Young recently graduated couple moving to Plano (Dallas, McKinney: apartments, house)

[egv5006]

My boyfriend and I have recently graduated from Penn State University and he has found a job in Frisco TX. Everyone we have talked to has told us that Plano is the best area to live in because it is close to Dallas and a very short drive to Frisco.

I have researched Plano and it seems to be a community that is more oriented to people with children. We are not looking to start a family any time soon and we are young, so we want to be in an apartment or town house in an urban/diverse/busier part of town. We also want the luxury of being close to parks or areas where we can walk/run with our dog. Maybe this is asking too much?

My boyfriend is willing to commute 20-30 minutes to work in Frisco. We are going to be making a trip down in May to look for places to live, but it would be nice to get some feedback from people in the area.

[nsumner]

First congrats on your graduation.

If his job is in Frisco, you can live by the Shops at Legacy. It's a pretty busy place for professional people. I assume you are considering an apartment. It puts you close to Addison too and by the tollway for those times you want to drive to downtown Dallas.

Naima

[ChristieP]

I agree that if you're not interestedin the family lifestyle, Plano is going to be really boring for you. I agree with Naima to look near the Shops at Legacy, or in Addison. Both have a much more vibrant urban scene than the rest of Plano.

[FarNorthDallas]

Addison Circle is right next to a park that has festivals and what not. It's near all the restaurants up and down Belt Line Road.

[Willsson]

Heads up! ! !

nsumner made reference to a tollway...

It puts you close to Addison too and by the tollway for those times you want to drive to downtown Dallas.

That would be the Dallas North Tollway, from downtown, thru Addison and on to the Frisco area. You can enter 'Dallas North Tollway' in a google map to discern its location. The young, hip and urban society is in Uptown, see McKinney Ave. from near downtown to Knox St., south of Highland Park and parallel to US75.

At the tollway link above you can get a 'toll tag' for high speed drive thru at toll booths. You'll be billed monthly.

And while you have the time, send off for your Texas Travel Guide, IT"S FREE ! ! !, so by time you get here you'll know where you are.

Welcome home...

[TurtleCreek80]

Plano isn't "close" to Dallas- it's 20+ miles north of the urban action.

Look in Uptown or possibly Addison. Shops @ Legacy is singles oriented, but it's the 30-50 something divorcee crowd, not the young urban professionals.

Uptown is a 25-30 minute commute via Dallas North Tollroad & there are tons of apartments, parks (Katy Trail & Turtle Creek Park), fun restaurants, bars along McKinney Avenue & scattered throughout. It's also close to where the pro basketball & hockey games play, as well as several big concert venues (American Airlines Center & House of Blues) and the Dallas Arts District, home of our museums, musicals, opera, symphony, & theatre. It will be quite easy to find others your age in Uptown!

Addison is a suburb and much smaller than Uptown, although it is closer to Frisco (15-18 minute drive). Lots of apartments, restaurants, & bars- although less "character" and neighborhood feel than Uptown- it's not a bad halfway point to live between work & Uptown.

[momof2dfw]

^^^ Have to go with TurtleCreek. Shops @ Legacy...... eh. This is the older divorced crowd that is staying close to the area where their kids are in school. Lacks a lot of the shopping that other areas have. Addison is okay. It's been around awhile and some of the areas show it. Addison Circle is nice and any of the festivals, concerts, etc that the city puts on is right there. Uptown, McKinney, Knox-Henderson, etc IN Dallas are going to be the more urban, hip, young professionals, close to the Katy Trail, walking to bars, restaurants, shops, etc.



Penn State is one of the top 3 schools my daughter is looking at. I'm fine with it but it's a LONG way from home for mom.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Uptown is a 25-30 minute commute via Dallas North Tollroad & there are tons of apartments, parks (Katy Trail & Turtle Creek Park), fun restaurants, bars along McKinney Avenue & scattered throughout. It's also close to where the pro basketball & hockey games play, as well as several big concert venues (American Airlines Center & House of Blues) and the Dallas Arts District, home of our museums, musicals, opera, symphony, & theatre. It will be quite easy to find others your age in Uptown!
.

I was in Uptown yesterday about the time the game started at AAC and then during the game we were up and down McKinney. There was just an astounding amount of street activity - the trolley was rolling, people and dogs walking and running and every restaurant patio and deck was packed.

Definitely worth the reverse commute drive if you ask me!

[elan]

I would suggest Addison, the commute from Uptown might be a bit too much. There's a lot of fun activities to do there and plenty of young people.

[Haute Mom]

I was going to say Addison too.