Fort Worth is the fifth largest city in the state of Texas and the 16th largest in the entire nation. It is also the county seat for Tarrant County. Situated in North Texas, it is considered to be a cultural gateway to the American west. The city was originally established in 1849 and its purpose was to be an Army outpost and fort along the Trinity River immediately following the Mexican-American War. After the war ended in 1849, Fort Worth blossomed into a city, and it has been growing ever since, while still managing to both maintain and embrace its Western heritage in the traditional architecture and design that can be seen throughout the city. In addition to being the home of several large corporations, Fort Worth also features a large collection of world renowned art.
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 Fort Worth. 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.
Fort Worth Climate
Fort Worth's climate is primarily categorized as a semi arid desert climate. The city experiences hot, dry weather during the summer with low humidity. However, the temperatures can often reach the triple digits during the hottest parts of the summer in July and August. 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 supercell thunderstorms, which are large thunderstorms that bring hail and sometimes tornadoes. The wettest month of the year tends to be in May, when the city typically receives the most rainfall. On average, Fort Worth receives around 34-inches of rain each year, and although snow is rare during the winter, the city receives around 3- inches of snow per year on average.
Fort Worth Geography and Neighborhoods
With a total land area of almost 300 square miles, Fort Worth is an incredibly large city, and thus contains many different neighborhoods and districts. In fact, the city of Fort Worth is comprised of almost 80 distinct neighborhoods in regions of the city that include East Fort Worth, West Fort Worth, Central Fort Worth, South Fort Worth and North Fort Worth. Each of these neighborhoods is as unique and diverse as the last. The city is situated in an area of the country known as the Cross Timbers region, which is described as the boundary point between the more heavily wooded eastern part of the country, and the more arid, dry central part of the country.
Living Costs in the City
Fort Worth's cost of living is 9.9 percent lower than the national average. The costs of living in Fort Worth are fairly low when compared to other similar large cities throughout the country, and the average price of rent is low throughout most of Fort Worth, as are the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities. The median family income in Fort Worth is $54,633, which is slightly higher than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Fort Worth is around $123,241, 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.
Fort Worth Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Fort Worth, 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:
Fort Worth Schools
The majority of Fort Worth public schools are operated by the Fort Worth Independent School District, however there are 15 other school districts throughout the city and in surrounding areas that also serve portions of the metropolitan area. In addition to the city's vast public school system, there are also several private and charter schools located throughout the city as well. Some of the colleges and universities with campuses located in Fort Worth include Texas Christian University (TCU), the Art Institute of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University, Tarrant County College, Fisher More College, the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Tarleton State University.
Fort Worth Employment
Fort Worth has a fairly stable economy and is home to the headquarters of several major corporations such as Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack, Lockheed Martin, the BNSF Railway, AMR Corporation and also some subsidiaries of American Airlines and American Eagle Airlines.
The current unemployment rate is right around 6.0 percent as of April 2013, lower than the national unemployment rate, and the job growth rate is currently on the rise at nearly 28.78 percent. Some of Fort Worth's top employers include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Independent School District, American Airlines and Bell Helicopter, among others.
Public Transportation
Fort Worth is well connected to surrounding areas through rail services, interstate highways and easily accessible airports. There are several public transportation systems available in Fort Worth. These include The T, which provides bus service, as well as Molly the Trolley, Amtrak, which has a stop located at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center and the Trinity Railway Express which provides rail service from Fort Worth to Dallas.
The closest major airport is the Fort Worth International Airport which is located between the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas and 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.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Fort Worth's location in north Texas and its proximity to Dallas means that sports are taken pretty seriously in the city - especially football. During the fall, all the attention turns to the Dallas Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs. Even football at the high school level is a serious matter in the state of Texas, and Friday nights in the late summer and fall are when high school football takes center stage. There are plenty of other interesting sites to see throughout Fort Worth, including the city's many art museums such as the Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. In addition, you can visit the Fort Worth Zoo and Fort Worth Botanical Garden for an enjoyable afternoon.
Moving to Fort Worth
Whatever your reasons for moving to Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth 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.