Is there a "good commute" to downtown? (Plano: home, price)

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

Originally Posted by Brookside

Just to clarify: you can rent in these areas for $3500 a month. You will not be able to buy a single-family home in these areas for 300 K. (Condos maybe possible).

I see a few listed currently under $300k in some of these neighborhoods.

[Bammy-Bound]

I saw several great downtown condos for rent which will be great for the short-term since the new job is likely going to be downtown. However, the long-term desire would be to live outside the city in a detached house with a commute of 30 minutes on average -- sometimes the unforeseen happens, but on average, 30 minutes of drive time is about the limit.

As far as suburbs go, would any pass the 30-minute test?

[RonnieinDallas]

Originally Posted by Bammy-Bound

I saw several great downtown condos for rent which will be great for the short-term since the new job is likely going to be downtown. However, the long-term desire would be to live outside the city in a detached house with a commute of 30 minutes on average -- sometimes the unforeseen happens, but on average, 30 minutes of drive time is about the limit.

As far as suburbs go, would any pass the 30-minute test?

As others have mentioned, there really isn't a reason to spend 30 minutes sitting in traffic. Unless that's just something you want to do. There are great Dallas neighborhoods within minutes of downtown that are safe, affluent, offer great amenities, and will save you a lot on commuting expenses.

North Oak Cliff (75208)
Downtown/Uptown (75201, 75202, 75219)
East Dallas/Uptown (75204)
Lakewood (75214)
The M Streets (75206)
Knox/Henderson (75205)
Lake Highlands (75243, 75238)
Casa Linda/Old Lake Highlands(75218)
Wynnewood (75224)
North West Dallas (75209, 75209, 75220)
North Dallas (75230, 75225, 75240, 75248)

[Bammy-Bound]

Thanks for including zips. Saves me MANY steps, Ronnie!

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by Brookside

Just to clarify: you can rent in these areas for $3500 a month. You will not be able to buy a single-family home in these areas for 300 K. (Condos maybe possible).

Or, as little as $600 per month for a small, older apartment. East Dallas, while trending expensive these days has a wide diversity of housing stock, all ages and all conditions. True, for 2 or 3 bedroom single family home, it's tough to find things under $2,000 but they can be had. I just rented one of my properties for $1150 (two bedrooms with a den which could be used as a third bedroom - one bath however).

As far as commute time from 75214, I've made downtown multiple times in less than 10 minutes - 7 or 8 to Farmer's Market on the weekends. This is from the Lakewood Shopping Center area. If you are a couple of miles north, you could add 5-10 minutes.

[JimGarrison]

Traffic, like most things in Dallas sucks! If you have to commute to downtown, you will find to be close to one of the areas where the DART train runs. Garland may be on one of the routes?

Originally Posted by Bammy-Bound

Hi,

I've got a very specific question: Is there a commuter route into downtown that is less of a pain (on most days) than any of the rest? Haven't moved yet, just starting to look, and I've been drawn to Garland (seems to be a lot of ways to get to downtown from here and a pretty nice population of people, things to do, etc.), but since my kids are grown and schools aren't the PRIMARY factor (yes, they're highly considered for resale), I am more open to locations.

We'll rent first, but, as the cliche goes, everything in Texas is BIG, and the geographical possibilities are overwhelming, so my dear local pros, please let me know your opinions.

Thanks for chiming in!

[Bloomfielding]

Originally Posted by Bammy-Bound

Hi,

I've got a very specific question: Is there a commuter route into downtown that is less of a pain (on most days) than any of the rest? Haven't moved yet, just starting to look, and I've been drawn to Garland (seems to be a lot of ways to get to downtown from here and a pretty nice population of people, things to do, etc.), but since my kids are grown and schools aren't the PRIMARY factor (yes, they're highly considered for resale), I am more open to locations.

We'll rent first, but, as the cliche goes, everything in Texas is BIG, and the geographical possibilities are overwhelming, so my dear local pros, please let me know your opinions.

Thanks for chiming in!

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...3_M78414-23533

Check it out. This is a great neighborhood with top schools (resale), within 5 minutes from North Dallas and 30 minutes from downown. You'll be able to walk/bike to parks, library, shopping, dinning and hospitals. This house is listed for $339K, bottom lower end of a highly desirable area so value would keep going up.

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by Bloomfielding

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...3_M78414-23533

Check it out. This is a great neighborhood with top schools (resale), within 5 minutes from North Dallas and 30 minutes from downown. You'll be able to walk/bike to parks, library, shopping, dinning and hospitals. This house is listed for $339K, bottom lower end of a highly desirable area so value would keep going up.

West Plano, north of Parker and west of DNT, only 30 minutes from downtown? Not during rush hours. Plus all of those tolls everyday?

[mSooner]

As far as suburbs go, would any pass the 30-minute test?

Coppell definitely does outside of rush hour and comes close during rush hour, though where you are in Coppell can add some time. I bet Richardson does too.

[mSooner]

Or Las Colinas? Especially since schools aren't a factor