Junius Heights (Dallas, Center, Lipscomb: cheap apartments, renters, crime)

[su441]

I have found a place to rent near Junius and Munger. I was wondering your opinion of the area. Is it safe for a single female? I have a dog, and I would like to feel safe when I walk her. I know there is a small park and school nearby. I have also heard the Garden Cafe is nice. I am a bartender and would get home late at night, and I do not want to worry about aomwrhing happening that late at night. Thanks for your help!

[netfrog]

I used to live on Victor in Munger Place, just across Munger Boulevard from Junius Heights (and only a few blocks from the location you mentioned). It's a great walking neighborhood - the houses are charming, and still affordable compared to Lakewood or the M-Streets. Plus, the Garden Cafe is a great neighborhood spot (and you're not that far a walk from the Lakewood Shopping Center to the northeast).

The neighbors generally watch out for each other, and I'd say it's fairly safe as long as you are always mindful of where you are. There are some rougher areas just to the south and west (although they are beginning to gentrify as well), and occasionally the crime spills over.

I worked nights when I lived there, and would often take my dog out for a walk around 1-2 a.m. My dog was a 60-pound boxer and I'm 6'1", though, so I don't know if that had anything to do with me being left alone. I never felt unsafe, and the only crime that directly affected me in over 2 years of living there was the fact I had my bike stolen off my back porch while I was out of town. It wasn't locked up, though, so that was my own fault.

The best thing you can do is spend some time in the area, particularly walking, and get a feel for it. Does the place where you'd be living have garage parking, or some kind of protected lot?

[Macbeth2003]

Junius Heights is a perfectly safe neighborhood. You will see lots of singles walking, or families with kids. I'm at Worth and Beacon myself. The Garden Cafe is great. You can also walk to the library at Worth and Abrams. The Tipperary Inn etc.
It's a wonderful neighborhood that I can't say enough good things about. I do Theatre so I'm often getting home very late as well, and the streets are nice and quiet about that time. I have walked home from The Tipperary Inn after closing as well and felt perfectly safe. The neighborhood is wonderful, and there doesn't seem to be the antipathy towards renters that you get from owners in some parts of town.
Now I'm a 6 foot guy, so I should point out that my 5 foot 1 inch wife also doesn't hesitate to be out late, or alone in this neighborhood.

Where you are talking about will be not only perfectly safe, but will also put you in one of the nicest, most fun, most convenient to everything great about Dallas parts of town.

[nsumner]

Before you rent, drive the area at different hours of the day and night. 3am is probably not the best time to walk your dog anywhere, talk to neighbors and ask them about your concerns, use your best judgement.

Naima

[lexyjill]

Garden Cafe is fantastic! A group of us meets there once a month for brunch - we all bring our dogs (and now some of our friends have kids -- scary! - who come too) and bring a bottle of champagne - we sit and drink mimosas, eat incredilble food, and chat on the back patio. One of my favorite spots in Dallas!

[billdfw]

I would think twice about living there alone. It's a nice little area but it is still in transition. Also there are a lot of cheap apartments in the area that bring in some sketchy people. Everytime I am in that area there always seems to be a bums/weirdos/druggies walking around, but maybe it's just me.

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by billdfw

I would think twice about living there alone. It's a nice little area but it is still in transition. Also there are a lot of cheap apartments in the area that bring in some sketchy people. Everytime I am in that area there always seems to be a bums/weirdos/druggies walking around, but maybe it's just me.

I see that if you get into Peaks Suburban but not in Munger Place/Junius Heights. And she would be, from her description ,on the border of Munger Place and Junius Heights. I have known three of four female friends who lived there alone. That particular intersection is always crowded with kids playing on the playground in the evening.
My wife who is famously paranoid about being a small( 5 foot 1) women walks the area late at night when she can't sleep.

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by Macbeth2003

I see that if you get into Peaks Suburban but not in Munger Place/Junius Heights. And she would be, from her description ,on the border of Munger Place and Junius Heights. I have known three of four female friends who lived there alone. That particular intersection is always crowded with kids playing on the playground in the evening.
My wife who is famously paranoid about being a small( 5 foot 1) women walks the area late at night when she can't sleep.

Walking the streets just about anywhere late at night is prob not the best idea. Having a 60 lb dog helps, but safety and common sense should be utilized. Feeling safe and being safe are two different things.

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

Walking the streets just about anywhere late at night is prob not the best idea. Having a 60 lb dog helps, but safety and common sense should be utilized. Feeling safe and being safe are two different things.

True and I should make it clear she walks a limited area, and around 11-12 not 2-3

[Lakewooder]

I have 'lived alone' here for 7 or 8 years, never had a problem - the only attack I worry about is that of the yuppies. Lots of people walk in our neighborhood and at all times. I have also walked home at 2 am from The Tip and Lakewood Shopping Center. There have been a couple of neighborhood "characters" who walk around but everyone knows who they are - perhaps bill doesn't.

Macbeth we are going to have to get together with lexy for mimosas! City Data member Texas Amy also lives in our historic district and often posts here about Lipscomb Elementary.