Thoughts on Mesquite/Balch Springs??? (Dallas, Richardson: low income, apartment complex, loft)

[Texan#1]

I will be working in Mesquite/Balch Springs and am very unfamiliar with the area. I'd like to know what your thoughts are of the area and if it'd be a safe place to live. I've looked into apartments in uptown (I'm young and like to have a good time), but it's hard to find anything that I like that's in my budget (<850/mth) and the drive would probably be terrible. I reallly dont know the traffic patterns or neighborhoods east of downtown much.

Should I even bother to look at apartments in Mesquite/Balch Springs?

[momof2dfw]

Single and like to have a good time? No, I'd bypass that area to live in at this point in time you your life. Keep looking in and around Uptown and other vibrant areas for singles. Even The Village Apartments would be a good bet at your age and provide you with the close by entertainment and put you in an area w/ other singles. As for just Mesquite & Balch Springs........... Mesquite wins hands down between those two.

[hstfan82]

I don't know a lot about Mesquite personally. I do know it has a reputation of being kind of redneck with the big rodeo being there and all. I have a liberal friend at work who lives there and she seems to think it's like its reputation. I've never heard of anyone moving to Balch Springs and would stay away from there without knowing more about it. I'd reccomend finding a decent apartment complex in North Dallas or Richardson. Your commute wouldn't be great, but you will have relatively close access to areas with a lot of what you're looking for, and you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

[hstfan82]

You also might be able to find some older apartments close to cool areas like Uptown, Mockingbird, Greenville in that price range, but make sure to check them out in person first. I'd imagine the new loft style apartments would be higher.

[Grainraiser]

I live in Mesquite and parts of it is very nice. Having said this I would live near downtown if I were single. There is no singles life in Mesquite and the commute from downtown would be easy since there would be very little traffic. 99% of folks would select Mesquite over Balch Springs. There are some nice apartment complexes in Mesquite if you want to be close to work but it would not be a ideal place if your looking for a singles scene. Shoot me a PM if you more information.

[MaryS80]

Balch Springs should be avoided at all costs, it's mostly very low income, lots of crime. Mesquite has everything from low income to upper middle class, with the vast majority being middles class. It's a mix of families and empty nesters.

[jobert]

Balch Springs is nice if you like the following:

1. meth
2. pitbulls
3. chainlink fences
4. children with different last names

[ChristieP]

I agree with Jobert and MaryS80. I wouldn't live in Balch Springs on a dare...

Mesquite is mostly a family town. There is ZERO nightlife there. Back in the 70s and 80s, you couldn't even buy a beer in a restaurant in Mesquite. It used to be a VERY conservative place!

The Village would be really good for you, but the commute to Mesquite or Balch Springs would be on all surface streets with a million traffic lights and school zones. I'd say to look the White Rock Lake/Lakewood area. There are more singles and fun places there, and the commute to Mesquite down I-30 would be easy since you'd be going against traffic.

[Korel]

Balch Springs? Doesn't that go under your mattress?

[Texan#1]

Thanks for the help everyone! It's amuses me how I'm needing advice on where to live since I'm actually from the metroplex... this place is HUGE!