Ducati Monster Forum

Hey DFW crew.

There is a pretty good possibility that I am headed your way in the next few months.

Likely taking a job in Plano.

Will be looking for some advice on housing options (prefer urban over suburban), places to go, things to see, restaurants, etc.

And of course, riding.

Will let you know more as this deal unfolds - likely in the next week or so.

Job market is still pretty strong here in north Texas... but the housing market is as well.  Toyota is building their US headquarters in Plano, and the Cowgirls are almost finished with their new practice facility in Frisco... so housing is booming, again.  Depends on what part of Plano you want/need to live in, I normally suggest Frisco/McKinney, but there are other options like Allen, Lucas, Fairview and some others.  Not saying Plano is bad, but the demographics have changed some in the last 10 years.

Housing is indeed expensive right now, especially in Frisco, Allen, Plano and McKinney.  From the looks of it there is more than plenty apartments but I'm sure the prices on those is also pretty high.  I know Denver is also booming so it wont be much of a stretch if you own something there and sell to move into a comparable house here in DFW.  Right now many of us are hiding from the weather but we do stretch our legs early mornings from time to time plus this rain killed our Spring riding season.  Let us know and good luck.

I'm definitely planning on renting for 6 months or so, until I can figure out where I want to be.

Not a fan of suburbs, so I'd probably be looking in the city initially.

Yeah, I know that Toyota is moving there.  That'd be why I am.

The burbs here are not anything like Denver area so keep that in mind.  The cities I mentioned have just about everything you need and trust me you don't want to crawl up I75 or Tollway for work in Plano.  Our traffic is just like I25 or better yet that miserable stretch from the airport to downtown, rush hour time.

We've got a train now.  [thumbsup]

I should know more this week.

IMO, 'burbs are 'burbs - there's a reason I live in an old neighborhood in Denver and have money down on a condo in the River North neighborhood here.  But that's also the reason why I wouldn't be buying right away.

Train?  I'm up and down the slope for that to be effective.  [cheeky]

I still haven't heard anything definitive.

Lots of chatter, but no substance to back any of it up yet.

 [bang]

go figure, it's always hurry up and wait. 

Still circling the airport.

 [bang] [bang] [bang]

Well we'll be here if you ever make it!

Mark

I wont tell you my waiting at airports but needless to say if I was an airport employee I'd be a millionaire.

Apparently, this thread may have jinxed everything.

Seems like the deal is on permahold at the moment.

that sucks.  Just returned from  the Springs myself and got drenched every day for 5 days.

Clearly nothing has happened yet.

 [bang] [bang] [bang]corporate HR [bang] [bang] [bang]

I'm still looking...

Good heavens, man! :o

who do I need to harass week after next when I'm in Denver?

It's either the folks in Plano or Torrance, CA.

When are you up here?

February 1.....dinner? PM me.

Done.

Not sure what kind of a sign this is, but I'm headed down that way for a second interview on Wednesday, April 5.

Coming in on Tuesday late afternoon.

Spending the night out by Plano.

Well darn, I'm the next town North of Plano but I am leaving town for 2 weeks this afternoon!

Good luck with the interview!

Mark

I'll be in town. Sorry about Denver but I went to Breck instead on business.  I'll PM you my number now.

I probably won't have much play time, as I'll want to be semi-coherent for the interview on Wednesday.  ;)

I also had a phone interview that went well on another position this past Friday.

Something has got to give, eventually!

How'd it go?

I thought it went well.

Didn't get the nod, however.

This might actually happen in the very near future!

More details to come next week.

Good luck!

Mark

Officially official.

An offer was presented and accepted.

I become an employee at Toyota's new HQ in Plano on July 10.

Oddly, I'll be traveling to Torrance, CA to start my new gig that day (for training purposes).

At some point over the next 60 days, I hope to be a resident of the DFW area.

Congrats!  It's quite a complex they have over there...

Congratulations! Keep us posted for a meet-up once you get here and get settled a bit. There isn't much life on this board but a few check it regularly; we just need a good reason to get together!

Mark

 [thumbsup]

congrats!  stay there until after August to avoid melting but once you get here let us know and we will do some rides.

once the heat becomes tolerable we shall make an Ozark Mountain run, 3 days maybe 4.  Could you swing that with your new gig?  Mhanis is too chicken shit to go but I'll bet Jason will and maybe we can scrounge a few others.

Why poke a sleeping giant?  ;D

I may be on a 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off), but not sure yet.

Once I get settled in, I'll have a better idea. 

I also have to burn a few vacation days between now & December to avoid losing time.

Anyone know about this place?  Put a set of eyes on it this week or next?

http://www.pegasusresidential.com/radius-at-turtle-creek-dallas-tx/

Just be aware, when you get down in the urban jungle like that place is, make sure you are looking at the entire neighborhood for a few blocks around, and because Dallas has a heavy 'night life' scene, I would go down on a Friday or Saturday night and see what you think before making a commitment.

I currently live in an urban setting, with a condo currently under construction closer to downtown Denver. 

I'm not worried about the "urban jungle"...my neighborhood has sounded like little Baghdad with all of the fireworks going off.

My plan is to live close to Dallas for first 6-9 months until I get a better feel for the area.  I can tell you that I'm not planning on living in the northern suburbs near the office in Plano.

Well... that's not really where I was going with it, but you will see.

You want to live in Plano, you have to fight all the new Toyota people for housing!  There are other areas besides Plano, just depends on what you want.  Because of what I do for a living, I'm pretty familiar with the entire McKinney/Frisco/Plano/Allen area.

ok no worries.

as for living, to which part of town are you commuiing and how often?

The office is in Plano, on Headquarters Drive, between Legacy and Spring Creek (directly south of SRT).

I'm staying in Addison this week and the drive up Midway Road has been very favorable.

I was going to suggest Addison but you may also look at the shops of legacy area.  Good food, bars and some good people watching and from what I've seen the majority are well into their thirties. If you free up some time this coming weekend we can toss a beer or two.

Thoughts on downtown Plano (15th & J/K Street)?

Keep in mind, I'm planning on renting initially and then purchasing after I get a better feel for the area.

My wife and I really like downtown Plano, plenty there to keep you entertained for a while. As a long time married father of 2 I have no input on the living/renting conditions there other than to say everything looks nice from the outside!

And you'd be a stones throw from one of the Duc dealers in the area if that matters to you.

I'd be game for a meetup this weekend as I am a bachelor Friday and Saturday.

Mark

I flew back to Denver this morning.

Planning on renting an apartment in Plano at DNT & Parker Road for a while as I figure out where I want to land longer term.

On the upside, I saw a 1299 Panigale in the parking garage yesterday.

Looks like I'll have a pal in the office!

funny, I just flew back from Denver last night.  When you return feel free to pm your number.  Downtown Plano is nice and not a bad choice until you gather your bearings on your preferred area.  As for dealers, I suggest using only AMS Ducati Dallas.  Mark likes the Plano dealer but many of can attest they like the Beemer crowd and treat Ducati as second class and make you wait, wait, wait and wait some more.  IMO, no distance is too far to get top quality service and the guys at AMS will leave you impressed - drop my name and maybe you'll get free harassment included  [laugh]

That was my impression as well.

Welp, I need to get a minor cosmetic issue resolved on my 996SPS due to the move.  Should be a simple matter, but we'll see how long that takes to go through the claim process with the moving company.

Once I get that resolved and the temps cool down a bit, let's ride!  [Dolph]

What a hassle! Good luck with that.

We should be crawling out of our summer slumber in a month or so.

Mark

Actually, turns out it was worse than I thought.  Both front turn signals were damaged, actually, the CF intake runners were.  Going to be an expensive repair for them.

The moving company is paying the damage right?

Yes.

Here's were the problem came from.  My stuff was loaded onto a box truck, transferred to a moving truck, transferred back to a box truck and delivered.

Was the bike "loose", or did you crate it (like the OEM does) for transport?

If I was going to have anyone (other than a dedicated motorcycle transport Co.)
move one of my bikes I'd go by a dealer and get a used crate.

Dealerships usually have piles of them and actually have to PAY people to dissasemble and scrap them.

I hope your issues get resolved quickly.

It wasn't crated.

I had moved motos (one once and 3 twice) on other relos without crates or any issues.

They didn't want to pay for the crates (for this or my Felt road bike), so they get to pay to fix it.

Life goes on.

You get moved in yet?

You OK?

I should be legal soon.  Just got the state inspection completed and moving related repairs taken care of.

Hopefully the weather will be cooling off soon.
 
Looking forward to a ride soon!

I finally got the starter back into my bike so I am up and running just in time for winter to set in! If it looks like we'll have a good day let's try and meet up.

Mark

Cool.

Saturday looks great, but I'm going to the NCAA DII National Championship game as my alma mater is playing for all the marbles.

- R

And I’ll be at Jerry World watching our high school team!

Good luck with your game, it it in Frisco?

Mark

It was in McKinney.  They lost by 2, unfortunately.