top of the line

Dallas carves out spot on list of America's top 20 best cities

It's a solid ranking for Dallas.

Photo by R K on Unsplash

Dallas is earning praise for its prosperity, lovability, and livability in a prestigious new report by Canada-based real estate and tourism marketing advisors Resonance Consultancy.

The annual "America's Best Cities" report ranks qualities like cultural diversity and economic prosperity for U.S. cities with metropolitan populations of 500,000 or more. These top 100 cities are "the engines of their regional and national economies and, importantly, the global economy," according to the report.

Dallas ranked No. 16 on the list. New York City (No. 1), Chicago (No. 2), and Los Angeles (No. 3) claimed the coveted top three spots.

Resonance refers to its 2023 report of the "World's Best Cities" when describing Dallas' achievements, specifically reiterating how the city's cultural footprint has substantially improved over time with the growth of its arts institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Museum of Asian Art, various theaters, and opera venues. The report also reminds that Dallas is home to the sixth-largest LGBTQIA+ community.

Two additional standout factors in the report were Dallas' reputation for its strong economy and job market (driven by the multiple major employers recently hailed the best companies to work for by U.S. News and World Report), combined with "connectivity" advantages from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

"Home to more than 10,000 corporate headquarters — the largest concentration in the U.S. — and ranking No. 4 in the nation for Fortune 500 companies in town, [Dallas] is easy to get to," the report said. "Dallas Fort Worth International Airport tops our Airport Connectivity subcategory, with a planned $3-billion Terminal F project possibly back on the table, given DFW’s rebound of almost 82 million passengers in 2023 — making it the third-busiest airport on earth."

Continuing with Dallas' major transportation projects, the report highlighted the new 2.5 million square foot convention center, and the rebuilding of a major highway through the city.

"[2028] should see the trenching of the city’s car-worshiping Interstate 345 that cut off Black neighborhoods when it was built in the early 1970s," the report restated.

The only city in Texas to make the top 10 was Houston, which came in at No. 10. Austin beat Dallas by one point, coming in at No. 15. San Antonio ranked at No. 32.

The top 10 best American cities, according to Resonance Consultancy, are:

No. 1 – New York, New York
No. 2 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 3 – Los Angeles, California
No. 4 – Miami, Florida
No. 5 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 6 – San Francisco, California
No. 7 – Boston, Massachusetts
No. 8 – Washington, D.C.
No. 9 – Seattle, Washington
No. 10 – Houston, Texas

The full list of cities and the report's methodology can be found on worldsbestcities.com.

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Barkingham palace

Posh new club from LA plans to pamper pups near Dallas Love Field

Rendering courtesy of The Wags Club

The Wags Club, a canine boarding company from Los Angeles, is preparing for a Dallas debut.

Dallas’ latest luxury hotel boasts five-star service with staffers meeting guests’ every need at any hour. And it’s for the dogs. Literally. The Wags Club, a canine boarding company from Los Angeles, makes its Dallas debut Saturday, November 14 at 1740 Empire Central near Love Field airport.

Everyone working at Wags is trained in dog behavior, pet first aid, and, of course, hospitality.

“The Wags Club takes its cues from five-star hotels, bringing a level of hospitality unmatched in the dog boarding industry,” co-founder/CEO Abi De Silva says in a press release.

Dogs' days are cage-free, with temperament-matched playgroups and private play for dogs who prefer their own company. Overnight guests stay in one of 100 private suites, with staff on site all night.

De Silva says her family's dogs Noorie and Maya inspired the concept.

“We envisioned a resort where we could entrust them completely, a place where exceptional care meets thoughtful hospitality and every dog can vacation in style,” she says in the release.

For 15 years, The Wags Club in West Los Angeles has honored that promise, she says. The canine club's almost-400 Google reviews average 4.7 out of five stars. The owners plan to be as popular in Dallas by pairing "unparalleled amenities with a passionate team chosen for their expertise."

Dogs and owners will be able to tour the facility at the grand opening, an event for which Wags is rolling out a red carpet — again, literally. From 9 am-5 pm, dogs and their owners should arrive in style and pose for paparazzi-esque photos.

“Bow ties, tutus, tiaras, and matching dog-and-owner looks are encouraged,” the release says. “A professional photographer will capture every red-carpet arrival, and staff will lead tours of the private suites, play areas, and outdoor yards all day.”

The cuddly customers' photos are shot almost daily and shared, which their parents enjoy, if the LA Wags Club's Facebook page is any indication.

The Wags Club also will partner with Dallas-area rescue organizations, they say, and will offer special rates for dogs in foster care, "giving dogs awaiting their forever homes socialization, exercise, and expert care," says the release.

And for such luxe amenities, the prices are average, based on data from Dognition.

Wags day care runs $25-$40 a day, and boarding for one dog is $60 per night. Two dogs board for $55 per dog per night. Grooming services are also available.

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