Commuting to veterans hospital (Dallas, Plano: apartment, rentals, house)

[airbayforce]

Hi there everyone,
I have an application in at the veterans hospital in Dallas. I was hoping I could get a little help finding a decent area to live that would be a reasonable commute time to work. (if I get the job)

Is there a nice area close by I can rent a small house making $20 per hour?
($800 - 1300 rent)


Is the VA considered north Dallas?


Any places near the VA to avoid?


Thanks folks

[Acntx]

To answer your last two questions first: No, the VA Hospital is located in southern Dallas. Most of the immediate neighborhoods surrounding the VA aren't that nice, but there are decent options a little further out.

Lancaster and DeSoto are the closest suburban communities to the VA Hospital. They border Dallas to the south. In fact, it is possible to commute from Lancaster without using any interstate highways. State Highway 342 (known as Dallas Avenue in Lancaster and Lancaster Road in Dallas) runs alongside the VA and is also one of Lancaster's main north-south routes. I currently live in Lancaster and prior to that, I lived in DeSoto. There are nice neighborhoods with rental properties that fall within your desired price range in both cities. The selection will be greater at the higher end of your price range (from around $1,000 to $1,300). Cedar Hill and Duncanville might also be of interest to you, although they would mean a longer commute.

If you prefer more a more urban setting, I'd suggest narrowing your search to certain areas within the city of Dallas like Uptown, Downtown, and North Oak Cliff. These areas are within a reasonable commuting distance as well, although the overall price range for rentals will likely be higher than in the suburbs. If you would like the option of using public transportation, all of those neighborhoods are served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which isn't available in the southern suburbs.

We regularly get inquiries from people planning to work at the VA, so you can search the Dallas forum for similar threads on the subject.

I hope this helps and best of luck with your job search.

[airbayforce]

Excellent info. Thank you!

[Pete53FR]

Welcome to Dallas. I use the Dallas VAMC for my health care. It has improved quite a bit in the last few years.

I would follow the Dart Rail line North of the VA. It stops in front of the VA. I live near Lovers Ln and Central and can drive usually in 30 to 35 minutes. Taking the train is a big help cause parking is very difficult. When times are hard more Vets use the VA.

Good Luck

[Squirl]

here's a link to the rail system. Note VA is on the blue line.

DART.org - DART Rail System Map

You could also look in the areas of south Grand Prairie/Cedar Hill/Duncanville for a rental; its a good location & generally most parts are ok areas and reasonable rentals.

3BR/2Bath 1 story house like new for rent

1484ft² - 2 Bth - 2 Car Att. - Very Nice Brick Home For Rent - 225 Chamblin Dr.

[Grainraiser]

The VA is nice hospital but it does not sit in a nice part of town. You can find a home in Desoto. Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie. You can also take a look at Mesquite which is the east. Your commute would be about 25 minutes and you can find a nice house in your price range. You want find a house in the northern sector of the city but you could find a apartment and take the DART Rail to the VA.

[mdens69d]

Does anybody know what the commute time would be from Plano going to the VA hospital? We were are also looking to to move to the Dallas area and my wife is wanting to transfer to the VA hospital.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by mdens69d

Does anybody know what the commute time would be from Plano going to the VA hospital? We were are also looking to to move to the Dallas area and my wife is wanting to transfer to the VA hospital.

Oy. An hour ++ if she'd have a typical 8-5 kind of schedule. Add 20-30 min if you live in West Plano or the northern parts near Frisco.

[Pete53FR]

Less than an hour if you ride Dart and you can relax as you commute.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Pete53FR

Less than an hour if you ride Dart and you can relax as you commute.

DART is only a good option for someone living in central to east Plano, and not too far north of Parker, the final station. If op lives anywhere near my office in northwest Plano, it would be a 25+ min drive to the Parker stafjon and then the DART rail ride.

Really depends on where OP lives.