Why So Many People Are Leaving Dallas

[Aquaman]

Rising Housing Costs

• The DFW housing market has seen significant price increases, making home ownership less attainable for many residents.
• Property taxes are also rising annually, affecting both new buyers and long-term homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes.
• The average property tax rate in the DFW area ranges from approximately 1.8% to 3%, leading to higher expenses for homeowners.

Traffic Congestion

• The rapid population growth in the DFW area has resulted in increased traffic congestion and longer commute times.
• The average commute in Dallas has ballooned to about 26 minutes, with many residents experiencing even longer travel times.
• Despite infrastructure developments like new bridges, the city struggles to keep pace with the rising number of vehicles on the road.

Shift to Remote Work

• Approximately 12% of U.S. workers are now fully remote, a significant increase from under 5% five years ago, largely influenced by the pandemic.
• This shift enables residents to move further away from their offices, seeking more affordable housing in suburbs or rural areas.
• For instance, areas just outside the DFW metroplex, like Forney, offer newly built homes at significantly lower prices compared to the city.

Concerns Over Crime

• With population growth, crime rates in urban areas, including DFW, have increased, prompting some residents to seek safer environments.
• Longtime residents express nostalgia for safer neighborhoods, where leaving doors unlocked was common, which is becoming less feasible.
• As crime concerns grow, families prioritize moving to areas perceived as safer and more community-oriented.

Desire for a Community Feel

• Many residents are seeking smaller communities that offer a sense of connection, manageable school sizes, and local businesses over corporate entities.
• Individuals are willing to endure longer commutes in exchange for a lifestyle that emphasizes community and personal connections.
• Feedback indicates a longing for the charm and familiarity of smaller towns, contrasting the feel of a sprawling metropolis.

Political Beliefs

• The political landscape in DFW leans left, which has led some families with differing political beliefs to reconsider their residency.
• The 2020 presidential election showed a significant blue vote in Dallas, while surrounding counties were more mixed.
• As new residents move in from politically different areas, some current residents feel increasingly out of place, prompting moves out of the metroplex.

[karuvu]

Police ridings in hotels???