KnowYard Community

[AIW] for calling the cops on a house party next door at 1 AM on a Tuesday in Arlington

I live in a residential neighborhood in south Arlington. Single-family homes, families, working people. It is not a college area.

Parks and outdoor spots that are actually worth going to?

I've been here a while but I feel like I've only scratched the surface of outdoor stuff to do. I default to the same two parks every weekend and I'm getting bored.

Best gym that isn't Planet Fitness?

Planet Fitness is fine for what it is but I've outgrown it. No squat racks, no deadlift platforms, the lunk alarm is embarrassing, and the gym is packed from 5-8pm every weekday.

Doctor/dentist recs that take insurance and aren't booked 3 months out?

I've been trying to find a primary care doctor and a dentist for two months. Everyone is either not taking new patients, doesn't take my insurance, or has the next available appointment in August.

Working remote from DFW is the best kept secret. Bay Area salary, Texas cost of living.

I'm a senior software engineer working remote for a company based in San Francisco. I make a Bay Area salary and live in a 3BR house in Richardson that costs $2,100/month.

DFW anime conventions and events: Your complete 2026 guide

If you're into anime and live in DFW you're honestly spoiled. AnimeFest in Dallas every August is the big one — been going since 2019 and it keeps getting better. The artist alley alone is worth the badge price.

Texas heat survival tips for people who aren't from here

Your first Texas summer is going to be a shock. Here's what got me through mine.

• Hydrate before you're thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated. Keep water with you always.
• Car prep matters. Windshield sunshade, tinted windows, and a remote start if your car has it. Your steering wheel at 3pm is a branding iron without a shade.
• Plan around the heat. Outdoor stuff before 10am or after 7pm. Midday is for indoor errands and AC.

DFW parking guide: Downtown Dallas and Fort Worth survival tips

Parking in DFW downtowns doesn't have to be $30+. Here's the cheat sheet.

• Deep Ellum side streets — free after 6pm and weekends. Elm, Commerce, Canton streets east of Good-Latimer.
• ParkMobile app — meter parking via phone. No coins needed. Most downtown meters. Source: parkmobile.io
• DART stations — park at a suburban station (free), ride in. Mockingbird, Lovers Lane, Forest Lane all have lots.

DFW towing company nightmares: Your rights under Texas law and how to fight back

Your car got towed from a DFW parking lot. Before you pay $300+ to get it back, know your rights.

• Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308
• TDLR — towing regulations and fee caps
• Texas Occupations Code 2308.451-458 (tow hearings)

DFW suburb tier list: Honest ranking with data (updated 2026)

Every DFW suburb has a reputation. Some earned, some outdated. Here's an honest tier list based on actual data and lived experience.

• Southlake: Median home $850K. Carroll ISD. Near-zero crime. The "Beverly Hills of DFW." Source: Zillow, FBI crime data.
• Westlake: Even wealthier than Southlake. Tiny population, intentionally exclusive.
• Highland Park/University Park: Old money Dallas. HPISD is elite. $1M+ entry. The "bubble."

Texas vs. California: Actual cost of living comparison with real numbers (2026 data)

Everyone says "California is expensive, Texas is cheap." But what do the ACTUAL numbers say? Let's compare DFW to Los Angeles with real, sourced data.

• Median home price DFW: $380,000 (Source: Zillow March 2026)
• Median home price LA: $925,000 (Source: Zillow March 2026)
• DFW winner by: 59% cheaper

Coyote sighting warning: pack spotted near schools in Plano

A pack of 3-4 coyotes has been spotted multiple times near Hughston Elementary and Jasper High School in west Plano.

• Monday 6:30 AM: spotted crossing Legacy near the school
• Tuesday 7 PM: seen near the baseball fields behind Jasper
• Wednesday 5:45 AM: pack of 4 running through Spring Creek Trail near Coit

Update on the string of home burglaries in the M Streets — pattern identified

Following up on the M Streets burglary thread from last week. Dallas PD Northeast Division shared an update at the neighborhood association meeting.

• 11 confirmed burglaries in the M Streets and surrounding Lakewood area since March 1
• All between 10 AM and 2 PM on weekdays (when homes are empty)
• Entry method: forcing back doors or entering through unlocked side gates

Car break-ins at White Rock Lake parking lots — leave nothing visible

Dallas PD reports a spike in vehicle break-ins at White Rock Lake parking areas, particularly the lots near the Bath House Cultural Center and the Winfrey Point area.

• 15 reported break-ins in the last 2 weeks at WRL lots
• Most occur during early morning (6-8 AM) and early evening hours
• Targeted items: laptops, purses, gym bags, backpacks

Suspicious door-to-door "security company" canvassing our Frisco neighborhood

Two men going door to door in our Frisco neighborhood (near Stonebriar area) claiming to represent a security company doing "free home security audits."

• They don't have a Frisco solicitor's permit (required by city ordinance)
• When asked for credentials, they got evasive
• They were taking photos of houses including garage doors and side gates

Anyone else seeing an uptick in porch pirates in the Las Colinas area?

Three packages stolen from my porch this month in Las Colinas (Valley Ranch area). Ring camera caught the same guy twice — driving a white sedan, no plates visible.

• Filed reports with Irving PD (they gave case numbers but said it's hard to investigate without plate info)
• Shared Ring footage with neighbors via the Neighbors app
• Set up Amazon Locker delivery for anything over $50

Catalytic converter thefts spiking in Richardson — 7 reports this week alone

Richardson PD confirmed 7 catalytic converter thefts reported this week, mostly in apartments along Campbell Road.

• Toyota Prius (2004-2009 have the most valuable converters)
• Honda CRV
• Ford F-150/F-250

Phone call scam: "Your Social Security number has been suspended" — targeting seniors in DFW

The Social Security Administration scam calls are hitting DFW hard again. Multiple reports from senior living communities in Richardson, Garland, and Mesquite.

• Robocall says your SSN has been "suspended" due to suspicious activity
• Press 1 to speak with an "agent"
• They claim warrants have been issued for your arrest

DFW Craigslist ticket scam for Cotton Bowl / AT&T Stadium events — buyer beware

With the big game this weekend, scam ticket listings are flooding Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

• Tickets priced 30-50% below face value
• Seller claims they "can't go anymore" — sick, work conflict, etc.
• They send screenshots of tickets that look real but are duplicated

Amazon delivery scam: Packages you did not order showing up — here is why

If you've been receiving Amazon packages you didn't order, you're likely a target of a "brushing scam."

• A seller creates fake orders using your name and address
• They ship cheap items (often from China) to verify the address
• Then they post fake verified reviews under your name

Contractor scam targeting hail damage homeowners in north DFW — do not sign anything

After the recent hail storms, unlicensed "storm chasers" are going door-to-door in Frisco, Prosper, Celina, and Allen offering free roof inspections.

• Door-to-door solicitation right after a storm
• Pressure to sign anything immediately
• Company name you've never heard of with out-of-state plates

Heads up: Fake parking tickets being placed on cars in Deep Ellum with QR codes

If you parked in Deep Ellum recently and found an official-looking parking ticket on your windshield with a QR code to "pay your fine" — it's a scam.

• Yellow paper, looks like a real citation
• References "City of Dallas Parking Authority" (not a real entity)
• Lists a fine of $75-150

Rental scam alert: Fake landlord listing real houses on Zillow and Apartments.com

A sophisticated rental scam is targeting DFW renters. Scammers are listing REAL houses for rent that they don't own, collecting deposits and first month's rent, then vanishing.

• They find houses that are legitimately for sale on Zillow/Redfin
• They create a rental listing for the same property at a believable price
• They show the property using a lockbox code or open house times

Warning: Facebook Marketplace car sale scam is back — they use fake titles from Oklahoma

Getting reports of a car sale scam hitting DFW Facebook Marketplace hard right now. Here's the pattern:

• Out-of-state title (especially Oklahoma, which has notoriously weak title laws)
• Won't let you take it to a mechanic
• Won't meet at a police station for the transaction

PSA: Fake code enforcement officers going door-to-door in Plano demanding payment

Multiple Plano residents are reporting people in official-looking uniforms going door-to-door claiming to be city code enforcement. They say your property has violations and demand on-the-spot payment via Zelle or cash.

• Real code enforcement NEVER collects payment at the door
• Real notices come via mail on official city letterhead
• They are wearing generic polos, not official city uniforms with ID badges