Relocation to Dallas/Fort Worth-Irving/Las Colinas (McKinney, Frisco: apartment complexes, houses)

[teejuris]

I'm excited to be relocating to the Las Colinas/Irving area. I got over the initial hurdle of deciding where to live in TX, based on a variety of factors: Commuter access/convenience to Dallas; diversity; price range; and a friend's recommendation. I am in the infancy stages of my relocation, and am therefore, seeking information about the young professional and Christian social scene. I am an African American professional in my 30s. I don't have any children, so I'm not interested in schools, outside of those recommended for community outreach/volunteer purposes. I am a pretty resourceful and outgoing person. I enjoy sports, movies, all types of music (minus jazz & classical); reading (book clubs); writing; traveling; learning; and trying new and exciting things (mechanical bull). I attend church and Bible Class regularly and will do so in Texas. I will probably start off fellowshipping at the Potter's House (TD Jakes), but am interested in a racially/culturally mixed/diverse Christian (Non-denominational or Baptist)/non-cultish, ENTIRE Bible-teaching church. I date interracially and interreligiously, so my dating scope is pretty broad. I kind of feel like I need a relocation support group and a "Southern Living 101" class, since I've always lived in the Midwest, and therefore, never in the South! I'm from a very closely-knit family, so it will be very difficult being away from my family. If anyone has any recommendations, suggestions, or social/professional networking information on any of the areas I discussed, please reply. Thank you so very much for your input.

[curlysue2006]

Have you tried meetup.com? On there, you can join groups in your area with similar interests. Also, once you join a church in the area, I am sure you will meet a lot of people through that as well as volunteering. Good luck to you!

[teejuris]

Thank you, "curlysue2006". I can't wait to actually move and begin fellowshipping in TX. I'm sure I will meet great people.

[teralmc]

Hello, I am wondering why you are relocating to Irving; whether it involves a job relocation or not. You did mention that commuting was a factor and I wondered if you had considered that commute based on a particular employer's location. Irving is centrally located between Dallas and Ft Worth but the way I see it Irving is surrounded by freeways and overheads on both ends.

[gthog61]

Valley Ranch is a nice part of Irving. It is also very convenient to a big swath of the area. I work over near Midway and 635 in N. Dallas - about a 18-20 minute easy commute, especially along the surface streets.

[teejuris]

Hello, teralmc:
I chose Irving after considering a variety of factors: Diversity, cost of living, commutability, nice apartment complexes, shopping and central location. Most significantly, I chose Irving at the recommendation of a friend that lives in the area.

[kmc757]

Originally Posted by teejuris

I will probably start off fellowshipping at the Potter's House (TD Jakes), but am interested in a racially/culturally mixed/diverse Christian (Non-denominational or Baptist)/non-cultish, ENTIRE Bible-teaching church.

Welcome to DFW. The Valley Ranch / Las Colinas area of Irving is a nice place.

As for a church, if you are a Christian, I would keep looking. TD Jakes denies the historic/biblical teaching on the Trinity.

Concerns about the Teachings of T.D. Jakes

[OneShinyface]

I lived in the Valley Ranch area for about 8 months upon my relocation from Michigan to Irving where I work. I enjoyed living in the Valley Ranch area. My apartment was in a gated community with an attached garage, lots of activities and very reasonable rent. You will find that complexes will compete with one another to gain you as a resident. I had a 10 minute commute to work.

I felt very comfortable as the area is very diverse, convenient to shopping and restaurants, and made for a VERY EASY commute to work each morning.

I just moved this month to a northern suburb and now take the toll roads to work in Irving. I LOVE my location but am not too crazy about the longer commute times. Still, it's worth it to have a home that houses all of my belongings.

Best of luck to you and feel free to DM if you need more info.

[teejuris]

Hi, KMC757:Thanks for the TD Jakes/Potter's House info. I chose the Potter's House as a "starter" church, since I'm not familiar w/ other ones in the area. I'm open to visiting other churches. I do so even now, although I have a "home church". If you have any church recommendations/suggestions, let me know. That info would be greatly appreciated!

[teejuris]

Hello, OneShinyface:Thanks for the corroboration. I feel even more confident about my Las Colinas decision after reading your post. Irving just feels right. I'll be looking at some apartment complexes in Valley Ranch as well when I visit the area very soon. I considered Frisco and McKinney as well before settling on Irving. I feel a tad guilty about leaving Michigan at such a low point in the State's economic viability history. My saving grace is I originally decided to relocate back in July '07, and everyone knows that. So, I'm not "jumping ship" just when or because times are tough for the State, and it appears to be a sinking ship...