Looking for a place to live in Dallas but feeling like I’m being out priced (Irving: apartment, rental)

[Pres106]

As the thread title says, I’m looking for a place to live and am someone who grew up in DFW, specifically in the southern sector suburbs Duncanville, Desoto, Cedar Hill. I’m in my mid 20s and have worked for a few years as an RN and I thought I made pretty decent money around 70k annually, but as I’m looking at my options of either getting a house or renting an apartment it seems like everything has become sky high in recent years towards the city center. I work at one of the larger hospitals in Dallas and I had the desire to live a little closer to work but I’m having quite the eye opening time finding something where’d i wouldn’t be spending 50% of my monthly income.

Is there any affordable options towards the downtown area? Or am I doomed to live in the ungentrified areas of oak cliff and south dallas? Does anyone in here make less than 90-100k and live a decent life? I see lots of threads in here with people moving to Dallas from others states with budgets of 500k and salaries of 100k +, where does the average man live in DFW these days?

[Treasurevalley92]

I rented a 2 bedroom literally across the street from the AAC for $1600.

My old roomate was an RN and rode dart to work at Baylor on the East Side.

I have a friend with a studio (in an older building in uptown ) for only $850ish a month.

My friend probably makes around or a little less than 70k, has a car payment, student loans and still puts aside money into savings every month.

I currently live in Irving, (not supper fashionable, but whatever) Rent is 1450 for a 3 bed 1200 sf house. I'm 20 min from Uptown outside of rush hour.

I can feel you if you are on a 40k salary trying to make it in Dallas, thats alot harder, but with 70k? Please. You are making well above average.

[Ablebodied]

Originally Posted by Pres106

As the thread title says, I’m looking for a place to live and am someone who grew up in DFW, specifically in the southern sector suburbs Duncanville, Desoto, Cedar Hill. I’m in my mid 20s and have worked for a few years as an RN and I thought I made pretty decent money around 70k annually, but as I’m looking at my options of either getting a house or renting an apartment it seems like everything has become sky high in recent years towards the city center. I work at one of the larger hospitals in Dallas and I had the desire to live a little closer to work but I’m having quite the eye opening time finding something where’d i wouldn’t be spending 50% of my monthly income.

Is there any affordable options towards the downtown area? Or am I doomed to live in the ungentrified areas of oak cliff and south dallas? Does anyone in here make less than 90-100k and live a decent life? I see lots of threads in here with people moving to Dallas from others states with budgets of 500k and salaries of 100k +, where does the average man live in DFW these days?

Your math doesn't work or you simply want a lot of house or apartment. You say what you've looked at is approaching half your income. That's a lot of housing if you are single.

[Sunbather]

OP, one mistake you're making is just listing salary. In your head, this probably makes sense to you; however, it doesn't give the rest of us any clearer of a picture of your finances to help you with regard to finding something 'affordable' for you living wise.

When trying to find places to live, it's really worlds more helpful to simply list what you are willing to pay per month. A single person with $70k salary and no student loans and no car loans might be able to afford more than someone making $100k per year but with $100k in student loans and a brand new car loan. Salary by itself also doesn't give any indication into how much you're trying to keep untouched for 401k, roth ira, or other investments etc. You also haven't listed any requirements regarding studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom. Roommates? No roommates?

Most of my friends live in the areas immediately surrounding downtown (greenville, lakewood, henderson, deep ellum, uptown, oak cliff, etc.) and plenty of them don't make $70k a year.

What kind of place are you looking for? (size, bedrooms at least)
What are some of the neighborhoods you like/are targeting?
Roommates? No Roommates?
What is your target budget range for rent only?

[TeamLynn]

I think you can buy a place on your budget.....small house, condo or townhome in a decent part of town.
You are correct that prices have gone up and up significant in the past few years.

Best way to lock in your monthly rent is to buy. The only thing you may not control is insurance and taxes.....although you might be able to control taxes at the ballot box.

[gtt99]

Champagne taste on a beer budget.

[Julio July]

Originally Posted by Pres106

I see lots of threads in here with people moving to Dallas from others states with budgets of 500k and salaries of 100k +, where does the average man live in DFW these days?

And sadly, THAT is the problem that is causing solidly middle class people like yourself to be priced out of areas that ideally SHOULD match their income level and level of education. No one wants to make 70k and be forced to live in a sketchy, inconvenient, amenity lacking area because that's all they can realistically afford.

Those very same people who you pointed out are rapidly driving up the cost of living up in DFW make up the vast majority of this forum, though. So get ready, because they are going to be quick to jump on their keyboards and ridicule, criticize, and pile on you for coming to the forum with this.

[WorldKlas]

Zip code 75060 has some reasonable options and has some nice residential area. I have owned rental properties in that area for many years; never a crime. That’s south Irving and an easy drive into the city.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by Tex Luthor

And sadly, THAT is the problem that is causing solidly middle class people like yourself to be priced out of areas that ideally SHOULD match their income level and level of education. No one wants to make 70k and be forced to live in a sketchy, inconvenient, amenity lacking area because that's all they can realistically afford.

Those very same people who you pointed out are rapidly driving up the cost of living up in DFW make up the vast majority of this forum, though. So get ready, because they are going to be quick to jump on their keyboards and ridicule, criticize, and pile on you for coming to the forum with this.

I get what you are saying, but 70K for a single person can easily get you a decent place in Dallas.

No one making 70k is forced to live in a sketchy place, the vast majority of my friends, the ones who live in uptown included make 70 or below. I only know a couple people making 6 figs in their 20s.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Tex Luthor

And sadly, THAT is the problem that is causing solidly middle class people like yourself to be priced out of areas that ideally SHOULD match their income level and level of education. No one wants to make 70k and be forced to live in a sketchy, inconvenient, amenity lacking area because that's all they can realistically afford.

Those very same people who you pointed out are rapidly driving up the cost of living up in DFW make up the vast majority of this forum, though. So get ready, because they are going to be quick to jump on their keyboards and ridicule, criticize, and pile on you for coming to the forum with this.

Newsflash: a single person making $70k isn't priced out of anywhere in DFW unless they have a $800/mo car lease and a huge student loan.

They should be able to easily afford housing between $1150-1400/month and $1200/mo is the median rent for DFW....not 1 BR rent, but RENT. So no, someone making $70k is not - as you say- forced to live in a sketchy, inconvenient, amenity lacking area. Sheesh.