Plano to UTA commute? Do-able or crazy? (Dallas, Irving: affordable apartments, lease)

[SJP1997]

Hi there,

I got accepted into a graduate program at UTA in Social Work, which is a school I really like and admire (both my parents graduated from there). Anyway, I start Spring 2009. My problem is, my husband and I live in Plano (he works in Dowtown Dallas). I work part-time in Plano, but I am going to become a full-time grad student starting in January, and he will be supporting me while I go to school. Our lease is not up until March 2009.

We are renting an apartment, and we love Plano, and the rent is very affordable for the location and size. However, I worry about the daily drive from Plano to the UTA campus, which is about 40 miles one way, which equals to to 400 miles/week! I will be going to school 5 days per week, and probably will be teaching part-time at a later date as well. We have moved 3 times in the past 2 years, so of course, we are wary of having to move again. We previously lived in NRH, and really liked the Mid-Cities area, so I know there are nice, affordable apartments in those parts, of course.

I've never made the drive on a regular basis, and would like to know what I would be getting into. Is it something I could do on a daily basis for 2 years? Or should we bite the bullet and possibly move again?

I keep weighing the pros and cons of both options but we just can't make up our minds.

We really need ya'lls input.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[Lakewooder]

Go to Bishop Arts District, have dinner and look around. Then rent a place around there.

[Rakin]

I vote crazy. When the new section of George Bush Tollrd from Irving through Grand Prarie is finished you might do OK but that will cost a lot in tolls. Right now 360 is a nightmare.

[cityconvo]

I think it would be a really tough commute especially if your class times have you driving during the rush hour. But if you guys really love where you are it might be worth it to stick it out for two years while you earn your graduate degree.

If your classes ended during rush hour you could always hang around the library or hit a coffee shop (The Coffee Haus) off Abrams is a great place to grab a snack, get loaded on coffee and study while the traffic unwinds.

The other obvious consideration is the transportation costs you will incur.

I did my both my undergrad and grad work there and I commuted for the undergrad, but I bit the bullet and moved out there for my graduate degree. But I lived alone and didn't have to worry about anyone else

Hope this helps.

[Grainraiser]

It would be a brutal commute if you have to go 5 days a week. I think I would move downtown/uptown area until I finished school. Thre great thing about living in an apartment is that you can move around when you have to. A 40 mile daily commute would be insane IMHO.

[smiling]

I say crazy. If you could schedule your classes for twice a week, then maybe, but probably not. If you are in education, A&M Commerce has a campus in Mesquite. Check it out. UTD?

[awecelot]

What type of gas mileage do you get?

[Her]

I dont currently live in Texas, but I commute 40 miles one way 6 days a week between work and school. Im fine with the driving aspect, i like to sing in the car. But 480 miles every week has been rough on my car. Ive racked up miles faster than i imagined and at that rate its hard to change the oil religiously. My point being, the drive isnt bad, but with all the stress my car has been taking I wish i would have just moved closer to school. You should move. At least you wont have the added expense of having to buy a new car.

[FarNorthDallas]

Just commute until your lease is up in March 2009 and then decide. You may be past ready to move closer.

[artsyguy]

don't you consider in the crazy price of GAS?