College Student and single Mother Possibly Moving to Dallas, Richardson Area, Any Advice?

[MDN1988]

Originally Posted by Gilah G.

Is there a women's shelter or ministry that might guide or house her and her child?
You mentioned visually impaired? Are you on some kind of disability program?
There are some Apartments off of E. Renner and CUster parkway/ Lookout Dr. with many dart stops and a few schools inbetween.

Find the DFWMOMS online community and introduce yourself with your inquiry.
Best of luck to you and your little one. I wish you much success on your journey.

Yes, I get SSI, which is why my budget is under $700. I will definitely look into the apartments you suggested.
Thank you.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Originally Posted by MDN1988

Yes, I did hear from someone that used to live in Dallas that it is more spread out as far as public transit. Do you know if Austin or Houston are any better? I used to live in Austin a few years back, but it got kind of expensive as far as rent, but the transit was doable provided you lived within walking distance of a main route, although I have heard from friends that it has changed a lot since I left. Do you think the Dallas area would be about the same as Austin or Houston, or is it better or worse? Basically, I would like to move to a city with pretty good transportation as well as opportunities for jobs after I finish school so that I won't have to continue moving around all over the place.
Thank you.

I would say Austin is better than Dallas as far as transportation goes. That city is built around the Univ. of TX, and many students live off campus all over the city, so bus routes were created to address the need. It's also a much smaller area than Dallas and the surrounding suburbs, so coverage is much easier for them. Houston I have no experience with, but I would imagine it's the same or worse than Dallas. I also used to live in Austin, but it was years ago, but my experience mirrors yours... it was definitely doable. I'd also think that there would be more jobs for a social working degree there than here... with the caveat that you would be competing against a large student population for those jobs, with less competition in Dallas, but of course, less jobs.

Originally Posted by rantanamo

Social Work is one of the most certainly an in demand job in a city with a large and growing medical community.

Social Work is not the same as health care, and it's not an in-demand job in the DFW area, unless you have an MSW.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

I would say Austin is better than Dallas as far as transportation goes. That city is built around the Univ. of TX, and many students live off campus all over the city, so bus routes were created to address the need. It's also a much smaller area than Dallas and the surrounding suburbs, so coverage is much easier for them. Houston I have no experience with, but I would imagine it's the same or worse than Dallas. I also used to live in Austin, but it was years ago, but my experience mirrors yours... it was definitely doable. I'd also think that there would be more jobs for a social working degree there than here... with the caveat that you would be competing against a large student population for those jobs, with less competition in Dallas, but of course, less jobs.

I think transportation is the only category where Austin trumps DFW in terms of what the OP is looking for.

I went to UT-Austin in the 1990s (graduated too!) and did not have a car for a significant portion of my time there. It sucked and I felt like I missed out on a lot, but I was able to get where I needed to go...not necessarily where I wanted to go. Since the OP is disabled and likely isn't able to legally drive, that won't be an issue for her.

I think anyone going for a MSW in Texas should know that they're getting into a field where there aren't many jobs, and what jobs there are pay such a crappy salary that you would probably be better off managing a McDonald's. I realize some people see social work as a calling, but you can have a more lucrative 9-5 gig and volunteer evenings/weekends if you really want to get your hands dirty. Education is a safer bet, though teaching jobs are pretty hard to get too.

[BeanyMalone]

I would think that for the next several years any job in Texas that is government funded is going to be scarce and iffy. As to social work and healthcare, no they are not the same. But I know persons with social work degrees who work with insurance companies managing and verifying care for school age children with physical or emotional conditions (learning disabilities, autism, speech issues, etc.). Most hospitals also have persons with social work degrees on staff that help manage transition issues. Any profession has its goods and bads. Every profession will have room for the best. Only the OP knows how much time, effort, money and sacrafice she can/wants to put into it.

As to the apartments on Renner Road in Richardson, they will probably exceed the OP's stated budget which is why I did not suggest, but you never know. They are building in that area, so it is possible some of the older complexes will offer deals.