Moving with a young family gets chaotic fast. One small child or four, it does not matter. These moves have more moving parts than any other kind, which is why you want a residential mover who knows Dallas and handles family relocations regularly.
Research the area properly before you commit. Then use the tips below to keep moving day from swallowing your family whole.
Choosing the Right Part of Dallas for Your Family
Picking the right area matters more than picking the right house. Three things drive the decision for most families:
- School quality
- Job access and commute time
- Safety and neighborhood feel
Here is the part most guides get wrong. Families relocating to DFW rarely land in Dallas proper. They land in the suburbs, and each one has a different price and personality.
North of Dallas, along the Collin County corridor:
- Frisco. Fast-growing, heavy on new construction, strong schools, and plenty of youth sports.
- Allen. Good balance of price and schools. Popular with first-time DFW buyers.
- Plano. Established, central, and close to major employers.
- McKinney and Prosper. Newer growth, historic downtown in McKinney, lower entry prices further out.
Northwest, toward the airport:
- Southlake. Consistently ranked among the safest and best-schooled suburbs in the region. Premium pricing.
- Coppell and Flower Mound. Top districts, quieter streets, easy airport access.
- Colleyville and Keller. Established neighborhoods with strong schools.
Inside Dallas:
- University Park and Highland Park. The top-rated district in Texas, walkable, close to downtown, and priced accordingly.
Visit before you choose if you can. Drive the commute at the hour you would actually drive it.
Start With the School District, Not the House
This is the single biggest lesson for families moving to DFW. School district lines decide more than any other factor, and they do not follow city names or neighborhood boundaries.
Six of the ten top-rated school districts in Texas sit in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The ones families ask about most:
- Highland Park ISD, serving University Park and Highland Park
- Carroll ISD in Southlake
- Coppell ISD
- Frisco ISD
- Allen ISD
- Lovejoy ISD, near Lucas and Allen
Two rules save families a lot of grief. First, verify the attendance zone for the exact address before you sign anything, because one street can split two districts. Second, check the specific campus, not just the district rating. A strong district can still have an uneven elementary school.
If you have school-aged kids, it also helps to understand how a move affects them before you start touring houses.
Housing Costs in Dallas and the Suburbs
Dallas housing has cooled. Zillow puts the typical Dallas home value near $311,000, down roughly 2.7% over the past year. Closed sale prices run higher, with Dallas County medians closer to $365,000, because those figures only count homes that actually sold.
Do not assume the suburbs are cheaper. That advice gets repeated constantly and it is wrong for DFW. Southlake, Highland Park, and parts of Frisco cost far more than Dallas proper. Entry prices tend to drop as you move out toward Celina and Prosper, then rise again in the established premium suburbs.
Budget for two Texas specifics:
- No state income tax. That is a real raise if you are moving in from California, New York, or Illinois.
- High property taxes. Texas makes up the difference here, and rates vary by district. Check the rate on any address before you fall in love with the house.
Renting for the first year is a reasonable play if you are new to the metro. A short-term storage unit covers the gap if the rental is smaller than what you left.
Before Your Move
Handle these early, because each one takes longer than parents expect:
- Plan ahead. Book your mover as soon as you have a date.
- Set up utilities. Texas has a deregulated electricity market, so you choose your own retail provider. Shop before you switch.
- Manage school records. Request transcripts and immunization records early.
- Time your move. More on this below.
- Create an essentials box. One per person.
Coordinate Moving Plans With Your Kids
Tell everyone, including the little ones, as soon as you know. Then listen. Take their feedback seriously.
Expect resistance, especially from tweens and teens who are leaving friends behind. Their concerns are real, so be a sounding board instead of a salesperson. A family meeting keeps everyone in the loop and gives kids a place to put their questions. Moving really is a full family affair, and treating it that way lowers the temperature.
Choose When to Move
Dallas summers are brutal. Expect stretches of 100-degree days from June through September. That is also when most families move, because it disrupts school least.
If you move in summer, book early and start early in the day. Have cold drinks ready for the crew and a cool room set aside for kids and pets.
The school calendar matters as much as the weather. Moving between school years is easiest on kids. Moving mid-year means handling enrollment and transfers while everything else is in boxes. Sometimes a job relocation makes the choice for you. Either way, call a Dallas mover the moment you know your date, since summer and month-end slots go fast.
Delegate Responsibilities
Build a detailed moving checklist, then hand out tasks by age and ability. Small children can absolutely pack their own stuffed animals and toys. Have every family member purge their own room and get rid of what they no longer use.
Your list will be the heavy one: booking movers, switching utilities, stopping the mail, and updating your address with schools, doctors, and insurers.
Post a Moving Inventory List
Once you have sorted everything, post a detailed inventory of what is going to the new house.
Photograph your valuables and electronics, especially the wiring behind the TV and desktop setups. You will thank yourself when it is time to reconnect everything. Keep jewelry, documents, and small valuables in your own car rather than on the truck.
Bring the Essentials
With several small kids at different ages, comfort items need to stay within reach. Pack a bag for each person and keep it with you, not on the truck.
Include toys for the kids, toys for the pets, diapers, prescription medications, chargers, games, laptops, and a first-night bag with pajamas, toothbrushes, and a change of clothes. If you have a baby, our tips for unpacking with a baby cover the first few days.
Enroll Your Kids and Transfer Records Early
Start this before moving day, not after. Most Texas districts want the same paperwork:
- Proof of residency, usually a lease or closing document plus a utility bill
- Birth certificate
- Immunization records, which Texas requires before a child can attend
- Transcripts or the most recent report card
- Any IEP or 504 plan documentation
Request records from your current school in writing and get copies for yourself. If your child has an IEP, contact the new district early, because services transfer but the timeline varies.
Things to Do in Dallas With Kids
Line up a few outings for the first weeks. Familiar fun helps kids settle faster than unpacking does.
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The reliable rainy-day and too-hot-outside option.
- Dallas Zoo. Memberships pay for themselves in two or three visits.
- Dallas Arboretum. Sixty-six acres, with a dedicated children’s garden.
- Klyde Warren Park. Free splash pad and food trucks downtown.
- White Rock Lake. Trails, playgrounds, and open space.
- Splash pads. DFW suburbs run dozens of free ones. Frisco alone has more than twenty.
From June through September, plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Hire Pros Who Handle Family Moves
You already know how complicated a family move gets. That is the argument for hiring professionals who take the details and the heavy lifting off your plate.
Research your options, get quotes from three companies, and ask each one directly:
- Are you licensed and insured, and what is your TxDMV number?
- Is your crew made up of full-time employees or day labor?
- What valuation coverage do you offer, and what does it actually pay?
- Have you done moves with young kids in the house?
Full-service movers who handle packing are worth pricing out when you have toddlers underfoot. For more, see our tips for families moving with young children.
Moving to Dallas With Kids FAQs
What is the best Dallas suburb for young families? It depends on budget and district. Southlake and Highland Park rank at the top and price accordingly. Allen, McKinney, and Frisco offer strong schools at lower entry prices. Coppell and Flower Mound sit in between.
When is the best time to move to Dallas with kids? Between school years is easiest on children. Avoid peak summer heat and month-end if you can, since those slots cost more and book out first.
How much does a home cost in Dallas? Zillow puts the typical Dallas home value near $311,000, down about 2.7% year over year. Suburb prices vary widely, and premium districts like Southlake and Highland Park run much higher.
What do I need to enroll my child in a Texas school? Most districts ask for proof of residency, a birth certificate, immunization records, and recent transcripts. Texas requires immunization records before a child can attend.
Should I move before or after buying a house? Many families relocating to DFW rent for a year first. It lets you test the commute and the district before committing to a purchase.
Contact Olde World Movers in Dallas
Olde World Movers has handled Dallas-Fort Worth family moves since 1988. We are licensed and insured, we hold an A+ rating with the BBB, and every mover on our crew is a full-time employee.
We handle local residential moves across DFW, long-distance moves if you are relocating from out of state, plus packing and storage.
Start with a free quote. Reach us in Fort Worth at 817-854-4068, Euless at 817-374-4316, or Frisco at 972-665-6910. You can also complete our free estimate form or email info@oldeworldmovers.com. For more help getting ready, browse our moving tips and guides.
