Uptown to Bedford Commute (same distance as DFW Airport) (Dallas: apartments, to rent)

[JonDoe]

Hi Everyone,

I'm about to take a job in Bedford (same distance as DFW airport from Uptown). I'm single late 20s guy and sounds like to place to live is Uptown. My job is 4 days a week (including some weekends mixed in) so I'm thinking about living in Uptown and making the commute. It would be reverse commute each way so I'm thinking it wouldn't be that bad? Around 30 minutes (google map says 20 miles) each way?

I'm also open to any other apartment options closer to Bedford that's good for young single professionals.


Thanks!

[codytravers]

Sounds like uptown is your place. Commute doesn't look to be bad.

[**NoodLes**]

It's actually more like 45 minutes from Uptown to DFW.

[ChristieP]

Yes, and the traffic is pretty heavy on 183 in rush hours, and will be worse when there is an accident. Keep in mind that there is no public transit alternative, gas is currently about $2.25 per gallon, and Irving cops watch their stretch of 183 like hawks, too.

Honestly, I'd visit Uptown on weekends but live closer to where I work. Have you looked at Las Colinas, especially the area right by the canal?

[JonDoe]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

Honestly, I'd visit Uptown on weekends but live closer to where I work. Have you looked at Las Colinas, especially the area right by the canal?

Thanks Christie living close to where I work and just visiting during the weekends is sounding like a better plan (I just cannot drink since I need to drive back). It seems if I live in Uptown I'll be spending up to 2-3 hour more a week on the road plus the headache. I looked at Las Colinas but that's like 15 miles from my workplace I might as well spend 5 more miles to get to Uptown at that point.

I looked around there are some nice apartments <5 miles from work.

[codytravers]

fair warning, you will be bored out of your mind in las colinas/bedford.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by JonDoe

It seems if I live in Uptown I'll be spending up to 2-3 hour more a week on the road plus the headache.

Exactly! I would rather have that extra time and no headache!

Yes, I bet the OP would be bored in Bedford. There are some fun areas of NE Tarrant County. Look at the loft-style apartments in Grapevine and North Richland Hills. Both of these are just a few miles from Bedford and would be an easy commute.

[TurtleCreek80]

ChristieP recommends you live close to work so you'll have more free time....to be bored out of your mind!!

I would live in Uptown if you plan to go out a lot in Uptown on the weekends. Assuming you're young & like to have a good time, can you guarantee that you will be sober enough to make a 20 mile drive back to Bedford 100% of the time? If you live in Uptown, you can walk home or take a $5-10 cab ride. Do you really want to be on the highways after midnight with all the drunk and wrong-way drivers (google "wrog way driver" + Dallas North Tollroad or + Central Expressway to read about the half dozen or so wrong-way fatalities this year).

If you are single, do you want to date the thousands of single young girls in Uptown or the 50 in Bedford? Do you want to make the 40 mile round trip during the week if you are dating someone? I won't really consider a guy who lives that far away - not because I'm a snob, but because it's practically a long distance relationship.

Just food for thought. Reverse commuting (against the main flow) is not too bad if you get a better quality of life in your free time.

[JonDoe]

Man Christie and Turtle both make great arguments. If I'm dating someone far away then I'll make the trip to them. After work I probably want to just chill, watch TV or do some reading and not go out and party. I'm not going to drink at all if I'm going out and living 20 miles away. I guess it's a matter of two days of driving (living in Bedford) vs. four days of driving (living in Uptown).

On the other hand my income will allow me to rent at both places so maybe I'll rent at both lol.

[ChristieP]

Good answer, John!!

Honestly, I wouldn't live in Bedford itself. It is VERY much a bedroom community and there are very few things to do there besides get groceries and go to work. See my note above about the loft-style apartments in Grapevine and NRH. Both are maybe 10 minutes' drive from Bedford and they would at least offer the atmosphere of a more urban, hip community. I am frequently in the area near them, and there are lots of people like yourself who live in those complexes.

Good luck!