Single 25 year old male considering relocation to DFW/Westlake area (Dallas: rental car, rental)

[loves2read]

North TX has lot to offer someone who is willing to have an open mind/heart

Westlake is an insular uber-wealthy community--it is the home of millionaires plus--not for 95% or even 98% of the people who live/work in DFW area--
I don't know why people get offended when they get hired by companies in Westlake and find out they can't live there--
Fidelity and other companies that have brought employees into this part of North TX have done a poor job (IMO) of educating them about living costs and likely areas for them to relocate...at least the ones that come here for info--I am sure there are many who never find this forum
Unless you live/work in larger cities like FTW or Dallas--most people in TX metro areas are very used to living one place and working someplace else--
especially if you have bought a home in one community and might have changed jobs after you bought it--
finding an area you enjoy iwth good schools and a decent commute--that is what most people are looking for

many people seem to think rentals/homes are very cheap and they are not--our property taxes are high and homes in good neighborhoods are not being given away--especially for single parents who need good schools and don't have lot of equity to put down

I bet that NONE of the people coming with you are going to be buying a house in Westlake unless s/he is well-ranked and very well paid--there are NO apartments to rent in Westlake--close maybe but not IN Westlake--so they are in the same pickle you are--

Frankly there is no way I would WANT to move to LA with its traffic problems, smog, and state government in worse shape than ours--but then again I am native Texan--to each his own...

[skids929]

Originally Posted by elevenbridle

fwiw, I was not recruited out of college but chose to accept an offer from an employer I had interned with.

May 2009 was a grim time in the financial markets and jobs were nowhere to be found. 2 years later and our group is being relocated to north Texas. Agree that north TX wld not be a choice place for a 25 year old (my opinion) but this is an offer I need to check out.
All things considered, I'd prefer to go homesweethome to Los Angeles.

But these are strange times.

I appreciate everyones efforts and opinions. Thanks so much.

Take your job, dont' look back, nothing is forever, it sounds like a great opportunity to advance. Just live in one of the more hip areas closer to the city. Would probably be a reverse commute to WL anyway so maybe the traffic won't be AS bad.

Maybe if you'r lucky and you make loads of cash you will be able to live in WL someday. Good luck!

[elevenbridle]

I love Texas. My parents relocated to Houston a few years ago. Every visit is a great time. #1 reason for relocating - closer to family.
I hear you on the fiscal crisis in CA loves2read. My memories are sweet though.

[talkispoison]

As a 26 year old male, I would not recommend Grapevine (I lived on the border of Euless and Grapevine for a year and got back to the city asap). There are not many young people there. Sure there are a few bars, but there is just a few. I like Dallas way more than Fort Worth, however, with your commute, I would strongly suggest downtown Fort Worth.

[loves2read]

if you want to be around younger people
maybe you should consider Denton--
two large universities there bring in lot of younger people--there are plenty of graduate students not just the freshman crowd
Denton has great music scene--
restaurants are not that great frankly but the town is growing and might be different location to consider since you would be coming down from the north

[talkispoison]

Originally Posted by loves2read

if you want to be around younger people
maybe you should consider Denton--
two large universities there bring in lot of younger people--there are plenty of graduate students not just the freshman crowd
Denton has great music scene--
restaurants are not that great frankly but the town is growing and might be different location to consider since you would be coming down from the north

Awesome suggestion! I would seriously look into this. Housing is very affordable as well.

[elevenbridle]

Wow, you guys are helping so much.

In a week, thanks to this forum, I've gone from scattered and unsure to focused and determined. My trip is planned for the end of June. I will post my findings.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by loves2read

if you want to be around younger people
maybe you should consider Denton--
two large universities there bring in lot of younger people--there are plenty of graduate students not just the freshman crowd
Denton has great music scene--
restaurants are not that great frankly but the town is growing and might be different location to consider since you would be coming down from the north

I know when I was 26, and a graduate student, I had no desire to hang around or live near a bunch of undergraduate college students. Of course I was also working full-time while going to school, which left little time for partying.

Denton to Westlake will be about the same drive as downtown Fort Worth. Honestly, choosing between the two, I would pick downtown Fort Worth in a heartbeat.

[Texan#1]

Do not do Denton... the crowd there is very grungy and different. It is good if you're into the arts and music and that whole scene.

[elevenbridle]

Golf, women, good food, major league sports, bars, good times - in no certain order. Just a regular, 25 year old, urban guy who works hard M-F and wants to enjoy the weekends.