Commute from Fort Worth to Irving (Dallas, Grand Prairie: to rent, neighborhoods, construction)

[jrp89]

My girlfriend and I are trying to find a place to rent and are new to the area. I work in fort worth just north east of 820 and 30 intersect, and she will be working in Irving. I will add that I have flex hours and can avoid heavy rush hour traffic.

We would like to stay in either downtown Fort Worth/cultural district or downtown Dallas. Is the commute from downtown Fort Worth to Irving horrible? We are trying to avoid suburbs because we both like to go out on weekends and prefer walking distance to restaurants and bars etc. I know the DFW area has been going through a lot of construction recently and looking for advice according to current commute times.

[RonnieinDallas]

I would choose Downtown, Uptown, or several other inner core Dallas neighborhoods, over Fort Worth. There's just so much more to offer young professionals. It will be much easier commuting to Irving from Dallas than commuting from Fort Worth to Irving.

Your commute is to the far eastern edge of Fort Worth. Heading west to Fort Worth is a reverse commute on 30, with flexible hours it should be tolerable, and totally worth it!

One other thing to consider about living west and commuting east is the sun. You'll be looking directly into it both going out to work and returning home. Driving out from Dallas the sun will be at your back.

[WorldKlas]

I have the opposite opinion of Ronnie. I used to live in Irving and worked in FTW. The drive was pretty bad except I had flexible hours and could make the commute in about 40 min. However driving from Dallas to FTW is not a reverse commute once you get to the Grand Prairie area and it will be miserable. I suggest you live in FTW. That would, in fact, be a reverse commute to Irving. Lots of fun stuff to do in FTW, too! The bars and restaurants in the 7th st. district and also Sundance Square are busy and fun.

[Aceraceae]

I agree with Ronnie. Ft Worth sucks compared to Dallas.

[ChristieP]

183 eastbound in the morning is very heavy. There are a lot of people who live in the mid-cities who commute to Dallas. And as someone else mentioned, you are driving into the sun both ways.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

183 eastbound in the morning is very heavy. There are a lot of people who live in the mid-cities who commute to Dallas. And as someone else mentioned, you are driving into the sun both ways.

Yup. This is the biggest reason why it will be easier to live in Dallas and commute west vs living in Fort Worth and having your girlfriend commute. It's a completely different drive depending on the direction.