Why the negative opinons on Carrollton?? (Dallas, Howe: apartments, rentals, house)

[bookworm2768]

I've lived in Carrollton now for a bit over a month and thought it might be interesting to have a thread about the city.

POSITIVES
Its been listed as a Kid Friendly, Tree City USA and Texas' safest city on different sites on the web.
Its close to major highways and has a massive amount of green areas and well maintained public playstructures.
Major shopping malls, whosesale clubs, etc are close by, as are hospitals.
Its a quick drive to the airport or into downtown Dallas.
The school district is excellent and many of the schools are rated exemplary.
The DART rail service will be expanding to Carrollton soon.
Home prices are quite reasonable and Taxes are lower than in Dallas.

However, if you do a search in the Forum, the overwhelming attitude towards Carrollton tends to be negative.

NEGATIVES
The homes tend to be older and there are quite a few pockets of ill maintained homes
There are sections predominated by apartments and rentals.
Property values seem to appreciate very slowly on average (but that probably changes depending on the desirability of your neighborhood)


BUT this seems to hold true of any town/city of Carrollton's age. So why the negative impression of it? Is there something awful that I am missing?

SO, if you love Carrollton or hate it, tell us why.

[nativeDallasite]

I have yet to see a part of Carrollton that I would call "pretty". A lot of it seems to be industrial or high-density junky apartments.

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

I have yet to see a part of Carrollton that I would call "pretty". A lot of it seems to be industrial or high-density junky apartments.

Erm---- Ok that's one vote for I Hate Carrollton.

By the way, I have seen plenty of absolutely beautiful areas in Carrollton. Again, these are older neighborhoods so it takes some getting used to the fact that the brick work and sidewalks aren't perfectly new looking. Each house is completely different and so you don't have the uniform cookie cutter look of a newer neighborhood.

BUT If you try out some of the parks and the walking trails around Josey Lake Library or take a walk in the neighborhoods west of Kent Elementary (and if your idea of pretty involves nature) you might find it a bit appealing.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by bookworm2768

Erm---- Ok that's one vote for I Hate Carrollton.

I didn't say I hated it. I'm just not crazy about it.

By the way, I have seen plenty of absolutely beautiful areas in Carrollton. Again, these are older neighborhoods so it takes some getting used to the fact that the brick work and sidewalks aren't perfectly new looking. Each house is completely different and so you don't have the uniform cookie cutter look of a newer neighborhood.

I grew up in a house in Dallas that is much older than most of Carrollton, so that's not my reason for disliking it. Nice try though.

BUT If you try out some of the parks and the walking trails around Josey Lake Library or take a walk in the neighborhoods west of Kent Elementary (and if your idea of pretty involves nature) you might find it a bit appealing.

Why go to Carrollton for that, though, when I can get it closer to home?

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

I didn't say I hated it. I'm just not crazy about it.



I grew up in a house in Dallas that is much older than most of Carrollton, so that's not my reason for disliking it. Nice try though.



Why go to Carrollton for that, though, when I can get it closer to home?

Ok so why do you dislike it??

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by bookworm2768

Ok so why do you dislike it??

I don't like the look of it, the atmosphere, the whole vibe of the place. I don't think it's pretty and it isn't very appealing to me. It's nothing personal.

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

I don't like the look of it, the atmosphere, the whole vibe of the place. I don't think it's pretty and it isn't very appealing to me. It's nothing personal.

With all due respect that doesn't really tell a person moving to the area anything. If you feel that its an ugly unappealing place with a rotten atmosphere I'd be glad to hear why. Of course, if its just an intuitive feel for it without any tangible reasons for condemning the entire town then it doesn't help much.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by bookworm2768

With all due respect that doesn't really tell a person moving to the area anything. If you feel that its an ugly unappealing place with a rotten atmosphere I'd be glad to hear why. Of course, if its just an intuitive feel for it without any tangible reasons for condemning the entire town then it doesn't help much.

*shrug* Sorry I can't be of any more help, though given how defensive you've been through the entire thread, I don't feel that I owe you an explanation anyway.

[racehorse]

Interesting. I'm originally from Chicago, and moved to the Dallas area at the end of 2001. We live in Carrollton. All in all, I like living here. It's very convenient to get to work, the schools are good, and there are a TON of kid and family activities.

My soon-to-be husband and I are looking to move in a few years though. At this point, I would like to live in an older home and/or closer to the city. I dislike "cookie cutter" areas. While I can appreciate why people choose such places to live, and actually live in a "cookie cutter" neighborhood, it's not where I prefer to be for the long haul. The next house we get is one I would like to retire in, and I just don't see doing it in the neighborhood we're in now.

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by racehorse

Interesting. I'm originally from Chicago, and moved to the Dallas area at the end of 2001. We live in Carrollton. All in all, I like living here. It's very convenient to get to work, the schools are good, and there are a TON of kid and family activities.

My soon-to-be husband and I are looking to move in a few years though. At this point, I would like to live in an older home and/or closer to the city. I dislike "cookie cutter" areas. While I can appreciate why people choose such places to live, and actually live in a "cookie cutter" neighborhood, it's not where I prefer to be for the long haul. The next house we get is one I would like to retire in, and I just don't see doing it in the neighborhood we're in now.

Thanks. I'm a 'transplant' from Indy myself and don't mind Carrollton too much either.