Cleveland transplants moving to Parkdale with questions. (Dallas, Highland Park: apartment, renting)

[fionerr]

My girlfriend and I (no kids, just a greyhound) are moving to the Dallas area for a year of internship. We're coming from an area of Cleveland that is on the low end of the socio-economic scale with its fair share of crime. While neither of us have been a victim, we dealt with some pretty horrible downstairs neighbors that were finally evicted.

While researching options on our somewhat limited budget, we eliminated the reputable northern neighborhoods because they didn't meet our most important criteria:

1) A fenced in yard.
2) Detached property (our experience with the evicted neighbors led us to this).
3) Under $1000.

We ultimately settled on a well maintained home in Parkdale/Lawnview. The residence is ideal for us in every way, but when we mention where we're living to (mostly white) people, they look at us like we're crazy! According to our research, the surrounding neighborhoods are definitely high crime, but this area of Parkdale is known for its significantly lower crime and sense of community. A diamond in the rough, so to speak.

Does anyone have experience living or renting in this area?

We're okay with not having walking access to anything or living in a house with character and comfort instead of a cookie-cutter condo/apartment—it's just disheartening to hear even the cops we talk to assume that because we're white, we want to live in Highland Park or The M Streets exclusively. We're both from the NYC area and understand city living's pros/cons, but the overwhelming shock that we're living "south of 30" makes me wonder...

[jennifw]

Have you moved already? Does it work for you? That's really all that matters.

Best of luck to you.

[pepper131]

It sounds like you know what you are getting into in terms of the neighborhood. I knew a lady who lived and she loved it - she was an artist and many artists live around Parkdale....cuz it's inexpensive. I just bought fruit from a guy on Military near the train overpass - I know most people in Dallas think they would get shot just stepping out of the car in this area...guess what? - my son and I are still alive and we got a great deal on mangoes!!

Some people were saying Parkdale was going to be the next M Streets - because of the architecture. There are many great lots in the area with nice mature trees. Go in with eyes open and you'll be fine.

[ChristieP]

My dad grew up in the Parkdale area; his family lived there for about 10 years back in the late 50s, and then they moved to Casa View. He also worked at the old DP&L Parkdale generating plant there for many years.

I think most people are shocked that you live down there because the old stereotype of Dallas south of I-30 is "it's scary." As you have found, there are nice pockets of residential areas down there. However, most people that can afford to live somewhere with more amentities (decent grocery store within 10 minutes' drive, shopping, restaurants, etc.) usually do. Also, many white people (self included) don't like to be the only white people in the neighborhood.

I'm glad Parkdale is working out for you. If traffic on eastbound I-30 is bad, I will drop down to Military Pkwy and drive through that area.