Where can I live in the DFW area without a car and rely on DART for transportation?

Posted by PsychologicalWay7108@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 46 comments

Hi everyone, I’m a 22-year-old female, and I’ve lived in Texas my entire life. I’m really tired of the rural/urban sprawl where I live and have been dreaming of moving to the city. Once I get my degree next year, I want to move to Dallas for better job opportunities because there aren’t many where I currently live, and everything is so spread out.

Here’s the thing though—I dont have a drivers license and to be honest I dont want one. (I was in a really bad car accident before and have dealt with drunk drivers and the trauma surrounding car related deaths, so it’s left me feeling pretty uneasy about driving)

Id love to find a safe area in Dallas where a young woman like me can walk around and rely on public transit. I know that might sound a bit unrealistic, but I’m hopeful. The only part of dallas I’m somewhat familiar with is Love Field since my grandparents live there, and it’s… okay. I do plan on moving to a state with better public transit, but I want to give dallas a try first before leaving my family behind.

I’m looking for the best areas in DFW to live if I want to primarily rely on public transit and walking, while also ensuring it’s a safe environment for young women. I’m more into artsy neighborhoods with a good music scene, access to museums, etc. I just want to know if it’s realistic to think I can depend on DART as my main form of transportation.

[-]

spam_lite@reddit

Don't forget DART has the

620 Dallas Streetcar Map gives you access from Bishop Arts Neighborhood
M Line Trolly. It’s FREE rides Map give you easy access to and from West Village, Uptown, Arts District, Downtown
TRE will grant you access all the way to

Using the Streetcar, DART, and M Line will give access from Bishop Arts to West Village.

[-]

karmaofgd@reddit

And DART has GoLink which operates in Dallas, Plano, Rowlett, Irving etc. It's still working the kinks out, but it has made not having a car much easier.

[-]

latinobombshell@reddit

No its going to be super hard for you

[-]

karmaofgd@reddit

It's not super hard not to have a car in Dallas. People who say that haven't tried. I haven't had one since 2009, and I get everywhere I need to using DART.

DART has a program called GoLink. They pick you up and take you wherever you want within a zone. They use vans, but if there aren't enough vans, they send Uber. You can take as many rides as you want for the price of a regular ticket. (It's $6 for a day pass.) I live in Lake Highlands, and I have 2 train stations in my zone. One of which is in 2 zones. I can take GoLink there and then book another one to go anywhere I want in that zone.

Sometimes, I have to get creative, and it takes a little longer than driving, but it works.

https://www.dart.org/guide/transit-and-use/golink

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

yeah i figured 😔💜

[-]

latinobombshell@reddit

Not being negative but this city is too fricken big to see without a car or cost people

[-]

LankyYogurtcloset0@reddit

Comment about DART

It's not a fully functional mass transit system. If you move to Dallas make sure you'll live, work, and play in the same area probably near downtown. The Dallas metroplex is big and DART does not cover all of it.

Also, current local news is about how DART funding may be decreasing because suburbs no longer wish to spend as much of their tax budget on DART services because they don't feel they are getting that much from DART servicing. If this decrease of funds goes thru, DART might end up being just a service during rush hours, getting people to / from work. This will limit your use of it.

Determining where to live might be best researching a city's mass transit system and how functional it is.

Good luck

[-]

utookthegoodnames@reddit

You pretty much have to live and work right near DART stations for it be feasible. I’m sure people will downvote this, but the dart is really mid. I encourage you to try another city with a more robust public transit network while you’re young. Texas will be here when you’re ready to come back.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

yeahhhh i figured. i want to get out of texas so badly cause of the lack of public transit among many many other things but its also hard to move to a completely new state alone so i figured id at least try out dallas before lol

[-]

abstractraj@reddit

Good public transit is like Chicago, NYC, DC, but those are also horribly expensive. SF and some other places are ok, but also expensive. I went to work in Europe at 25 and that’s was pretty solid public transport everywhere. If you have a skill set for a work visa, check it out

[-]

mllllllln@reddit

Chicago isn't that bad in cost of living compared to Dallas nowadays. NYC/DC/SF definitely are though.

[-]

nomnommish@reddit

It's really not that hard. Move to Chicago instead. It is a very cheap city and prices and cost of living is comparable to Dallas. But unlike, it is a true metropolis - it has a true downtown, extremely good public transit by American standards, and tons of people live in Chicago (and even the larger Chicagoland suburbs) without owning a car.

Yes, winters suck but they're becoming shorter, and it's not like Dallas summers are any less brutal. Dallas is still cheap when you factor in zero state tax but as someone really young like you, you will have a TON more fun in Chicago where each neighborhood has tons of history and character and charm and they're all easily accessible by bus or train. Or worst case, a short uber ride.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

thanks for ur input. when i get my degree i will try to apply for jobs in chicago and see if any opportunities present itself cause many people keep telling me now that Chicago might be the perfect place for me! i love the cold and i just can’t take the texas heat anymore lol so i think i will def consider it

[-]

utookthegoodnames@reddit

Moving fucking sucks, I wouldn’t recommend doing it twice just to do it lol. Just look for jobs in cities that interest you and see if you can get an offer that works for you. Life is too short to spend it all in Texas without a really good reason. :)

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

good advice ty 💜 the only thing keeping me in texas really is my family …if i had no ties TRUST i would be long gone lol 😭

[-]

txmuzk@reddit

What's with all the Illinois recruitment? I get there is decent public transportation up north, but do yall get a fee?

Okay, to answer your question, always consider your employment location and family first. Secondly, get out the transit map, and it may make sense to live near transit, especially the DART line.

[-]

yellowsun_97@reddit

If you wanna be around music and an artsy neighborhood deep ellum is a great choice. The community and people that live here are great. The people that visit and cause problems are not so much. There’s tons to walk to within deep ellum but whenever I visit the museums or go to games I always take the train. I’ve been on it at all times including late night. I’ve never had any altercations myself but I’ve seen people fight and harass each other. I’ve had men flirt with me and shit but I always decline and they go away. There’s a tom thumb in the community. Other stores are near by you can get delivery if needed. It’s not considered the safest and people talk shit about it but most unsafe things I’ve seen or heard about are from people visiting the bars and clubs here and I’ve never had issues myself and I walk around here day and night all the time.

[-]

2manyfelines@reddit

Also, the Village

[-]

TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit

Follow @urbanistasdfw on Instagram. It’s a group of women who are focused on transit, and they do socials where they go out on the town on DART. Super cool.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

THANK YOU 🙏 this is amazing

[-]

TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit

Sure thing!

[-]

Ok_Requirement_6758@reddit

lol tf? Be g scared of cars won’t get your far? Plan on living off of public transport for life? If not probably best to quit feeding your fears and learn to drive.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

yeah i really dont care. i deal with ppl telling me to get over it everyday of my life but i dont care to drive and i wont be forced to. and yes i will live of public transit my entire life, MANY people do its not some unheard of thing lol💜 i would rather protect my life and save money than dealing with cars. i have learned and its just not for me

[-]

Ok_Requirement_6758@reddit

😭💀💀😂😂😭😭

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

yeah i really dont give af im used to other peoples comments i stopped caring long ago considering i almost died in a catastrophic car accident due to a drunk driver and my cousin in the same crash died so i feel its a valid for me 🤷🏽‍♀️

[-]

Ok_Requirement_6758@reddit

Damn no need to defend yourself like that chill I didn’t even say nothing in my last comment. But tbh if all that happened to me I’d probably just wanna die too, seems like to much going on tbh but yea no one said they thought you gave af anyway not sure why you clarified.

[-]

Standard_Sale_7267@reddit

If you decide you want to leave Texas, Champagne, IL is a large college town. Lots of people your age, lots to do, a lot of it is walkable if you are near downtown, great public transportation. Good music scene if you are into music. You can catch the train up to Chicago, spend a few hours and catch the train back. I have family up there. If it weren’t for the cold and snow I’d consider living up there. A lot of college towns in more progressive areas of the US have good public transportation.

[-]

_stevienotnicks@reddit

Oooh I know this one! I’m she. I do this. I have lived in Uptown/State Thomas/West Village for about 3 years and it’s super easy. I usually feel safe, but obviously just use your head. Don’t walk around alone after dark, always be aware of your surroundings etc.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

thanks for the suggestions!

[-]

FormerlyUserLFC@reddit

Uptown is a popular choice for young people. Near the American Airlines Center gives you a lot of access.

Addison is an option but is less connected and appeals to a slightly older crowd.

The Villages as someone suggested are also a great option.

Bishop Arts and Cedars are less known for safety but may be good options if you find the right apartment.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

thanks for the suggestions i will look into these areas <3

[-]

JubJubsFunFactory@reddit

Downtown Plano is right on the DART line. Cute area. Might get more for your money a little further out.

[-]

No_Review4606@reddit

Addison

[-]

Cobalt_Rebel@reddit

Depending on your price range, Uptown or Mockingbird Station might be good choices. Both have Dart (train) stations and are walkable and safe. Downtown can be kind of sketchy, but if you live near AT&T HQ it’s not too bad.

[-]

VeViArgh@reddit

Oak Lawn, Bishop Arts, Uptown, The Village and Downtown.

[-]

Double_Match_1910@reddit

Irving, TX is pretty dope.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

thanks for ur suggestion

[-]

elisabethofaustria@reddit

All of the train lines and most of the buses converge in downtown Dallas — would recommend living here.

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

thanks for the suggestion i will looka round that area

[-]

sunsetrules@reddit

Approximately where will you work?

[-]

PsychologicalWay7108@reddit (OP)

I don’t have my degree yet, but I’m just trying to get a general idea right now so I can plan ahead. I’m interested in working in media, so I’m looking for an area with plenty of job opportunities in those fields.

[-]