Dallas
Dallas is one of the largest cities in America, combining urban sophistication with an incomparable Texan personality. Dallas is an altogether unique blend of cultures, styles, and flavors, with more than one million people calling the city proper home. Living in Dallas puts you right in the thick of it all, with endless options to customize your experience. Corporate professionals seeking to avoid long commutes may want to look for apartments in Downtown or Uptown, which are both home to major business centers as well as residential communities, affording many residents walkable access to work. Culture enthusiasts should consider apartments near the Dallas Arts District, which is home to the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Winspear Opera House, and more. Creatives may enjoy places like Old East Dallas and North Oak Cliff, where artistic pursuits abound. Dallas offers some of the most diverse nightlife in Texas, from laid-back lounges to thumping night clubs. Dallas residents also enjoy some of the best shopping in the Southwest, from Galleria Dallas to downtown’s independent boutiques. A fast-growing light rail system, major highways, and busy airports connect Dallas and the surrounding Metroplex to the rest of Texas and beyond.
Arlington
Sandwiched between Fort Worth and Dallas, Arlington is part of the massive DFW Metroplex. This big (even by Texas standards), busy, thriving city is home to some powerhouse locations, including the University of Texas at Arlington, AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), Globe Life Park (home of the Texas Rangers), Six Flags Over Texas, and Hurricane Harbor. These, along with Texas Health Resources, General Motors Arlington Assembly, and GM Financial, are some of the city's largest employers. With so much happening in and around this active, dynamic metropolis, you'll never sit around your Arlington apartment wondering what to do. Head to the Arlington Museum of Art or the International Bowling Museum, visit the Village Creek Historical Area or SW Nature Preserve, go hiking at River Legacy Parks, see the animals at the Fort Worth Zoo, and go shopping at Grand Prairie Premium Outlets or the Parks at Arlington. From students to sports fans to foodies to families, there's something for everyone in the "American Dream City."
Plano
Plano sits about 20 miles north of Dallas as the largest city in Collin County, carrying real economic weight in the broader metroplex. It is home to the North American headquarters of Toyota, along with major corporate names like Frito-Lay, JCPenney, and Capital One, which means a substantial share of residents work close to where they live. The University of Texas at Dallas anchors the city's academic profile and draws a steady stream of students and researchers to the area. Neighborhoods like Legacy West, the Downtown Plano Arts District, and Willow Bend each offer a distinct atmosphere, from polished mixed-use development to walkable brick-paved streets lined with galleries and boutiques. The housing stock reflects that range, with sleek high-rise apartment communities near corporate corridors, garden-style rentals tucked into quieter residential pockets, and townhome communities spread throughout. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Bob Woodruff Park give residents room to breathe outdoors, and the annual Plano Balloon Festival at Oak Point Park is a genuine community anchor. DART rail connects downtown Plano to the broader metro, though most errands still call for a car in this spread-out city.
