Morgan Stanley made it official on Monday. The firm is building a new U.S. hub in Dallas with a $684 million investment and more than 3,800 jobs. If your name is on one of those offer letters, you're about to make one of the biggest decisions of the move: where to live.
At The Agency Dallas, we live and work a short drive from both of Morgan Stanley's Dallas addresses. Here's how we'd think about where to live for a Morgan Stanley Dallas relocation.
Know where you'll be working, and when
The firm is opening in two phases. First comes about 255,000 square feet at Fountain Place, 1445 Ross Ave., in downtown Dallas, for roughly four years. The permanent home is a new tower at 2401 McKinney Ave. in Uptown, less than a mile from Goldman Sachs' Dallas campus.
That matters for your search. A home that works for a downtown commute today should also work for Uptown in a few years. The good news is that the neighborhoods below serve both.
Uptown and Turtle Creek: walk to work
If you want to leave the car in the garage, Uptown is the answer. High-rise residences along Turtle Creek and McKinney Avenue put the new tower within walking distance. The Katy Trail runs right through the neighborhood for morning runs, and restaurants, galleries, and the Arts District are minutes away.
Best for: singles, couples, and anyone who wants a lock-and-leave home while they learn the city.
Highland Park and University Park: the Park Cities
This is our home. The Park Cities sit just north of Uptown, a short drive or a Katy Trail ride from the office. Families come here for Highland Park ISD, tree-lined streets, Highland Park Village, and a real sense of neighborhood. Homes rarely stay on the market long.
Best for: families who put schools and community first.
Preston Hollow: room to breathe
A few minutes further north, Preston Hollow offers larger lots, established estates, and a mix of top private schools nearby. It's a straight shot down the Dallas North Tollway to Uptown.
Best for: buyers who want space, privacy, and a yard the kids can actually use.
Three things transferees ask us first
- Should we rent first? Sometimes. If your start date is set but your family is still deciding on schools, a short lease in Uptown can buy time. We'll tell you honestly when buying now makes more sense.
- How fast do we need to move? In the Park Cities, the right home can go quickly. Being pre-approved and having a local agent watching the market is the difference.
- Does my relocation package change anything? Often it does, from closing cost coverage to timing. Bring it to our first conversation and we'll build the plan around it.
Start with a conversation
We're an independently owned brokerage based on Preston Road, and we help families land in Dallas every year. Tell us your start date, your must-haves, and your budget, and we'll send a short list of neighborhoods and homes that fit.
Book your Dallas relocation consult.
More in this series: What Morgan Stanley's 3,800 Jobs Mean for Dallas Real Estate and Thinking of Selling Your Dallas Home? What Morgan Stanley's Move Means for You.
Frequently asked questions
Where will Morgan Stanley employees work in Dallas?
Morgan Stanley is opening in two phases. The interim office is about 255,000 square feet at Fountain Place, 1445 Ross Ave., downtown, for roughly four years. The permanent home is a new tower at 2401 McKinney Ave. in Uptown. A home that works for a downtown commute today should also work for Uptown in a few years.
What is the best Dallas neighborhood for a Morgan Stanley relocation?
It depends on how you want to live. For a Morgan Stanley Dallas relocation, The Agency Dallas usually starts with three areas: Uptown and Turtle Creek for a walkable commute, the Park Cities for Highland Park ISD and a real sense of neighborhood, and Preston Hollow for larger lots and an easy Tollway drive to Uptown.
Can I walk to Morgan Stanley's new Dallas tower?
From Uptown, often yes. High-rise residences along Turtle Creek and McKinney Avenue put the new tower at 2401 McKinney Ave. within walking distance. The Katy Trail runs through the neighborhood, and restaurants, galleries, and the Arts District are minutes away, which makes Uptown a good lock-and-leave choice while you learn the city.
Should Morgan Stanley transferees rent before buying in Dallas?
Sometimes. If your start date is set but your family is still deciding on schools, a short lease in Uptown can buy time. If you already know the Park Cities is the goal, remember that homes there rarely stay on the market long. We'll tell you honestly when buying now makes more sense.
Does a relocation package change how we buy?
Often it does, from closing cost coverage to timing. Bring your package to your first conversation with our agents, along with your start date, must-haves, and budget, and we'll build the neighborhood and home search around it so the move lines up with your first day in the office.
