Anyone familiar with the lifestyle in Heath/Rockwall? (Dallas, Plano: transplants, new home)

[JLO]

Hi:


Wow. I couldn't believe some of the new homes in Heath, TX. Some had lake views too. In another thread, folks were kind enough to mention various suburbs of Dallas that they found family friendly. One person mentioned Rockwall but there was no specific description. We are relocating from Charlotte, NC to Dallas, TX and I am wondering if anyone could tell me what it is like to live in Rockwall/Heath.

I cam across a suburb on Lake Hubbard (?) called Health/Rockwall. Can someone familiar with this area describe the pros and cons of living in this area. For example ..

1. Good Schools? Sports Programs for Kids? High Schools and Preschools (have 13 year old and 4 year old)?
2. Commute time to downtown Dallas?
3. Gym?
4. Flooding problems?
5. Movie Theatres/ Shops etc.
6. What's the lake like (boating etc)?
7. Good community feel?
8. A lot of transplants and if so from what part of the country?

I welcome any other pros and cons a newcomer should know from someone who has experience in this area. Thanks to all who are helping me in this search. After moving from NYC to Charlotte, NC, I thought I'd never find friendlier people than those in NC, but if this sight is any indication of the "Texas Hospitality", I am looking forward to relocating there (and I never thought I would say that).

Thanks for any insight.

[MaryS80]

1. Good Schools? Sports Programs for Kids? High Schools and Preschools (have 13 year old and 4 year old)? I'd check out greatschools to get actual school info and ratings.

I was in Rockwall over the 4th of July, my friend lives out there with his 14 year old son and a group of his sons friends. They were nice kids that had fun just hanging out, swimming and lighting fireworks.


2. Commute time to downtown Dallas?

The worst part would probably getting out of Rockwall along I-30, it tend to get a bit congested and presently there is construction. The part is it's straight down 30 to downtown Dallas. I'd say 45 minutes to and hour tops. I wish we had some Rockwall folks on here to give u a better idea.
3. Gym?

I know there is a big Larry North Fitness center on the lake. There's a YMCA, a Curves, and privately owned Yoga place called Body Synergy among others.

4. Flooding problems?

None that I know of

5. Movie Theatres/ Shops etc.

There's a big new development that just wnet in along the lake called Harbor Point, there a big new Cinemark there and a whole lot of other stuff. Just a drive across the lake in Garland is huge Bass Pro Shops. I'll have to say though there is a lot of shopping and dining in Rockwall.

6. What's the lake like (boating etc)?

Boating is big on Ray Hubbard, lots of sail boats and motor boats. People water skiing, and wake boarding, and on jet skis. It's a large lake so its very popular for recreational boaters. There are some nice parks along the lake as well with picnic areas. you also see a lot of people fishing along the lake. There is a lack of playspace for kids near the lake


7. Good community feel?

It's your typical commuter suburb, though a little slower paced. It has managed to maintain some country atmosphere.


8. A lot of transplants and if so from what part of the country?

[mariL]

You should check out Rockwall. Schools are good, a lot of nice homes, and living by/near the lake is very nice. Sailing and fishing are popular here. The lake is large and provides great sailing.

Big Cinema and a lot of nice shops with more larger department stores and other big names coming out this way.

To see some great pics and get a feel for events and things around here you should visit Planet Rockwall If you're into sailing you'll like the Lake Ray Hubbard sailing shots. Rockwall is also a great place for golf.

There are many restaurants here too, with more coming!

Of course there's also the popular school sports events. Rockwall is not a small town anymore. I wouldn't worry about missing out on anything here. And if you want some exciting Dallas nightlife, it's only a half-hour away (across the lake and down the freeway).

[gOOters]

"It's your typical commuter suburb, though a little slower paced. It has managed to maintain some country atmosphere."

Well said. Rockwall has a totally different feel to it than other Dallas suberbs...especially the other more affluent areas like Richardson/Plano, Frisco, etc.

There is a 24hour fitness about to be built there. Schools are very good. If you want to spend a lot of time in Dallas, I would pick somewhere else. If you dont mind commuting for ~1hr each way (Im a commuter too), and you want to stick around town...you should check it out.

p.s. It is growing.

[stargazer]

We went out to look at a home in Heath. Heath is in the country with country roads. There are several beautiful new construction estates that have maybe an acre or two. The drawback for us about some of the neighborhoods out there are the lack of trees. Though some sub divisions did boast of lovely hills overlooking the lake.

The nice thing though about living in Heath, you can live like a country gentleman/woman and yet be able to be minutes away from nice stores. There is supposed to be a nice shopping area being built on the water over there. I can't remember if it has neared completion or if indeed it is complete.

Commuting to Dallas from Heath- This would be a pretty big drawback imo.


When we visited Heath, I asked if there were any routes out of Heath to Dallas that are quick without going over the lake. We were told 'not really'.... You would have to cross the lake daily if you worked in Dallas. With that information at hand, I knew I did not want to be living there. I have my reasons, but it should not overshadow someone elses feelings.
I passed a wreck on that stretch December 15, 1989. I will never forget it, the cab of the truck was submerged and divers were in the water trying to get the lady out. It was one of the coldest days on record. I kept thinking that there could be hope because the water being so cold, maybe they could live. That night on the news, I saw the report and she had passed. That one incident has always steered me from moving that way...

I have a worrisome personalitiy and seeing that did affect me... It might not for others and they could be happy crossing the lake... of course I know many that do daily and they have been there for years, no worries. Though it just wouldn' be for me... I am a worrier by nature.

[MurphyPl1]

Crossing the lake is what kept us from considering Rockwall. We got married at Chandler's Landing Yacht Club in '94 and it was not anywhere near like it is now out there. But even then getting across the lake was an issue. DH's job requires a lot of trips to Denton, OK, Abilene, Amarillo and the thought of just getting to Dallas to begin the trip out of town was a big drawback.

But I will say it's a great city. I don't know anyone who has any real complaints about the way the city is run or the lifestyle. And coming from Murphy we take 205 in the back way. So pretty and hilly, much more rural.

[nsumner]

Rockwall and Heath are really nice. It takes me 35-45 minutes in rush hour to be downtown dallas. The Harbor is a wonderful addition, they have concerts outside in the evening, lots of other events, much much shopping and just a little south in McLendon Chilsolm, you can be in the country with a ranch or some land within the reach of all the city conveniences.

Having grown up on the mediterranean, I just had to be by the water... and it's like therapy for the soul crossing the lake or taking walks with by much greenery and waterviews ;-)

[rantanamo]

There are rarely(and I mean very rarely) commuter accidents where a vehicle goes into the water. You're a lot more likely to crash anywhere else.

[rowlett mom]

the bridge over I 30 was more worrisome before they widened the road, now you would really have to be trying to wind up in the water. I love driving across that bridge and the one that goes between rowlett and rockwall on 66 is even nicer. Heath seems like a really nice place to live. give me I 30 and the bridge over central expressway or the DNT any day.

[blueskies49]

I don't know details about the two cities except that I have friends in both places and I like both towns. One of my friends in Heath has a house on the lake. Heath is landlocked so it can't get much bigger although, like everyone said, they are growing.