Located in the center of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex, Arlington has a workforce of over two million people within a 25-mile radius. The city also boasts of 82 public parks with more than eight miles of paved trails and a 1,300-acre oasis on the Trinity River. Arlington is also the headquarters of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV. The city, which is the seventh most populous in the state of Texas, is located only 12 miles east of downtown Fort Worth and 20 miles west of downtown Dallas, putting it virtually right in the middle of the largest metropolitan area in the state of Texas and one of the largest in the entire country.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Arlington. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Arlington Climate
Arlington's climate is primarily categorized as a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cool winter weather. Temperatures can often reach the triple digits during the hottest parts of the summer in July and August. However, during the winter, the weather is much milder, with temperatures usually staying in the 50s and 60s during the day and dropping into the 30s and 40s at night.
The city's location in north Texas means that it's often susceptible to super-cell thunderstorms, which are large thunderstorms that bring hail and sometimes tornadoes. The maximum average precipitation during the course of the year usually occurs in May, when the city typically receives the most rainfall. Although snow is rare during the winter, it does happen occasionally.
Arlington Geography and Neighborhoods
The city of Arlington has been expanding rapidly during the last few decades and it continues to expand, along with the rest of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Arlington is located on the Trinity River, and contains a number of distinct neighborhoods that make up the character and charm of the city. The city of Arlington has a lot to offer, from its sports teams to its various other forms of entertainment, and the downtown area is in the midst of a revitalization that has attracted many more visitors and tourists to the area, thanks to the addition of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, completed in 2009.
Living Costs in the City
Despite its prime location in the middle of two major cities, Fort Worth and Dallas, and being located in one of the largest metro areas in the country, Arlington's cost of living is lower than the national average. The costs of living in Arlington are fairly low when compared to other similar large cities throughout the country, and the average price of rent is low throughout most of Arlington, as are the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities. The median family income in Arlington is $69,276, which is higher than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Arlington is around $117,596, also significantly low and well below the national average, but on par with similar real estate prices that exist throughout much of Texas, as well as most of the region.
Registering Your Car
The first few weeks can be a busy time for anyone who is new to Texas. One must make sure to register their vehicle as soon as they can. In order to do that one can find a local car service provider who will inspect your vehicle. There are also vehicle inspection stations available where one must show detailed proof of adequate insurance and your driver's license.
Upon moving to Texas, one must also apply for a Texas Driver's license. One must go to a driver's license division office of the Texas Department of Public safety. Unless you are a student or a military member you must submit any existing license and apply for a new license here. One has 90 days upon arrival to have a Texas driver's license. You must also make sure to learn about the Texas point system as getting a ticket in Texas can be very expensive.
Arlington Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Arlington, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Texas. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Arlington Schools
There are four independent public school districts that make up the city of Arlington's public school system. The districts are the Arlington Independent School District, the Mansfield Independent School District, the Grand Prairie Independent School District and the Kennedale Independent School District. In addition, Arlington is also home to the University of Texas at Arlington. With more than 30,000 students enrolled, it's the second largest institution in the University of Texas system. Other institutions of higher learning located in the city include Arlington Baptist College and Tarrant County College.
Arlington Employment
There are several major contributors to the Arlington economy, including professional sports, which provide the area with a lot of jobs year-round, in addition to a lot of revenue for the city and the state of Texas. In addition, the University of Texas at Arlington is another major contributor to the local economy, as well as the General Motors assembly plant located in the city and the headquarters for American Mensa.
The current unemployment rate is right around 5.6 percent as of April 2013, lower than the national unemployment rate, and the job growth rate is currently on the rise at nearly 13.54 percent. Some of Arlington's top employers include General Motors, the University of Texas at Arlington, Six Flags Theme Parks, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.
Public Transportation
Arlington is the largest city in the United States without a public transportation system. This means that there is no fixed-route bus transit system in the city and no rail transportation either. However, the city is located in close proximity to several major highways including the Ronald Regan Memorial Highway or Interstate 20 and Tom Landry Memorial Highway or I-30. The bottom line is that to get around in Arlington, you're going to need a car and you won't be able to rely on mass transit like in other big cities.
The closest airport is the Arlington Municipal Airport, which is located in Arlington. However, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the largest commercial airport in the area and is only 12 miles from downtown Arlington. It is the eighth busiest airport in the world based on passenger traffic. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and features flights to over 200 destinations around the world, including domestic and international.
Culture and Contemporary Life
If you're a sports fan, you'll love it in Arlington. The city hosts two professional sports franchises – the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL and the Texas Rangers in Major League Baseball. The Cowboys, one of the country's most popular sports franchises, recently moved to Arlington from Irving, Texas in 2009 when a brand-new $1.3 billion stadium named Cowboys Stadium was erected across the street from the Ballpark at Arlington, the stadium where the Texas Rangers currently play. The stadium hosted the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and the Super Bowl in 2011, as well as several other high-profile sporting events. The Rangers have also been successful recently, making consecutive trips to the World Series in 2010 and 2011.
There's plenty more to see in Arlington, including the Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor theme parks, the International Bowling Museum and International Bowling Hall of Fame, Theater Arlington and Levitt Pavilion for those who live concerts and shows, and the Parks Mall for great shopping.
Moving to Arlington
Whatever your reasons for moving to Arlington, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Arlington is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.