22 y/o female moving to Dallas ASAP (Fort Worth, Arlington: best neighborhood, apartments)

[seachitex]

I am moving to Dallas for a job, starting date TBD, but I have to move within a couple weeks. I have lived in Seattle and Chicago and love a city feel so would like to be downtown - however, I will be working in Colleyville. I understand the commute can be pretty brutal, but I want to make sure I'm living in an enjoyable area for a single, 22 y/o female who is new to the city.

I have yet to find a place, and the highest I can pay is $750/month. Based on what I've already researched, this can get you a lot more in Dallas than Chicago or Seattle. I would love to be in a walkable neighborhood with an active nightlife - restaurants, concerts, bars, etc. A friend told me to check out Ft. Worth as well; from what I understand this has a more laid-back vibe yet still offers all the big-city amenities.

Honestly, any input helps: I've never even been to Dallas so I don't really know what I'm getting myself into. I'm excited to make the move but don't quite know where to start. I want to be able to meet people which is why I would rather not be isolated in the suburbs, even if it means a longer commute.

If anyone has thoughts or suggestions on what neighborhoods might be the best neighborhood for me, please let me know!

[TurtleCreek80]

The areas of Dallas that are cool and walkable are going to be more than $750/mo OR in parts of Dallas that are a miserable commute to Colleyville (like 60-80 minutes each way).

I would look at Fort Worth- the area specifically in the cultural district is popular with young professionals & is about a 30 minute commute to Colleyville. The West 7th Street area west of University Drive has a lot of new apartments, as well as older ones that should be in your price range. It's a vibrant, fun neighborhood that offers:
-walking distance to the world-class (Seriously) https://www.kimbellart.org/index.aspx, Amon Carter Museum | An American Collection | Fort Worth, Texas, Modern Museum, etc
-walking distance to popular restaurants & bars like Eddie V's, Michael's, Lannys Kitchen, Tillman's Roadhouse, etc
-walking distance to Trinity Park for walking/jogging/biking

-a short drive to Montogmery Plaza for basics, like Target, banks, pet stores, quick service restaurants (Baker Brothers, Pei Wei, etc)
-a short drive to restaurants & laid back bars on West Camp Bowie Blvd like Winslow's Wine Cafe
-a short drive to the Texas Christian University area's shopping, including an awesome Central Market grocery store (like Whole Foods, but better) at Hulen & I-30, University Park Village - Fort Worth (Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Gap, Banana Republic, Apple, etc) at University & I-30
-also near TCU is The Aardvark - Home Page an awesome live music venue where you can see bands like Bob Schneider, Green River Orndinance, Corey Morrow, Eli Young Band, Reckless Kelly, Tim Reynolds, etc
-a short drive to Ridgmar Mall | Home (Neiman's, Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney)
-a short drive to downtown Fort Worth (Sundance Square) and it's restaurants and Bass Hall, Performing Arts Fort Worth , where all the major Broadway musicals and other performances are
-a little longer drive to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards and the most famous Tex-Mex in town at Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant

-20-30 minutes to Arlington to see the Texas Rangers baseball, Dallas Cowboys football, major concerts @ Cowboys Stadium, Six Flags, etc

-30-45 minutes (non rush hour) to downtown/uptown Dallas

[ChristieP]

Totally agree with Turtlecreek: look at Fort Worth's So7 area. And as a plus, your car insurance will also be significantly cheaper living in Tarrant County!