now moved their headquarters to the area, bringing thousands more jobs with them. As communities and infrastructures grow throughout the region, new jobs grow with them in a diverse array of industries, including construction, restaurants, retail and professional services. 

Amazing Restaurants

One of Dallas' longtime claims to fame has been having the largest number of restaurants per capita of any major city — including New York. Though that could have changed as a result of pandemic-related closures in 2020, you'll find some of the best restaurants in the country here, no matter what type of cuisine you crave, at every price point imaginable. Brunch culture is big in this town, as is patio dining, which people enjoy nearly all year, with heaters cranked up in winter, as well as fans and misters (and full-on air-conditioning in some locations) keeping things cool and comfortable outside during the hot Texas summers.

Top-Notch Education

You'll find some of the best schools in the nation in North Texas. From college prep and gifted-and-talented schools to private institutions serving children from kindergarten through high school, many neighborhoods thrive based largely on the school systems that serve them. And when it comes to higher education, major universities such as Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University all call the area home.