Most of the apartment complexes in the North Dallas/Addison area will be just fine. I would avoid the ones that surround Valley View Mall as they are older and not well-maintained. Also, be careful with some of the ones on Addison Road for the same reasons. (Ask if they accept "Section 8" renters, and walk away if they say they do.)

An apartment locator service might be good for you since you're not familiar with the area. There are MANY of them in the area, and they all work off a fee paid by the complexes. You can expect to pay about $1000 a month for a 1 bedroom/den in that area.

Does anyone know of any nice private country clubs that they would recommend and what they cost (initiation fees & monthly)in the Northern suburbs?

Dont know about country clubs.But as I had mentioned earlier my TA lives in the burbs.He is very close to a development known as Castle Hills.Its is a booming area and upscale.they have a golf course I think it is public.Here's the link
http://www.castlehills.com/

Hi amitae -

Your idea of living in an apt for a while may be a good idea since there are so many different areas of Dallas.

In Addison, there is Addison Circle which has many different apartments. Here is the website:

http://www.postaddisoncircle.com/dfw...home/home.html

Also, in Farmers Branch (less than a mile from Addison), there are newer apt complexes that are nice - Cortesia, Sonterra and Oakwood at Parkside (The Ritz).

Addison has numerous condos and townhouses for rent as well.

As for country clubs, there are several nice ones in the northern suburbs. Can't give you any specifics though.

Good luck!!

Anyone know how far it is from Carrollton to Ft. Worth?

Where in Carrollton to where in Ft Worth? My friend lives right on the border to Lewisville and we can go SH121 to FtWorth in about 45 minutes.

Any suggestions on a wedding site around Dallas? We would like to have the ceremony outside.

There are some beautiful areas around White Rock Lake. There is an old home that is open to the public on the south side of the lake that has a covered patio with a view of the lake. I can't remember the name, but surely someone else can tell you. If rain looks like a problem, my old church, Highland Park Presbyterian has a lovely sanctuary. Also, the parks in University Park might work out for you.

amitae.......Happy Turkey Day!!
I have been to a couple of weddings at the Dallas Arboretum.Its really beautiful but I belive it books months and months in advance...here's the link
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/.....S

Also, amitae, don't let the naysayers put you off. I lived in Dallas for 4and 1/2 years and have cousins there now and I loved it! There is always something going on, you have an international airport and much in the way of culture. Traffic is horrible, but I found I usually stayed in my part of town and did fine. Depending on price range, you might want to consider also the University Park area to live--these may be a bit pricey, but beautiful. This area connects to Addison with the North Dallas Parkway. For nice shopping, North Park Mall is my favorite, but there's also the Galleria for really upscale. White Rock Lake has beautiful walking and biking trails. Preston Center is a nice upmarket shopping center (outdoor) in the Northwest Highway/Preston Road area. And, if you give me your email, I can refer you to an excellent dentist!! (my former boss!)

Oh my gosh! I fell in love with Dallas Arboretum! It is beautiful! Thank you for the information! We are coming to Dallas next weekend so I hope to be able to check it out!

That's it, beachboi--the Dallas Arbotetum. amitae, as well a lovely place for a wedding, check it out at Christmas time! See if there is anything going on while you're there this next trip.

The Arboretum is GORGEOUS, especially in the spring when they have the "Dallas Blooms" event from March through May. My mother and I make it an annual trip! I've had at least three friends have their engagement and/or bridal portraits done around the Arboretum.
There is also an "Autumn at the Arboretum" event, but it is smaller.
As long as you book well in advance, and the weather cooperates, an outdoor wedding will definitely be possible. May and October are the best months for Texas weather. June (the most popular month for weddings here) tends to get a little hot for my taste.

We visited Dallas last month and it looks like we will be moving there in April! We had a chance to drive around to the different areas and liked Carrolton the best. Anyone have any suggestions for apartments in this area? We liked the ones with the garages right under the building or attached to the apartment. Any suggestions would be great!

Hi Amitae -

Congrats on your move to DFW. Since Carrollton is kind of spread out, what part did you like the best - closer to the Tollway, I-35, 190, Hebron Road or somewhere in between? (Or did I just confuse you?)

Check out www.rent.net. You can do a search there to see some choices.

amitae.....As I have mentioned before, my TA lives in FarNorth Carrollton almost to Lewisville.Everything is new.He lives across the street(Hebron Parkway) from the Coyote Ridge Golf Course(public).Right next to the course are some very upscale apartments I am assuming called Coyote Ridge or something similar.The gold course address is 1680 Bandera Dr,Carrollton TX 75010.Further west on Hebron Parkway there are some apartments,rather new that have garages.Cant remember the name.But its smack across from the SuperTarget in Lewisville. Here is a site to check out.....
www.amli.com
They have a community called Prestonwood Hills that is propably exactly in Plano.But its right off Hebron Parkway,across from Prestonwood Baptist Church(looks like a university campus!!) and just to the south is The Shops at Willow Bend very upscale but rather empty new mall.The location of the peoperty is great and it is very luxurious in appearance and feel.Best of Luck!!....................S

BeachBoi..I wish you could have seen that portion of Hebron Pkwy 10-12 years ago! It was nothing but wide open fields, rolling, grassy, dotted with mesquite and bois d'arc trees, so pretty. I worked out daily at a health club in Carrollton and took that road back home to Plano. It took me 20 minutes in the "old days", but would wager that is no longer the case! We were back visiting several years ago and took it again just as they were building that church. I don't know if they were working on the parking lot or what, but it looked like a subdivision going in, then the next time we went through, there was this mammoth church! Mammoth!! I've never seen anything like it.

Good luck with your move amitae. We moved there from Boston and it was quite a transition for us too, but we loved living there...stayed a couple of decades and my husband had to drag me away kicking and screaming the entire distance to Savannah when he was transferred. Hope your memories will be as good as ours are.

Olive......He has been there just over 6 years.That new road thru there, Hwy something or other is actually how we get to his place from DFW a/p.They are building it up just south the VistaRidge Mall so it will be elevated from I35E to the north entrance of the airport.Hebron Parkway (or as he calls it raceway!) is 3 lanes each directionall the way to the Tollway.The Church is getting even bigger.We go from Willow Bend to his place in about 15 minutes.I like the area because everything is so new.He emailed me a couple of months to come out for a "grand opening".I asked what for.He said the excitement was for the official opening of the Sonic there on Hebron and the highway bypass.We Passed!!

Hi,
I was raised in Dallas. Great city. Yes it can get hot. So, turn up the AC. You have lots to do when it is hot to get out of the heat: movies, restaurants, bars, clubs, museums. Tons of stuff.

My sister lives in Plano and they love it. They are close to the tollway and have a toll tag, so they can zoom just about anywhere.

The thing that is great about Dallas, and Texas is the people. They are about as nice as it gets. Lovely people who go out of their way for you.

I think you will love Dallas. Get out and meet people. Join a golf club, or gym, a church, go take some classes and meet the people. Making a city work for you is all in the attitude. Good luck.

PS My DH and I were married at Perkins Chapel at SMU. Small but cute. Nice, lovely campus too.

Heavens

I personally don't like Carrollton. Are you sure Lewisville/Flower Mound wouldn't be better?
Olive Oyl--I had my youngest at Plano Presby..and we had to take the back roads to the hospital to get there--Highway 121 to some funky FM..round and round until we got on Parker. What a godsend Hebron Parkway is.