Denton (Dallas, Austin, Carrollton: apartments, rent, crime)

[vikinyc]

Need info re Denton. Considering possible relocation from NYC.

Thanks,
vikinyc

[NOTAM]

what specific info? i used to live in Wise County-near Denton County...any place is going to be a move in the right direction, coming from NYC. and of course Texas is the best state in the union, you practically cant go wrong with living anywhere in Texas-as long as it is Texas!

[momof2dfw]

Denton is growing by leaps and bounds. I grew up in Carrollton (right down I-35) from Denton. I also went to both schools in Denton and it has changed alot since then. I was just in Denton this past week and could not believe the traffic on a summer Saturday morning w/ college out. The Loop 288 has tons of development going on and is under construction right now. FYI, they have a Krystal's in Denton. The Golden Triangle Mall has done some remodeling from the outside w/ a new Barnes & Noble Bookstore and a Foley's (soon to be Macy's). The area around UNT on Fry St has been bought by a developer and most of the old buildings are to be torn down much to the dismay of many. Some students and former students are trying to fight that. Denton's new hospital finally opened up about 2 years ago. It looks nice from the outside.

If you are going to be working in the Denton area I would say it would probably be a nice move. If you are going to be commuting to Dallas you are going to be in traffic. The area from Lewisville to Denton used to be NOTHING but is now one development after another.

One thing to remember, I don't know how it is now but back when I was in school up there in the early to mid 80's, even being from Carrollton I was considered an "outsider". LOL!!! This was of course by some of the oldtimers that worked around there in the stores. Writing a check on a Dallas area bank w/ a Carrollton address and phone number was considered "not local". Rent on the apartments was high because of the fact it is a college town. The pace of life is much slower in Denton than other cities/towns around the Dallas area. But like I said, it has grown by leaps and bounds. I saw numerous restaurants that have popped up in the last year since I was passing thru on my way to Decatur. I have relatives that live in Denton and love it. They moved there from Decatur because of jobs and schools for their kids. I saw Ryan High School the other day and that place is HUGE!!!!

If you are looking for older ranch style homes on large lots w/ lots of trees you can find it in Denton. Try checking out realtor com and see what is in the area.

[vikinyc]

Thanks, momof2dfw; I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future.

vikinyc

[momof2dfw]

No problem. I can only imagine the questions I would have if I were looking to move to another state or city. YIKES!!! Being that this part of Texas is where I have lived for my entire life (40+) and all of my family is w/in an hours drive in any direction.... it would be tough.

Good luck and shot away w/ any questions.

Oh, and trust me, the pace of life in Denton is much slower. If the speed limit sign says 40 they will be going no faster than 30.

[Crackerjack]

I have some relatives in Denton and what momof2dfw said is exactly right. Loop 288 is a nightmare with traffic. Denton is a great place to live but it is growing. The thing my relatives think is wrong is bad city planning. They don't have enough roads for the traffic and there are potholes in areas due to poor city planning. Also they say there is lack of sidewalks in many areas to walk. It is HOT in the summer there. My relatives take off to Lake Lewisville, Rayburn and Texhoma whenever possible to escape the heat. I like the city but not the traffic. Once when visiting a relative, I got on Loop 288 and it took over an hour to go a mile when they were doing some road work with all the traffic. Maddening! But if you are coming from NYC, it will seem natural to you. The people are really friendly. They have some good places to eat too. Get used to drinking iced tea because everybody I have ever encountered there, that is what they were drinking, it must be the staple drink. Also for some unknown reason electricity is extra high in Denton. My relatives have about a 2,000 square foot house and watch their lights but they always have to pay at least $250 a month or more and around Christmas and summer it is often around $350 to $400 a month. Their neighbors have a bigger house about 3,000 square feet and their bill is around $500 just for electricity in the summer! I have other relatives in West Texas and they use all the electricity they want and it is never over $150. Go figure.

[fish2026]

I lived in Denton 1993-8. Pretty town getting crowded. The University of North Texas is a great university - nice place. Lots of crime and drugs however and I should know lol I practiced law there. I'd rate it a 7 on a 1-10 scale. I moved to Rockport right on the water in 1998 and like it alot better. No winter- or traffic but near Corpus. Very safe.

As for belltx star comments - "you cant go wrong in texas ..best state in the US" thats alot of crap. We are near the bottom in education - there are some really ugly places and we've polluted the country with De Lay Bush and Ken Lay. Texas has nice parts and ugly parts but I like the low taxes and warm weather.

[catman]

I lived in Denton off and on between 1964 through 1989. It was great in the 60's and acceptable in the 80's, but it's got growing pains now...traffic is a disaster in places. It's like a miniature Austin. I still have a fondness for it and go up there to visit quite often, but it's not as pleasant as it used to be. It's awful that the Fry Street area is being destroyed...I hope it can be stopped. My brother still lives in Denton and gripes about the road construction all the time, but that's a widespread problem.

[artsyguy]

Denton flat out is too hot in the summers and too cold in the winters. The roads are terrible. The traffic is usually bad. Some areas of the City are overcrowded. The people are usually apathetic and not pleasent. Sure there are some nice people here and there. Get this, Denton, Texas is the home of the largest Mental Institution in the state. It is called The State School. As that is the politically correct term for Insane Asylum or Mental Institution. There is no nice scenery in Denton.
I would not live in Denton if I were you. Also the professionals in Denton are usually rude and lazy, that includes the professionals at The University of North Texas. Also the Fundamentalist Churches rule Denton with an Iron Fist.

The other problems is the congregation here. Basically there is no assimilation. There are so many Asian and Arab immigrants in Denton that you will feel as if you are in a foreign country (at times). The other problem is the overcrowding at the grocery stores and Walmarts.

[Cathy4017]

I would not live in Denton if I were you. Also the professionals in Denton are usually rude and lazy, that includes the professionals at The University of North Texas. Also the Fundamentalist Churches rule Denton with an Iron Fist.

You have done nothing in this forum but put Texas down right and left. If you hate it so much, why are you here asking all of these questions?