Moving to Dallas, TX in January. Tell me about it.

[weirdichi]

I'll be there for an internship for a few months. I have a friend I'll stay with for a week or so until I find a place. I basically just want to rent a room if possible so I can avoid the application hassles and deposit shenanigans.

1. Which areas do I want to avoid?
2. Anybody have experiences with finding rooms on craigslist or other online sites?
3. How's the fishing during the Jan-Apr months?

Thanks for all the info.

**EDIT**
Any ATOTers need a temp roommate for 4 months next year?

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

That's weird, I'm moving back there in late Jan as well.

I did a 1 year co-op there (in the Farmers Branch area). Found a place on CL, wasn't hard and it was a furnished apartment billed on a weekly basis.

Lots of amenities around (shops, restaurants, bars, etc.)

 

[Kantastic]

I see you're a basketball fan.

 

[Cuda1447]

Cowboys are awesome!

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Dallas is a shithole. Just like most other major cities all the decent folk have packed up and moved away from the city. Check out potential neighborhoods very closely.

 

[Arkaign]

You definitely want to be super rich if you're going to live inside the 635 loop, in a place like the Crescent or W condos, or in Highland Park itself. Other than that, it's mostly just a place to get murdered.

North of 635 you have Plano, which is half nice and half shitty. And Frisco, which is as bland as it comes, but pretty nice.

I grew up in Carrollton, but it's kind of a crappy place now, not as bad as Farmers Branch but pretty close.

There are a number of Apartment complexes along the Dallas North Tollway between say Arapaho and 121 North that are pretty nice, and that's a great place to be (fast to get anywhere of note from there). Pretty safe, close to good bars/restaurants, etc.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

North of 635 you also have Richardson... not as nice as Plano or Frisco, but not too bad nonetheless. I grew up in Plano, and while it is boring as fuck I can't say anything bad about it. Close proximity to malls and shopping, and safe (I would jog at 2 in the morning and never feel uneasy). Just stick to the central/west side if you're there.

 

[Arkaign]

North of 635 you also have Richardson... not as nice as Plano or Frisco, but not too bad nonetheless. I grew up in Plano, and while it is boring as fuck I can't say anything bad about it. Close proximity to malls and shopping, and safe (I would jog at 2 in the morning and never feel uneasy). Just stick to the central/west side if you're there.

Truth. I live at the intersection of Parker and Independence now, and it's a definite upgrade from Carrollton.

Richardson is indeed as you say, and I wouldn't tell someone not to live there, although the location is a little tougher outside of the 75 corridor (further from Addison/DNT/etc). Although I guess he'd be closer to lower greenville if he's wanting to bar hop.

Stay out of Deep Ellum, it's a shithole. There are MUCH better places to hear live music, hit on girls, and drink.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Truth. I live at the intersection of Parker and Independence now, and it's a definite upgrade from Carrollton.

Richardson is indeed as you say, and I wouldn't tell someone not to live there, although the location is a little tougher outside of the 75 corridor (further from Addison/DNT/etc). Although I guess he'd be closer to lower greenville if he's wanting to bar hop.

Stay out of Deep Ellum, it's a shithole. There are MUCH better places to hear live music, hit on girls, and drink.

Seconded on the Deep Ellum part. Avoid unless you're getting free hookers and blow

I'm right off of Legacy and Coit. Not that the OP has kids, but it's a great place to be if you're into good educations for your kids. My parents told me they chose the area mainly for our education, even though it meant a farther commute for them. All depends on where your internship is. Pretty quiet though, I can't think of too many good bars off the top of my head.

I have no clue about fishing seasons, but I have a friend who's crazy about that kind of stuff and goes every chance he can. He usually wakes up at around 530am, goes to Lake Lewisville/Ray Roberts/Lavon and comes back with a cooler of fish. He has two fridges with frozen fish as of right now.

 

[Arkaign]

Seconded on the Deep Ellum part. Avoid unless you're getting free hookers and blow

I'm right off of Legacy and Coit. Not that the OP has kids, but it's a great place to be if you're into good educations for your kids. My parents told me they chose the area mainly for our education, even though it meant a farther commute for them. All depends on where your internship is. Pretty quiet though, I can't think of too many good bars off the top of my head.

Ah awesome, you're near a totally badass bar that's actually won a bunch of awards for its food, and has a godlike selection of beer. It's called the Holy Grail, and it's located on the east side of Preston just south of the 121 tollway.

Yeah other than that, you mostly have to drive over to Addison, which takes ~15 minutes or so in normal non-rush-hour traffic.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Ah awesome, you're near a totally badass bar that's actually won a bunch of awards for its food, and has a godlike selection of beer. It's called the Holy Grail, and it's located on the east side of Preston just south of the 121 tollway.

Yeah other than that, you mostly have to drive over to Addison, which takes ~15 minutes or so in normal non-rush-hour traffic.

Ah, right across from Stonebriar? I'm usually never in that plaza, always seems dead to me... probably explains why I've never seen it yet.

Good luck finding non-rush hour traffic...

 

[Arkaign]

Ah, right across from Stonebriar? I'm usually never in that plaza, always seems dead to me... probably explains why I've never seen it yet.

Good luck finding non-rush hour traffic...

GO TO THERE!

http://holygrailpub.com/

 

[weirdichi]

Thanks for all the input. I'm just glad to be getting out of the snow up here in Minnesota. I'm not gonna be doin much night life since I'll be at SWA and weekends are either going to be flying out somewhere or bass fishing.

I basically just need a roof over my head in a decent neighborhood. How's auto crime rates down there? I more afraid of thieves targeting my car because it's out of state.

 

[Arkaign]

Thanks for all the input. I'm just glad to be getting out of the snow up here in Minnesota. I'm not gonna be doin much night life since I'll be at SWA and weekends are either going to be flying out somewhere or bass fishing.

I basically just need a roof over my head in a decent neighborhood. How's auto crime rates down there? I more afraid of thieves targeting my car because it's out of state.

You should be fine in the better areas, you can PM one of us if you want more detail for areas you're considering.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

You should be fine in the better areas, you can PM one of us if you want more detail for areas you're considering.

Yeah feel free. Personally I have no qualms about leaving a parked Lexus outside of the house, but I am in a neighborhood. Again, all depends on where you live.

I've been hankering to try some good beers, guess I'll give it a shot some time. Thanks for the rec.

 

[weirdichi]

You should be fine in the better areas, you can PM one of us if you want more detail for areas you're considering.

Can you give the names of some of the better areas? I'll be working at Love Field and Carrollton is pretty close. I've been lookin at craigslist and there are some families willing to rent a room in the Highland/University Park area. Friend told me to avoid south of downtown, basically the other side of 30.

 

[saratoga172]

I just moved to Dallas a month ago. I got a place in Frisco right off Main and the DNT in Frisco Square. I work in Addison and with traffic its about a 30-40 minute haul in stop and go traffic. Normal travel time is about 10-15 minutes with no traffic.

 

[grohl]

Can you give the names of some of the better areas? I'll be working at Love Field and Carrollton is pretty close. I've been lookin at craigslist and there are some families willing to rent a room in the Highland/University Park area. Friend told me to avoid south of downtown, basically the other side of 30.

I had several friends who lived in garage apartments in the Highland/University Park area. It's a badass area to live and would be close for you too, plus access to the Katy Trail. Have lived in the metroplex for 21 years, it's got just about everything. Trout fishing is in Broken Bow, OK.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I basically just need a roof over my head in a decent neighborhood. How's auto crime rates down there? I more afraid of thieves targeting my car because it's out of state.

I had IA tags while down there and never had anything happen to my LS.
The worst thing that happened was a door ding by a fat whale at Sam's.