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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Grand Prairie, TX

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With more than 5,000 acres of parks, 32 tennis courts and 18 soccer fields, Grand Prairie, Texas has received the prestigious Governor's Community Achievement Award five times (as of 2011) for outstanding community improvement. A part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Grand Prairie utilizes its location to offer lots of recreational activities to its residents and visitors. Incorporated as a city in 1909, Grand Prairie got its name from maps at the time, which labeled the empty, then unincorporated, land between Dallas and Fort Worth as "the grand prairie of Texas".

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 Grand Prairie. 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.

Grand Prairie Climate

Grand Prairie'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 strong thunderstorms during the spring. 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.

Grand Prairie Geography and Neighborhoods

Grand Prairie is located in between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and is a part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. This means that Grand Prairie is technically considered a suburb of both Dallas and Fort Worth. The city has a total area of 81.1 square miles and is part of three different counties: Dallas County, Tarrant County and Ellis County.

Living Costs in the City

Grand Prairie is located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and despite its proximity to the much bigger cities of Dallas and Fort Worth the costs of living remain lower than average. The costs of living in Grand Prairie are low when compared to other similar cities throughout the region, and the price of rent is lower than average throughout most of Grand Prairie, as are the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities.

The median family income in Grand Prairie is $60,733, which is slightly higher than the national average for median family income. The median home price for an average home in Grand Prairie is around $128,314, also well below the national average, but on par with similar real estate prices that exist in other major cities throughout the country.

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.

Grand Prairie Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Grand Prairie, 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:

Grand Prairie Schools

The Grand Prairie Independent School District is a 58-square-mile district serving more than 26,000 students and boasts of 39 schools, including 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools, three high schools and two alternative education schools. There are also two other school districts that operate schools within the city limits of Grand Prairie. The Arlington Independent School District has six schools located in Grand Prairie, while the Mansfield Independent School District has three schools in the city. There are currently no colleges or universities with campuses located in Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie Employment

Grand Prairie's prime location in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and directly in the middle of two major cities provides plenty of employment opportunities for the residents of the city, as well as helping to drive the local economy. There are several companies that have main headquarters or corporate offices located in Grand Prairie, including Six Flags, and American Eurocopter, which is the U.S. subsidiary of Eurocopter.

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 soaring at 29.74 percent. Some of the city's top employers include the Grand Prairie Independent School District, which is the largest employer with a staff of over 3,400 employees. Some of the other major employers in Grand Prairie are Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Poly-America, Inc., Bell Helicopter-Textron, Lone Star Park, Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., Siemens Energy and Automation, Wal-Mart, and Turbomeca Engine Corp.

Public Transportation

Grand Prairie is served by several major highways, some of which include Interstate 20, Interstate 30, State Highway 360, Loop 12 and Spur 303. At the moment, there is no public transportation system available in Grand Prairie, as the city declined membership to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system in 1984.

The closest major airport is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport which is located less than five miles from Grand Prairie 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 and international.

Culture and Contemporary Life

If you're looking for entertainment in Grand Prairie, you won't have to look too far. In addition to being within a short distance of two major cities with endless possibilities and tons of sights to see - Dallas and Fort Worth - there are also plenty of things to keep you busy in GP. Lone Star Park is the place to be if you enjoy horse racing and right next door you'll find the GPX Skate Park, where trials for the X Games are occasionally held. For concerts and other entertainment, check out the Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie or the Uptown Theatre. Sports fans should head down to QuikTrip Park to see the city's minor league baseball team, the Grand Prairie AirHogs.

Moving to Grand Prairie

Whatever your reasons for moving to Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie 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.

Robert Moreschi  Posted by Robert Moreschi on July 17, 2013

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