Plano/Richardson apartment under $650? (Dallas, Garland: apartments, condos, trip)

[fierce_flawless]

Just wanting to know if it is possible to find a decent apartment under $650 for a single person, in the Richardson/Plano area OR the area of Dallas that's near Richardson/Plano.

This would be for a single person, so it could be an efficiency even, as long as it would be close to public transpo and safe and decent on a basic level.

Is it do-able?

Thanks!

[MaryS80]

Check out The Courtyard Apartments in Garland on Shiloh Road. They have one bedrooms starting at $635/mo, they also have efficiencies but I am not sure of the cost. There are two bus routes that stop next to the complex. It's also a short trip to three different rail stations. It's pretty close to the Richardson border.

It's a small to medium size complex, pretty quiet.

[fratermus]

The area in Richardson west of at 75/SpringValley is in that range, but many folks would not refer to it as "safe".

According to COR crime stats, that area and he stretch of Coit south of Beltline are the two most crime-ridden areas in Richardson. Having said that, I lived there for several years and was not killed.

[momof2dfw]

If you want to be close to shopping, entertainment, restaurants you can always look at one of the more "urban" areas so that you can walk to those places. In Plano around the downtown area (15th, Ave K, etc) but some of those are townhomes and condos. In Garland at Firewheel Town Center (outdoor mall) there are apartments and townhomes for rent. They seem to be pretty popular and on a DART bus line. Those are called Parkview I believe and from what I've heard the rents were very reasonable for a brand new complex.

[kacvb1974]

A 1 bedroom apt in your price range is quite doable in Richardson. As mentioned, the apt communities off of Spring Valley/75 are rather spotty. I'd avoid them, if not for the crime (mainly petty drug traffic/theft) just because it's complex after complex after complex and quite congested. Any property off or near the street Maham (AKA "Mayhem") is not very desirable except in price.

Check out Madison on Melrose or Belle Grove Apartments, zip 75080. Both are in extremely quiet, safe neighborhoods near single family homes. Plus, both are within less of a mile of the Arapaho DART station. You could walk/bike to either the Arapaho or Gatalyn Park stations in minutes.