Moving to Dallas: OT

[phxtlc]

Got a job offer and will be relocating to dallas, the job will be at the Tollway and the LBJ. Of course I'll be looking for someplace to live on a temp basis before the whole family moves out with me. I have a few questions I could use some help with.

1. Is there any area in the Far North Dallas / West Plano / Addison area to avoid?

2. I saw the Post property at Addison Circle, are there other similar ones that are part of a multi-use center?

3. What are some typical driving times up and down the tollway? From Plano, from Frisco?

Any other info would be great. Thanks for the help!

(Also posted on Mud)

 

[JasonH]

Cool - welcome to Texas! I haven't lived in those specific areas so I won't be much help with picking a neighborhood. Traffic seems to move pretty well on the tollway (we still say The Tollway when referring to Dallas North Tollway even though there are several tollways now). Frisco to Plano is only a couple more miles so commute between the two will be similar. Someone will probably tell me I'm high, but I'd guess the commute from Frisco to LBJ during rush hour to be around 30-40 minutes. 20 with light traffic.

I used to live in east Plano. West Plano tends to be pretty high end (huge homes, lots of Mercedes, expensive shopping, etc.) If that's you then kudos! It is a nice area. Very suburban and not too interesting. If you have kids in school, then look at the school districts. Opinions will vary wildly on which ones are good and bad.

I'm in McKinney, which I love, and the tollway also extends to.

 

[BigSur]

Richardson is a badass place to live. About 10 minutes from where you'll be working. I live in richardson and i work at Preston and LBJ which is one exit before the tollway

Welcome.

 

[wardfoto]

And at Campbell and 75 is a mixed use complex. Very close to 190, which is a straight shot over to the tollway, and then down to 635. Richardson, as well, just to clarify.
Addison will be tons closer, though. Howeer, Richardson might be a good place to look for houses... close, and great schools. well, as great as any public school can be, I suppose....

 

[spaldam]

I lived in the Norther Dallas Area for about 6 months, not far from Addison. It looked like a nice apartment, but the first night I was there, my car got broken into. I never felt comfortable living there after that. Not to mention that there were two incidences when the news reported on people being found dead in their apartments not far from mine (I think one of them was in the next complex over). It was near 190 and Marsh Ln, off Timberglen Rd. (I think that's how it's spelled), so I'd avoid that area.

The North Tollway from Frisco to Addison is always backed up in the mornings (unless you come in before 6am or after 9am). I know someone who did that commute for a while, and it constantly took him an hour in stop and go traffic.

Other then that I hear Richardson is a good place. Most of Plano is typically considered a good place to live too, but can be a bit more expensive then Richardson from what I've seen. I'm in Wylie myself (right next to Sachse), and work in Addison right off the tollway and Keller Springs (just north of I-635). My commute is a 35-40 minute drive straight down Campbell Rd. most of the way, and while traffic can get a bit heavy at times, it's moves along, unless I'm stopped at a light.

 

[phxtlc]

I lived in the Norther Dallas Area for about 6 months, not far from Addison. It looked like a nice apartment, but the first night I was there, my car got broken into. I never felt comfortable living there after that. Not to mention that there were two incidences when the news reported on people being found dead in their apartments not far from mine (I think one of them was in the next complex over). It was near 190 and Marsh Ln, off Timberglen Rd. (I think that's how it's spelled), so I'd avoid that area.

The North Tollway from Frisco to Addison is always backed up in the mornings (unless you come in before 6am or after 9am). I know someone who did that commute for a while, and it constantly took him an hour in stop and go traffic.

Other then that I hear Richardson is a good place. Most of Plano is typically considered a good place to live too, but can be a bit more expensive then Richardson from what I've seen. I'm in Wylie myself (right next to Sachse), and work in Addison right off the tollway and Keller Springs (just north of I-635). My commute is a 35-40 minute drive straight down Campbell Rd. most of the way, and while traffic can get a bit heavy at times, it's moves along, unless I'm stopped at a light.

Thanks, your wouldn't remember the names of those apartments?

 

[Panzer]

Wow, PHX to DFW get ready for the green. and the humidity
But best of all the LSLC is a great group of folks to spend time with
Welcome to Tejas.
CAS

 

[spaldam]

Thanks, your wouldn't remember the names of those apartments?

Something like Villas of Timberglen, or something like that, but there's about five other appartement complexes all down that same road as well that I have no idea about for their names; and don't forget about the Walmart around the corner...

 

[phxtlc]

Wow, PHX to DFW get ready for the green. and the humidity
But best of all the LSLC is a great group of folks to spend time with
Welcome to Tejas.
CAS

Thanks, When I get settled I'll set up the membership. Hopefully I can find enough places to keep dirt under the wheels around DFW. The abundance of places out here in AZ will be one thing I'll surely miss.

Oh, and I have many years of life in Atlanta under my belt so the green and the humidity is in the blood a bit already Not that I'm looking forward to sweating again.

 

[Panzer]

Hopefully I can find enough places to keep dirt under the wheels around DFW. The abundance of places out here in AZ will be one thing I'll surely miss.

I feel your pain. I lived in NOAZ and ABQ before moving to DFW. Big change from being 30mins from public lands to 3 hours from private access. We make due with better company and more .

 

[phxtlc]

I feel your pain. I lived in NOAZ and ABQ before moving to DFW. Big change from being 30mins from public lands to 3 hours from private access. We make due with better company and more .

So are there any public lands in the area? Oklahoma and Louisianna? Sharing the off road parks with 12,000 people doesn't sound like "getting away".

 

[Panzer]

It really depends on your "type" of wheeling.
If your a "Hammers" kind of wheeler then plan on parks. Lots of good ones within 3 hrs road time.
If your a cruise and camp type (like me) then it is a little tougher.
Texas has next to zero public land (for wheeling on anyway)

Oklahoma has a fair bit of land, public/private mix managed under Oklahoma Wildlife Management, aka fish and game. Most of the Oklahoma land is in the SE part of the state near Clayton.

The SE Oklahoma/Western Arkansas area is good for camping with mostly light wheeling although there are occasional "obstacles". There are usually 2-3 trips up into this area from either LSLC or TTR wheelers each year of varying levels of difficulty.

The club is also in involved in 2 wheeling events annually at BMRA, Barnwell Mountain Rec Area (off road park) about 2 hours northeast of Dallas. TTR's Toyota Jamboree in January and the LSLC ICBM in October.

The don't miss it or you'll kick yourself event is the LSLC round up held in Katemcy Texas, about 5 hours southwest of DFW, this is a private park. New location this year but it reallly doesnt matter, the fellowship is good enough that we could hold it in the Costco parking lot and you would have a good time.

My personal favorite unofficial run is the TX2CO trip in the first part of August. 1+ weeks of wheeling around SW colorado. Expedition style run.
I hope that helps ease your outdoor withdrawls in the urban wilds of tejas.
CAS

 

[Bob_Garrett]

My wife and I lived in an apartment at the Post Properties in Addison until November, when we bought a house in Valley Ranch.

Pros:
Well constructed
Very low utility costs
Excellent maintenance
Low crime
Nice parks
outdoor concerts and movies within a few blocks
Nice apartments
Pet friendly

Cons:
Can be noisy on the weekends (seems like you're in a college dorm sometimes)
Long walk to your car (depends on which building you are in)
Poor to non-existent cell coverage (especially in the buildings with stucco exteriors)
Lots of trees sap and bird crap on your car if you park on the street under the trees
Minimum lease is 1 year
Restaurants and shops in the area (within walking distance) tend to be pricey.

If you have kids of school age, Addison does not have a school district. I believe that it is served by the Dallas school district.