📍 About ZFW & Fort Worth
Fort Worth ARTCC (ZFW) is located on the west side of the DFW metroplex in Fort Worth, TX. The area blends modern urban life with classic Texas charm — known for its cowboy culture, growing tech scene, and a lower cost of living than many major U.S. cities.
🏡 Where to Live
Fort Worth – Singles & Couples
- West 7th – Lively nightlife, walkable, upscale apartments
- Near Southside – Trendy, local eateries, artsy vibe
- Cultural District – Museums, parks, great dining
Fort Worth – Families
- Tanglewood – Excellent schools, parks, family-oriented
- Keller – Top-rated schools, safe, suburban
- Benbrook – Affordable, quiet, close to nature
🚗 Commute Times to ZFW (Fort Worth)
- 15–25 min: West Fort Worth, Benbrook, Aledo
- 25–35 min: Keller, Saginaw, Crowley
- 35–50 min: Arlington, Mansfield, North Richland Hills
🎓 Top School Districts
🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round
🌲 Outdoor Activities
- Biking/Hiking: Trinity Trails, Marion Sansom Park, Eagle Mountain Lake Park
- Fishing & Boating: Lake Worth, Benbrook Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake
- Day Trips: Dinosaur Valley State Park, Possum Kingdom Lake, Glen Rose
🏛️ Indoor & Cultural
- Museums: Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
- Stockyards: Western heritage, rodeos, live music, saloons
- Sports: Dallas Cowboys (Arlington), Texas Rangers, TCU Horned Frogs
- Nightlife: West 7th District, Magnolia Ave, Sundance Square
✈️ Nearby Airports
- DFW International (DFW): ~30 min – Major international airport
- Dallas Love Field (DAL): ~45 min – Southwest Airlines hub
- Meacham International (FTW): Local GA airport, near ZFW
🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers
🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites
- Fort Worth: Varies widely — stick to west, south, and north suburban areas for lower crime
- Keller & Benbrook: Very low crime, family-friendly
🔗 Town Websites
💰 Cost of Living
- Housing: Median home price ~$325,000; 1-bedroom rent ~$1,200/month
- Groceries: Around national average
- Gas: ~$3.10–$3.40/gallon
- Utilities: ~$160–$200/month for an apartment
- Taxes: No state income tax; local sales tax ~8.25%
🌆 Neighborhood Highlights
- West 7th: Urban, entertainment-focused, walkable
- Tanglewood: Tree-lined, quiet, top schools
- Keller: Modern suburban community with great schools
☀️ Seasonal Weather
- Winter: Mild, occasional freeze or ice storm
- Spring: Warm, potential for storms and tornadoes
- Summer: Hot and humid, often above 95°F
- Fall: Pleasant, cooling off into the 70s–80s
🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic
- Car: Essential — Fort Worth is very car-dependent
- Trinity Metro: Local bus service with limited reach
- Traffic: Moderate; I-20, I-30, and I-35W can back up at rush hour
🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care
- Texas Health Harris Methodist – Major hospital in downtown Fort Worth
- Cook Children's Medical Center: One of the best pediatric hospitals in the country
- Urgent Care: Numerous options including CityDoc, CareNow, and Baylor Scott & White
🫂 Social Life & Community
- Live Music: Billy Bob’s Texas, Panther Island Pavilion
- Events: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Mayfest, Arts Festival
- Clubs: Hiking, Jeep/off-road, BBQ and whiskey meetups
🍽️ Dining & Food Scene
- Joe T. Garcia’s: Iconic Tex-Mex with huge patio
- Heim Barbecue: Smoked meats done right
- Bonnell’s: Upscale Texas cuisine
- Spiral Diner: Popular vegan comfort food
🛫 ATC-Specific Tips
- Training: Expect busy traffic scenarios — lots of military and commercial overlap
- Shifts: Variable — west side living helps reduce stress
- Community: Many ZFW controllers live in Benbrook, Keller, or Saginaw
📦 Moving Tips
- Utilities: Get Oncor for electric and check local gas providers
- Storm Season: March–June is tornado season — watch forecasts
- Best moving months: October–March to avoid heat
❓ FAQs
- Is Fort Worth safe?
Yes, especially in the west, north, and south suburbs like Keller and Benbrook - Do I need a truck?
Not necessary, but helpful for Texas lifestyle and outdoor activities - What’s the culture like?
Relaxed, friendly, patriotic — a good mix of traditional and modern