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Possible Relocation - Need advice!!!
Hello Ladies!
My husband has just been offered a position in the Dallas area, and I'm hoping to get some recommendations from the experts 
I must admit that I really don't know ANYTHING about the area, so I'm having mixed emotions about the whole thing. We just moved cross-country (from the Midwest to LA) a year ago and I was just settling in!
I'm interested in learning a bit about the neighborhoods. I have an irrational fear of suburbs and am hoping you can clue me in to some "cool" neighborhoods. Not looking for downtown, but maybe more historical, urban - able to walk to shops, cafes, yoga. You get the picture!
We'll be taking a trip out there next month, so I would love to have a little list of places to explore before we decide.
Thanks in advance - if we move to your area, then I'm sure I'll be getting to know all of you a lot better!
PS My husband's new office would be in Irving, if that helps. Not sure how bad commutes are there.....
Re: Possible Relocation - Need advice!!!
If not - I am sure you will get many recs for the Dallas area as well.
Michelle & Michael
Married - August '10
TTC - Since September 2011
The commute from FW to Irving though would not be the best. Using 183 just to get to part of Irving on a daily basis would make me want to shoot myself.
Grapevine is a great community. Southlake also has some condos near their town center.
If you have kids, both places have great schools. I can also recommend Flower Mound and Highland Village. They are very family oriented.
In Dallas, The Village, West Village and Uptown are pretty great too. Your husband could use Northwest Hwy to get over to Hwy 114 in Irving pretty quickly.
I've lived in Dallas most of my life and I really love it here.
No kids...yet.
Definitely more of a hipster, fun area - not huge party bar scene (we don't go out THAT much anymore....at least not to party
) Just good restaurants, coffee, shops, places to walk!
We are hoping to rent a single family home or townhouse.
When I was doing some research, I saw "Highland Park" and "M Streets" mentioned - is anyone familiar with those areas?
And THANKS for the info on Fort Worth. I don't think I would have thought of checking that out!
Really appreciate everyone's help!
THIS.
Unfortunately, there aren't really a lot of places where you can walk to things unless your open to apartment/condo living.
I would recommend Grapevine and Southlake as well for a commute to Irving. Carrollton, Coppell, and Flower Mound are also reasonable commutes in nice communities, but for the most part you won't be able to walk.
I work in an area called Uptown which is about 15 minutes or so from Irving (I think). My DH lived here before we got married. It is a wonderful area with great restaurants, a park, close to major highways, and lots of condos to choose from.
But yeah, if you are looking to start a family it's probably not the place for you. There are no affordable houses, only condos and apartments. But it's great--DH and I are considering moving back here once my daughter leaves home.
ETA: You might like Uptown then. Highland Park is only for the super rich and the M streets are either super pricey or really close to a major party area called Greenville Avenue.
With All the Trimmings
Just do it!
Hmmm, well you've all certainly given me a lot to think about!!
I'm not too concerned with the family aspect quite yet. It's a year or so off, and since we're renting, I think we wanted to try a unique urban/semi-urban area.
I think the main thing is that DH travels a LOT, so he would really want us to be in an area that I feel comfortable - am able to walk around, explore, meet people. So that I don't feel isolated since I won't know anyone....yet!
I'll look into Uptown - sounds cool! And 15 minute commute sounds perfect!! WAY better than anything out here in LA!
Thanks ladies!
This is good to know - I've actually heard a few people mention Grapevine, so it's worth checking out.
Also intrigued by the Village/West Village - added to this list!
And I always love hearing people say they love where they live - makes me excited to get to know the area better!!!
Blech - this was directed to Juliebug (?). Sorry, I am mostly a lurker, so really have no idea how to do quotes properly.
West Village is in the Uptown area.
I love Grapevine--it is a cute little town.
With All the Trimmings
Just do it!
I won't be much help, because I'm not in Dallas, but Highliand Park $$$$$
Ft. Worth would not be fun if your husband works in Irving. That commute would suck. And grapevine is the epitome of "the burbs."
Grapevine has a great little Main St. area. Unlike some of the neighbors (Southlake and Colleyville--even though I love them!), it's their original Main St. They're making an effort to keep it looking historical. They have two major festivals a year (Grapefest and Main St. Days) and have titled themselves The Christmas Capital of Texas. They have lots of great Christmas activities including ICE at the Gaylord.
The Village and West Village are mainly singles and couples. I don't know if you'd call it the party scene so much as vibrant. You'd be very close to a lot of what is great about Dallas, that's for sure.
If you are looking for that vibe where you can walk to places, Uptown/West Village should be #1 on your list. There are apartments, townhomes, and condos. Ont he other side of US75 (right across form uptown) are townhomes, apartments and houses. If you are looking it is the SouthEast corner of US75 and Knox/Henderson. DH lived in an apartment one exit south (US75 & Fitzhugh) and it was awesome. We could walk to the train, to restaurants, bars, etc.
You may want to look just northwest of Uptown, up Lemon Ave. There are plenty of houses, townhomes and apartments. It is still close to Uptown, you may be able to walk to a few things, but the drive is not to far from anything. You would also be REALLY close to Love field and only 15-20 minutes from DFW airport.
My neighborhood is just a few miles north of that, Midway hollow. It is more settled, but it is 1950's style ranch homes. I love the character and our neighborhood is centrally located to Uptown, downtown, Frisco, Plano, freeways, etc. And not to far from Irving as we are right of Northwest Hwy which takes you to the hear of Los Colinas.
Highland Park is REALLY expensive, pretentious, and family oriented.
I would not recommend it.
Michelle & Michael
Married - August '10
TTC - Since September 2011
WOW! Thank you so much, ladies!
You definitely came through with plenty of recommendations. I'm starting to get very excited to explore!
I'm going to keep lurking around here, if you don't mind. Maybe I can still get a few insider tips from y'all (See!! I'm already learning!
)
Thanks again - sincerely appreciate your help.
Thanks for the clarification! 35-40 minutes in traffic is nothing compared to typical commutes in LA, so that wouldn't scare us off.
It's still on the list of places to check out!
Thank you! I've been googling rentals and did see Euless - some nice homes! And being close to the airport is great since DH travels so much.
Great also about the yoga studios in that area. I'm actually a Pilates instructor, so that's another reason I wanted to be in an area that has studios/etc - more work opportunities for me!
And YES - we are SOOOOO excited about the cost of living difference.
Thanks again. We're 90% sure we're moving, so I'll keep everyone posted on where we end up!
k