Relocating from TN -- Need to find Gated Apts (Dallas: section 8, apartment complex)

[lovecokezero]

Hello All! I am in the process of relocating from TN To TX.. I have several job offers, but really looking at the one in Coppell, TX. I am a single female with no kids, no dogs, etc. I am looking for a GATED Apartment Community to live in. I don't mind the driving, however I want to stay somewhere that is safe and have a nightlife. I heard a newcomer should live between Dallas and Fort Worth, TX. I don't mind driving to work, just don't want a long commute. Can any one advise me on some gated apt communities to check out?

[MurphyPl1]

Most of the apartment complexes here are gated. And that doesn't mean squat as far as safety. Tenants give codes out, gates are left open, etc.

What you need to be asking is for communities that are well maintained and are considered safe. Don't just assume being gated equals secure.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by MurphyPl1

Most of the apartment complexes here are gated. And that doesn't mean squat as far as safety. Tenants give codes out, gates are left open, etc.

What you need to be asking is for communities that are well maintained and are considered safe. Don't just assume being gated equals secure.

This is good advice- gates often give a false sense of security. Make sure you're choosing a safe neighborhood/complex. Most cities have a website where you can look up crime statistics.

That being said, Coppell is a safe suburb. Crime still exisits everywhere bit your chances of being a victim of violent crime are practically nil in Coppell. Now, leave your iPod in full sight in your car or your front door unlocked and you may have a problem.

I have no idea why someone would have told you that it's best for newcomers to live between Dallas and Ft Worth. That is weird advice unless you will be going to the airport frequently. You can either live near your office to minimize commute time or you can explore our many neighborhoods and suburbs to find the place that suits you best.

[lovecokezero]

@ MurphyPl1 -- thanks for the insight on "safety" -- I know that often times people chose gated to automatically means secuirty when it the complex it self says different
@ TurtleCreek80 -- Thank you as well! I am not sure why I have been told several times that Dallas is huge and to live in one of the many "suburbs" of Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Like I stated earlier, I have never been there and need to know some areas to look in.

Do either of you know some names of some gated communities and or areas to look at?

Thanks!

[momof2dfw]

As Murphy said, just because an apartment complex is gated does NOT mean it is secure. Be VERY careful if you are taking a job in Coppell and want to live close by and the apartments in Valley Ranch pop up. Many of those are Section 8 and many of them are gated. Avoid at all costs ANY apartment complex that accepts Section 8 and not only that I would not live in an apartment complex next to one that does. There are plenty in Valley Ranch and Las Colinas that do not take Section 8 and would be nice and safe for a young single female.

If you want to live closer to more young single professionals then you should consider Dallas. Whoever told you to look only in the suburbs of Dallas and Ft. Worth is not familiar w/ the area at all. The areas in Dallas of Uptown, The Village, etc are full of young singles with great jobs that want to be near the nightlife and in a nice area. Not all of the complexes are gated and they are still very safe. If the Uptown area is of interest to you then just do a search on this forum for "Uptown" and plenty of threads will pop up and many do mention apartment complexes to look at.

[jennifw]

We lived in a gated community in Coppell. It was either St. Marin or Karrington. (there are 2 complexes right next to each other). Address is 1721 Beltline Road. It was quiet and safe for us several years ago.

Like someone else said, Coppell is pretty safe and you probably won't have a lot of worries. There are a lot of apartments on MacArthur just south of Coppell. My sister lived there years ago, but I dont know anything about them.

Good luck and welcome to Texas!

[loves2read]

I think some people think that Dallas is all ghetto and inner city and that is why people who don't know JACK about Dallas say things like that
there are plenty of areas inside Dallas where a single woman is as safe as any suburb...

partly it is your actions that dictate your safety--
there are actions that as a single woman you are safer not doing ANY place--not just Dallas
something like driving alone late at night is a risk factor--whether you are in the county or in the city

check out a crime map for the Dallas/FTW/area that shows neighboring towns--and see what the stats are for locations
some areas of Dallas itself are as safe as Coppell probably...
but can't guarantee that the safest areas WOULD have apts, per se

[hamiltonpl]

Originally Posted by lovecokezero

Hello All! I am in the process of relocating from TN To TX.. I have several job offers, but really looking at the one in Coppell, TX. I am a single female with no kids, no dogs, etc. I am looking for a GATED Apartment Community to live in. I don't mind the driving, however I want to stay somewhere that is safe and have a nightlife. I heard a newcomer should live between Dallas and Fort Worth, TX. I don't mind driving to work, just don't want a long commute. Can any one advise me on some gated apt communities to check out?

First -- stop listening to whomever told you to live in between Dallas and Fort Worth. A sure way to hate Dallas is to live right in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth -- the only places to eat are Chilis and Bennigans. I'd have a horrible impression of this place if I thought that was all there was. Plus, I'm not sure its any safer. In fact, there are areas in between Dallas and Fort Worth that are certainly less safe than neighborhoods in the City of Dallas.

Uptown, Knox-Henderson and The Villiage are the neighborhoods in Dallas where all the young singles live and play. Many apartments and condos have gated parking garages. They are safe as -- or even safer -- than many places in between Dallas and Fort Worth. And they certainly have more nightlife.

But it's true -- don't let a gate give you a false sense of security or insecurity. There are some really horrible apartments that are gated. I'd find an apartment locator. They were very helpful for me.