A Mover’s Guide to Setting Up Dallas Utilities and Getting Settled

Are you moving to Dallas, Texas or planning on moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area? If so, congratulations! Dallas is a world-class city with so many things going for it that it’d be impossible to list them all.

However, we’ll share the most important basics about the Dallas area so you can hit the ground running. Learn what to expect in this great Texas city, including the job market, cost of living, fun activities, and the best ways to set up your new Dallas utilities

What Are Some Basic Facts About Dallas?

Dallas is part of what’s known as a metroplex, which includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Together, this area covers 11 counties. According to the latest census data, the metroplex is home to more than 7,570,000 Texans, by far the largest metropolitan area in North Texas, covering 8,674 square miles. (That’s a lot of real estate.) 

The Dallas metro area is home to a number of smaller cities in the Lone Star state, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Frisco, Plano, and Garland. If you’re moving to the Dallas area, you not only have your choice of Dallas neighborhoods, but you also have your option of different cities. Talk about spoiled choices! 

Does Dallas Have a Low Cost of Living?

One of the top reasons why people are moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living in Texas. Many new Texans formerly lived in California or along the East Coast, and were lured to the better affordability of this North Texas metroplex. For one thing, the state of Texas doesn’t impose a personal income tax. Less tax can mean more money in your pocket and a lower cost of living

While Texas doesn’t have state income tax, its property taxes tend to be on the higher side. In fact, they were recently ranked as the seventh highest in the nation. That said, these taxes tend to vary by county, but you can search for these different rates on the Texas Comptroller’s website.

It’s also worth noting that the median cost of a home in the Dallas area is about $297,000. That’s a considerable drop from other major-city prices. For instance, the typical home value in New York is more than $728,000 while the median price for a house in California is creeping north of $800,000. It’s no wonder that Dallas is attracting so many out-of-state-ers

Is the Dallas Job Market Booming?

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The Dallas metro area added 152,500 jobs between August 2020 and August 2021, ranking it as the third-fastest growing job market out of all of the country’s biggest metropolitan areas — only Los Angeles and New York City added more. In fact, the Dallas area added 5.4% more jobs during this time period, a full percentage point higher than the national average of just 4.4 percent

This job growth is partly due to the fact that Dallas is the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies, including American Airlines and the telecommunications giant AT&T. Healthcare is another major industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which could be one of the reasons why so many people are moving to the area

Does Dallas Have Many Big City Amenities?

Everything might be bigger in Texas, but to truly get the most out of everything Texas has to offer, it helps to live in one of the biggest major cities in the country, like Dallas

One of the first major city amenities you might notice upon moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is its international airport, abbreviated to DFW. DFW is a hub for American Airlines, and as such, it will be easier to find direct flights out of the Dallas airport (no more long layovers!)

You can also take advantage of the Dallas metroplex’s public transportation options, which include the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, known to local Texans as DART. DART coordinates a network of buses, commuter rail, and light rail, which can help you get from point A to point B without a car

The Dallas metro area also has many excellent school districts, so if you have children or plan on starting a family, it might be worth checking out the school districts that most appeal to you

What Are Fun Things to Do In the Dallas-Fort Worth Area?

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In case you hadn’t heard, Dallas is “Cowboy Country.” The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys have often been called “America’s Team,” but there’s no doubt that they are a North Texas team. If you’re at all a fan of football, it will be well worth your time to take a trip out to AT&T Stadium in Arlington to catch a Dallas Cowboys home game

If hockey or basketball are more your speed, make a trip to American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas to watch the Dallas Stars (NHL) or the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) play a home game

Dallas has plenty to offer for those seeking outdoor activities too. White Rock Lake, a reservoir located in northeast Dallas, is a popular attraction for locals. While there, don’t miss the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Located on the southern shore of White Rock Lake, it offers a beautifully curated green space experience

Another benefit of living in a major city like Dallas is that you get to see some of the world’s greatest live music performers. Dallas is a big draw for theater, nightlife, and live music, so be sure to check out Deep Ellum, a Dallas neighborhood in Dallas that calls itself “the live music capital of North Texas.” 

Let’s not forget about the Dallas food scene, which boasts some eclectic cuisines from world-class chefs. If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you’ll be happy making Dallas your home, and you’ll undoubtedly start singing the praises of Tex-Mex before long. If you fancy yourself a foodie, the Uptown Dallas neighborhood is a good place to start

Finally, if you’d like to experience some culture, be sure to check out the Dallas Museum of Art, which can be found (along with many other museums and galleries) in the Dallas Arts District, located in Downtown Dallas

How Do Utilities Work in Dallas, Texas?

Now that you’ve gotten the skinny on all that Dallas has to offer, the next thing you’ll need to figure out as a new North Texas resident is how to hook up all of your utilities to your new residence

You’ll have to create an account, either online or over the phone, with the utility companies that provide each utility service you’ll need.

It can be a hassle to track down all the necessary information from various water, sewage, internet, electricity, and cable providers, but don’t worry. We’ve gone ahead and made a quick guide here to help give you a head start on setting up all of your Dallas utilities

How Do I Set Up My New Dallas Utilities?

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You’ll need to sort out some basic information on your end before talking to the various utility service providers in Dallas, Texas. Make sure to have your contact information, your new address, your phone number, and your credit card information on hand when making these service requests for your Dallas utilities

Once you have that information ready, check out dallascityhall.com, which has plenty of information and FAQs that could be helpful

For renters and homeowners alike, setting up new accounts will differ depending on the utility service you’re trying to set up, so let’s break it down into smaller parts. First up: water

How to Set Up a Dallas Water Utility New Account 

There are three ways to set up a new account with Dallas utilities for water. First, you have the option to open an account online by going to the website 2turniton.com and filling out your information

If you’d prefer not to use a computer, you can set up a new account by calling the City of Dallas Water Utilities Department (DWU) at the following phone number: (214) 651-1441.

Note: You’ll need to call this phone number between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday

Finally, you have the option to set up a new account with the Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) Department in person by visiting Dallas City Hall, located at 1500 Marilla Street. Stop by the Customer Service Lobby in Room 1A to talk with someone about your service request, or to start your water supply

How to Set Up a Dallas Gas Utility Account 

For most residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Atmos Energy will be the gas utility service provider. To start or transfer service, call (888) 286-6700 between 7am-6pm during the week

How to Set Up a New Dallas Account for Phone, Internet, and Cable 

Water, gas, and power are essentials but high-speed internet and cable are also must-haves for most people. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Charter Spectrum is a common internet and cable provider while DirecTV and DISH Network offer satellite alternatives.

Reach out to one of these companies to set up a new account — and consider bundling your internet and cable to save money

How Do You Set Up a New Dallas Electricity Account?

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If you’re moving to Dallas from out of state, you might be surprised to learn that setting up a new account for electricity might be a little bit different. That’s because Texas has a deregulated energy market, which means that Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) compete for your business

Not every part of Dallas, Texas is deregulated, though. Depending on where you live, you might not have a choice in your electricity provider. If you live in Collin, Cooke, Denton, Grayson, Tarrant, or Wise counties, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to set up an account with CoServ

If that’s the case, setting up a new account is relatively straightforward. But if you do have a choice, read on to learn what you should be looking for, and how to compare different providers

How Do I Choose an Energy Provider in Dallas? 

If your new residence is located in a deregulated market of Texas, make sure to check out the Power to Choose website. It’s the official website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) that offers a free, unbiased presentation of the different Texas electricity companies and their various plans and rates

If you’re trying to choose between plans, you’ll want to focus on a few different things: 

• Price Per Kilowatt Hour: First, price per kilowatt hour (Kwh) is an obvious place to start — the lower, the better. As you select your new Dallas utility plan, note that many electricity providers will charge different rates per kilowatt hour depending on your usage. It’s worth taking your usage rate into account as you make this decision, as it can make a big difference in your rate, and therefore your final utility bill. 
• Rate Plan: Second, pay attention to whether the plan you’re looking at is fixed-rate or variable-rate. Va