Where to live in Dallas? (Houston, Richardson: apartment, for rent, living)

[narana]

Hi all,

I'll appreciate any information that can be confirmed. My husband and I are relocating from Central America to Dallas or Houston, TX.

We are considering these two cities based on the cost of living and some basic information that I've been able to find online despite all my search I'm still not sure of the following so here is my question:

Considering Dallas, what zip codes or cities are the best to live?
Considering Houston, what zip codes or cities are the best to live?

Here's some information:
Newly wed, late 20's, no kids, two dogs, IT profession, considering to rent an apartment our budget is $900-$1,000 for rent.

We would like to live in a pet friendly environment, near a park, mall and public transportation possibly DART.

Thanks for your help,

[Lakewooder]

Check out 75206 and 75214. Very good for your demographic - especially 75206.

[narana]

thanks i'll definitely look into it.

[theloneranger]

I would recommend the Uptown and Knox-Henderson areas just north of downtown Dallas. I believe that this is the zip Lakewooder is referring to, but I'm not sure.

Do you all have jobs and know about the visa situation? I don't know how easy it is to move to the US without a job offer.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Im actually going through the same thing with my wife right now. We are from Los Angeles, but my wife is from Thailand. My job was axed here, but my company offered me a position in either Dallas or Houston. We visited both cities extensively. Since my wife wants to be somewhere there is a Thai community, we choose the DFW area. The largest Thai community in the South can be found in Northern Tarrant county, they had a community center, lots of temples, even their own newspaper.

As for you, it just depends on what you like. Dallas is by far more accessable by public transit than Houston. There areas we found that we really liked in Dallas were Richardson, Carrolton, Addison, and Uptown Dallas. The later three are very diverse cities with lots of people from other countries (particularly South Korea and India). Addison and Uptown Dallas are very full of young professionals too.