Where to live for 20 minute commute to downtown Dallas? (Irving: apartments, rental)

[nontradstudent]

There is a job open in Dallas with my employer, and I am trying to figure out if Dallas is affordable for us. I would be working in Downtown Dallas, and I would really like to limit the commute to 20-25 minutes. I do have flexible starting times, so I can arrive to work at 6:30 or 7:00 and leave mid-afternoon.

We would be looking to rent ($1000-$1200/mo.) or to buy (up to $150,000). We do have a 3rd grade child, and we would like a family-friendly, safe neighborhood. If you have suggestions in a "bad" school district, go ahead and toss them out there as we have considered homeschooling.

We were living in a Baltimore suburb and making ends meet on two salaries, but my spouse lost his job, so things are very tight here, and no relief is in sight with this economy. We are hoping to cut our expenses and move somewhere nice (and warmer!). We are accustomed to heat having lived in Tampa for several years.

I have never been to Dallas, so I do not know where to start looking.

Any help is appreciated!

[Lakewooder]

http://www.dallasisd.org/demo/schoolinfo/eszones2009/JacksonStonewall2009.pdf (broken link)

http://www.dallasisd.org/demo/schoolinfo/eszones2009/Lakewood2009.pdf (broken link)

10 minute commute to downtown. You could rent in these areas but would be almost double your budget to buy.

[TurtleCreek80]

I echo Lakewooder's suggestion above. Your rental budget will get you into areas that your buying budget won't. I'd rent in Dallas until you have a bigger (or dual) income.

Lakewood area- check zips 75214, 75223, & 75206- offers a pretty, safe, and family centered area with great public schools. Plenty of parks & things to do (for kids and parents) nearby. Housing options will include 1/2 duplexes, apartments, and possibly small cottages. 10-15 minute drive to downtown on surface streets (no highway driving, no toll roads).

You could also look in the Lake Highlands area (75238), which is about 10 minutes farther north (on the opposite side of White Rock Lake from Lakewood). Good public schools & for the most part, very safe. You do need to be selective when looking at apartments in the area as some have crime issues and others don't.

[BigDGeek]

Richardson also has excellent public schools. 150k won't get you much around here but you should be able to rent something nice for your budget. Check out the 75080 zip code. (That's where I live and I love it.)

Richardson is about 10 miles north of downtown Dallas and you can get downtown pretty easily in 20 minutes if you time your departure correctly. I would not go further north than Richardson along 75 or Farmer's Branch/Addison along the Tollroad. I would stay away from the 35 corridor because the traffic there seems worse than the other main north/south roads.

[Squirl]

You can buy in Irving where I live. My husband works downtown and in 20 minutes he make it from breakfast table to his desk. A home for $150K will probably be in the Irving School District -- which is not highly rated. But you can rent (and maybe be lucky and find something to buy) in the North Irving zip code 75063 and is served by good schools in Coppell and CFISD's.

[nontradstudent]

Thanks everyone! I looked at these areas, and it looks like we would be able to rent something. I really liked the area near downtown; we like older homes, too. This is why these boards are great - downtown areas can be dicey and I would not have looked there on my own.

Buying may be out of our range for now (at least until my spouse gets a new job), but it is probably smarter to start by renting in a new area. I will list Dallas on my preferred list for my employer.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by nontradstudent

Thanks everyone! I looked at these areas, and it looks like we would be able to rent something. I really liked the area near downtown; we like older homes, too. This is why these boards are great - downtown areas can be dicey and I would not have looked there on my own.

Buying may be out of our range for now (at least until my spouse gets a new job), but it is probably smarter to start by renting in a new area. I will list Dallas on my preferred list for my employer.

In a metro area this size that you're not familiar with, renting at first is definitely the way to go. Best of luck!

[Pete53FR]

East Dallas has good public transportation for downtown and lots of nice homes for rent.