Moving to Arlington HELP!!! (Dallas, Fort Worth: cheap apartments, rent, crime)

[fireshine]

Hi I am moving to Arlington this June and was looking for advice. I need a good clean safe apartment in a decent area of town? Any suggestions?? I also was wondering about how much will utilities run per month? Thanks for the help

[loves2read]

just like we tell everyone else--where are you working or are you going to UTA--
what is your price point
some apt complexes meter their own electricity--they are expensive--find out if you can choose your electric provider--if you can't, don't rent there

the roads in Arlington are the pits--some of the worst in the area and really bad when it rans pretty heavy...know your shortcuts/work arounds
be aware that some people love to speed race on 360, often without their lights,


north Arlington used to be the better area to live in but it is getting a little shop worn and traffic is not that great with construction on 30 because of the new stadium...and I don't think the restaurants as the better ones
now south arlington around the parks mall is newer, has shopping/restaurants--more upscale

as to safety--I think Arlington has some areas I would not want to be around --it is a pretty big city with the negatives that brings-- demographics in Arlington have been dropping for several years--income/education levels...
check out a crime map--there are several on the Internet that give you different types of crimes...
mainly is is car burglary/theft but there are also rapes/assaults...sometimes the people are known to each other, sometimes not...

[Grainraiser]

I would check out the apartments in Grand Prairie. There are some nice ones located right off I-20 (south of the interstate).

[sauerkraut145]

I lived in Arlington thru most of the 1980's. I lived at a apt. complex at the corner of highway 360 & Parkrow, at the time it was not bad, rents were $250.00 a month (1984) and all bills paid for a eff. Today that complex is pretty bad, car break-ins and crime, drugs. I would say the best apartments would be north of I-30 & Collins

[Kibby]

Wow ... I've lived in Arlington for 30 years. Can't help but wonder what Arlington some of these posters are talking about.

Live in Grand Prairie? You must be joking. The county line bar joints and no restaurants anywhere but in the far south on I-20? Sure there are some bad roads in Arlington - the same is true of just about any town USA. The north side is "shopworn"??????? Upscale is near the Parks Mall????? That's ludicrous.

Overall ... Arlington has good schools, is bigger than it was when I first moved here, and is still central to both Dallas and Fort Worth. It's diverse, pretty good central government, some areas better than others, some areas worse than others - much like many other cities around the country.

Check the Fort Worth forum to get more info about Arlington and Tarrant County.

[fireshine]

Thanks for the input...as for living in a "city" you expect all those things, traffic some crime etc....I am looking for just a safe clean and maybe fun area to live as I am a single girl moving down to work. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Arcane]

Fireshine are you working in Arlington?

[Aporkalypse]

Originally Posted by loves2read

just like we tell everyone else--where are you working or are you going to UTA--
what is your price point
some apt complexes meter their own electricity--they are expensive--find out if you can choose your electric provider--if you can't, don't rent there

the roads in Arlington are the pits--some of the worst in the area and really bad when it rans pretty heavy...know your shortcuts/work arounds
be aware that some people love to speed race on 360, often without their lights,


north Arlington used to be the better area to live in but it is getting a little shop worn and traffic is not that great with construction on 30 because of the new stadium...and I don't think the restaurants as the better ones
now south arlington around the parks mall is newer, has shopping/restaurants--more upscale

as to safety--I think Arlington has some areas I would not want to be around --it is a pretty big city with the negatives that brings-- demographics in Arlington have been dropping for several years--income/education levels...
check out a crime map--there are several on the Internet that give you different types of crimes...
mainly is is car burglary/theft but there are also rapes/assaults...sometimes the people are known to each other, sometimes not...

The priciest part of Arlington is still North Arlington. That's where Arlington's million dollar homes are and the nicer established neighborhoods. Single family housing market in N Arlington is still terrific, but there's no place to build until Viridian opens lots next year.

There are also some nice apartments over by Veterans Park near Dalworthington Gardens in the center of Arlington. There are plenty of nice options in South Arlington and Mansfield but that's a long hike.

There are also a lot of cheap apartments over by UTA that are safe but largely student housing.

Stay away from any apartments off of Lincoln Rd in North Arlington or anything along Lamar. However, there are several very nice, clean, and safe complexes along Green Oaks through North Arlington.

[fireshine]

Thanks for the info and Yes I am moving to Arlington for employment at Arlington Memorial hospital. I would like to stay in a 20 min commute of the hospital...safe neighborhood, clean newer apartment complex and I am willing to $$ for a good place to live. All suggestions are appreciated!!!

[portyhead24]

Originally Posted by fireshine

Thanks for the info and Yes I am moving to Arlington for employment at Arlington Memorial hospital. I would like to stay in a 20 min commute of the hospital...safe neighborhood, clean newer apartment complex and I am willing to $$ for a good place to live. All suggestions are appreciated!!!

Definitely check out some of the apartment complexes around that area or even renting a house might be an option. It is a varied mix in that vicinity from the hospital down to UTA. There are some shadier complexes and decent ones interdispersed throughout that area. I live in a complex right down the street from the University and it is very quiet and safe. My complex is mostly college students who keep to themselves and their studies. BUT you can go right down Cooper and find your share of not so desirable places to live. Really it just depends on what and where you choose. You can definitely find a nice place to live very close to the hospital though without having to pay a high premium.