Want to move in town (suggestions/help needed)

[smontgomery]

Hey all, I've finally convinced the missus that we need to move in town (uptown/downtown), and out of the cultural void known as Plano. I saw some lofts and houses advertised that were pretty sweet, but my question is: can anyone point me in the right direction as far as who to contact, what devleopments (townhouses/lofts) are better than others, and what issues are unique to downtown Dallas (crime, etc.)? Other than five years in the Army, I've lived my entire life in Boston and DC, so I'm quickly catching on, but any help is appreciated. I figured you guys would be the best ones to ask.

[GarrettCarey]

This may be a start. I do not know what you are looking for or your price range.

- www.1999mckinney.com/ (http://www.1999mckinney.com/)
- www.dallaslofts.com/ (http://www.dallaslofts.com/)
- www.urbanliving2000.com/dallas.htm (http://www.urbanliving2000.com/dallas.htm)
- www.grenadiergroup.com/mainmenu.html (http://www.grenadiergroup.com/mainmenu.html)
- www.intowncustombuilders.com/ (http://www.intowncustombuilders.com/)

I am sure there are many others as well. I hope this helps.

[smontgomery]

Thanks for your help. That definitely put me in the right direction. Another question, however: how safe is the eastern area bordering downtown? I've heard some bad things about Deep Ellum, and some other spots in that vicinity. Am I just being paranoid?

[GarrettCarey]

You don't need a reason to be paranoid.
I do not have stats on that area, but i can tell you my thoughts. It is getting nicer. Apartment and townhome projects are thriving in the area. It is close to Baylor hospital.
and obviously close to Deep Ellum. The biggest problem would be Deep Ellum traffic or rowdy drunks on the weekends.......You guys should hang out in the area some afternoon/evening to see if it is the type of environment you would enjoy being close to.

[GarrettCarey]

hey smontgomery....
did you ever find a place intown?

[smontgomery]

Nah, I'm still looking. I went to CITYHOMES and a couple of places but I think that I might be better off staying a little further out and getting more bang for my buck (square footage, quality of schools, etc.) . Not only that, but I'm starting to wonder whether the pretentiousness of Dallas and the total lack of intellectual stimulation and diversity won't send me packing to go back to the East Coast or Europe in a few years. Don't get me wrong, I really do like this place, but from a educated minority's perspective, this place needs work. Peace.

[Columbus Civil]

There's always Houston.

[GarrettCarey]

LOL...funny columbus civil....tell me more...or i can just wait for eggo to tell me!

[Lance Atomic]

smontgomery has made an excellent point....dallas is a cultural pit. This city doesnt have an "Chinatown" or a "Little Italy". Theres no real archetectural masterpieces,no downtown parks,no little neighborhood groceries in the heart of the city..Dont even get me started on what this city calls an "arts district".

I will admit, people are moving back into the city core. They have gotten tired of the traffic coming and going to the suburbs and the ever-growing rates of crime,call it a reverse "white flight" if you will...They want the ability to either hop a train or ride their bike to work everyday, they want the ability to be close to the action.

Downtown Dallas is on its way to becoming a 24/7 area. But,its going to take more people and more commercial business making a commitment and moving downtown to make it happen.

[UrbanLandscape]

Of course, if you want to help it along, you can move there and be an "urban pioneer". If I had the freedom to do it, I would. Screw the schools; I don't want kids, even if I ever get married. I want the urban life. The suburbs have me right by the throat, choking the life out of me. Someday, I'll have the opportunity. Someday, and I encourage you to take it, if you can. And hey, crime? I feel safer in Harlem at night than I do on my own street in the suburbs at night. No kidding. And yeah, if you stick around, you will be a part of that cultural turnaround. Just give it time. It's bound to happen.

[bloodandpopcorn]

Well, technically, we do have a Chinatown - it's just not offical or very notable. And it's in Richardson. But they've got a bunch of good restaurants and the grocery store has just about everything.

[UrbanLandscape]

Exactly! My friend Ming has extreme Asian pride, and trust me, he makes everyone aware of this! Yeah, funny thing is, it's just across Central from "Little Subcontinent", as I call it, with Indians and Pakistanis heavily involved. And I know, we don't have a "Little Mexico"...just one big one! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)">

See? We're...diverse...

[paulsukhudallasmetroplis]

Another option for intown. They seem to be doing very well.

www.perryhomes.com/invent...munity=257 (http://www.perryhomes.com/inventory/results.asp?community=257)

In 2010, people will be saying, "I wish I had bought somewhere intown eight years ago"

[UrbanLandscape]

They certainly will!

Hey, if you have to, Richardson's a good place to be.

Not compared to urbanity, though!

[Columbus Civil]

Does Oaklawn count as cultural?

[TamTagon]

not if you're rasied in garland

[UrbanLandscape]

Ha ha!

[bluesbaby]

OK,

Maybe it is just me, but I feel poor. I thought me and my husband were doing ok.....but you guys are posting lofts and townhomes that are well over a quarter of a million dollars, since you guys have money like that, I want to do what you guys do so I can make tons of dough too. I thought we were in the big bucks, now we are poor little peons

::pouting::


Oh by the way, I am bluesbaby from gasp Allen and currently residing in ::double gasp:: Plano. TO make it even worse I am moving to ::triple gasp Wylie:: but I am deciding whether or not to get my masters in Urban Planning (my undergrad is public administration)

[freewaytincan]

Why would you want to live there?!

Just curious...

[bluesbaby]

it is more affordable, I bought a 3500 square foot home for a great price, where I wouldn't feel like I was struggling to keep a float. I looked at buying in Dallas and since me and my husband work in Plano it is a bit closer and convenient to downtown.

We looked at moving to Oak Cliff, the M Streets, Downtown, and Fair Park, but even in some of the seedy areas the pricing of the homes was crazy. I am sorry I can't see spending $200K-$300K on a 1300 square foot house with antiquated plumbing that will cost thousands more to repair, as well as the tons of other repairs that will come with buying an older home. and then on top of that if I ever plan to have kids I don't want to have to put them in private school just to ensure they get a basic education. I come from three generations of teachers who have taught in DISD and even though I crave diversity, those schools are severely lacking.

Not to mention my husband isn't crazy about moving to downtown at all. The only reason we moved to eastside village was it was a compromise between city living and suburbia.

[freewaytincan]

You live in Eastside, then? Well! That puts a whole new light on it! A tip from many friends...don't move to Wylie. It is not what it seems!

[bluesbaby]

Why do you say that? What is it like?

[tamtagon]

Wylie is a great name for a town, almost as good as Sachse.
That part of the county is smack dab in the middle of ole boy country. People in Dallas make fun of the country folk in Garland, who then make fun of country folk from Wylie.

It's close to two big lakes and is still countrified. Buying a house there is probably a great investment. The population of the area will is destined to increase. It's just a matter of how fast and how much. I'm sure you know that. The small town will disappear only to be replaced by home equity.

It's pretty out that way, too.

[gc]

I don't know much about Wylie, but welcome to the forum bluesbaby.

[freewaytincan]

That's going on my experiences, as well as those of friends, whose opinions I value.

[bluesbaby]

Thanks for the welcome.

I understand all too well about being countrified. I was born in Beaumont, lived in the "suburbs" of Waco, lived in Paris...........Texas, and spent my high school years in Allen living next to a corn field. I promise you though I have never ever seen anyone ree enact the Ned Beatty scene in Deliverance :)

I am a country bumpkin, but rest assured like Allen and Plano Wylie will merge into the big city in no time.

So far the demographics indicate it. It isn't the people who lived in Wylie 10 years ago making the population grow, it is all of us sad folk who think moving there will put us in a country setting :) For the time being yes, but there are already plans to expand 78 and to put up a brand new Home Depot. I am sure there will be way more to come.

[Horn96]

I am about to tie the knot and we have been having the discussion about where to buy a home. Right off we are going to live in the Grand Treviso in Las Colinas. I know it is not in the middle of town, but it is just about the most central area of town you can live in.

As for homebuying, I would love to live in Lakewood or the M Streets but like it has been said, the cost is not really justified when you consider what you are getting. I hate the suburbs as much as the next guy but the value (in terms of home ownership) is unquestioned.

I may be stuck in Plano, Frisco or somesuch although I have a feeling we may be able to live as close as we can in Coppell or the Las Colinas/Valley Ranch area....which I can live with. Funny how the reality of marraige, starting a family, etc. changes your perspective.

Regardless of where I end up living, I will continue to support a strong downtown that will be the first place that comes to mind when we want to shop, go out to eat, entertain out of town guests, etc.

[Columbus Civil]

I'd also love to buy a house in town, but there is no way I can afford it. I'm currently renting in an area I like, but I really want a house. I doubt I will be able to buy anything decent in Dallas.

[freewaytincan]

It doesn't have to be expensive! Just ask some of the guys here! What, about $800 a month in uptown? That's a great deal right there!

[Horn96]

I actually live in a loft in Exposition Park right now. I've lived here for three years and have loved it. It's the best deal you'll find at only $750/month. If any of you are interested check out:

www.the gibsonco.com

Now, like I said before...purchasing a home around here is another story.

[Columbus Civil]

Yeah, rental prices are very reasonable. I'm paying $650/month in Uptown (with a great view of downtown). But as far as buying goes, the price per square foot in Dallas is almost 3 times what it is in the burbs...even the not-so-nice houses.

[downtownbum]

i feel you, and i fear that before too long some girl will talk me into getting married and i will find myself in coppell (which i could probably live with) or frisco (which i could not.) oh well.
but i really think that just like there are $2500/month lofts and $600/month lofts there are houses in a variety of price ranges.
if you said something like you had to be in a nice neighborhood within 1.5 miles of a light rail station, you can find that. the lake highlands area (north of northwest hwy, east of 75, south of 635) has a lot of nice neighborhoods that are priced comparable to the suburbs, and only about 15-20 minutes to downtown in the worst rush hour traffic. not the same urban feel of state-thomas or quite as upscale as HP or lakewood, but for the price it is a nice part of town to be in. if anyone is really interested, start by checking out the neighborhood on the NE corner of greenville and royal.
(btw i am from garland originally, though most of the people i grew up with are either in dallas or away at school. about a month ago i was at the stars game with some guys from g-town, and a chick asked my bud if he was from the country, he said garland, she said yeah that is the country....)
and as far as names of texas towns, you can't do better than gun barrel city.