Is car theft/burglary and pest problem really that bad in Dallas?? (Houston: apartment complexes)

[YoungNRestless]

After scamming through pages of apartment ratings for various apartment complexes in Dallas, I've noticed alot of reviews complaining about thefts and burglaries, as well as a problems with roaches and rodents. I mean, I'm from Chicago, so I'd be lying if I said I'd never seen a roach or a mouse, but is this really a big deal in Dallas?? And is car theft really that common??

[TurtleCreek80]

Well, we do have flying cockroaches in Dallas- something I've never seen in any other part of the US. Pest problems can be an issue in some complexes.

I would say car burglaries (not theft, just break-ins) are probably the #1 crime problem in Dallas. They have been particularly common in some of the very nice/ new/ expensive complexes in Uptown- Gables Villa Rosa, Marquis on Cedar Springs, and the Ashton are all complexes/ buildings where I know people who have been victims of car break-ins.

In general, by following the take/lock/hide rules with your car (ie, don't leave your door unlocked even for a 2 min trip into 7-11, don't leave your gas credit card, wallet, or IPOD in the car overnight, etc), you can prevent the temptation to break-in to your car.

These crimes are fairly common all over Dallas, even in Highland Park and te nicer neighborhoods, too.

Actual vehicle thefts seem to be most common in west Dallas, southeast Dallas, and far east Dallas (like Ferguson & Buckner area).

[eastdallasson]

car break ins are a pretty significant problem. definitely take valuables out of the car at night! unfortunately you may wake up to a broken window. we have monster roaches but i dont' think that big of a rodent problem at all?

[ChristieP]

One of the biggest reasons my husband and I moved out of Dallas was the vehicle break-ins. Both of our vehicles were broken into in front of our house. We only had a one car garage, so we couldn't park both of them inside. We don't leave any valuables in our vehicles. The factory radio was taken out of his car, and all they took out of my truck was the insurance card! Since we moved to the suburbs, this has not occurred again, and we still had a 1-car garage for 7 years...

Yes, roaches are usually a problem in apartments. The buildings are oftennot well-constructed so they can get in from outside, and then there will always be tenants who are dirty and don't clean their dwelling, which also attracts roaches.

[TheViking85]

That said though, some apt homes offer free pest control as part of the lease agreement, and that's certainly helped my and my better half.

[Gettingaway]

ROACHES??? So, if I walked outside, I may run into a roach??

[momof2dfw]

No, if you walk outside you will not run into one. I have not seen the flying variety in Dallas but have in Houston, parts of Florida and South Carolina. And they are much larger varities there as well. YUCK!!! I personally have not seen one in a few years. Apartments are bad because of other people and the constant moving of the tenants. Bugs like cardboard boxes and people moving in and out constantly and keeping things in boxes does attract them and gives them a home. Just spray before you move in. Get rid of the boxes and don't keep things in storage too long and spray that as well.

As far as car break-ins. Even in the burbs they do have rashes of them. There have been a few in our very nice upscale neigbhorhood this year but every single one of them had left valuables clearly visible. I mean, golf bags and clubs . One was a neighbor directly behind us that had left his golf bag in the back of their SUV. Their vehicle was broken into while our higher end SUV right behind it in the drive was not touched. Because they probably looked in it w/ a light and saw nothing. If someone broke into our vehicles they might get 1 CD and some pennies along w/ a box of Kleenex. LOL!!! One neighbor had TWO broke into one night and they were both their kids cars and had left their golf clubs (2 sets), wallets , ipods and other things clearly visible in it. Just be smart and you can avoid it most of the time. Apartments are worse than single family home neighborhoods.

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by Gettingaway

ROACHES??? So, if I walked outside, I may run into a roach??

Oh, no. When it gets cold these "tree roaches" will come to you, inside the house.