Right in the heart of Texas, the city of Dallas has built its reputation upon the 80s cult series, oil fields and cowboy folklore. But today, 21st century Dallas is above all a symbol of America’s resurrection. Here, anything is possible and everything is done to attract investments. The city has developed into several sectors, including new technologies and real estate. Texas’ economy has become the second most successful in the USA, just behind California, and unemployment rates are falling (less than 5%, one of the lowest rates in America). Consequently, Dallas is one of the most sought-after cities in the US. 2000 people move there every month, attracted by career opportunities, quality of life and a higher buying power than anywhere else.
But although Dallas is the American capital of billionaires and everything swanky, it also has major inequalities. Laurent, a helicopter pilot in the prestigious Dallas Police Department, patrols the poor areas in the south of the city from high up in the air. Here, 1 in 5 people live below the poverty line. 136 murders were committed here just last year and drugs, in particular crack, are widespread. Dallas is also home to ‘Tent City’, the biggest slum in America, where thousands of homeless and deprived people live in substandard conditions.
From ghettos to billionaires’ villas, we take a look into the heart of the ever merciless city of Dallas.