The United States has famous cities like New York, LA, and Chicago, as well as many cities known for tourism.

However, when it comes to discussions about "the best cities to live in," Dallas consistently ranks high for a reason.

Let me share some characteristics of this city that I've noticed while living in Dallas.

The first is that the city is surprisingly large.

Dallas is the 9th largest city in the U.S. and the third largest in Texas.

But you can't just look at Dallas alone to understand its true size. It is part of a massive metroplex that includes cities like Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Irving, and McKinney. When you first arrive in Dallas, you might find yourself saying, "Where does this city end?" Unlike New York, which revolves around a single downtown, Dallas has multiple centers spread out.

The second reason is that there are quite a few job opportunities.

In the past, Texas was primarily associated with the oil industry, but now Dallas has transformed into a truly American-style business city.

Industries like finance, telecommunications, technology, and logistics have seen significant growth. There are also many Fortune 500 companies here. Major corporations like Texas Instruments and various IT and finance companies continue to move in. As a result, it's common to meet people who say, "I moved to Dallas for the job opportunities."

The third reason is the cost of living. To be honest, housing prices have risen a lot lately.

However, compared to New York or California, it still feels like prices are about half. The price of a small condo in California could buy you a fairly spacious single-family home in Dallas. And there's an important point: Texas has no state income tax. This makes a noticeable difference, especially for those receiving a paycheck.

The fourth reason is that the suburban cities are quite nice.

Often, the suburban cities north of downtown Dallas are more popular.

Areas like Plano, Frisco, and McKinney have good school districts and clean living environments. This attracts many families moving in. With decent schools, safe neighborhoods, and spacious homes, many Americans prefer these areas.

The fifth reason is that there is a sizable Korean community.

When discussing areas in the U.S. with large Korean populations, people usually think of LA or New York first.

However, Dallas also has a surprisingly large Korean community.

Especially in the northern areas around Plano, there is a well-established Korean business district. Infrastructure like Korean restaurants, markets, academies, and churches is well-developed.

For instance, H Mart has opened a location on Harry Hines, making a total of three H Mart stores in the Dallas area, including those in Plano and Carrollton. The newly opened Harry Hines location is a massive store, about 140,000 square feet. With good infrastructure, Koreans moving from other areas tend to settle in quickly.

Of course, Dallas is not a perfect city.

The summers are really hot.

Living without a car is almost impossible.

It's not a city like New York where you can walk everywhere.

However, it definitely has its advantages. The city is continuously growing, job opportunities are increasing, and the cost of living is still reasonable.

So, it's neither as hectic as New York nor as unreasonably expensive as LA.

Instead, it's spacious, has job opportunities, and offers relatively affordable housing. This is why Dallas is often mentioned as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.