Far North Dallas

North Dallas is known for its ample job market and in a way it is kind of a mecca for the technology industry.  Ericson, Texas Instruments, Nortel, and Tektronics are just a few of the many companies who are housed in or around this area so it is no surprise that a lot of the people who work in these companies decide to reside here as well.  You can find a lot of carreer oriented individuals and families in North Dallas and more often than not they have been brought to this area because of their jobs.  Cultural diversity is prominent in this area but most people are busy and tend to keep to themselves.  It is not uncommon for neighbors to go days without seeing each other because of the rushed pace of life that the individuals in this area seem to keep. Networking and socialization of the residents is usually dictated by personal interest rather than location.

The Social scene of North Dallas targets middle to high income individuals.  There are strip malls and commercial plazas all around this area and you can find just about any type of atmosphere or club you desire if you just set your mind to it.  As I mentioned before the people of this area reside here because of their jobs and commuting to different areas for entertainment is very common.  Some of the favorite places that club goers frequent are probably found in Addison which is just a short drive away.

The rental rates in this area are a little bit higher than if you were to choose another area farther north.  People rationalize the price based on the time they save getting to and from work. The extra miles really make a difference duirng the dreaded rush hour traffic (between 7 -9 a.m. and 4:30-6:00 p.m).  This area is also more predictable and consistent regarding safety than areas in Central and downtown Dallas where you can go from being in a safe neighborhood to a not so safe neighborhood from one block to the next. so comparably if you are a working professional who doesn't mind the rushed, impersonal style of living of Far North Dallas this area would probably be one of your best options.

Transportation and parking in the Far North Dallas area varies from spot to spot and depends largely on the time of day.   Weekends and evenings are usually pretty busy no matter where you go and finding parking at the shopping centers, grocerie stores and malls during peak hours can be somewhat of a headache.  I venture to say that you won't find much foot traffic in this area and everyone seems to own at least two cars.  Most people who live here spend a lot of time in their cars and although DART provides services around this area few of them take advantage of the rail system unless they are using it to go to work.  The rail system runs along HWY 75 so if you wanted to use it you would probably travel to one of the many park and ride stations that the DART has built for this purpose.

There are many apartment and townhome places around this area.  I would suggest you look long and hard at all your options because with so many places to chose from you are more than likely going to find exactly what you are looking for.  Most places are in fierce competition because lack of housing is not a problem in this area so don't be afraid to have high expectations.  There are a lot of single professionals and students in the area so if it is your style you probably won't have any probelm finding a room or house mate.  The craigslist community in North Dallas is very active and reliable so this would be a good place to look for potential housing options.  If you work in the area don't be afraid to sign a long term lease because finding someone to sublease your space is usually not a problem.

I would venture to say that most of the working professionals of Far North Dallas are more likely to have pets than children (Families usually tend to gravitate northward).  As long as you make sure that your four legged friend has adequate space in your home while you are away and you are good about taking him to the park or even for just a walk around your complex,  I know that they will be very happy and well adjusted.  If leaving your pet is not an option for you, there are even doggie day cares in and around the area, and you are sure to find many stores that are set up specifically for your fur babies.

Shopping and Dining are probably the activity of choice for those of us who live in North Dallas.  There are so many stores, malls and shopping centers that eventhough I have lived in the area for several years, I haven't even come close to visiting half of them.  The parks and green areas that are set up in and around Far North Dallas are nice and they provided many activities for the outdoorsy type.  Several Lakes can be found within a reasonable distance so that is also an option for those of us who don't like the fact that we appear to be landlocked.  Since Far North Dallas is litterally right between the city and the suburbs you have the best of both worlds.  Local Recreation Centers organize sports leagues, classes and such for the residents . I'm sure that if you are not one of the typical workaholics that live in the area you can find plenty of things to do that will occupy your time.

The areas around Far North Dallas are all worthy of exploration.  Among my favorites are Galityn Pkwy, North Park Mall, and the area around Willow Bend.  If you venture a little farther South you can explore the downtown Dallas area and all that it is known for. If you drive Northeast you will find yourself among open fields and green spaces that will make you feel like you're in the country. 

You can find banks, grocery stores and everything else you can think of within a few miles of where ever you decide to reside.  Starbucks was very close to actually building a store on every corner here in North Dallas and when I think about it the same is true for most other businesses.  So you won't have to worry about finding the essentials, the only thing you might have trouble with is making up your mind on which business to use.

As previously mentioned most people with families tend to gravitate further North into Plano, Allen or McKinney.  However you can find some families who reside in this area and most are happy with the ammenities and schools that their children attend.  Along with the acclaimed Plano School District this area is also close to many private schools, and has a great support system for home schoolers so again the choices are literally endless when it comes to the education of your children.