DART and country living, is it possible? Help please (Dallas: neighborhood, best schools)

[cheekygrl]

Looking to relocate to Dallas area. I'm looking for a area that is on DART line but as far out and less populated as possible. Also needs to have good schools. I looked at DART map and see where it cuts off. Not many options as far as country. Anyone know of a area or neighborhood that may be close to what I seek- quiet, clean, slow life type country vibe?

Thanks for your help.

[ClarenceBodiker]

Eventually DART will connect with Denton's line and that will probably be as far out and the least crowded/country like area you'll get. As of now the lines only go as far as Carrollton, Plano, Garland (soon to be Rowlett), and South Dallas, IIRC. Unfortunately, nothing too country. Out of the current choices, probably Garland has the most small town, community vibe and schools are pretty decent. Plano has the best schools, but I don't get any country vibe from it. The historic downtown area where the train runs has a bit of a small town feel to it.

[cheekygrl]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

Eventually DART will connect with Denton's line and that will probably be as far out and the least crowded/country like area you'll get. As of now the lines only go as far as Carrollton, Plano, Garland (soon to be Rowlett), and South Dallas, IIRC. Unfortunately, nothing too country. Out of the current choices, probably Garland has the most small town, community vibe and schools are pretty decent. Plano has the best schools, but I don't get any country vibe from it. The historic downtown area where the train runs has a bit of a small town feel to it.

What part of Garland do you think would be good for what I'm looking for? I heard north Garland is nice. Also heard certain parts of Garland are RISD and suppose to have good schools.

Rowlett would be great but the buses that do go there are very limited right now and even when they finish the line still may be limited as not enough people going there. Also there school district is not suppose to be that great, no magnet schools.

[Dallaz]

Originally Posted by cheekygrl

What part of Garland do you think would be good for what I'm looking for? I heard north Garland is nice. Also heard certain parts of Garland are RISD and suppose to have good schools.

Rowlett would be great but the buses that do go there are very limited right now and even when they finish the line still may be limited as not enough people going there. Also there school district is not suppose to be that great, no magnet schools.

Garland isn't rural at all. DART isn't really located in rural places.

[ClarenceBodiker]

Originally Posted by cheekygrl

What part of Garland do you think would be good for what I'm looking for? I heard north Garland is nice. Also heard certain parts of Garland are RISD and suppose to have good schools.

Rowlett would be great but the buses that do go there are very limited right now and even when they finish the line still may be limited as not enough people going there. Also there school district is not suppose to be that great, no magnet schools.

Actually, Rowlett doesn't have a school district. It's part of Garland's ISD, which does have school choice and multiple magnets. Technically, if you didn't like Rowlett High School your kid could apply to any of the other Garland schools. The far east side of Rowlett goes to Rockwall schools. They are highly rated since it's a newer affluent area, but it doesn't have the IB program or magnets that Garland does, IIRC.

As far as Garland, only the northern most part isn't built out and is still kind of countryish, but who knows how long that will last with the tollway now complete from all the way up there down to I-30. I'm sure more and more development will start popping up over what's left up there. Again, you're not really going to find a rail line going out into the country anywhere.

[crankywithakeyboard]

I've used DART rail quite a bit to get around. I notice it generally takes at least twice as long as driving. For example, I can drive to downtown Dallas in about 20 or 25 minutes but it takes me an hour to get there on the DART train. I did it during my summer job there because it was cheaper than driving (company reimbursed part). I imagine dealing with buses would take even longer.

You really have to factor in your time as well. I wish I could ride DART out to my current job in a rural area but it would probably take 2-3 hours each way anyway!

[talkispoison]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

Eventually DART will connect with Denton's line and that will probably be as far out and the least crowded/country like area you'll get. As of now the lines only go as far as Carrollton, Plano, Garland (soon to be Rowlett), and South Dallas, IIRC. Unfortunately, nothing too country. Out of the current choices, probably Garland has the most small town, community vibe and schools are pretty decent. Plano has the best schools, but I don't get any country vibe from it. The historic downtown area where the train runs has a bit of a small town feel to it.

The DCTA line is open. So is the full green line.

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Dallaz

Garland isn't rural at all. DART isn't really located in rural places.

This.

[TX75007]

Live as close to your job as you can. if you can take Dart, fine. If you can walk, even better. I used to live 1 block from my job. It was great.

[ClarenceBodiker]

Originally Posted by talkispoison

The DCTA line is open. So is the full green line.

I wasn't aware. Thanks for the info.