What do people have against Dallas proper? (Houston, Plano: apartment, new house)

[Guerilla]

What are the Park Cities?

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

What are the Park Cities?

The wealthy inburbs of Highland Park and University Park

[questiongirl]

Thank you for the info

[kjackson227]

Originally Posted by dallas,texas

I've noticed something. No one seems to like Dallas proper. Its not just a crime riddin place. Its not like you get murdered right when you come in. I know there are people who like it, but lots of people do not know that there are many great places. I live in that preston hollow, bluff view area, and its so nice along with so many other places. Dallas is a great place in the city proper and the suberbs, and it annoys me so much how people think right here in dallas is so bad.

bye!

I have a love/hate relationship with Dallas. I grew up in the 75215 zip (Fair Park area) and never had any problems. Some areas in the Fair Park area are actually improving. I have since lived and presently live in the 75217, 75227 zips (Pleasant Grove). I desperately want to leave PG, asap, lol! Why? Because Pleasant Grove is filled with awful schools (law enforcement had to police two high schools about a year or two ago), and awful neighbors/neighborhoods. People have no sense of pride for their property. Some homes have 3-4 cars which causes them to use up their space, and everyone else's. Lawns are unkept, children run rampant and have no respect for other people's property, and the parents allow it. If you think the crime in PG is bad now, it was way worse about a year or two ago. I must say that Chief Kunkle has slowed down the crime/gangs, somewhat. There aren't any nice restaurants, or specialty grocery stores. I have to go to the Kroger in Balch Springs or Mesquite in order to shop in a decent store. All we have are Family Dollar/Dollar General Stores, bazaars, and junk food establishments. I have burglar bars all around my house, AND a 94 lb. ferocious black lab that helps keep me safe. Pleasant Grove is anything but pleasant which is why I'm striving to get out, asap. I wouldn't wish this place on my worst enemy.

[Spree]

>> Northwest are crazy packed during rush hour.<<

My husband gets from his apt in Las Colinas to his hangar at Love Field with no problems at all using NW Hwy. Now, maybe between the toll and 75 it gets bad?

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by kjackson227

I have a love/hate relationship with Dallas. I grew up in the 75215 zip (Fair Park area) and never had any problems. Some areas in the Fair Park area are actually improving. I have since lived and presently live in the 75217, 75227 zips (Pleasant Grove). I desperately want to leave PG, asap, lol! Why? Because Pleasant Grove is filled with awful schools (law enforcement had to police two high schools about a year or two ago), and awful neighbors/neighborhoods. People have no sense of pride for their property. Some homes have 3-4 cars which causes them to use up their space, and everyone else's. Lawns are unkept, children run rampant and have no respect for other people's property, and the parents allow it. If you think the crime in PG is bad now, it was way worse about a year or two ago. I must say that Chief Kunkle has slowed down the crime/gangs, somewhat. There aren't any nice restaurants, or specialty grocery stores. I have to go to the Kroger in Balch Springs or Mesquite in order to shop in a decent store. All we have are Family Dollar/Dollar General Stores, bazaars, and junk food establishments. I have burglar bars all around my house, AND a 94 lb. ferocious black lab that helps keep me safe. Pleasant Grove is anything but pleasant which is why I'm striving to get out, asap. I wouldn't wish this place on my worst enemy.

We also had a really bad experience in Pleasant (or Unpleasant Grove) as we chose to call it after awhile. I did have a good grocery store though- but I was held up in the parking lot of it! I wish you the best in getting out of there. IMHO you really need to!

[KBilly]

Originally Posted by gulf5driver

>> Northwest are crazy packed during rush hour.<<

My husband gets from his apt in Las Colinas to his hangar at Love Field with no problems at all using NW Hwy. Now, maybe between the toll and 75 it gets bad?

From Hillcrest all the way east to I-635, in Garland.

[SepiaZelda]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

What are the Park Cities?

Highland Park and University Park. Also sometimes called "the bubble." Or, as we called it when I was growing up there, the promised land.

[hamiltonpl]

Originally Posted by Keikis

We were drawn to Lakewood, HP and UP because several here recommended them and we like the classic architecture (and trees!) in those areas, but as a family of four we had a few concerns.

As we hope to be in our next home for several years, our first concern is that these neighborhoods might not be able to hold their appreciation because of nearby neighborhoods that we saw that are less desirable.

Crime became a consideration after we talked to a couple of people about car and home break-ins.

We visited a couple of schools and while the elementary schools impressed us, we were concerned about what the middle and high schools will look like in another ten years.

While we have lived in many countries and enjoy city living, we share a perceived notion that while our kids are young, there is an appeal to living in the suburbs where there are cul-de-sacs, many other families with kids about the same age and family-oriented services like pools, skating rinks, ball fields, etc.

I expect that our needs will change later, and would be the last to bash the city proper, but this is why we are leaning towards for suburbua for the time being.

There are two places in the Metroplex that have the least probability of becoming a ghetto: Lakewood and the Park Cities. These areas being intruded upon by the ghetto is absolutely the last thing I'd be concerned about. I've lived in both.

You have a higher chance of winning the lottery, being struck by lightning, and being elected President of the United States -- on the same day -- than Lakewood or the Park Cities do of becoming ghettos. Quite the opposite is happening. Areas around these two neighborhoods are sharply increasing their value. Just being near either of these two areas is considered incredibly desirable. The former "rough areas" are becoming high-growth gentrification areas. It would be a shame to miss out on these neighborhoods for this fear. I will buy you the biggest McMansion in Frisco if Highland Park goes to the gangs. Seriously.

There are an incredible number of child-oriented facilities in both the Park Cities and Lakewood. All of them have baseball fields, swimming pools, soccer fields, and tennis courts within walking distance. They also have Dallas' best shopping and dining within walking distance. Save for an alien encounter that destroys Highland Park Village, this is not going to change. Lakewood even has a LAKE. How could you get more children oriented than sailing with you children then walking home?

Highland Park High School provides an excellent education for children. It was ranked #10 in the United States. It has consistently been ranked in the top ten for the last 20 years, when they started ranking high schools. I don't see how that will magically change in ten years. Again, if Highland Park HS goes to the gangs, I'll buy you the biggest McMansion in Frisco. Seriously.

Lakewood / HP ghetto? Not. Gonna. Happen.

These areas -- and the areas around them -- are only going to increase in value and desirability.

[Lakewooder]

I'm constantly amazed at people passing up the chance to make real money on a house in these areas to go to a new builder house way out somewhere where they are actually going to lose money or be stuck for a decade waiting to break even.