When I first moved to the United States, I opened a map app and looked around Arlington. The city names were just spread out everywhere.

Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Burleson, Denton... Are all of these near Arlington? That's when I first realized. DFW is not just two cities but a massive mega-cluster.

The numbers make it even more impressive. The total population of the DFW metro area is 6.655 million as of 2024. Since the population of Seoul, South Korea, is about 9.6 million, it means that 70% of Seoul's population is spread out over the plains in DFW. Arlington alone had a population of 394,266 according to the 2020 census. There are already over 5 million people within a 35-mile radius.

Let's break down the nearby cities specifically. Fort Worth is 10 miles to the west, with a population of 963,194 in 2024, making it one of the top five cities in Texas. Dallas is 20 miles to the east, with a population of 1,307,930 in 2024.

Going a bit north, you find Irving, which is adjacent to DFW Airport. To the south are Mansfield and Burleson, with Mansfield growing rapidly at a population of 79,775 in 2023. Denton is 30 miles to the north, with a population of 158,361 in 2023, home to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University.

From the perspective of the Korean community, this geographical structure is quite practical. H Mart is located in Carrollton and Plano, and the Koreatown vibe is mainly formed around Richardson and Carrollton. It's about a 30-minute drive from Arlington. Many people combine their work in Dallas, shopping in Plano, and living in areas like Grand Prairie or Mansfield based on their budget and lifestyle.

A 50-mile radius is actually quite a large living area. While it has the downside of longer commuting times, it also means there are more options available. If you're considering where to live, it's a good idea to keep this map of Arlington in mind. It's a solid position to be in.