Advice on moving to Dallas?

Posted by Nearby_Sock8316@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 34 comments

Hi all, I (24M) have recently accepted a job in Irving, TX around the University of Dallas and Las Colinas. I am currently in the process of looking for apartments and not really sure what areas to look.

I would love to be in an area where my commute (5 days in office) would not be super long and with heavy traffic. Ideally 10-20 minutes. That said, I would also love to be in an area that is lively with lots of young professionals. I have not researched a lot, but my predicament is that being close to downtown would be lively but way too far from work. At the same time, staying in a more suburban area would be close to work but maybe skew a little older with less things to do. I understand no neighborhood will be perfect, but curious on your thoughts and where you would choose to live?

Any other helpful advice regarding moving to Dallas would be appreciated!

TLDR: Moving to Dallas, want a balance between 10-20 minute commute to Irving, TX and to live in a lively, young area.

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DeadbeatDays@reddit

I don’t know what part of the country you’re coming from, but I’ve never found traffic here to be as dramatic as people say it is unless you’re commuting into or out of Collin County. I personally would look at the North Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts area if I were you. It’s quite walkable with a wide variety of activities and good food. It’s tends to be much leafier and more classically charming than neighborhoods like Uptown or the Medical District.

North Oak Cliff also has easy highway access, and you’d have multiple potential routes to get to the University of Dallas (a big plus). Unlike Uptown and Oak Lawn, the local streets in Oak Cliff tend be less crowded during commute times (another big plus). In my experience, a lot of time can get eaten up in Dallas just getting to the highway entrances on busy local streets.

I live less than a mile south of the Bishop Arts District. Apple Maps is currently giving me an ETA of nineteen minutes to University of Dallas, which is not too bad, though it’s only 2:00 pm.

Any of the core neighborhoods around downtown will allow you fairly easy access to a wide variety of daytime activities and local nightlife. You just won’t really get that in Irving. Downtown itself can also be pretty fun. Best of luck!

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Hembalaya@reddit

Las Colinas may not be a bad place to start. Your budget will go far there, and there’s plenty to do. If drive time is your top priority find somewhere in Las Colinas.

If you’re open to a longer drive, you can find a 1 bedroom apartment in uptown for that price. Uptown is the epicenter of young professionals in Dallas.

Full disclosure, I’m a realtor who can help you navigate the leasing process at no cost to you. If you’re interested in learning more, DM me!

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spike_spieg@reddit

Are there any IT jobs in that area ?

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mattdamonsleftnut@reddit

Microsoft?

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spike_spieg@reddit

System admin, network administrator stuff like that

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mattdamonsleftnut@reddit

There’s tons in the area not just las colinas

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spike_spieg@reddit

Ok ok

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Nearby_Sock8316@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the tip! I’ve heard from other that the Las Colinas area is a bit isolated. I’m moving alone and know hardly anyone. I feel that if I move there and the good spots to socialize are 30 min away, I probably wouldn’t get out much. What are your thoughts on this?

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Hembalaya@reddit

To me, it sounds like you want to live “in the city”? If that’s the case, then I definitely recommend living in uptown, or possibly Design District, which is a short uber from nightlife. Another option is staying near the medical district, and splitting the difference both to work and nightlife. But I think your top option is probably somewhere around uptown.

If you need any help with your search, let me know! I can tour apartments for you (and with you!) and help navigate the process. DM me and we can keep chatting.

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FreeDaemon@reddit

If you are absolutely new to dfw, I recommend stay in Irving/Las Colinas area for now while you get familiar with the area. Once you get the lay of the land then you move wherever you want to move.

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spike_spieg@reddit

Are there any IT jobs in that area?

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FreeDaemon@reddit

IT is kinda broad, what type of job are you looking for?

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spike_spieg@reddit

System admin, network admin etc stuff like that

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xsnyder@reddit

There are tons of IT jobs all over DFW.

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spike_spieg@reddit

Ok on

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Nearby_Sock8316@reddit (OP)

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FreeDaemon@reddit

To me when I’m new to an area I prioritize getting familiar with the place first and decide where to settle down later. A good area for me might suck for you that’s why I recommend you stay near work first and you figure out the rest later.

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Existentialist@reddit

I moved to Dallas around the same age, lived in Irving for four years and enjoyed cheap rent - right around the performing arts center. Then moved to a neighborhood I liked. No regrets about saving money on rent till I knew what neighborhood I liked.

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FormerlyUserLFC@reddit

The commute would not be terrible from the American Airlines Center to Las Calinas. There are some apartments on that edge of town that appeal to a younger crowd and are close enough to bar access with an Uber. It also puts you at the bottom of Katy Trail.

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LateAd3737@reddit

Whatever your commute is when you type it in on the maps, you can double it for a general estimate of the in traffic time

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Texas_Lobo@reddit

you have to be sure and adjust the time for the commute to the rush hour if that is the case!

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VeViArgh@reddit

Given everything you said, your best bet would be Medical or Design Districts. Both are close to Uptown, Oak Lawn and Downtown. However, easy/close access to 183 and 114. Plus, there are backroads to get to Irving.

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Nearby_Sock8316@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the tip!

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spacedman_spiff@reddit

Ignore advice to live close to your work.

As someone who moved to DFW around the same age as you, my advice would be to live closer to where you want to socialize. You will have a much easier time making friends and enjoying life in a new city if you live near the things you want to do, whether that's bars, nightclubs, concerts, sports, or recreation. Commuting sucks, but driving 30+ minutes to a happy hour is worse and will make you less inclined to do those things.

UD/Las Colinas is serviced by the DART orange line; maybe you could live somewhere close to a station in downtown, uptown, or Deep Ellum.

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Nearby_Sock8316@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the tip! I do have a car. Is public transportation good in Dallas? I never thought of that as an option but certainly would if it is more efficient. Based on your experience, what neighborhood do you think would be a good compromise between proximity to work and a good, young, social area?

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spacedman_spiff@reddit

Public transport in Texas in general isn't great, despite Dallas having the 2nd largest light rail system. However, DART is actually a good option for the Orange Line.

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Nearby_Sock8316@reddit (OP)

I just checked, picked Cherrywood Park as a reference point through this orange line and it says 45 minutes. From whatever Apple Maps sets Uptown epicenter to be, it was over an hour. I don’t know if I’m missing something but that’s a lot.

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