St Paul to Texas (Dallas, Plano: wood floors, apartments, rentals)

[karmh72]

Good Morning,
I was hoping the crew here could help me. I am relocating in the early spring to the Dallas/Ft Worth area and am looking for a specific area to live in.
A couple details about myself: I am a single 29 year old female professional working in the Grand Prairie area but I do have friends in Richardson.
I have lived the last few years in an older classic area of St Paul, MN neighborhood have gotten way too spoiled as to the benefits of the area. For anyone from or aware of St Paul it’s the Grand Ave area I am referring to. A great mix of professionals and a hand full of universities in a 20 block or so area.
Is there anything like this in the Dallas area?

1) Older homes and apartments with wood floors and character
2) Walkable neighborhood with great local bars/ restaurants and tree lined streets
3) Mix of population (gay, straight, single, married, outgoing ect.
4) Maybe a university area?

Any help you could give would be appreciated

[karmh72]

Also, I have done my homework and peeked around the forum, but nothing really seems to match. It almost appears an either or situation in terms of what I was looking for?
Thanks
H

[TurtleCreek80]

North Oak Cliff (75208) is right up your alley and about 15-20 minutes to Grand Prairie. It's a gorgeous old area of the city with many different neighborhoods and rolling hills/ mature trees. Bishop Arts District is there and has many locally owned restaurants, shops, and a few bars. The Belmont Hotel is also in the area and is a great neighborhood "hub"- friendly laid back patio/bar, pool is open to anyone on Sundays in the summer, outdoor concert series, etc. Overall the neifhborhood is very diverse and "un-Dallas-y". Good Space is a good landlord there- google them.


Also, a bit further from work but closer to Richardson is East Dallas, a network of neighborhoods north of I-30, east of 75. White Rock Lake is beautiful and a great place to bike, run, take your dog, picnic, etc. Lakewood Village, Henderson Ave, and Greenville Ave are full of laid back bars and locally owned restaurants. Lots of old homes and again, very diverse. Check out Power Properties website for rentals. They rehab old 1910-1920's properties and rent them out.

[racehorse]

Sounds like the OP would be happiest in the city. The only question would be what the commute would be like to Grand Prairie.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by johnston6

Just from what you have posted, I would tell you to look at East Plano downtown. Here you have some newer improvements in an older art of town. It is a mix of cultures and has a conteporary modern urban feel. The DART train station is right there with access to Down Town Dallas. There are shops, clubs, cafes, and historic homes all around.

Renner rd. area of Richardson is another option for you. There you have a direct shot to 190 which would be good for getting to work. Here you can find .

Yikes! East Plano to Grand Prairie would be, what, 60-75 minutes in rush hour?! Renner area would maybe be 10 minutes shorter? No thanks!!

[Squirl]

North Oak Cliff makes the most sense. Also Lakewood but a longer drive....still doable. East Plano is a complete joke in terms of fit and commute. Ditch that idea pronto!

[karmh72]

Moderator cut: orphaned quote

1. Looking to Rent
2. Rental range 600-900
3. 30 minute commute or less ideal, longer then 45 out of the question.
4. I am aiming to live in an area where I can walk to bars/grocery stores/restaurants. I have lived in large cities my entire life and the thought of being moored in the suburbs as a younger single female with little to no connection to my neighborhood and community seems like a poor choice for setting down roots and getting to know people.
5. Big on being outside, walking/running/ team sports (lacrosse). Not really a nightlife person.,.. more of a day time kick about town and hang around padio at night type.

[pepper131]

Winnetka Heights (North Oak Cliff) is pretty close to what you are looking for with with historic homes in an eclectic neighborhood and you can walk to the Tyler/Davis area.

Take a look at this: Go Oak Cliff

Btw - my son is applying to Macalester. Sounds like the surrounding neighborhood will be something he'll really enjoy.

[karmh72]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Yikes! East Plano to Grand Prairie would be, what, 60-75 minutes in rush hour?! Renner area would maybe be 10 minutes shorter? No thanks!!

I appreciate the help but I have to agree with TurtleC... its an automatic 30-40 minute commute to both those places and from what I hear of traffic in that area I would guess I would have to tack on another 20?

Question.. is going against traffic decent or the same?

I.E. Leaving the larger city area (Dallas) at the start of the day and coming home to the larger city area at night? I have that now and its easily 15-20 minutes shorter going against the traditional flow of traffic.
Thanks for the help ladies and gents. I am researching as I go and I will have a house hunting trip in January.
H

[pepper131]

From North Oak Cliff to Grand Prairie - might be about 15-20 minutes depending on the exact locations.