Farmers Branch Info (Dallas, Irving, Carrollton: apartments, rental, townhome)

[FreshCoast]

Hey everyone I'm gonna be new to the Farmers Branch area and I had a few questions. So any help is appreciated. This is my first post but I've always searched the forums for things I needed for when I move to the DFW area.

First off I was trying to set up my TV/Internet but I don't know who is available in Farmers Branch and what quality they have. I called Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse but neither are available in my area. I live off 635 and Luna Rd. I was thinking of calling Comcast and after reading several posts about Time Warner, I would prefer to avoid them. I need the fastest internet available just because that's me and I need it. Cable is flexible but I need DVR and I heard Time Warner can only record one show at a time.

My apartments are Portofino at Mercer Crossing and they said a lot of people do AT&T but their service is with Dish. I don't like dish service and probably never will. So any advice or points in the right direction would be great.

Also if there are any hot spots or restaurants in the local area that shouldn't be missed can be listed here. My time in Dallas might be cut short but I want to make the most of it. I've heard nothing but great things so I can't wait.

Thanks.

[catluvr]

My advice is to move here, get settled in, then get cable. There is so much to do and see here, you may not have time for cable at least for a few months.

Verizon and ATT...that's all I know of. I think they have the market. Dish for TV. There may be some smaller companies. Try using the search engine for utilities. Some services (I think the reliant energy website) offer information on local services and will arrange to set them up for you. Only problem is that you have an apartment, but at least you can browse their website. I used them when I first relocated into a rental townhome and it was very helpful. I'm not sure if they will help you on their website if you are not getting electricity from them...you sure can try.

Good Luck. you'll love it here. We do.

[Korel]

Often, in apartments, I do believe you're stuck with who-ever the apartments have contracted with already. The few friends of mine who do live in apartments complain about that fact. Possibly I'm wrong.

[TXboomerang]

I dunno. Me and my wife just got Time Warner after going through hell trying to get service with AT&T. First, AT&T sent our stuff to the wrong address. Then, once received, we attempted to install it. No go. A tech had supposedly come by to "turn it on" so we could get service in our apt. My wife calls to get tech support. She got transferred 4 times because each person said they couldn't help. She finally got someone and they put her on hold multiple times and after an hour of my wife on the phone with her, she said she'd have to send a tech out the next day. End of next day comes, nothing working. We called. No record of any work being scheduled for us, or even a note that we needed a tech. Another hour on the phone with a so called tech (after being transferred a few times to people who either couldn't or didn't want to help). Nothing working after that hour, they suggested we call back the next morning. We did. 2 transfers. The lady we got looked up our account, told us our service was cancelled. Then she said it wasn't. Then she said she had 2 accounts showing for us with one of them showing cancelled and one showing active. She said she was confused and needed to research it. My wife told her don't bother, we'll cancel. She told my wife she can't cancel the account and would have to transfer her to someone who could.

Never dealt with a more clueless bunch of idiots in my entire life. We called Time Warner same day (Friday) and they scheduled a tech for Monday between 11 and 2. My wife left work to come wait. They arrived at 11:30 and were out by 11:45 and we had service. No hassles.

So even though I've heard bad things about Time Warner, the service we received from AT&T was the most deplorable and ridiculous excuse for service we have ever experienced. Its as if everyone we talked to was brand new to the job and clueless. Who knows, maybe they were. But I will never deal with AT&T again.

[billdfw]

Unfortunately, Farmers Branch is a run down, worthless part of Dallas. You can drive over to nearby Addision on Beltline Road were there are many restaurants and bars, or even better get a chance to go to Uptown/Downtown and East Dallas/Whiterock Lake.

Don't let the fact that you will be living in Farmers Branch ruin your time in Dallas.

[TXboomerang]

Farmers Branch is not so bad. There are some very nice spots, right on Valley View and Luna down to Marsh. There are several very expensive townhome complexes going up, and Mercers Crossing is in the works as well. Not too mention, its 5 minutes to Addison, so dining and shopping are easy access.

[catluvr]

Go down Royal just a few miles east of 35E. Those are some really nice houses in a really nice area. One thing about DFW area...good and bad parts of town in every city.

You will have to decide for yourself your opinion. After all, that's why you rent first You are really close to Addison, carrollton, Irving and Dallas. Awesome commuting location. Farmer's Branch has really tried to improve their city. There is a big money base in Farmer's branch. there are some illegals which bring the property down, but many of them have fled (so I've heard).

Welcome to Dallas. You will love the variety. Good luck with cable. no service is that great.

[RN7676]

>Unfortunately, Farmers Branch is a run down, worthless part of Dallas.

Oh come on now. What is that about? I think it's been said a kazilion times on here, but every city has it's good and bad parts. That area of FB where the poster lives near 635 & Luna is new and fresh. ... In fact, I didn't even know that was FB. I thought it was Irving or Carrollton ( I know Carrollton PD likes to write tickes on Luna North of Valley View).

I think FB has (or is about to) turn the corner. There are many original residents that appear ready to take their old suburb into the future.

I read in the morning news that FB has a grant program to incent people to remodel (or even tear down and replace) older homes. I've heard they are bidding solutions to some old worn out shopping centers. I'll admit that parts of the old FB have fallen into a less than desireable state and they should have gotten a grip on the issue a decade ago, but they are moving in the right direction now. It will just be a while before we all see the results.

By the way, I don't live in FB, never have. I don't work in FB and I don't drive through FB on my commute. I don't even know anybody that lives in FB.

So I have no personal or political ties to the place. ... But I am vaugly aware of some of what they are doing to move forward.

[murzila]

Hi :-)

We moved here in June'08. Just now got our TV hooked up with AT&T after weeks of research. We had no other option, because our balkony does not even face South where all satelites are located. Been with the Portofino dish and we are pleased to be honest. We also have the net trhough AT&T - not the fastest. My work is a mile away and I have perfect net trhough AT&T.
I moved from Boston, still adjusting with all Texas life style, but keeping buzy is the best way to eliminate thinking about the differences.

Cheers,

Maggie

[playafigi]

Hello

I went with Time Warner - despite hearing all the bad things, and they've been great for over a year. Fast internet, never had any down time, and their DVR can record two shows at once.. so you heard wrong there. I just hate the dish, and couldn't get the MLB package on Verizon Fios.. so I was kind of forced into Time Warner, but as I said everything has been great thus far.

As for hotspots.. yes - just drive east on Beltline into Addison. MANY different places to try.