Moving to Dallas from San Fran- need help! (Austin, Plano: apartments, rentals)

[brooke711]

My boyfriend and I are moving from San Francisco to Dallas in October, and we're in need of some helpful guidance. The reason for the move is cost of living- we are currently paying more than 2,000/mth for rent in a one bedroom and that could get us things like, omg...a YARD, in Dallas. I have an office in Frisco, but just within Frisco city limits on the south side. He will be finding a new job when we move (if he doesn't land something before we get there).

I was just in Dallas over the weekend, and really liked the Bishop Arts District, and Lower Greenville area. We don't have kids so schools are not a concern. We are really used to living in a somewhat bustling and walkable neighborhood and would like something comparable when we move, though we know it won't be the same as SF. I looked at quite a few houses while I was in town last week, and found that the majority of them require you getting in the car to go to the nearest coffee shop or market. Ideally, this is not what we want. Our budget is around 400k. I will be back in Dallas in a couple of weeks, and would like to look around more. So here are the main questions-

Other than the neighborhoods mentioned above, are there some other areas I should check out?

If we lived in one of those neighborhoods, what kind of commute should I be prepared for driving to Frisco each day? Also consider that I would be working 7-4, not the typical work schedule.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[RonnieinDallas]

I would look into renting in Oak Lawn (75219) or Uptown (75201, 75204) for a few months to explore neighborhoods. You won't really find any neighborhoods offering the things you want closer to Frisco. Oak Lawn is pretty walkable and there are a lot of things to explore. It's similar to the neighborhoods you mentioned, but a lot closer to the tollway, which will make your commute a lot better. Oak Lawn to Frisco will be at least a 30 minute reverse commute. Traffic is usually heavier on the ride home heading south.

[Brookside]

San Francisco to Dallas is hard transition. The two cities just aren't comparable in any meaningful way. The Bishop Arts district is awesome but unfortunately you would be commuting from the nearly the southern tip of Dallas to a northern Collin County burb. On a good day = 45 minutes, even against traffic.

Maybe if you you're young and unencumbered it's not such a big deal. For many (including me) kind of a deal breaker.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by RonnieinDallas

I would look into renting in Oak Lawn (75219) or Uptown (75201, 75204) for a few months to explore neighborhoods. You won't really find any neighborhoods offering the things you want closer to Frisco. Oak Lawn is pretty walkable and there are a lot of things to explore. It's similar to the neighborhoods you mentioned, but a lot closer to the tollway, which will make your commute a lot better. Oak Lawn to Frisco will be at least a 30 minute reverse commute. Traffic is usually heavier on the ride home heading south.

Agee with this poster.

These two areas are about as bustling as Dallas gets.

I just returned from San Francisco and can honestly say that you will be hard pressed to find similar areas in dallas.

Competely different city with a different vibe.

[LeagleEagleDFW]

The reason the cost of living in San Francisco is so much higher is because there is a corresponding increase in the awesomeness of the city.

[WorldKlas]

I don't think you will find anything closer to Frisco that meets your criteria than the lower Greenville area. Bishop Arts would be a really difficult commute. Uptown is a little further south and no cute little houses but plenty of rentals. There are, however, some urban style contemporary apartments with some walkability in Plano that may satisfy this need and would be much closer to work.

If you are interested in possibly purchasing a charming vintage house, Look in Glencoe Park area, M streets, and several areas both east and west of Greenville south of Mockingbird. Zip code 75206. I live in that area and there are tons of places that are walkable; in addition Glencoe Park links to the Katy Trail -- just a short walk or bike ride to Knox Henderson area on the Katy.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by LeagleEagleDFW

The reason the cost of living in San Francisco is so much higher is because there is a corresponding increase in the awesomeness of the city.

You mean like impossible traffic, a bad airport, a huge population of aggressive bums and an area-wide family of four real poverty line of about $50,000 (it's probably more than that now) - plus a real poverty rate of nearly 25% (it was over 30% not long ago)? Oh yea and a worse income inequality gap.

I like Coit Tower, an Irish coffee and chocolate as well as the next guy but........

[unknown00]

Originally Posted by Brookside

San Francisco to Dallas is hard transition. The two cities just aren't comparable in any meaningful way.

I disagree. While they are very different, from a $$$ point of view, you will love Dallas. It is not that hard

[nothermom]

In addition to Bishop Arts and Lower Greenville, other neighborhoods that might work for a young couple: Design District, West Village, Uptown, Turtle creek, State-Allen...

Commute would be the reverse commute so not too bad up to Frisco. From Bishop Arts would be longer.

Consider renting, or if set on buying consider condos, and townhomes in addition to houses if you want the walking around vibe.

[Aggielina]

What about Addison Circle or a house near Addison Circle if you really want a yard? Or Legacy in Plano? Austin Ranch? No way would I want to make a daily commute from anywhere in Dallas to Frisco. There aren't enough cool coffee shops in the world to make up for that frustration. And a 7-4 work schedule isn't going to be much better than 8-5, at least not on the way home.