KnowYard Community

Best affordable areas that aren't sketchy?

Looking for a new apartment or maybe renting a house. Budget is around $1,200-1,400 for a 1BR or small 2BR. I know that's tight.

Custody and family law basics in Texas: What DFW parents need to know

Not legal advice — but the basics every DFW parent should understand.

• Texas uses "conservatorship" not "custody." Source: Texas Family Code Chapter 153.
• Joint Managing Conservators (JMC) — both parents share rights and duties. This is the default in Texas.
• Sole Managing Conservator (SMC) — one parent has primary decision-making. Courts rarely grant this without evidence of danger.

Property tax protest -- did anyone actually get theirs lowered?

First time protesting my property tax appraisal this year. The county raised my value by $35K which makes zero sense because nothing about my house or neighborhood has changed.

What's actually hiring around here that pays decent?

I've been applying for weeks. All the Indeed postings are either scams, ghost listings that have been up for 6 months, or they want 5 years of experience for $18/hour.

Community college guide: Dallas College (DCCCD) and Tarrant County College

Community college is the smartest financial decision for many DFW students. Here's the guide.

• 7 campuses across Dallas County: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, Richland
• In-district tuition: ~$59/credit hour (~$1,600/year full-time). Source: dallascollege.edu
• Programs: 100+ degree and certificate programs

Is now actually a good time to buy in Texas?

Interest rates are still elevated. Prices haven't really come down. Insurance costs are through the roof — literally, because of all the hail and storm claims.

Side hustles that actually work in a Texas city

I need extra income. Not passive income guru stuff. Not dropshipping. Not "invest in real estate with no money down." Real things that real people are doing to make extra money.

"Is this a scam?" DFW edition: How to evaluate suspicious offers and messages

The DFW-specific scam evaluation checklist. Run any suspicious situation through this framework.

• Fake TxTag toll notices via text
• "Dallas Water Utilities" shutoff threats by phone
• Fake HOA fine letters with a QR code payment link

Karaoke spots in DFW: Where to embarrass yourself properly

Sometimes you need to sing "Don't Stop Believin'" at full volume to strangers. DFW has you covered.

• Round-Up Saloon (Cedar Springs) — legendary karaoke nights. The crowd is the most supportive audience in DFW. Judgment-free zone. Source: roundupsaloon.com
• Gator's Bayou (Fort Worth) — Cajun bar with karaoke. Enthusiastic crowd.
• Christie's Sports Bar (Lower Greenville) — karaoke nights on specific days. Check schedule.

Gas leak forces evacuation of several blocks in Oak Cliff — Atmos Energy responding

A significant natural gas leak has been reported in the 400 block of West Davis Street in Oak Cliff. Atmos Energy crews are on scene.

• West Davis between Beckley and Zang
• Surrounding residential streets within 2-block radius
• Approximately 50 homes and 15 businesses evacuated

DFW Airport operations suspended due to lightning — expect massive delays

DFW Airport has suspended all ground operations due to lightning in the area. No planes are taking off or landing.

• Ground stop in effect as of 4:15 PM
• All departures delayed minimum 90 minutes
• Inbound flights being held at origin or diverted to Austin/Houston

Brisket snobs are killing BBQ culture

BBQ is supposed to be fun. Community. Gathering around a pit with a beer and eating good food. Somewhere along the way it turned into a competition over who has the most opinions about bark, smoke rings, and post oak.

Trade jobs vs college degree: Texas edition

I'm 19. Everyone in my family says college. But I've been looking at the numbers and I'm not sure it makes sense anymore.

Dallas violent crime dropped 12% in 2025 — here are the numbers by district

Dallas PD released the 2025 annual crime stats and the trend line is moving the right direction for violent crime, but the picture is uneven across divisions.

• Homicides: 189 (down from 214 in 2024, -11.7%)
• Aggravated assaults: 7,841 (down from 8,592, -8.7%)
• Robberies: 3,112 (down from 3,480, -10.6%)

TxDOT construction updates April 2026: Where to expect delays

DFW is permanently under construction. Here's what's active right now and how it affects your commute.

• Adding managed lanes from US-75 to I-30
• Timeline: 2024-2028 (yes, 4 more years)
• Impact: Reduced lanes, shifting patterns. Nighttime full closures common.

Things DFW transplants say vs what DFW natives hear

A translation guide for the recently relocated.

DFW traffic complaints: A support group for the daily commuter

This is a safe space. Share your traffic trauma.

• Learn a new language
• Read 50 books
• Build a small house

Moving from apartment to house: what nobody tells you in TX

Spent 6 years in apartments. Just bought a house. Here's what nobody warned me about.

• Lawn care in Texas heat is a part-time job. Mowing every week in summer. Watering constantly. The grass will die if you look at it wrong in August.
• Property tax hits different when you write the check yourself. In an apartment it's hidden in rent. Now I see the $8K bill annually.
• Everything that breaks is YOUR problem. AC went out the second month. $400 repair. In an apartment I would've called maintenance.

Side hustle reality check: What DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart actually pay in DFW

Drove for all three platforms in DFW for 6 months. Here are the real numbers.

• Average per delivery: $6.50 (including tip)
• Average deliveries per hour: 2.5
• Gross hourly: ~$16.25

Landlord won't fix AC in July. What are my rights?

AC has been out for 4 days. It's over 100 degrees outside and my apartment is hitting 90+ inside. I've called maintenance three times. They came once, said they "ordered a part," and I haven't heard back since.

DFW car dealer scams: The tricks they use and how to protect yourself

Buying a car in DFW shouldn't feel like navigating a minefield, but it does. Here are the documented tricks.

• Get pre-approved at your bank or credit union BEFORE visiting the dealer
• Research invoice price at Edmunds.com or KBB.com
• Never share your monthly payment budget

Remote work in Texas -- anyone else never going back to office?

I've been fully remote for 2 years. My company just announced a "hybrid" return — 3 days in office. Which means I now need to commute 45 minutes each way, pay for gas, buy lunch, and wear pants.

Interview red flags from Texas employers

I've been job hunting for a few months and the number of sketchy interviews I've had is wild. Compiling a list so others know what to watch for.

• "We're like a family here" = you will have no boundaries and be guilt tripped for using PTO
• Won't give a salary range = it's low and they know it
• "We work hard and play hard" = 60 hour weeks and a pizza party once a quarter

Teachers in Texas -- how are y'all surviving on that salary?

Genuine question, no disrespect intended. I looked up the average teacher salary in Texas. It's around $57K. In a state where rent is $1,500+, property taxes are insane, and everything keeps going up.

"Is this a scam?" DFW edition: How to evaluate suspicious offers and messages

The DFW-specific scam evaluation checklist. Run any suspicious situation through this framework.

• Fake TxTag toll notices via text
• "Dallas Water Utilities" shutoff threats by phone
• Fake HOA fine letters with a QR code payment link