Any Allen Texas FSJeepers?

[The PIG Smith]

I have been given a tentative offer for a job and am considering relocating my family to Allen, Texas.

I was hoping to get a shout out and maybe some pointers, tips, advice about moving from the Rust Belt to Texas.

[fulsizjeep]

You will surely find FSJ parts that are not swiss cheese in Texas Bryan. I wish you the best in your journey my friend.

[fenix687]

there are several of us in the DFW area, i am down in irving. always nice to have more fsjers around.

[sealegs]

I'm in the DFW area.
More than happy to fill you in on any details you would like.
I have been in the area for 10+ years. I'm a Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley Yankee from the Chi town area so I know the rust belt well also.

Feel free to PM me. I just purchased a company so I'm not on every day as work is keeping my busy.

[Mike W]

I'm nearby in McKinney. Allen has a new Cabella's. Every time I visit there my wallet gets thinner and lighter.

[The PIG Smith]

REQUEST: Keep an eye out for a cheap place for me to stay.

My family for now is staying in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I have teenagers in High School that I do not want to pull them out, break relationships and drag across the country.
They will move later, after I get settled, see if I will like this job and if they will like me.

So, I can not afford an $800 apartment while maintaining a household in Indiana.
I will start calling around to see if I can find a hotel with a month rate cheaper than an apartment.

I would appreciate any assistance that is offered.

[Mike W]

Not sure about your neck of the woods. But around here the cheapest weekly hotel rentals are typically in the $175-210 range. This will usually be Budget Suites and other extend stay specialty hotels. This puts you in the $700+ range. I would think they may be a little cheaper for a monthly rate though. Of course you could get a small apartment for this price. The difference is you don't have any utility bills in a hotel. So a hotel will still be cheaper in the long run, and you don't have to sign a lease.

I-75 runs through the middle of Allen, with Mckinney and Fairview to the north and Plano and Richardson to the south. I-75 is a fairly busy highway during the morning and evening rush hours. But what highway in the city is not anymore. But one wreck and it can back up for miles. Any one of the cities above will keep you close to Allen. You could go further, but that would just increase your drive time and gas bill.

[janie]

Bryan,

Mike pretty much nailed it. Apartments here are high. 1 bedroom typically starts at around $650.00 + your utilities.

Definitely look into one of the budget suites. Aside from not having water/electric bill's to pay you'll have maid service to boot.

Hope your ready for our blistering summers. I love triple digit heat, but you'll need to give yourself some time to get acclimated.

I'm not here much, but you know how to get ahold of me.

[Mike W]

If you own or have access to a camper or travel trailer, you could stay just stay at a local campground. This would probably be the cheapest route. Not sure about private campgrounds, but all of the state ones have a length limit. Somewhere in the area of 20+ consecutive day's in a row. In that case you just rotate between two that you like every month or so. Let us know if you have any other questions. I don't mind doing a little leg work if you need it.

[The PIG Smith]

If you own or have access to a camper or travel trailer, you could stay just stay at a local campground. This would probably be the cheapest route. Not sure about private campgrounds, but all of the state ones have a length limit. Somewhere in the area of 20+ consecutive day's in a row. In that case you just rotate between two that you like every month or so. Let us know if you have any other questions. I don't mind doing a little leg work if you need it.

Thank all of you for your kinda comments and support during this stressful transition

Mike, I have given a RV a lot of thought, for I had an uncle live in a small RV in Florida for almost a year as he worked.
I do not own a camper, but I see where I can pick one up for cheap (especially here in the Indiana winter)
I have not looked close enough yet for a camp ground, but the first thing popped up in Google was Collin Park Marina
I might need to study on this RV/Campground idea some more.

[jakewagon11]

North Texas

Plenty of us FSJ'ers in North Texas...good luck in your travels

[The PIG Smith]

UPDATE

I found a small 1BR apartment at Gables of McKinney located at 1500 W Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, Texas.
Not a cheap as I would have liked, but I think I can live with it.
Anything closer to work is way more expensive and places that are further away from work are not that much cheaper, but gas being $4ish per gallon, I would spend way more in fuel.

Looks as if I will be in Texas the week of April 15.

If you fellows have a Wrench-O-Thon, please invite me as I gonna be a stranger in a foreign land for a while.

[Mike W]

Congrats. You will be only 4.6 miles from my house. Let me know if you need anything. Be happy to lend a hand when needed.

[DotJumper]

Did you make it down? If so, welcome to Texas!

[Mike W]

Bryan did not make it down. He landed a job in Indiana