Moving to Dallas - Where should I live? (Austin, Plano: apartments, for rent)

[Jimatdks]

Hello,
I will be moving to Dallas after graduation to start my career in the "real world". I will be working in the Plano area (Tollway, btwn Park and Parker). I am looking for an apartment and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I am looking for something reasonably priced (less than 700/mo, closer to 600/mo would be better). I would like to live close to work, but don’t want to be so far away from downtown that I never want to go. I would love a complex that has a lot of young professionals (in other words, I want people to live there that I would want to hang out with...).
Also, I am considering buying a condo. Are there any areas that I should steer clear of or any that I should definitely consider looking in?
Thanks for your help!
Jim

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by Jimatdks

Hello,
I will be moving to Dallas after graduation to start my career in the "real world". I will be working in the Plano area (Tollway, btwn Park and Parker). I am looking for an apartment and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I am looking for something reasonably priced (less than 700/mo, closer to 600/mo would be better). I would like to live close to work, but don’t want to be so far away from downtown that I never want to go. I would love a complex that has a lot of young professionals (in other words, I want people to live there that I would want to hang out with...).
Also, I am considering buying a condo. Are there any areas that I should steer clear of or any that I should definitely consider looking in?
Thanks for your help!
Jim

$600 a month won't get you much in Plano. I was paying $750 a month in Far North Dallas, but my apt. was really nice too.

[Grainraiser]

There are plenty of apartments located right off the Tollway in Plano. Anything in the $600 range is not going to be a place you will want to live at. I would guess that you will need to adjust your budget to around $750 minimum. You will still be a pretty good way from downtown. If I were you I would add the Addison area to my list. They have a plenty of bars for the single scene and you would be closer to downtown. Driving to work would be a easy commute also.

[Jimatdks]

Thanks for the advice thus far. It sounds like my price range is a bit low...I guess that housing costs in my area now are a little lower than in Dallas. I have been looking in Addison and the surrounding areas. I stayed in Richardson with my brother during the interview process and made the drive to the office from there, which turned out just fine. Are there any complexes that people could recommend? I guess the new price range would be from $700 - $800. I appreciate the help!
Jim

[TXCountryBoy]

Originally Posted by Jimatdks

Thanks for the advice thus far. It sounds like my price range is a bit low...I guess that housing costs in my area now are a little lower than in Dallas. I have been looking in Addison and the surrounding areas. I stayed in Richardson with my brother during the interview process and made the drive to the office from there, which turned out just fine. Are there any complexes that people could recommend? I guess the new price range would be from $700 - $800. I appreciate the help!
Jim

Hello Jim,

You pay want to try an apt locator. They can get deals and they know the spot. Just be honest up front with them and let them work for you. If you find something on your own or through here then you did not lose a thing. You do not have to go with them or pay them anything. You have to be careful, they will try to get you into a high price ones form time to time.

[loves2read]

find something that lets you take public tranportation to/from your job--you don't have to do it all the time but it will be a cost saver if the times work for you and will help out if you have to put the car in the shop...
check a crime map
there are areas in Dallas that do have break-ins and robberies -- some worse than others
look for an area that has access to restaurants/shopping that is even walkable--
if you pay more for rent you might save on other costs if you can avoid using your car

[ebird]

There is a place in far west plano on the Colony/Plano border that is 5 minutes from Parker and the tollway. This place is called Austin Ranch. They did have units starting under 700/mo. when I lived there. It is a nice little community with it's own restaraunts and retail within the community. It is full of young professionals. You should check it out. It sounds like it suits your needs.

[Jimatdks]

Originally Posted by ebird

There is a place in far west plano on the Colony/Plano border that is 5 minutes from Parker and the tollway. This place is called Austin Ranch. They did have units starting under 700/mo. when I lived there. It is a nice little community with it's own restaraunts and retail within the community. It is full of young professionals. You should check it out. It sounds like it suits your needs.

I have been looking at Austin Ranch and actually drove through it when I was in town visiting family over the holiday. It looks like it would be a nice place, but it got a pretty bad review on apartmentratings.com (2.8/5 and only 38% recommendation) Do you think that is because it is full of young professionals and is possibly being reviewed by people who want a different type of atmosphere? I think that I could handle living farther away from Downtown if I lived somewhere where there were other things to do and people to do them with. Any comments on Austin Ranch or any other suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!
Jim

[TXLara]

I have found that Apartment Rating is not the most accurate place on which to based a decision of where to live. It used to be when the site was first put up, but lately EVERY SINGLE COMPLEX suddenly has rats, burglaries, drug deals in the parking lot, managers who screw over their tenents, loud neighbors, etc. I know a lot of that is bull, because I've lived in quite a few apartments and they all say the same things...and I've never once lived in a place with rats or any of the other aforementioned problems. So if you like it, go look at it, and if you still like it- rent there!

Having lived in that area for years, I would say this is your best bet for what you seem to be looking for. My only other suggestion is Legacy Post. They both have the same feel and are close to work for you. Don't know about pricing- the bigger apartments could get a little costly. I've had friends live in both places though, and they've loved them, and I've never not felt safe at night. It's at least worth checking out.

[Texaslatina]

Hi there,
The Plano area is a great area to live at. Downtown Dallas is about a 15 minute drive from Plano is you take the tollway.
That price for apartments is attainable in the Plano area.
The most popular area for singles is Uptown area of Dallas located right next to downtown dallas. A one bedroom there would start at about $850.
Deposits are usually about $200. You can also rent out a washer and dryer for about $40 total a month.

Hope this helps you !
Write back if you have any questions.