Relocating to Dallas
Posted by Asuna-Usagi@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 23 comments
I am relocating to Dallas in about 2-3 months from Washington state. I wanted to get some feedback on the housing market, safe neighborhoods, dog parks, etc. I was born and raised in South TX, so the heat for the summer manageable. I’ve been reading people saying outdoor activities are limited, but I wanted to see how true that is. I used to visit often and know there’s a lot of lakes for kayaking and fishing, but anything else? Thanks in advance!
_TurboHome@reddit
For the VA hospital proximity, look at areas in south Dallas or Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill in particular has a lot of trails and outdoor access plus Joe Pool Lake is right there for kayaking. Grand Prairie is another one that gives you lake access and stays within your commute. Lancaster is close to the VA but the neighborhood quality varies a lot block by block so drive around before committing. For your RV there are several storage facilities along 67 and 287 that are reasonable.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Oh that’s great to know! Thank you so much! I do hear the Grand Prairie area is great. And thanks for telling about Lancaster. I haven’t been around Dallas in about 4 years besides quick visits to my friend, so it helps so much!
MusingInPublic@reddit
I think most people really under estimate how hot and unbearable the summer weather can be (even if you've been to the desert) it's a different kind of unbearable.
Compared to Washington all outdoor options will be found lacking. However, there are plenty of lakes near by for fishing. The river is okay too. In a pinch you can always decamp for OK, Arkansas, or hillcountry in Texas for more outdoor options, although except for maybe Arkansas in the RV, I think most will still place second to washington state for outdoors.
Not sure what your budget is, but white rock lake area will probably tick all your boxes and be okay on safety side too.
AN604@reddit
Me…I’m people 🤣. It’s not just the summer heat but then the spring storms and then winter still gets pretty cold even though it’s a short winter. There’s a small window of comfortable weather. AND THE BUGS in the summer!! Even if there are places to go the overall environment just isn’t great for outdoor activities (imo).
No_Antelope_6822@reddit
I don't know much and the temporary RV living situation while he looks for a job but if you want to be closer to the VA where you'll be working at, Desoto is a nice city with older but also new(er) construction homes. I almost moved there until I found my brand new house in Grand Prairie.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Oh that may be a good idea! I am looking for a short term rental, but do have an RV. We also have to sell our house here, so if it’s me and my dog in the RV, it should be okay in the meantime.
No_Antelope_6822@reddit
Good luck on selling your home in WA but you both will find the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex a great place to live with plenty to do and many job opportunities. Yes traffic can and will be a thing but honestly, quality of life here is pretty good. Costs can vary and seem a little on the high side at some places but just make sure you guys save some money for rainy days and the higher than advantage property taxes once you guys buy a home here in the DFW. And when you do, don't forget to apply for the Homestead Exemption. You'll save yourself some money on the property taxes each year.
I saw someone else's post about parks and places to go hiking, go on walks and kayaking and if you stick to the South part of Dallas, Joe Pool Lake and the Cedar Hill Nature Preserve is a great place to do just that. Also, if you're in the Dallas area on the east side of Hwy 75, check out White Rock Lake, it's one of my favorite places to go to. Plus just near by is the Dallas Arboretum, which I believe is pet friendly as well.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Honestly, I’m looking forward to being back in Texas. Washington state is super expensive and feels it leaves you lacking for retirement. Beautiful state, but I’d be happy to save in the long run. It is even more expensive than Las Vegas. I loved living there as a local. I think having friends and family close by will be an added bonus. Dallas is also at the edge of Texas, so I like that I can drive to other states (one of my favorite things about Vegas). It’s a huge move, but hopefully my last before retirement in mexico lol
No_Antelope_6822@reddit
Right on. 🫶🏻
AN604@reddit
This is going to be a big adjustment coming from the PNW. The metroplex has something for everyone except nature lovers (imo).
The advice of living close to where your work is crucial.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I don’t care much for PNW lol. It’s beautiful, but I live in a rural area with an hour to work and an hour back. It rains 6-8 months out of the year, so you only have summers which is crowded with tourist. I’m a Texas native and used to live in Vegas, so honestly, I’m over the constant drizzle. It can go on for weeks, never stopping, just cold rain. But I think kayaking and fishing will be great.
PomeloPepper@reddit
Move near your work for the first 6 months or year. You can explore from there, and balance your interests.
For me, I'm close to things i do frequently. If it's something I'll do once a week or month, I can live farther from that.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
NegotiationSalt666@reddit
You’re going to be so disappointed. The “nature” here is severely lacking.
secret-shot@reddit
I’m assuming by your question that you mean Dallas proper. As far as outdoor activities go, white rock lake is the best walking the city has to offer. I see people fish and kayak there as well! We have some audobon centers that are also really cool if you love to bird!
My hot take is that cedar hills nature preserve is just fine, but not amazing. Lake Texoma is a few hours away and pretty nice allegedly.
If you’re looking for traditional hiking with traditional trails, you’ll be disappointed.
Arboretum and the zoo are also really nice to do outside!
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I figured my partner wouldn’t like hiking but had been taking about kayaking. So those are great options! In all honesty, hiking has been limited here due to work, so part of me feels we wouldn’t miss it much if we moved. We also get limited when there’s fires and 6-7 months of the year because of rain. Summer is the only good time but again, fires, tourist, and work are barriers to doing much. I think kayaking will be the best thing we can do! I appreciate those suggestions.
No_Antelope_6822@reddit
If South of Dallas is ideal, Joe Pool Lake and the Cedar Hill Preserve is your best best in finding s place to hike, walk, kayaking and boating.
animalhappiness@reddit
Dallas itself is very poor for outdoor activities. If I were you, I would prioritize an affordable apartment in a nice walkable neighborhood so that you will enjoy where you live. Dallas has several "pockets" of pretty genuine neighborhoods, but between those is not great and the traffic sucks. For reference, I am mid 30s and pay $1600 for a one bed in Knox Henderson. It's nice and has been remodeled, but not new "faux luxury".
But I also love the outdoors and try to get out of town for that as much possible.
Hembalaya@reddit
Depends on where you’re looking to find a home. In general, it’s a good time to be a buyer or a renter, but some of the hot neighborhoods in Dallas proper are hard to get into.
For outdoor activities, there tends to be more to do south of Dallas than there is north of Dallas. With White Rock Lake, Cedar Hill State Park, Trinity River Audubon, and other parks in the south side of the metro, I’d recommend starting there. The hiking isn’t great, but it’s better than north where it’s all suburbs and prairie.
If you want to chat more or have any other questions, feel free to DM me! I’m a realtor in Dallas and love helping with relocations.
latinobombshell@reddit
Got you! If you want a real easy answer..
The housing market is really good right now for buyers. I’m easily negotiating builders covering all my clients closing cost and low interest rate rates starting in the 3% range.. with brand new homes. Builders can’t sell houses right now so they are dropping prices and offering crazy incentives.
Downtown Dallas is for a lot of of the people in finance, lots of expensive apartments,
south DFW, including Midlothian, Mansfield, and Waxahachie - semi affordable nice housing starting around 500k
North DFW Frisco, prosper Celina , Northlake flower mound - more expensive housing.
East DFW - Rockwall - affordable housing around that area except you’re gonna have a lot of traffic going back home
West DFW - more country. A lot of homes with land, but you also have a lot of communities.
Now there is affordable housing in all these locations, but some are better than others
If you need to see any of these homes check out my IG
Dfwrealtor.sal
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Thanks! We may do a short term rental first. We may need a big place with mother and law options since our move means relocating in-laws from Michigan too, so west may be the better option. We also have to sell our house here, so buying will depend on that too. We were going to refinance when I found out about transferring, so 2-3 months to move from WA to TX is added stress. I’ve relocated 2 times already, so I want to take my time buying the right place.
latinobombshell@reddit
Not to be mean, but this is a super generic question. If you want any help from people in DFW area, you will have to give a lot of context. The metroplex is made up of 13 counties. You’ll have to tell us where you’re going to work, do you need school districts for your kids…
Also, there are so many neighborhoods here. It’s almost impossible to tell you that this one is better than the other.
Asuna-Usagi@reddit (OP)
Well, I don’t have a specific area in mind since I still need to wait for my partner to get a job. No kids. So that’s not important to me. I commute an hour to work now as well. I only care about safety, dog parks, and outdoor activities for my partner. I thought about Lancaster area since it is close to the VA, but still run into the issue of finding a place until my partner finds work.