Moving into Parkdale (Dallas, Forest Hill: 2010, renting, new house)

[texastransfer]

Hey folks!

I've been searching through old threads and just wanted to get an idea of pros/cons of moving to Parkdale. We're in far north dallas now, and really wanting to cut commute time for my fiancee and get into a more 'Dallas' area.

We have found a great place in Parkdale, but don't know much about the area, and I've meanwhile fallen in love with the Lakewood area and am wondering if it's worth holding out for that instead.

Opinions are so more than welcome. Thanks!

[katrique]

Parkdale is a bit south of the city and more up and coming. Lakewood is established but really not accessible as certain other parts of the city. There are many questions to ask yourself..how long do you plan to live in this new house, what is your budget,,,how far is the commute to current jobs, could you end up with new jobs. Will schools be something that you need to consider in the next few years? Many parts of Dallas can place you closer to the city. You will find living nearer to Dallas a whole different world than Far North Dallas. The city has so many things going for it and getting more all the time.

[texastransfer]

Those are good points - I definitely should have clarified that we're renting, and will most likely be in Dallas another two years, maybe longer. No schools necessary, and as best we know our jobs will stay the same. Moving south will be a much shorter commute for him, and a slightly longer one for me, but we've been here two years and are wanting to enjoy the community feel/historic pieces of Dallas, rather than the too-close houses and snarly traffic.

Our budget isn't extravagant, and we don't want to pay over 1200/mo if we can help it - but we want a fenced yard of decent size for our dog, too.

That is probably more detail than you wanted!

[Lakewooder]

Parkdale has some beautiful areas and a great community feel. I have seen some huge backyards there. The new DART line to Pleasant Grove will be opening in phases, to Fair Park by 2009 and finished by Dec. 2010.

It's quite peaceful there, depending on the street. The only downside I can see is that you won't have walking distance to the lake, cafes, shops etc as you would in East Dallas/MStreets/Lakewood. You might also try Little Forest Hills or parts of Casa Linda for something a bit closer-in to those areas.

[txtumbler]

Have you checked out the Enclave at Grove Hill? Gated community of brand new home (still building) nestled between Grove Hill Cemetery and Buckner Terrace neighborhood with homes about $175-300K. Good access to down via I-30 with Military Pkwy as a great alternate route.

[cityconvo]

There are certainly some really charming tudors and cottages over there and some of the streets are really nice. Some of the others are little more up and coming rather than established. Since you have already found the place then you have probably driven the street and surrounding streets multiple time at both day and night on weekdays and weekends. If you are comfortable with what you have observed then you will be in a wonderful close in neighborhood.