Pros and cons of moving to Arlington

Pro: Is Arlington central to the region?

Arlington lies about 20 miles from Dallas and 12 miles from Fort Worth. I-30, I-20 and SH 360 connect it to both cities and toward DFW Airport. That makes it practical when two people in a household work on opposite sides of the region.

Pro: What venues and attractions are in town?

AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags Over Texas and Texas Live! are in the Entertainment District. The National Medal of Honor Museum is also here. Downtown adds the Arlington Museum of Art, Theatre Arlington and a farmers market.

Pro: What outdoor space is there?

River Legacy Park covers 1,031 acres of floodplain forest with trails and a nature center. Lake Arlington offers fishing and a paddling trail.

Pro: Can I choose older or newer homes?

You can buy near downtown and UTA, in an established subdivision or in newer construction such as Viridian. Start with Arlington homes for sale.

Pro: Does Texas tax my income?

No. Texas has no personal income tax, so plan around property and sales taxes instead.

Con: How high are property taxes?

For tax year 2025, a home in the city and Arlington ISD faced about $2.19 per $100 of value before exemptions. See property taxes in Arlington.

Con: Will I need a car?

Yes, for most trips. Arlington has no fixed-route bus or rail network of its own, though the city runs Arlington On-Demand shared rides.

Con: How does event traffic affect daily life?

Game and concert days bring heavy traffic near the stadiums. Drive the area on an event night before buying in north Arlington. Some buyers like being close to the action, and others prefer a few miles of distance.

Con: How hot and stormy does it get?

Highs often reach 100 degrees in July and August. North and Central Texas average 26 tornadoes a year, and hail drives many roof claims.

Con: Why do school lines matter here?

Arlington addresses fall into five school districts, and lines shift within short distances. Check every address, since the district also changes your tax rate.

Common questions

Sources

1. QuickFacts: Arlington city, Texas (with Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
2. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
3. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
4. Tarrant Appraisal District (homestead exemption, property search, online protest), Tarrant Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
5. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
6. Clear as MUD, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
7. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
8. What to Know: Arlington's Outdoor Warning Siren System, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
9. Arlington On-Demand, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
10. River Legacy Park, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
11. Viridian Amenities, Viridian (community developer site) (read 2026-09-24)
12. Attractions in Arlington, TX, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
13. Medical City Arlington, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
14. Arlington, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
15. Garbage & Recycling, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
16. Lake Arlington, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
17. Downtown Arlington, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (read 2026-09-24)
18. Texas School Report Cards, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
19. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, DFW International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
20. Arlington ISD, Arlington Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
21. Water Utilities: My Water Account / Start New Water Service, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
22. Truth-in-Taxation summary, Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector (read 2026-09-24)
23. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
24. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
25. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
26. Valuing Property, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
27. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
28. Do I Need A Permit? A DIY Guide, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
29. Permits, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
30. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 757.002 – Application, Texas Health and Safety Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
31. Texas Property Code Section 207.003 – Delivery of Subdivision Information, Texas Property Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
32. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
33. HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)
34. New Home Contract (Incomplete Construction), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
35. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
36. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
37. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
38. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
39. Power to Choose (official PUCT electricity shopping site), Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
40. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.