Thinking of living in Deep Ellum (Dallas, Plano: apartment, lofts, high crime)

[meowmixNYC]

Hey guys how are you?
I am considering moving to Deep Ellum because they have industrial lofts that I've always wanted to live in since I've moved from NYC a year ago. However, the neighborhood I've heard could be trouble at night. There are no grocery stores in the area nor restaurants within the vicinity of some of these buildings. My questions are, is it a high crime area? (living in corner of Buckner and Garland now)
Any particular lofts that you have lived in that you were happy with? What was it like living in the area?
Any input would help, thank you very much

[Warnpeace]

Don't know much about ones you mentioned but do know that Plano has lofts in old down town and in new Legacy downtown. I think East side ones are less pricy and ideally located near station so you can check those out as well. Two co workers who bought houses in Deep Elum seems to like their town.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by meowmixNYC

Hey guys how are you?
I am considering moving to Deep Ellum because they have industrial lofts that I've always wanted to live in since I've moved from NYC a year ago. However, the neighborhood I've heard could be trouble at night. There are no grocery stores in the area nor restaurants within the vicinity of some of these buildings. My questions are, is it a high crime area? (living in corner of Buckner and Garland now)
Any particular lofts that you have lived in that you were happy with? What was it like living in the area?
Any input would help, thank you very much

The neighborhood had a couple of high profile shootings about 7-8 years ago and was stuck in an "akward" period between being the hot nightlife spot it was in the 1990s (which Uptown took over in the 2000's) and the stable, artsy/alternative neigborhood it is today. It is safe enough, but still a city neighborhood so don't be dumb (ie, walk your dog at 1am with headphones on..... be aware of your surroundings). It's basically the Dallas version of the LES or East Village - on an obviously smaller scale.

There are tons of restaurants in Deep Ellum- I can't think of any loft buildings that aren't within at the most a few blocks of a restaurant or three. There isn't a grocery store in the neighborhood, but it's a 10 minute walk to the Dallas Farmer's Market or a short drive to a number of grocery stores (Albertson's on McKinney, Fiesta on Ross, etc).

I haven't lived there but many friends have. It is a unique neighborhood in that everyone knows everyone. My friends know all the restaurant/ shop/ bar owners & staff and most of the people in their buildings.

[EDS_]

CHL - Concealed Handgun License

I like Deep Ellum a lot. The rub is some parts border really tough areas. It's a bit easy to wander into a rough area or for malefactors to ease into and out of Deep Ellum.

[DitsyD]

Unless you are vegetarian and not interested, Rudolph's Market on Elm Street is a great butcher shop.

There is a 7-11 at the corner of Elm & Good Latimer for emergency food purchases.

There also seems to be an Asian market near Elm & Malcolm X.

And yes, the farmers' market is nearby.

I never lived in Deep Ellum but nearby in Old East Dallas. It was great for being near most things that I wanted to do. Lack of main stream shopping was the biggest con until I discovered all of the many little shops in the area.

Good Luck with what ever you decide.

[Texan#1]

I think it's a great area. It's definitely one of the more affordable areas in the center of Dallas and all it has to offer.

[Lakewooder]

I'm not sure what EDS means about "it's a bit easy to wander into a rough area"...does he mean South Dallas? Because you would have to go under I-30 and down Malcolm X street to do that..

Yes I agree many people know each other in Deep Ellum and nearby Expo Park (the entrance to Fair Park). Personally I have never felt unsafe there - even back in the days when it was supposed to be bad and I was going out there at 2 am. I always park in weird little spots that most people don't know about and I've never been accosted...I also do that going to the fair.

I went to school with members of the Andreason family (owners of Rudolph's Meat Market) and they are great people - also check out http://www.mozzco.com/

[pepper131]

Don't forget about this:
Deep Ellum Outdoor Market

[meowmixNYC]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

It's basically the Dallas version of the LES or East Village - on an obviously smaller scale.

Well that gives me a good idea of what I should look out for. Yes a CHL is on my bucket list. As much as I want to rid the world of scum the right way instead of jail time, I rather not have to deal with police.
How about burglary in the area? The places Im looking at is a block away from Fair Park which Ive heard can get quite bad.
I took will check out those Plano lofts. Thank you
the reason I'm looking at lofts is I hope the use the apartment as a photo studio.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by meowmixNYC

Well that gives me a good idea of what I should look out for. Yes a CHL is on my bucket list. As much as I want to rid the world of scum the right way instead of jail time, I rather not have to deal with police.
How about burglary in the area? The places Im looking at is a block away from Fair Park which Ive heard can get quite bad.
I took will check out those Plano lofts. Thank you
the reason I'm looking at lofts is I hope the use the apartment as a photo studio.

A block away from Fair Park isn't Deep Ellum. If it's near Parry & Robert McCollum Blvd, you're looking in Exposition Park, which is a good little artist hood, but definitely has even fewer amenities than Deep Ellum (other side of I-30).

If you're looking a block away from Fair Park in any other direction, I'd strongly advise looking somewhere else because those neighborhoods are legitimately not safe.