TOP FIVE SKETCH AREAS OF DALLAS
Any area SOUTH of I-30 (south of downtown)
There’s just not much to say about this other than avoid it! Anything south of downtown is just super sketch. This is not where any professionals we have helped live! There are new buildings that are pretty there, but safety wise it’s just not worth it yet to consider this area. AVOID!
DEEP ELLUM
It’s a shame that this area is on my list. Because this was once a pretty incredible area. It still has a lot of trendy restaurants and night spots too. And it was always a bit sketch, but still tolerable (like maybe some blocks of Northgate in College Station!). But unfortunately, this area has recently become a crime zone! Even the shop owners are complaining about it. That’s too bad because it really has a few newly built apartments and high rises that are good deals. But when you consider the safety issues, this is not an area to seriously consider. Simply do a google search on Deep Ellum crime and see all of the many recent news articles about this sketchy area. Read in particular from the Dallas Morning News. AVOID!
Areas WEST of the Tollway near Uptown Dallas
Aggies and grads in general are always tempted to check this area out because it’s CLOSE to great areas like Uptown, etc. They want to save money and they can if they live here. And yes, there are some good looking, recently built apartments with great prices…and the websites make them look even better. But if you were to come in person and see like I do, you will see a great looking building SURROUNDED BY SKETCH! Sketch businesses and sketch individuals walking around. Might want to check the crime reports here…and then you will know exactly what I’m saying. AVOID!
FARMERS BRANCH
This area has plenty of newer apartments! But also plenty of SKETCH living! It’s too bad because the area is also pretty convenient to many Dallas employers and to the airport! But the lack of safety of this area makes it not worth considering…especially when there are better areas nearby with better safety records and similar rental prices. This area is a definite AVOID!
DOWNTOWN DALLAS – Some parts of it !
Some parts of Downtown are actually pretty cool. I don’t want to put a blanket statement of the entire Downtown is a sketch place. But there is no question that some parts are a huge AVOID! The specific areas I would avoid include: Farmers Market (east) and West End (west part). That’s pretty much the bordering areas of Downtown. Other areas require careful research. The mid section of Downtown is sometimes an Ok option. But if you have a choice between this area and other areas, I would look carefully at other areas! AVOID!
Another note for upcoming grads: In other cities, their downtowns are the cool place to be. Austin is an example. But unfortunately, Downtown Dallas is not the cool area to be, and that’s just the truth. The cool area in Dallas for new is UPTOWN.
For further ideas: Read the article I wrote about best areas of Dallas to consider! 🙂