Looking at Apartments? (Plano, Richardson, Denton: renting, neighborhood, luxury)

[doug1980]

My wife and I have narrowed down our search to the Denton, Plano and Little Elm areas. We will need to find a pet friendly (45 lb lab/bassett mix) place, that offers at least a 2 bedroom, in a fairly nice neighborhood. All we have been able to find online are "full service" communities, provide gym and pools and such. Now these are nice but we really don't need all that. I would rather have a cheaper rent. Would like to find something around the $500-$600 range. Is this possible, are there even apts in that price range?

[kacvb1974]

I am not very familiar with Denton or Little Elm, but as far as Plano goes and really most of that surrounding area, I believe it's going to be very, very challenging finding a "nice" 2 bedroom in that price range.

Even most decent, small 1 bedrooms in Plano go for more than $500. There may be apts in that target budget but they most likely won't be the ones you'll find in online searches or in apt ad bibles. And it may not be the kind of community you'd feel entirely comfortable walking around with the doggie. Just south of Plano, here in Richardson, which is an older and far from glamorous 'burb, I know of no apartments I could suggest in that range.

I'd bump up the budget, if possible, by a good $200+ and consider using an apt locator. BTW, back when I was renting here, my general rule of thumb for finding affordable but decent apts was about $1 a sq foot. If a place was 950 sq feet and renting for $600, I knew I should check it out in person because I might be in for a real surprise. I hear you about all the 'luxury' amenities many complexes offer than may bump up the rent, but around here even many older, no-frills complexes offer a pool and some community areas. You may also want to check out mom and pop listings from Craiglist ads.

Finding dog friendly buildings shouldn't be too challenging tho. Good luck in your hunt!