Posted: 4/3/2014 11:31:25 PM EDT
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I will be moving to Dallas in a few months for a 1-2 year contract (likely 2 years) job. The job is in the Cedar Crest area, so I must be somewhat near this area of town. From what I have gathered southern Dallas=crap. I am looking for a place in a neighborhood safe for the family that is ideally no more than a 30 minute drive (including rush hour times). Hoping to keep rent under $800 with 2+ rooms. Areas I have been told are good: Euless, Irving, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Garland. Other considerations are that at times I will have to commute to Bonham and Forth Worth, but most time at the Dallas location, so a central location would be nice.
So where should I be looking and where should I avoid? |
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Your best bet will be the "pockets" in Oak Cliff. The Crestview area is 100% FSA and downtrodden. On the West side of I-35 is the area I`m talking about. Crestview is on the East side of I-35.There are some areas in Oak Cliff that are undergoing revitalization and aren`t to bad. There no good schools in Oak Cliff. Period.
Your next best bet would be possibly Kaufman. About 30 miles southeast of Dallas but the drive isn`t to bad and the schools are much better. Small town atmosphere. Next would be Midlothian with far better schools, almost zero FSA and about 30-40 minute drive. CRESTVIEW IS DANGEROUS!!!!!!!! People that don`t "fit in" are targeted. |
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The Red Oak and Ovilla area might work for you. It's far enough south that it's not complete shit. Don't know what the rental market is like there. Duncanville and Cedar hill has some decent enough areas and would be adequately safe. Mesquite, Irving and Grand Prairie would also be possible options. If you are willing to drive, you can maybe even look into Waxahachie, Crandall or Midlothian. Those areas are further out, but you'll get more for your money.
As somebody above mentioned, there are nice areas of Oak Cliff, but the nice areas are pricey and I personally still wouldn't want to live there. Basically, you'll want to stear clear of all of South Dallas. Bonham is nowhere near any of that, so when you commute there, just plan on driving an hour or so(with no traffic). Anywhere south of Dallas will be close to Hwy 20 or 30 which will take you to Forth Worth. Won't be a short drive, but you'll be going against the traffic until you reach Fort Worth. Good Luck and welcome to TX. |
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Red Oak and Ovilla aren't bad, but it certainly isn't the town I grew up in.
I live in Seagoville in a house, which isn't horrible, but I wouldn't live in an apartment here. Crandall is another 5 minutes down the road, I just don't know much about apartments there, you could probably find a small house though. Traffic down 175 is probably the easiest route into downtown Dallas. My wife works in Ennis, a little further south, but a straight shot. She can tell you which apartments have the fewest police calls if you look down that way. Palmer and Ferris are a little closer in. |
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Quoted:
Given your requirements, that may be next to impossible. <$800 + 30min drive time can be done, but not in a good area. Actually FP did not NI. I think he can get what he wants by going away from Dallas, further south, or west. Cedar Hill, East Arlington, and Grand Prairie all have decent neighborhoods that are reasonably priced. I'd look in those three areas. And all of them are within 30min from the OP. |
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Quoted:
Actually FP did not NI. I think he can get what he wants by going away from Dallas, further south, or west. Cedar Hill, East Arlington, and Grand Prairie all have decent neighborhoods that are reasonably priced. I'd look in those three areas. And all of them are within 30min from the OP. Quoted:
Quoted:
Given your requirements, that may be next to impossible. <$800 + 30min drive time can be done, but not in a good area. Actually FP did not NI. I think he can get what he wants by going away from Dallas, further south, or west. Cedar Hill, East Arlington, and Grand Prairie all have decent neighborhoods that are reasonably priced. I'd look in those three areas. And all of them are within 30min from the OP. Not during rush hour. |
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Quoted:
Given your requirements, that may be next to impossible. <$800 + 30min drive time can be done, but not in a good area. I know it is not likely that my rent won't go up moving into a much larger city, but these are my (unrealistic) ideals; cheaper rent and a shorter drive. Rent of 800-1100 is probably the range I will look at and my willingness to drive 45 mins or so can be influenced by a great place. |