Transportation
North Dallas is a major thoroughfare for travelin the Metroplex and the state. One of the primary reasons North Dallas has experienced such explosive growth in residential homes as well as in the relocation of corporate headquarters is the easy access from one location to the next. The average commute time in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is 24 minutes.

North Dallas provides maximum accessibility to all surrounding areas with its six major thoroughfares. The Dallas North Tollway, IH-35 East (Stemmons Freeway) and U.S. Highway 75 (North Central Expressway) provide direct access south to downtown Dallas and neighboring cities to the north. East and west access is provided by IH-635 (LBJ Freeway), Loop 12 (Northwest Highway) and the President George Bush Turnpike.

Moreover, North Dallas provides easy access to national and international travel through two Dallas airports. American Airlines is the largest carrier at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which is the third-busiest airport in the nation, with 2,500 daily flights to 200 destinations around the world. Dallas Love Field, home of Southwest Airlines, boasts more than 100 daily departures to destinations in Texas and neighboring states.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), designed to combine bus and rail service, is another important component of transportation in North Dallas. The DART Light Rail System now provides service to many business, shopping and entertainment destinations along the North Central Expressway corridor and in downtown Dallas, West and South Oak Cliff, Plano, Richardson and Garland. Plus, DART’s TRE commuter line links DART customers to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and downtown Fort Worth. It is projected that 53 miles of light rail and 37 miles of commuter rail, including links to D/FW Airport, will serve Dallas and 13 surrounding communities by the year 2010. DART also provides 13 cities in the Dallas area with 130 local and express bus routes. Nearly 500,000 people ride DART’s light rail and fleet of 1,000 buses and vans each day.

Cost of Living
The standard of living in North Dallas is among the best the nation has to offer. Daily residents reap the benefits of larger homes, reasonably priced goods and services, and a host of inexpensive leisure activities. Based on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, North Dallas residents are able to purchase more for each dollar earned than in many other parts of the country.

Climate
Many people relocate to Dallas because of its weather. Dallas offers a mild year-round climate, allowing residents to enjoy their favorite outdoor pastimes in almost every season. Jogging, bicycling, gardening and boating are year-round pleasures for many of our residents.

July is the warmest month, and although the almanac indicates an average temperature of 80 degrees, it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach the 90s and sometimes soar above 100 degrees. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average temperature of 44 degrees. At times, Dallas winter temperatures have been known to drop below freezing. At least one day of snow can be expected during the winter months, but accumulation is minimal. Sudden changes in weather can be characteristic of the area; hence the old Texas saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a little while. It’ll change.”

Taxes
Texas has no personal or corporate income tax and no state property or unitary tax. Within each county, Central Appraisal Districts provide uniform appraisals to various local taxing entities such as cities, counties and school districts. These political subdivisions may each impose ad valorem taxes on real and personal property. Other taxing entities include hospital, water, transportation and junior college districts. For further information, call Dallas County at 214.653.7011.

Taxation Fiscal Year 2004
Texas has no corporate or personal income tax.

State sales tax 6.25%
City sales tax 1.00%
Dallas Area Rapid Transit sales tax 1.00%
Total Sales Tax 8.25%

Other Local Property Tax Rates*
Dallas County Community College District $0.6998
Dallas Independent School District $1.6694
Dallas County Hospital (Parkland Memorial) $0.25400

*Estimated total effective rate inside the City of Dallas per $100 assessed value.
Source: City of Dallas, County of Dallas

2004 Tax Rates of Selected Local Cities
Addison $0.47600
Carrollton $0.59930
Dallas $0.71970
Frisco $0.43200
Irving $0.49800
Plano $0.45350

Source: Individual cities