Moving from NYC to DFW area for work....help! (Dallas: apartments, leasing)

[EastCoastDFW]

Hey all,
I just accepted a promotion within my company that will be moving me from NYC to the DFW area (Irving specifically). As a born an bred NY'er I am at a bit lost as to what areas I should be looking in to live. I am 28 years old, single, and enjoy a mix of both outdoor activities, sports leagues and the city night life (albeit more of a bar than club guy). I am looking for a 1BR apt and with utilities am hoping to stay under $1400 a month. Prefer nice, newer buildings, complexes, etc. and preferably something with a few amenities. Also looking to live in an area where there are lots of other young professionals to meet.

I will have 60 days of corporate housing to get to know the area and neighborhoods but would very much appreciate suggestions on neighborhoods, buildings, places to consider or any other useful tidbits of information. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

-D

[frenzyrider]

Originally Posted by EastCoastDFW

Hey all,
I just accepted a promotion within my company that will be moving me from NYC to the DFW area (Irving specifically). As a born an bred NY'er I am at a bit lost as to what areas I should be looking in to live. I am 28 years old, single, and enjoy a mix of both outdoor activities, sports leagues and the city night life (albeit more of a bar than club guy). I am looking for a 1BR apt and with utilities am hoping to stay under $1400 a month. Prefer nice, newer buildings, complexes, etc. and preferably something with a few amenities. Also looking to live in an area where there are lots of other young professionals to meet.

I will have 60 days of corporate housing to get to know the area and neighborhoods but would very much appreciate suggestions on neighborhoods, buildings, places to consider or any other useful tidbits of information. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

-D

Although u will work in Irving, there is only community I recommend based on your interests "Uptown" it will be about 20-25 min to Irving..

[EastCoastDFW]

Thanks Frenzy...have heard on other threads that it's a bit reminiscent of the tv show jersey shore (which is def not what I'm looking for) that true? I love NYC for the diversity and nightlife but not at all for the pretentiousness so hoping to avoid that.

[TrueDat]

Uptown has a lot of young professionals and bars/restaurants. And some of the apartments are going to give you some of that party vibe that you don't want.

You might look in the next neighborhood over, Oak Lawn, specifically North Oak Lawn, between Lemmon Avenue and the Highland Park border. Streets like Bowser, Prescott, and Holland. It's full of young professionals too but it's quieter, leafier, and not such a party-hearty scene. It also has more older apartments and duplexes, and is more low-rise though there is some newer construction, and the rents are a little bit cheaper than Uptown. But you can be in Uptown in 5-10 minutes if you want to go there.

If you really want to be close to work, you could try Las Colinas (a section of Irving) which is full of newer apartments and young professionals as well. While there are some restaurants, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in Las Colinas though.

[EasternTransplant2West]

I'm moving from NJ to Dallas soon and I would like the same information. Being a young professional that has always lived on the east coast. This will be a crazy experience to get use to. Let me know if you get any useful information (EastCoastDFW)

[EastCoastDFW]

Thanks, have heard good things about oak lawn and will definitely check it out. Are there any properties I should check out or stay away from.

Will do Eastern Transplant, where from NJ? PM if you happen to come across any info as well.

[TrueDat]

In terms of the area of Oak Lawn I'm referring to, it's mostly individually owned duplexes and smaller apartments as opposed to the big corporate "apartment homes" with the gyms and all the fancy amenities you get in Uptown. Are either of you going to be able to visit before actually moving? Because the best way to find something is to drive around the neighborhood looking for rent or lease signs. You can also some newer condos that the owners are leasing out.

[CGGirl]

If you want a newer apartment with amenities, check out The Ilume. I moved out of there a year and a half or so ago and was paying about 1000/month for a 1BR or something like that. They have a great pool and pool/cabana area, a great gym, tanning bed, spin room, concierge, etc. It's in Oak Lawn and just a few minutes away from the bars in Uptown although a lot of the bars there are somewhat pretentious. I preferred the pub style and dive bars when I was living in that area.

[EastCoastDFW]

Thanks, Illume looks great will be sure to check it out. Is there a lot of diversity in both residents and culture in oak lawn?

[KarlF]

Originally Posted by EastCoastDFW

Thanks, Illume looks great will be sure to check it out. Is there a lot of diversity in both residents and culture in oak lawn?

Diverse is definitely more common in Oak Lawn. There are many bars in the area, some of which cater heavily to the prominent gay community in the area. It is not often spoken of, but you really need to be okay with that to enjoy Oak Lawn in my opinion. That being said, the Library Bar in the Melrose Hotel is one of the true hidden gems in Dallas. Perhaps it is not so hidden anymore I suppose, but it is still a great old-school bar.

You can also look at something like the Arts District or AMLI Bryan Place or Marquis on Texas Street. These places would add an extra 5 or 10 minutes to the commute probably, but would put you just on the outside of the Uptown party scene and into some more "local" types of establishments.