Hi Everybody!
I'm originally from Louisiana but moved to McKinney with my husband and now 4-year-old son in 2005. Since then, my husband and I divorced, my lease ran out, and I've been visiting a friend in Europe. I will be coming back to Texas on the 25th but since I have no home to come to, I find myself in a situation of having to locate a place to live from afar. Because I wish to move into Dallas (instead of McKinney), this is a little scary as I’m unfamiliar with the areas. I’m hoping that you all could offer some advice.
I would like to live close to my ex so that he can have more time with our son. He lives next to the Galleria but I find that neighborhood to be a bit pricey. So, I'm wondering if anybody knows of decent apartments or townhomes (clean, safe neighborhood, no rodents, look halfway decent, good schools) within a 10 minute drive to/from the Galleria, for $700 or less with space large enough for 2 people (my son and myself).
Having said all of that, my ideal situation would be to find another single mother with a child close in age to my son (4) who has 2 extra bedrooms or who is also looking for a place to live in the same area I am looking. I think finding someone like that would enable both of us to provide a home with more space and maybe even a yard to play in for our children. Not to mention the fact that we could work together to raise our children instead of doing it alone. I saw a website (www.co-abode.com) that is for single moms to meet each other for this very purpose but based on the login dates of people, it seems like attendance is pretty sporadic.
That’s it, in a nutshell. If you have any advice/suggestions/answers, please reply!
Have a great day!
A.
I agree with Paula. Look in Carrollton. (75006 or 75007) It's a nice city. There are great activities for kids through the rec center and it is close to everything. There are some great reasonably priced townhomes around too.
Hi A.,
Wow, I can't imagine trying to select a living situation from such a great distance! I wish you the best!
Carrollton is a good place to look. I know it's not very far from the Galleria, as we live in Carrollton (75007 - near the President George Bush Turnpike and I35E) and my husband works near the Galleria. It takes him about 15 minutes to get to work. However we live north of the PGBT, so if you look south of the turnpike, that should put you in the 10min range.
If you find something in Carrollton that you want someone to do a "drive by" on for you, let me know! I'd be happy to drive past an address or look at an apartment and give you my take on it.
Also, there are several "pay by the week" hotel type things around town, like Inn Town Suites (http://www.intownsuites.com/ - There's on in Carrollton/Addison that is $189/wk - http://www.intownsuites.com/detail_hotel.asp?id=3951). That might be a temporary option so that you could be back here looking, especially for a co-living situation. It would give you the opportunity to meet the other woman in person first. There is also a Suites of America in Addison (http://www.suitesofamerica.com/rates.htm, $199/wk).
I know that's kinda pricey, but it would be cheaper than a hotel and, like I said, would give you the ability to check things out here personally.
Please let me know if I can help. I grew up in the DFW area and know the area pretty well. Write me if you have questions about anything and I'll do my best to help!
P.
A.,
Hi, from a fellow Louisianian who never thought she'd be a Texan....
I live in Far North Dallas; Addison/Farmers Branch, where your ex lives, is 10 minutes away.
There are some very nice townhomes in my area, as well as apartments, and the prices are better.
Honestly, though, I am not familiar with the exact numbers.
The ZIP code is 75248; check out some apartment locator-types and ask them about that ZIP code.
The best elementary schools in the area are Brentfield and Bowie (assuming that you don't want to move when your DS goes to K in a year), but the elementary schools are all very good in this ZIP code. We moved to the area 4 years ago and based our choice on what was in the area and school ratings. We live in the Brentfield zone because of its rating and because we have excellent public park facilities within walking distance. There are a few homes for lease, but I bet they'd be far too big for just you two.
The apartments nearby are not far from the parks, though.
I hope you have an easy time finding a wonderful place.
Happy Mother's Day!
~K.
farthest north Dallas
A great realtor is K. Finigan. She works with Keller Williams, and her number is ###-###-####. She can help you out.
K. Prough
Hello!!
I am very sorry to hear about your divorce, but wow would I love to visit europe!!
The co-abode thing sounds like a wonderful idea but personally, I wouldn't choose to live with someone I met online (that is just MY personal opinion though!! I have had some nightmare people I have met online that fooled me for MONTHS!!!) Anyway, I too am very new to the area, we moved here in june 2006. But, I did want to mention that I live in Garland on the Richardson border (jupiter and arapaho area) and we absolutely LOVE it here!!! We have a house, but there are apts everywhere. It is a very nice area, have NEVER had a problem with crime, the schools are great, and there isn't anything we may need that we haven't found within about a 10 mile radius. We have super target, walmart, kroger, albertsons, tom thumb, minyards, Baylor hospital garland, the kids drs, dentist, opthamologist, counselor, and my eldest sons therapist within 15 mins of the house (WITH TRAFFIC!!) LOL :)...none of these things are anywhere near central!!!! Garland ISD is an open school district so your school options are not limited to where you live...and most importantly...we go to the galleria mall all the time...it isn't far away from here at all...just down 635 :)
I know if I were looking for a place to live alone with kids...it would be this area, you couldn't pay me to live anywhere near downtown dallas with my husband, much less alone!!! And well, Dallas ISD hasn't been getting much good press lately and a friend of mine that works for Grand Prairie ISD told us when we moved up here that no matter where we ended up, do NOT end up in Dallas ISD with our children...my kids currently attend Spring Creek ISD, but my eldest will be starting at Webb Middle School next year...**sniff sniff**
That is about all I can say!!! I would be glad to go take a looksee at some of the apts around here if you sent me an address etc. The kids love to take road trips :) I could be your eyes and ears until you get here!!! Would love to get to know you more if you end up in these parts!!!
Hope this helps!!
hugs and the brightest of blessings
H.
Look at rentclicks.com or rent.com and do some research online!
A.,
We live in North Dallas, about 5 minutes away from the galleria. I don't know what price range you are looking in, but we live in between Forest, Marsh, Webb Chapel & Royal Ln. These homes are older, from the 50's and 60's. Most if not all of the homes in this area have foundation damage, you will be hard pressed to find a home that does not. Houses go up in price once you go East of Marsh, towards Midway, Inwood, etc. Let me know if you need anymore help - there are also some decent sized homes in tbis area for rent as well. -JM
