May be moving to Dallas ?
 

As I am a regular poster, some of you may know my background . . . Was born and raised in Nashville,TN lived in DC for 7+ years attending school and met hubby, moved to Chicago for his job almost 4 years ago. Like some things about Chicago like shopping, restaurants, zoo, lakefront: dislike the COLD weather, SNOW, and lack of downhome southern culture and manners. Because of this we have been looking to relocate based on where I get a good job and were secretly hoping for ATlanta.<BR><BR>At any rate, I have had an offer from a good company in Dallas and need all the info I can get about the city. The job is with a large insurance company and would be located right off 75 and less than a mile inside 635. I believe this area is called North Dallas? I would be moving at the end of August if I accept but husband will not be able to get his work transefer to go thru and move until after the first of the year.<BR><BR>Consequently, I would have to live by myself for the first 3 months at least so we are probably looking at renting on a 6-9 month lease to get a feel for the area (and get him transferred) before we buy. Want to know about areas near work, shopping, and restaurants fit for 29 yo female living by herself looking for modern apartment complex with all the conveniences. Eventually we will want to buy home. We do not have children and probably won't sp schoolsa not an issue. Do not want Plano, Frisco or the like . . . <BR><BR>Sorry for the extremely long post, but would like all the help I can get about area, cost of living, neighborhoods etc. Thanks!

Beth, the area you mentioned seems to be around Forest Lane and Central. There are many new modern apartment complexes in that area, generally on the west side of Central. I'd be leery about the east side.<BR><BR>The businesses there are well served by DART, a rail transit system. The Red Line, paralleling US75, would be a convenient way for you to get to work. There is a station on Forest Lane, which would probably be convenient to your work location.<BR><BR>An alternative to North Dallas would be to live in Uptown Dallas, near or next to the CityPlace subway station. The area has dozens of new, upscale apartment complexes, and has many galleries, clubs, restaurants, etc, in a relatively dense urban environment. I.E., everything is in walking distance. Riding the DART metro, you can get to your work location very quickly.<BR><BR>Cost of living in Dallas is very moderate compared to Chicago. Rents in an upscale complex in a good part of town start at around $800 for a 1Bdr. The nice restaurants I eat in, say at the West Village, let me get out the door for perhaps $15 per person, including tip.<BR><BR>Let me know if I can answer any more questions...

Beth-<BR><BR>MrD gives you some good suggestions, although you'll probably find it easier to drive to work rather than taking the train since the DART rail station at Forest is on the east side of 75 and you'd then have to catch a bus to the office. Uptown is indeed a beautiful area to live in, but the rents are also very high for Dallas. If you're willing to pay the prices, the apartments are really nice. Personally, I find Uptown a bit snobbish. <BR><BR>If it helps, I'm the same age as you, and I share the same interests in family. My husband and I lived in the Lakewood area of Dallas for 4 years, and we absolutely loved it. The area is mostly older homes, although there are newer places and some apartments if you look carefully. (There is a company called Power Properties that has been buying old apartments and redoing them into VERY classy complexes!) The neighborhoods tend to be quiet, and there will be many people of similar age as you there. There are lots of cute neighborhood shopping centers, non-chain restaurants, neighborhood bars, and White Rock Lake park. It is Dallas ISD schools, so the few children there will generally attend private schools. The former Mayor of Dallas, Ron Kirk, lived in Lakewood, and we often saw him and his family at restaurants! That's my shameless plug for Lakewood!<BR><BR>

Thanks guys! I have been asking around. My step dad is actually from Texas and lived in Dallas for a few years in the 80s (I'm sure his info is somewhat outdated but any little bit helps!) He had actually already suggested Lakewood and an area call Greenville I think. He knows our tastes and said based on that these would be good locations for buying a home. He said that there were a lot of apartments in North Dallas near the Galleria. Where is the Galleria exactly and what would that area be like? Again looking for large apartment complex with amenities like fitness center, pool, clubhouse etc. I will have my car too. Would this be a good area in relation to my work?

Anyone else?

The Galleria is at the northeast corner of the Tollway and I-635 (LBJ). Although there are tons of apartments nearby, Montfort area especially, I'd avoid any location where you had to travel LBJ, even for a short distance, to get to work.<BR><BR>Interestingly, my husband turned down a great job in Chicago while we lived in Dallas. He debated weeks and weeks, but ultimately the combination of long commutes, terrible winters, and MUCH higher cost of living, convinced him to stay put (as I pulled to go). In retrospect, his decision was the correct one.

Beth,<BR><BR>I live a couple blocks from Galleria in North Dallas and worked at Central and Walnut Hill for a year. The commute was not that difficult as I took Forest and assorted side streets everyday instead of 635/Central route. The name of my complex is the Dorchestor located at the intersection of Noel Road and Spring Valley a block east of the Tollway and a couple blocks north of the Galleria. The apartments are nice on the outside, styled in colonial red brick with a surprising amount of greenery on the property, and the interiors all include crown molding, and two toned walls in a white and taupe, which is something my wife and I love since it is not the usual white institutional walls other apartments offered. <BR><BR>On site we have two pools, two jacuzzis, a fitness center complete with racketball court and sauna, a brick wall completely surronding the complex with only one gated entrance which helps to keep out unwanted people. <BR><BR>The management has been very nice to us, always prompt in our requests and even worked with us in moving up to a larger unit. We have lived here now for a couple of years, starting in a 800 sq ft one bedroom den which ran us $815/month and currently in a 1250 sq ft 2 bedroom that runs us $1055/month. <BR><BR>The area is pleasant with everything we need in a couple mile radius, there are upteen billion resturants in Addison, three malls in five miles, movie theaters, some nightlife, etc. We enjoy the area a lot!<BR><BR>I would say the drive time for you to AIG (it is the only major insurance company in the area I can think of) on Walnut Hill and Central would be about 20 minutes from that area sticking to Forrest & side streets. If you like I will be more than happy to provide information either on the forum or to the personal email. Best of luck!

Beth:<BR><BR>The Galleria is in N. Dallas at 635/Dallas Tollway (about 4 miles west of 635 (LBJ Frwy) and 75 (Central Expwy). Traffic can be horrendous on 635, however you could travel on sidestreets (south on Preston Rd until Forest or Royal and then head east 'til 75). Traffic is still busy during rush hour, but at least it does move. One thing you should be aware of when choosing a place to live (be it renting or buying) is the major construction project known as the "high five" project --- they are in the process of re-doing the interchange where 635 and 75 cross. It'll take several more years to complete. Construction is well organized (certainly as compared to the nightmare in Boston, MA, 'big dig') --- yet it does impact travel time, especially on already overcrowded 635. <BR><BR>I don't have any personal experience with rentals in the N. Dallas area. I live further south in the "slums" of Highland Park (an oxymoron as Park Cities area is quite expensive). I like the neighborhood; and therefore am willing to live in 'old world charm' foregoing many of modern amenities you'll find in newer places.<BR><BR>One place that I've driven by and looks lovely from exterior is on Hillcrest Ave. between Forest Ln. & 635 (it's just south of 635) called the Williamsburg or Williamstone (?). I have no idea what rentals are like there; it looks expensive.<BR>

Just spent some time on Mapquest trying to get my bearings based the streets you have listed, thank you! Btw Local its not AIG though I know them well. I still haven't figured out what you mean by "Walnut Hill" but according to the maps, the location is just north of Forest Lane by a couple of blocks and right next to the Columbia Medical Center. I think locations between the Tollway and I-75 around the perimeter (LBJ) would be a perfect starter location. Tess the complex you talk about on Hillcrest sounds perfect, don't suppose you know the exact name . . .<BR><BR>My next questions go to what are some top sights to see in the Metroplex area. Also what can I expect to pay for a home when I buy. Looking for home in Lakewood area or the like, at least 3br/2ba (hopefully more) 1800sqft. Would the commute from Lakewood to the 75/635 intersection area be bad? Husband's offices are downtown, what would the commute from Lakewood to downtown be like? <BR><BR>Another very silly question sorry, but I always thought Texas had "dry heat" and that even though it got really hot there it didn't feel as hot. I saw a posting recently talking about the humidity in Dallas, is it as bad as Nashville or DC? I like hot weather and can stand 90 degrees with humidity or 105 degrees without but I think that 105 WITH humidity would even be too much for me!

Beth, I lived in Tennessee for a year and I believe that Dallas is much less humid. Today was a good example. As long as I kept in the shade, the air temp was quite bearable. <BR><BR>Another factor... this part of Texas is much drier than Tennessee, and when the air temp goes up, the relative humidity goes down. Something like 75% in the morning to 40% in the afternoons.<BR><BR>As I say, just stay in the shade and you'll be fine.

Stand in the sun Beth - get heat stroke for being such an idiot to post relo on a travel forum.<BR><BR>1-800-THIS-IS-NO-FREAKING-RELO-FORUM

Beth--I swore at age 29 and even age 30 I would never have kids...don't assume you won't. I ended up having my first child at age 34. What was I missing out on? I wish I would have had them sooner. Please keep an open mind when you buy your house---always thing RESALE.

Beth, here's a suggestion...<BR><BR>Stay for a week in one of the all-suite hotels that advertise weekly rates, and include kitchens, etc... and you can drive around the city, check out various neighborhoods and apartment complexes.<BR><BR>The supermarkets in Dallas have tons of these ad books and catalogues for apartment complexes... one of them is about 2 inches thick and lists about 1,000 complexes, all over the region.<BR><BR>One suggestion I have,though. If your workplace will be on Forest Lane and your husband's will be downtown, DO NOT rent north of LBJ freeway.

Beth,<BR>Do agree with other posters that (1) try to stay south of LBJ and (2) best to come down here first, stay in an all-suite hotel for brief period so you can scope out the city and see what works best for you.<BR><BR>When I'm out & about today, I'll try to get by that place and find out correct names. In the meantime, I've got another suggestion --- and if price is right for you, I think you'll like the location. Link to the apts is http://www.archstonecommunities.com/find_apt/index.html<BR><BR>It's called the Archstone Knoxbridge apts --- located on Cole Avenue, just north of Knox St. --- this Knox/Henderson area is very close to Central Expwy (on the west side of Central) and is adjacent to Highland Park. Hubby can easily get downtown either on Central or by driving south on Cole Ave. A pleasant perk is the nearby Katy Trail, a paved walking/biking trail that starts at Knox & travels south for about 3 miles (I only walk about a mile or so and then turn back, so I'm not sure where it ends up). <BR><BR>Another street that runs parallel to Cole is McKinney (also goes all the way to downtown). The north end of Cole & McKinney (areas by Knox St.) have alot of condos. You may find an individual owner who'd like to rent their place. The area still has some older, lower end stuff. However over the past 5 years or so, there's been alot of renovating and building of new places. As you head south on Cole & McKinney Sts. (below Blackburn & Lemmon) you're now into lower McKinney and 'Uptown' areas. There's some nice apts of recent vintage.<BR>

Downtown to Lakewood (remember it is a NEIGHBORHOOD of Dallas, not a separate city) is under 30 minutes using side streets. Most people use Gaston Avenue or Live Oak. No freeways! <BR><BR>Houses there do range in value quite a bit due to many factors, especially size and condition. The smaller, less fancy houses can be had for around $135-150K, while the biggies cost significantly more. (If you'd like a referral of a Realtor who specializes in the Lakewood area, email me privately. He is a good friend and he also sold our Lakewood home for us last year.) Home resale values in this neighborhood are GREAT even though the schools are DISD. It has always been a desirable area of Dallas, and it has become more so in recent years. <BR><BR>I'll agree that you should NOT rent north of 635 if you both will be working south of it!

Thanks again everyone. You guys are great!

Beth,<BR>The name of that place is "Williamsburg" --- it's condos, but the more I think of it, I don't know if you really want to be quite that north.<BR>Another suggestion might be the Villa Del Norte apartments (on Del Norte street, just off Hillcrest & 1 block north of Park Ln). <BR>http://www.icirealestate.com/villadelnorte.html<BR>This place is located just down the road from NorthPark Mall (we're really big on malls down here).<BR><BR>These are only a couple suggestions for a myriad of options you have for rental properties. Dallas is full of stuff --- condos, apts, townhomes. Since you're thinking you may eventually buy in the Lakewood area, then perhaps that's where you should start out. I'm less familiar with that neighborhood; yet know there's condos & apts for rental in that area. <BR>

TTT

One last suggestion ... look at the local paper. The Dallas Morning News is on-line; I don't know if they list the classified on their website. For the hard copy version of newspaper, Friday's is the best time to buy as there's a special section published then for Leasing.<BR>