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03-15-2008, 01:24 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
23 posts, read 22,481 times
Reputation: 14
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Questions About DART
We are thinking about relocating from suburban Washington,DC to the Dallas area after my husband turns 55 later this year and is eligible for retirement from the Federal Government. The suburb of Plano sounds great! We have not yet visited - just in the "research" phase now! We were wondering if there are many - if any - safety concerns in riding DART? Or just any general impressions? We have been spoiled by our Metro system here, in that we rarely drive into DC - always ride the Metro. If we moved to Plano, we were hoping we could use DART to get into downtown Dallas. Any comments would be MOST welcome about what you think of DART! Thanks!  |
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03-15-2008, 01:41 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
2,064 posts, read 1,320,932 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pianoteacher
We are thinking about relocating from suburban Washington,DC to the Dallas area after my husband turns 55 later this year and is eligible for retirement from the Federal Government. The suburb of Plano sounds great! We have not yet visited - just in the "research" phase now! We were wondering if there are many - if any - safety concerns in riding DART? Or just any general impressions? We have been spoiled by our Metro system here, in that we rarely drive into DC - always ride the Metro. If we moved to Plano, we were hoping we could use DART to get into downtown Dallas. Any comments would be MOST welcome about what you think of DART! Thanks! |
DART to downtown Dallas is a feasible option. No, DART has an efficient police force that maintains security. |
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03-15-2008, 02:32 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Grapevine, Texas
1,416 posts, read 1,597,909 times
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If you're retired, you probably won't have a lot of need to go into downtown Dallas. Unlike DC where downtown is the hub of activity, downtown Dallas is mostly just skyscrapers where people work M-F, and a few people live. Yes, there are some museums down there, and the American Airlines Center arena, but that's about it. All of the shopping is mostly in the suburbs, and Plano has a LOT of it! If you REALLY want to see NorthPark, you can ride DART to the station near the mall and take a shuttle bus from the train station to the mall.
Keep in mind that DART is primarily a commuter rail system, not mass transit like in DC. DART operates a reduced schedule on weekends and after normal hours, so riding the train down for dinner isn't a good option. Also, the trendier areas just north of downtown (Uptown, West Village) where most of the restaurants are located require riding at least one additional bus after getting off the train from Plano. In other words, it's not all that convenient!
Bottom line: you'll need a car!
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03-15-2008, 02:56 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
2,064 posts, read 1,320,932 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChristieP
If you're retired, you probably won't have a lot of need to go into downtown Dallas. Unlike DC where downtown is the hub of activity, downtown Dallas is mostly just skyscrapers where people work M-F, and a few people live. Yes, there are some museums down there, and the American Airlines Center arena, but that's about it. All of the shopping is mostly in the suburbs, and Plano has a LOT of it! If you REALLY want to see NorthPark, you can ride DART to the station near the mall and take a shuttle bus from the train station to the mall.
Keep in mind that DART is primarily a commuter rail system, not mass transit like in DC. DART operates a reduced schedule on weekends and after normal hours, so riding the train down for dinner isn't a good option. Also, the trendier areas just north of downtown (Uptown, West Village) where most of the restaurants are located require riding at least one additional bus after getting off the train from Plano. In other words, it's not all that convenient!
Bottom line: you'll need a car!
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Oh, I don't think so. When you get off of the train at the CityPlace subway station, there are many restaurants that are accessible on foot.
Washington DC's metro will take you to many office areas in DC, but if you want to go DuPont Circle for night life, you will find that DART to West Village-McKinney Avenue or downtown on Main Street is pretty convenient.
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03-15-2008, 03:48 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dallas
808 posts, read 736,130 times
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West Village is accessible via DART...simply get off the train at CityPlace then hop on the trolley.
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03-15-2008, 04:29 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: WA
2,281 posts, read 2,855,209 times
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Take a brief research trip before deciding anything. I lived in Plano and also in Dallas and never found DART very useful for getting around. It seems most users take a bus or drive to a park&ride to take the train on mostly express routes. Safety is a chance thing like most transit systems; I never had a problem and met people that have never had a problem but there are also those that have been scared off using the train including my mother and two co-workers. I also never found the walk / ride from City Place to West Village that short or convenient.
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03-15-2008, 06:43 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
23 posts, read 22,481 times
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To all who responded - Thanks!! Sounds like DART will come in handy at times, but we'll be doing lots of driving, too. We have just started our "search" so I'm sure I'll be posting more questions on other threads! Again - thank you to everyone who responded! |
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03-16-2008, 01:06 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
2,217 posts, read 1,619,105 times
Reputation: 521
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdelena
Take a brief research trip before deciding anything. I lived in Plano and also in Dallas and never found DART very useful for getting around. It seems most users take a bus or drive to a park&ride to take the train on mostly express routes. Safety is a chance thing like most transit systems; I never had a problem and met people that have never had a problem but there are also those that have been scared off using the train including my mother and two co-workers. I also never found the walk / ride from City Place to West Village that short or convenient.
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I have to agree here. For most people here DART is either great or you could careless. I would say the vast majority of DART riders in burbs simply ride it because they work downtown. If you don't work Downtown you will have no need to ride DART in most cases. I park my car at the park & ride and ride a bus into work. If my job was not downtown I would have very little reason to catch DART on a regular basis.
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03-17-2008, 02:36 AM
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Realtor
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
2,267 posts, read 1,979,128 times
Reputation: 478
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DART has been a lifesaver many times. We take it to go downtown to go to special events so you don't have to worry about parking. It takes you straight to the American Airline Center where they have major sport activities, concerts and shows. The city of Dallas is wonderful about many of these things. For the 4th of july they have complimentary bus rides from the DART station to the various parks as well as during the State Fair.
We have found it to be very safe. I am very excited about the extensions they are working on too.
Naima
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03-17-2008, 09:51 AM
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Not a member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
32 posts
Reputation: 11
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WELCOME TO DALLAS
PROFESSIONAL -
Dart is strictly built for professional to reach the downtown areas during the business day. Many professionals are seeking living close to Dart where they no longer have to drive to and from their offices.
SPORTS -
Dart is now used quite often for the sports venue
HOUSING -
Within a 2 mile area of Dart MUCH new construction being built with tear down of older properties improve the surrounding areas.
We have been soooo spoiled living here in Dallas using our own cars taking awhile getting accustom to Dart.
DFW & Fort Worth -
Great they have no connected the 2 cities
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