Moving from Chicago to Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth: rental, townhouse, neighborhoods)

[kklaudia06]

I'm currently planning on moving to Dallas, Texas and wanted some information about which areas are welcoming for a couple soon to be family. I lived in Chicago for 8 months and this taught me that I'm not a big city person so I would rather live more in a calm area but not far from stores, parks and so forth.


Which neighborhoods would be best?
Close to walk to parks and a lake not too far away would be nice.

[Squirl]

if you are moving to Dallas, post in the Dallas forum instead of the Fort Worth one.
What is your budget and where will you be working? All areas are welcoming to couples, silly..

[RockyJoe817]

Rule of thumb is to live within 20 miles of your employer.
You can look at a map and check to see where the lakes are
in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. After that you can begin
your search which would be the best location within your budget.

[kklaudia06]

Originally Posted by Squirl

if you are moving to Dallas, post in the Dallas forum instead of the Fort Worth one.
What is your budget and where will you be working? All areas are welcoming to couples, silly..

Well around Forth Worth, Dallas wouldn't suite me. Like I said in a calm neighborhood. I'm not a big city person.

[goodtymes70]

try Grapevine, Colleyville, Frisco, Mckinney, Sherman or look at cities like that are smaller outside the DFW area.

[ChristieP]

We really need to know your budget, and where you will be commuting to for work before we can recommend areas. Yes, many of those areas are lovely, but if you are commuting to downtown Dallas, or have a budget of only $100k, they will not work for you.

[loves2read]

Google your work addresses
then check any town in the immediate area
you can see a lake fairly easily as well

Google the distance from any town to the work address and (rule of thumb) add 15 min each way because of commute/traffic adjustment

once you have idea of how far any town might be--think $$$
some people want a close commute but can't afford a nice enough place inside that zone

you can search for apts/house to rent on realtor.com

[kklaudia06]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

We really need to know your budget, and where you will be commuting to for work before we can recommend areas. Yes, many of those areas are lovely, but if you are commuting to downtown Dallas, or have a budget of only $100k, they will not work for you.

We're looking for a townhouse or rental place in either Grapevine, Richardson or Plano. Are those good areas to look for a place for a family?

[kklaudia06]

My husband would be looking for a job when we get to Texas. Its like a new start and we're really worried about that too, we don't want to end up living an hour away from his workplace.

[loves2read]

then how can you be trying to pick a place to live before you know about work????
look at a map
do you see where those areas you mentioned are located--FAR apart!
any of them could have a nice place but it is futile to make that choice initially
you don't even have a job--can you afford to pay a year's lease in advance for a townhome?
cause that is probably what you would be asked to do

plan on renting an apt that is in a location that allows you to get to areas of Dallas metro fairly easily
either via public transport or freeways
and don't look at any jobs that are outside your travel range