Relocation to Dallas (Plano, Carrollton, Richardson: apartment complex, for rent, how much)

[natalou]

Hello,
We are a couple, mid 30's, with a 1 year old baby, and are moving to Dallas. Work is in Addison, and would like to know the best places to live around this area.
I would like to have restaurants, shops, facilities for my kid ... any suggestions ? thanks in advance

[LouisB52]

Are you looking for an apartment or house?

[iamUnique84]

Originally Posted by natalou

Hello,
We are a couple, mid 30's, with a 1 year old baby, and are moving to Dallas. Work is in Addison, and would like to know the best places to live around this area.
I would like to have restaurants, shops, facilities for my kid ... any suggestions ? thanks in advance

I have been in Dallas for seven years -- two of those years we resided in old East Dallas (Munger, Matilda, known as the "M" streets) and the latter part moved to North Dallas (five minutes from Richardson, ten minutes from Addison, fifteen minutes from Plano). The "M" streets neighborhood, in my opinion, are more urban sprawl than North Dallas (more suburban). Personally, I love the M streets neighborhood - older homes and tons of access to eatery and theaters (Angelika) located at Mockingbird Station. If you like shopping, I recommend Mockingbird Station and there are tons of shops in Highland and University Park (which is not far from the "M" neighborhood and SMU is located within that area). 75 is conveniently accessed from this side of Dallas.

We live in North Dallas and we are surrounded by everything -- tons of restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls (Valley View, Galleria, etc), highways (635, 75, etc.) and theaters. My neighborhood is very safe, diverse and educationally, my brother attends J J Pearce High School (my sister also graduated from there). I previously graduated from UT Dallas in Richardson and the neighborhood over in that area is very nice, mainly comprising of housing communities. There are some apartments located by the university of which I do not recommend.

If you stay somewhere within the North Dallas, Addison, Carrollton or Plano regions I would say you should not have a problem having access to restaurants and other social-like places. Plus, it is not far from Addison!

Happy hunting!

[natalou]

Originally Posted by LouisB52

Are you looking for an apartment or house?

I don't really know !! We have a budget of 1000$ / month ... is it enough to rent something nice (preferably 3 bedrooms)

[natalou]

Originally Posted by iamUnique84

I have been in Dallas for seven years -- two of those years we resided in old East Dallas (Munger, Matilda, known as the "M" streets) and the latter part moved to North Dallas (five minutes from Richardson, ten minutes from Addison, fifteen minutes from Plano). The "M" streets neighborhood, in my opinion, are more urban sprawl than North Dallas (more suburban). Personally, I love the M streets neighborhood - older homes and tons of access to eatery and theaters (Angelika) located at Mockingbird Station. If you like shopping, I recommend Mockingbird Station and there are tons of shops in Highland and University Park (which is not far from the "M" neighborhood and SMU is located within that area). 75 is conveniently accessed from this side of Dallas.

We live in North Dallas and we are surrounded by everything -- tons of restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls (Valley View, Galleria, etc), highways (635, 75, etc.) and theaters. My neighborhood is very safe, diverse and educationally, my brother attends J J Pearce High School (my sister also graduated from there). I previously graduated from UT Dallas in Richardson and the neighborhood over in that area is very nice, mainly comprising of housing communities. There are some apartments located by the university of which I do not recommend.

If you stay somewhere within the North Dallas, Addison, Carrollton or Plano regions I would say you should not have a problem having access to restaurants and other social-like places. Plus, it is not far from Addison!

Happy hunting!

Thanks for your suggestions !
I am looking for a "live" area where I can find everything (shops, restaurants, kids facilities ...) and not too expensive ... I'm sure I'll find something

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by natalou

I don't really know !! We have a budget of 1000$ / month ... is it enough to rent something nice (preferably 3 bedrooms)

No, it's not enough. You are going to be hard-pressed to find a 2-BR apartment in a safe neighborhood in either the city or suburbs like Plano that are commutable to Addison for $1,000- much less a 3br or a home!!

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by natalou

I don't really know !! We have a budget of 1000$ / month ... is it enough to rent something nice (preferably 3 bedrooms)

If you can stretch it a $125 more, I don't think you could do much better than this. Google maps puts it 7 minutes form Addison, it is a nice family friendly area, close to parks, close to shopping, Richardson Schools, Convienant to the Library, Rec centers, City swimming pool in summer, etc. I'd go by and check it out.

1229 Dalhart Dr Richardson TX - Home for Rent - MLS #11657930 - Realtor.com®

[natalou]

I've made some research and all I find is above 1000$/month. What would be the budget then for a 2/3 bedrooms apt ?
Thank you all for your feedbacks

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by natalou

I've made some research and all I find is above 1000$/month. What would be the budget then for a 2/3 bedrooms apt ?
Thank you all for your feedbacks

$1,500/mo would give you a lot more options. There's a well maintained AMLI apartment complex on Frankford & Coit. I know 2-br's are over $1,000/mo now but call to ask. It's either Richardson or Plano schools (both hooks choices), safe, close to lots of shopping (grocery stores, big box stores like Home Goods, Ross, Target, restaurants), parks, and freeways. About 15 min to Addison.

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by Macbeth2003

If you can stretch it a $125 more, I don't think you could do much better than this. Google maps puts it 7 minutes form Addison, it is a nice family friendly area, close to parks, close to shopping, Richardson Schools, Convienant to the Library, Rec centers, City swimming pool in summer, etc. I'd go by and check it out.

1229 Dalhart Dr Richardson TX - Home for Rent - MLS #11657930 - Realtor.com®

17 minutes from Addison not 7. Sorry.

As always, I also recommend driving areas you would like to look in. Lots of times finding a house/duplex being rented by an independent landlord, who bought the house when housing prices were lower 30 years ago, will save you a lot of money, but these guys usually don't advertise, they just stick a sign in the yard. I have always rented this way and been shocked how much less I pay for more space in better areas than friends who have rented from complexes.