Living between Commerce and Dallas? (Plano, Garland: rent , job, home)

[Twilner]

Hello... My husband has just got a job at Texas A&M in Commerce and we are trying to figure out where to live. I will almost certainly be working in Dallas. So we are trying to figure out where we could live in between the two.

We are a young (30 years old) professional couple, no kids, so we'd like to be able to get to nighlife and attractions fairly easily. However coming from the world's most expensive property market (London) we are also excited at the prospect of a slightly more laid-back, affordable life -- especially being able to rent a decent-sized place with a garden so we can get a dog!

Wherever we live it should have a sense of "place", i.e., a town centre where people walk about and that is not falling apart and with a few decent shops. I don't want to drive 20 miles evey time I need a pint of milk. Am I unduly prejudiced to think that is a danger in Texas?

Another constraint is that we wouldn't like to have the expense and hassle of two cars if we can help it. However, I'm guessing that if that's our approach, we really only can live in the Dallas metro area (because I don't have a licence yet so if there's only one driver it will definitely be my husband). Curious to hear people's thoughts.

If we do live in the Dallas metro area, can anyone recommend an area on the east/north side of town (giving easier access to Commerce) that is young and fun?

Sorry for the babbling question. Hope you can help!

Thanks
Tamar

[Lakewooder]

Do you have any idea of where you might be working in Dallas?

Cheers!

[Grainraiser]

Greenville would be a good compromise but I am not sure if they will have the kind of amenities you want. My wife has a cousin who works in Commerce will her husband works in Dallas. They live in Fate which is just north of Rockwall. Commerce is a pretty good drive but they are close enough to Dallas to enjoy the city.

[momof2dfw]

I'd go w/ Rockwall. This puts you with the "worst" commute for traffic closer to Dallas. Rockwall is growing and you could very likely get a job in Rockwall are close by in Garland. Getting to downtown Dallas from Rockwall is not bad either be it for commuting to a job or going out for a BIG night on the town. Otherwise there are TONS of things to do in Rockwall w/ the development going on at The Harbor and all up and down I-30. VERY family friendly as well for when you want to start a family you won't have to pick up and move to a completely new place. A lot of people in Rockwall commute to Commerce to Texas A&M.

[Grainraiser]

I would concur. If she wants the joys of living in the big city Rockwall would be a great choice. Fate would be better if a more rural setting is whats desired. Between the two I would personally go with Rockwall.

[FarNorthDallas]

It's going to be tough with one car and that one car is commuting to Commerce and back every day. Make sure and check DART (mass transit) when you are looking for a place to live.

[GayleTX]

What type of work do you do? Unless it is something highly specialized, I vote for Rockwall......if you live there, you shouldn't have to go to Dallas to work - lots of business/offices, etc. Any other town between Commerce and Dallas would be very rural and maybe too much of a culture shock. I did my graduate work at A&M-Commerce - very quiet, slow-moving little town, and a very inexpensive place to live.
Hope your husband enjoys his job and that things work out well for you.

[Twilner]

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies. To answer your questions: I haven't found a job yet. I am a journalist so I'm thinking there will probably not be much for me in Rockwall (sorry if they have a very fine publishing industry that I am overlooking through ignorance!) and I will almost certainly work in Dallas. The other thing I might do is freelance from home, but in that case it would possibly be even more important to be close to the city so I can meet people and not get bored!

I had heard about Rockwall and it seems a very nice location. But the more I think about it I would really rather not have two cars. Rockwall is unfortunately beyond the reach of DART. I could take a taxi to Garland and get on DART from there but this could be very expensive to do every day.

What I'm wondering now is where in Dallas might be most suitable (seeing as DART seems to go as far east as Garland and as far north as Plano). I'm assuming the shortest commute to Commerce would be from Garland. But Google seems to think it would be just as short from the centre of Dallas! Could this possibly be true?

Thanks everyone
Tamar

[ChristieP]

Rowlett is on the DART and is the next suburb East from Rockwall. It will be a longer commute for your husband due to having to go over Lake Ray Hubbard. Make sure you live close to a bus stop as not all of Rowlett is close to them. Cabs are impossible in the suburbs unless you call the cab company and they send on e out to you. Honestly, I'd plan on getting a second car ASAP. You really will need it.

[Macbeth2003]

Two people both working and living in Dallas need two cars. Unfortunate but true. The city sprawls, and aside from the few areas served by rail, Dart is pretty terrible. It can take over an hour to go a few miles.