Moving to Dallas. Good, safe Neighborhoods? (Arlington, Plano: rentals, crime, how much)

[sevenlayers]

Due to my job, my family and I will be moving Dallas within a few months and I need some information on the good, safe neighborhoods in the area or as safe as can be considering the size of the city.

We're currently living in a small, very nice, town in another state so we haven't had to give much thought to crime at all this past year, but for Dallas it's weighing on my mind for my family.

We're going to rent a house at first so I don't think we'll have much a problem finding a place. I've seen at lot of great houses for rent online, but because I don't know the neighborhoods it feels pointless to look right now.

If anyone can point me the right direction, I'd appreciate it. I remember reading in an older post here someone recommended Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, and Mansfield as good, safe neighborhoods. Can anyone confirm?

What about Burleson?


Thanks.

[FarNorthDallas]

Where is the job?

[loves2read]

yes--that is the prime consideration and your price point and school/ISD consideration--
some of the "safest" neighborhoods like Southlake or Highland Park or Lake Highlands are pretty top-of-the-line expensive
Frankly I would not put Grand Prairie on a list of those "safest" in the metroplex...but I am sure there are areas that have little crime
check out some police maps or crime stat maps on line and see where the safe areas are
you can check MLS sites for DFW area according to map placement--find homes in those areas that seem safest to you...

[Grainraiser]

Need a little more information to give good advice. What part of town will your job be located in. What's the budget for the house. You will need to provide more information to get some good information.

[sevenlayers]

Thanks for the replies.

My job is located smack dab in the heart of Dallas. I don't mind commuting since that's what I do know, but I currently live in a great neighborhood so I don't mind.

We will be renting because we might not be there for too long so anything around $1,000 to $1,500 monthly.

I'm going to throw some places out there if anyone can give me their opinion:

Plano
Garland
Little Elm
Carrollton
Arlington
ForthWorth
Frisco
Allen
Prosper
Irving
Mesquite
Denton
Rowlett

Is it the same rule as other cities that it's usually best to stay away from anything in the south or southeast parts of town? Like Duncanville, DeSoto and Lancaster?

[FarNorthDallas]

Well, the first thing I would do is pop all those cities into mapquest and check the number of miles to your workplace address and then eliminate any city that is 25 or more miles away. I might even make the limit 20 miles. I have a 13 mile commute and some days I have a 60-90 minute commute and other days it's 45 minutes. Off rush hour, it's 30 minutes. I had two 90 minute commutes this past week - both morning commutes down Hwy 75/Central Expressway.

[Grainraiser]

Originally Posted by sevenlayers

Thanks for the replies.

My job is located smack dab in the heart of Dallas. I don't mind commuting since that's what I do know, but I currently live in a great neighborhood so I don't mind.

We will be renting because we might not be there for too long so anything around $1,000 to $1,500 monthly.

I'm going to throw some places out there if anyone can give me their opinion:

Plano
Garland
Little Elm
Carrollton
Arlington
ForthWorth
Frisco
Allen
Prosper
Irving
Mesquite
Denton
Rowlett

Is it the same rule as other cities that it's usually best to stay away from anything in the south or southeast parts of town? Like Duncanville, DeSoto and Lancaster?

You can remove the followering from your list

Ft. Worth to far
Denton to far
Prosper to expensive

I would take Arlingon and Irving off the list due to distance but
they are both do able. A couple of more questions. What size home do you need, do you have school age childern. How much of a commute are you willing to accept. Your list can be narrowed more with these questions being answered.

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by sevenlayers

Is it the same rule as other cities that it's usually best to stay away from anything in the south or southeast parts of town? Like Duncanville, DeSoto and Lancaster?

Short answer, No. You can find rental properties within your price range that are located in nice neighborhoods in each of those cities.

[sonshinelife]

Carrollton has a lot of nice rentals in the 1200 to 1500 range(mostly on the 1400 to 1500 range)...all off of Hebron...you will find the neigborhods feed into the following elementary schools so it is a wide area...Indian Creek Elem., Polser Elementary, Homestead Elem., some of this price range feed into Castle Hill's Elem., some of these homes feed into the Coyote Ridge Elementary.

[miokie]

Originally Posted by sevenlayers

My job is located smack dab in the heart of Dallas. I don't mind commuting since that's what I do know, but I currently live in a great neighborhood so I don't mind.

We will be renting because we might not be there for too long so anything around $1,000 to $1,500 monthly.


Rowlett

If by "heart of Dallas", you mean downtown Dallas, then Rowlett should be at the top of your list because of its access to DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) locations. It's safe, has decent schools, and is within your rental price range.