Single, professional, childless, 40s ....feel like such a rare bird. (Dallas: fit in, real estate)

[PilarDLS]

Originally Posted by eotellini

I moved here in August. I am single, soon to be 40, no children, professional with a good salary. I am hoping once I get a bit situated I will get out and start meeting people with similar interest.

Eotellini, what part of town did you move to?

[RonnieinDallas]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

With this info, I would recommend looking in Lakewood "proper" which is bound by White Rock Lake to the east, Mockingbird to the north, Abrams to the west, and Gaston to the south. It is by far the largest contiguous neighborhood in the city of Dallas without a traffic light. As you get towards the lake, the "wood" part of Lakewood becomes apparent. Lots of winding "country" lanes with a canopy of trees overhead just 10 minutes from downtown and all the arts/ culture / excitement you may occasionally want. Lakewood is quiet, not traffic-y (as none of the streets are "cut throughs" between major arteries like in the E Dallas neighborhoods closer to 75). You can see the stars and sleep peacefully as no bus routes, police/fire stations, bars / commercial businesses/ etc are found in Lakewood "proper". Lakewood Village and Hillside Village are both within a 1-5 minute drive (or leisurely bike ride), but not in your backyard.

If you want to look the area up using Google Street View, check out these general addresses/blocks for a feel of the neighborhood:

7200 Fisher Road 75214
3525 W Lawther 75214
7200 Alexander 75214
6904 Tokalon 75214
7307 Lakewood Blvd 75214
6511 Anita 75214

Those addresses give you a broad overview of the neighborhood - from the lake to Tokalon's lovely early 20th century mansions on acreage to the cute cottages on Anita, it's a wonderful community neighborhood that will make you forget how close you are to downtown!

^great advice as always

Here are videos of those streets and info about the neighborhood:

Originally Posted by RonnieinDallas

Grand Streets of Lakewood: Lakewood Boulevard - You + Dallas
Lakewood Home Festival - You + Dallas
Grand Streets - You + Dallas
White Rock Lake - You + Dallas

And more,
Lakewood - You + Dallas

Unique rentals in east Dallas:
http://www.powerproperties.com/AllListings.htm

To be fair here is one with Plano and clips of the Shops At Legacy:
http://www.youplusdallas.com/stories/photo-file-plano

Fun Dallas neighborhoods definitely worth exploring for entertainment:

Uptown
http://www.youplusdallas.com/stories...own-experience
Bishop Arts District
http://www.youplusdallas.com/stories...-arts-district
Downtown/Klyde Warren Park
http://www.archdaily.com/298385/klyd...james-burnett/
http://www.youplusdallas.com/stories...own-dallas-inc

[TXred]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

Most of the things you listed don't really jive with the city of Plano. There is no lake or river you can bike around. The bowling is best on the east side, and the closest baseball team is in Frisco, which is on the north west side. Not all that convenient...

I'd aim for someplace around White Rock Lake in Dallas if I were you - Garland or Dallas itself for White Rock Lake, or Rowlett or Rockwall to be around Lake Ray Hubbard. Either one is great for biking and exploring. The density around all those areas isn't that high either, so it will feel like a suburb rather than a downtown. Maybe even consider living along a DART line in that area, and then you have access to downtown, biking WhiteRock & the Great Trinity Forest, and still have access to shopping, meetups, and the dating life.

Thank you... I guess I have to get used to the idea of living in a big city. I was thinking of just driving to the river or lakes to bike around lol...here I have to go about 45 minutes to get to Tahoe so it's not a big deal to drive to White Rock. Of course as everyone says it will mostly matter where I get a job.

Thanks for the input!

[TXred]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

With this info, I would recommend looking in Lakewood "proper" which is bound by White Rock Lake to the east, Mockingbird to the north, Abrams to the west, and Gaston to the south. It is by far the largest contiguous neighborhood in the city of Dallas without a traffic light. As you get towards the lake, the "wood" part of Lakewood becomes apparent. Lots of winding "country" lanes with a canopy of trees overhead just 10 minutes from downtown and all the arts/ culture / excitement you may occasionally want. Lakewood is quiet, not traffic-y (as none of the streets are "cut throughs" between major arteries like in the E Dallas neighborhoods closer to 75). You can see the stars and sleep peacefully as no bus routes, police/fire stations, bars / commercial businesses/ etc are found in Lakewood "proper". Lakewood Village and Hillside Village are both within a 1-5 minute drive (or leisurely bike ride), but not in your backyard.

If you want to look the area up using Google Street View, check out these general addresses/blocks for a feel of the neighborhood:

7200 Fisher Road 75214
3525 W Lawther 75214
7200 Alexander 75214
6904 Tokalon 75214
7307 Lakewood Blvd 75214
6511 Anita 75214

Those addresses give you a broad overview of the neighborhood - from the lake to Tokalon's lovely early 20th century mansions on acreage to the cute cottages on Anita, it's a wonderful community neighborhood that will make you forget how close you are to downtown!

That actually sounds amazing, the country lanes with canopy trees! Thanks, I have a lot to explore it appears!

[TheOverdog]

I guess I have to get used to the idea of living in a big city.

Well, Plano has 250k residents, so it's not exactly small. Also, it's average population density per sq mile is pretty much the same as Dallas at abouit 3400 people per sq mile. Of course, Dallas has many districts that are much higher than Plano's highest density.

Also it would be much easier and more productive to join a riding club (for many reasons!) if you are riding over to White Rock on your bike as opposed to a 30 minute drive away.

[colcat]

Originally Posted by TXred

I'm planning to move to Dallas next year and read these forums quite a bit, but feel so unique that I've never seen any posts from someone like myself. I like the Plano area but do not care about childcare, school districts, activities for children and families etc. I don't go out much, am not into bars or nightlife and have no interest in the downtown area/way of life. So, sounds pretty boring right? lol...I'm wondering if there are any other women (or men too I suppose) who have moved on their own, around my age, with no kids??? Tell me about your experience. I am really afraid to leave my home of 40 years, but after a divorce am so ready to try someplace new (I was born in Dallas though), a new job, new surroundings everything. What did you give up to move to Dallas? Was it worth it? What, if any, regrets do you have? Oh, and I have no family there anymore, just some in Houston.

As far as the things I do like doing, I love exploring new areas, traveling, bike rides along trails next to a river or a lake, bowling, going to the movies, baseball games...I am hoping to meet new friends by joining a Meetup group, Match.com, and hopefully at my new job. Why do I feel like I'm the only one alone any more??? lol

Thanks in advance for any replies ;-)

Boring? No. Actually, I'm quite envious

[TXred]

Originally Posted by colcat

Boring? No. Actually, I'm quite envious

Ha ha yeah, I'm pretty boring but that doesn't mean I hate it! lol...I love my lifestyle but it's kind of hard meeting similar people to do things with. I love the friends I have, and their families, but they never seem to have time for get-togethers. I think I need to break out of my shell and start going out when I move to Dallas! I hadn't set foot in a bar alone as a single woman in 20 years though, maybe a new city will be good for a fresh start!

[TXred]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

Well, Plano has 250k residents, so it's not exactly small. Also, it's average population density per sq mile is pretty much the same as Dallas at abouit 3400 people per sq mile. Of course, Dallas has many districts that are much higher than Plano's highest density.

Also it would be much easier and more productive to join a riding club (for many reasons!) if you are riding over to White Rock on your bike as opposed to a 30 minute drive away.

I guess I think of the DFW area as one big city lol...my area consists of two cities and has a population of 425k total, whereas DFW is over 6 million, just hard to grasp lol...but that's what makes it adventurous and it doesn't seem like I'd ever run out of things to do or places to explore!

[Lakewooder]

Lakewood feels like a small town in the big city - probably because it has its own schools, lake (which serves as a huge border on the eastern side (as does Central Expressway somewhat on the west side) and our little 'downtown' at Gaston and Abrams with the Lakewood Theater.

I see single women hanging out at places like Times Ten Winery - just sit at the 'bar' and start talking to the waitstaff (you can ask wine questions if you are stumped for conversation) and nearby patrons, everyone is very friendly.

[DaveG99]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

Most of the things you listed don't really jive with the city of Plano. There is no lake or river you can bike around.

Sure there are. Ever been to the arbor hills nature preserve?

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

The bowling is best on the east side,

Plenty of bowling within a 10 minute drive.

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

and the closest baseball team is in Frisco, which is on the north west side. Not all that convenient...

Closest yes. but the rangers ballpark is only a 30-40 minute drive which isnt too bad. Its not like you go see rangers games every day