from La-La Land to Dallas... where to start? (Houston, Austin: to rent, condos)

[cgmaetc]

Hello all,

I'm in my early 30s, single, female, and contemplating a move to Dallas. I was born and raised in LA, but I've got family in the Houston (hate it!) area, so I figure I'll be close enough to someone I know. I've visited Dallas many times and I have been impressed by it's growth and how I didn't miss LA when I was there. I was regulated to the downtown area (which is coming along nicely, by the way), so I didn't get to see much of the outskirts.

I'm looking for a new home under $300K: The distance from Downtown doesn't matter. A great school district would be a bonus, since it does reflect the quality of the neighborhood (at least it does in LA), but I don't have any children so it's not an issue right now. What would be a safe area for a young businesswoman to live? I'd like an area or development that's er... welcoming... to a young African American woman, but not necessarily an predominately black area. Something diverse but not ..uh... tense. I had a bad experience in Atlanta where I live in an "upscale" area (not upscale compared to LA!) and the neighbors made sure I knew they didn't want me. But I digress...

I just want to know what neighborhood to click when I visit these new home websites!


Some more questions (not in order of importance!):

1. What is the singles scene like?
2. I don't have to drive into the city much if I don't want to, so do the freeways have a true rush hour (like 7am-9am?) or is there constant traffic all day?
3. Are there exciting and interesting things to do on the weekends? Or are people mostly homebodies?
4. Can you get me some Cowboys tickets? Pretty, pretty please?

I'll think of more... I'm sure of it! I appreciate any feedback you can give me?

[socketz]

Young/Single....

I'd say Addison near the Tollway is the best bet. Since this area is somewhat uptown and mainly newer condos, I don't think people with kids live around there.

As always, Highland and University Park, Upper Greenville....

Sub 300k may be tough to find in those areas though.

Another area that is emerging as a nice singles spot is 'Legacy' up in Frisco (I think it is officially in Plano, but the far north tip)

Every place else I've been here is very family oriented and may be lonely if your single.

If I were you, I'd also check out Austin. Gorgeous topography that will remind you of Socal and very laid back people and possibly the best nite life in the entire south.

[ladyjay73]

cgmaetc,

i am considering moving to dallas as well. my stats are the same as yours, except i do have children. in am in seattle, & am looking for a change.

I have been doing a lot of research, & it seems like the Mckinney area will possibly meet your needs. I haven't found out much about the "single life" out there, but i am still checking. By the way, have you gotten a job already? I've heard that it's sometimes better to rent & get adjusted to the high utilities & property taxes out there for a year or so & then buy.

If you want to chat feel free to email me at: ladyjay73@gmail.com

[momof2dfw]

1. What is the singles scene like? Pretty good. Not in the suburbs though. Addison and Far North Dallas have the more kind of "dress to impress" crowds. Greenville Ave has the more laid back, jeans, t-shirt - hang out for brunch or listening to a band kind of crowd. Then there is Uptown near the AAC (American Airlines Center) that is all new and more "trendy".

2. I don't have to drive into the city much if I don't want to, so do the freeways have a true rush hour (like 7am-9am?) or is there constant traffic all day? Yes, there is a true rush hour.

3. Are there exciting and interesting things to do on the weekends? Or are people mostly homebodies? You can be a homebody or you can get out the Guide in the Friday Dallas Morning News and see what is going on where. The Improve in Addison is almost always sold out on the weekends. Lots of Holiday (all year round Holidays) festivals, celebrations, concerts, etc in a lot of the suburbs. You can keep your self PLENTY busy in the Dallas area.

4. Can you get me some Cowboys tickets? Pretty, pretty please? Don't have those but the playoff tickets just went on sale.

Dallas is VERY diverse. You are not going to find whole neighborhoods unwelcoming based on someones race. Like anywhere else your going to find that one or two that are just totally clueless but otherwise everyone is pretty accepting. It has more to do with how one presents themselves than it does their religion, color of skin, background, job, etc. In "present" I don't mean how they dress per se but more how they are towards others. If your open and accepting to others then you will be welcomed. I'm in an area of "upscale" w/ upper middle and upper income and a LOT of stay at home moms. My childrens school classes have a HUGE mix of different types of people - white bread would not describe it though it is the predominent race still yet with a good mix. Good luck

[ladyjay73]

momof2dfw

Your knowledge of the dallas area is great. I've been reading your posts, & I've learned a lot. Things that I definately want to look for when I visit the area. If you don't mind me asking, what part of dallas to you live in.

Also, I wanted to know if you are familiar with the job market. I am in accounting, & don't have my degree yet, but have at least 10 years of experience. Average salary for my position is about $50K. Average house in this area is about $300K for 4 walls & not much else. Do you have any insight on the job market out there?

Thanks,

ladyjay

[hotcity]

Originally Posted by cgmaetc

Hello all,

the neighbors made sure I knew they didn't want me. But I digress...

Any reason for this?

[socketz]

Honestly, I'd rent in a place like Addison for a while because it is central to everything, young, pretty new, accessible to shopping/eats....far from real bad areas.

Then, go exploring some of the other parts of Dallas....

Addison is a good starting point for all the reasons stated below.

McKinney is for families and quite far away.....I would not move there if I were single. You want to be closer to uptown Dallas, not the burbs.....you'll have plenty of time to live there when you marry and have some youngins.

[GoPadge]

Originally Posted by hotcity

Any reason for this?

Having lived in Rome, GA and working in and traveling through Atlanta for a number of years, I fear it may be due solely to her race. I've encountered enough people in Metro Atlanta, that felt that ethnicity was a good indicator of any number of things, to say that it may be something that simple and that stupid.

And it's not that I'm saying that everyone in Atlanta uses race to evaluate a persons worth and/or character. It could also be that cgmaetc's L.A. roots rubbed people the wrong way.

[Ankhharu]

Originally Posted by cgmaetc

1. What is the singles scene like?

As everyone has mentioned, Lower Greenville is pretty laid back, with plenty of bars to check out. (Saturday night is typically bumping, Friday nights are typically slow) Alot of people dig the Uptown scene, but it's alot of people who have money or pretend to have money from what i've seen. Addison is ok, plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. All 3 area's are different. I'm in 2 of these area's every weekend. It's ok.

Originally Posted by cgmaetc

2. I don't have to drive into the city much if I don't want to, so do the freeways have a true rush hour (like 7am-9am?) or is there constant traffic all day?

Yes, it has a true rush hour. Unless there's an accident, construction, etc you typically don't have to deal with alot of traffic outside rush hour times.

Originally Posted by cgmaetc

3. Are there exciting and interesting things to do on the weekends? Or are people mostly homebodies?

Not a whole lot to do, but if you really dig, you can find things to keep you busy. Depending on what you like to do, this could vary.

[carolinajack]

cgmaetc:

Flower Mound, Carrollton is a great place outside the city to find homes from $250 to $300+

Dallas has so many things to do, just as LA does. You name it, we have it.

Singles can find tons of things, what is it that you are looking for?

Its a big city like NY, Houston, Boston, Miami, SF or Seattle, so you can find anything here, except the Ocean.