overwhelmed w/ looking for Arlington area apartments. (Dallas, Irving: live, restaurant)

[isitasolarfever]

I honestly can't tell you guys how many apartments I've looked at online, that I'm actually getting to the point of being overwhelmed. Seems like there's hundreds of them and being 800 miles away, there's no way to "see" them all. Also, every one I look at online, they all say the same thing it seems like: "sparkling" pools and whatnot. And the ones that look the nicest, aren't the nicest after all. *sigh*

After some searching tonight, I found a few that looked alright: does anyone have any thoughts on these apartments:

- Riverhill, 2775 N Hwy 360 (Grand Prairie)
- Fielder Crossing, 1727 Westview Terrace (Arlington)
- Crossings on Walnut Hill, 2615 W. Walnut Hill Lane (Irving -- this one seemed pretty amazing, but as you guys know, you have to take some reviews with a grain of salt)


My husband did visit the area a few weeks ago, and he did say he really liked Seasons at Green Oaks a lot, even though it has a Grand Prairie address. This one seemed the most appealing/safe, in his opinion, and I do trust his opinion of course. The Springfield At Ballpark Way place won't be happening if we do move, because of one issue and one issue only: mold. The price seemed right, and the community looked nice. I noticed a lot of people complaining on the apartmentratings.com site about the mold, and my mother told me mold down there is deadly (I'm sure it is everywhere, I've never had to deal with it personally). He asked the management of this place about it, and was told "they would call him back about the mold", and here we are...weeks later and no phone call. BIG red flag if you ask me. I even read a review where someone had permanent eye injuries because of it.

Also, his future boss told him to look near the Trinity Railway Express, but honestly I don't see how there would be nice, liveable apartments near a train? Could anyone lead me to some that might be worth checking out? Would not be opposed to Grand Prairie or even Irving (not too far east, because that's basically Dallas then) or west of Arlington.

One more thing, and I'll promise I'll stop rambling. I was thinking of what my husband told me about his visit to DFW, even though he really only saw interstates and Arlington/Grand Prairie, it's not like he was able to see ~everything in two days. He feels like every restaurant and store he saw was a chain or owned by a corporation. Is that 100% true in Arlington/Grand Prairie? One thing we'll miss (that is, if we do move) is the independently-owned greasy spoon-type place, or your other kinds of small businesses like shops, cafes, etc. We love going to our little bakery (that has donuts better than Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme, for sure) and this breakfast place that is known all over for their freshly-squeezed orange juice. I would hate to having to resort to an IHOP (which my husband visited somewhere down there, and hated it) for when we feel like going out for breakfast.

[RockyJoe817]

There is a mexican bakery on Division about a mile west of 360 called Marquez Bakery.
Nice place to get a breakfast taco or quick lunch too. There are plenty of greasy spoon, or any other mom and pop
eatery in the area's as well. You just have to give them a try.


As far as a place to stay it is preferable to say: Stay north of I-30.

[13 cats]

It seems like all the stores are chains, but that's not true. There are lots of independent shops in shopping areas, especially in the older part of town. Around me, besides all the chains), are two donut shops, a smoke shop, and a cafe where all the locals eat. It's nice.