Name: Aaron Florez 

City: Dallas 

Neighborhood: AT&T Discovery District 

Company/Title: President, Southbound Relocation 

When did you move here? Where from?  I moved in 2018 from Baltimore. I am originally from DFW, but it had been a while since I had lived here. With all the changes and growth in the Dallas Region, it felt like I was moving back to a new city.  

What made you Say Yes to Dallas? I have a lot of family here and some old friends, which played a big part in moving back. Also, being in real estate made it a no brainer. There’s no better place to be than in Texas! 

How did you choose which part of town to live in? Moving from the East Coast, I wanted high walkability with access to the DART Rail. I also love older buildings with interesting architecture. That narrowed it down to Downtown Proper, now the AT&T Discovery District. There were a few properties that fit the bill but in the end the Dallas Power and Light Flats was perfect. It is one of the very few old high rises with a balcony, and it’s built in 1931! I love it there. 

How has your opinion of the Dallas region changed since moving here? I am blown away by the progression of the city. The Dallas Region has consistently been one of the top cities in nation growth, jobs, and company relocations, but the character of the city has really been a treat. You have multiple neighborhoods, each with its own vibe, entertainment, and food. It’s been a blast discovering new places and sharing them with our clients. 

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different? I live in the Discovery District—it’s located in Downtown Proper and anchored by the AT&T World Headquarters.  Both AT&T and the city have done a tremendous job of creating a true urban living neighborhood.    

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it? I love helping others.  My business is enhancing the employee experience for companies and their employees relocating here to Dallas. The amazing city and metroplex is the place to be for anyone looking to grow and maximize their opportunities. It’s also a lot of fun. 

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off? I frequent Deep Ellum for many reasons. I love the diverse vibe on the weekends. I am a music buff and Deep Ellum is known for the Live Music scene. You can literally find anything you are looking for. The Armoury does Classic Hip Hop on Sundays from 2 to 6PM. DJ Menace is amazing and many times with also have a live drummer to play along. That alone will make your weekend if that is your music. Deep Ellum also has great food and restaurants. This neighborhood is one of the last places where you will find so many mom-and-pop restaurants and venues close together. There are so many good spots to eat here—just to name a few:  Ebb & Flow, Ruins, Oni Ramen, Angry Dog (the burger is my favorite).   

Favorite festival/event?  Too many! The Taco Festival and the Día De Los Muertos Parade is very cool.  You also can’t live here and not go to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. That is an experience. Both the Discovery District and Deep Ellum are adding more and more events as we have come out of the pandemic.  

How do you interact with your community? I am a very social person and network a lot for my job. I feel like it’s my mission to share all the good activities and events that you can’t find on the internet when you move to a new city. I literally get to show off our city to all our clients moving here. It’s a blast!