Need info for Mesquite, TX area... (Rockwall, Terrell: insurance, crime rate, mortgage) - City-Data Forum

Hoyt79 · 06-24-2012, 02:28 PM

Possible move coming up for a job in the Mesquite area. Several things we are looking for in particular: First and most important are the schools; second, we are folks that like the rural to semi-rural to include not entirely opposed to spread out subdivision life and was thinking of Forney, Heath and maybe even Terrel. We are looking for about $200K for a home and a little acreage if possible. What is the lifestyle/schools/housing like for the areas mentioned?

toastandjam · 06-24-2012, 04:05 PM

Well, coming from someone who grew up in Mesquite, graduated from the school system and seen the cities decline, attempt at rebuilding and the results, I'd avoid the area. Kick out to Sunnyvale or Forney.

ChristieP · 06-24-2012, 04:10 PM

Take Terrell off your list. It's redneck heaven out there...

You might consider Rockwall in addition to Sunnyvale and Heath.

Hoyt79 · 06-24-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristieP

Take Terrell off your list. It's redneck heaven out there...

You might consider Rockwall in addition to Sunnyvale and Heath.

Lol! I am an educated redneck actually...so no worries...but wife just found out on schooldigger.com the school system in Terrel is not good so I guess it's out anyway. Heath seems like a great place from what I can gather on the internet but seems kinda pricey too.

ChristieP · 06-24-2012, 08:32 PM

Yes, Terrell schools are not good at all. The crime rate is also a concern. As with many smaller towns, they have a significant drug problem and all that comes with it. It's not a classy place at all.

Heath is beautiful, but it is indeed pricey.

You might look at Royse City. It's east of Rockwall. You can definitely get acreage in your price range, but the drive to Mesquite might be a little too far for you.

carroll4628 · 06-25-2012, 06:40 AM

You should look in Forney. Forney has some older and newer 1 acre neighborhoods. It has the basics for shopping, but you'll be driving to Rockwall/Mesquite for a mall and the big box stores besides Wally-World. My kids play sports in Forney and everyone seems to like the schools. Your price seems low for Heath and Sunnyvale (unless you want a much smaller lot) and you aren't going to get the acreage in Rockwall without paying more and having a longer commute.

ilovedaisies73 · 06-25-2012, 06:50 AM

The Heath area is more rural than Mesquite. Mesquite is more city. The Forney area is very nice you can either be in town or on the outer edge of it. There are 2 nice places to look at in Forney one is the Windmill Farms area but the other is called Heartland. Forney would probably be the best it is only about 10 minutes from Mesquite as to where Terrell is about 30 minutes with not as great of schools. Another area you might be interested in is a town called Sunnyvale it is a very nice area more on the country side with bigger lots and great schools. Hope this helps some.

ilovedaisies73 · 06-25-2012, 06:55 AM

Another area you might be interested in with good schools and more of a small town country feel with acreage is Crandall Texas.

Hoyt79 · 06-25-2012, 08:07 AM

Thanks for all the info so far everyone. Wife is really pushing Heath and I would like Forney because it is a little cheaper, larger lots but schools aren't quite as awesome as Heath. We'll see what God decides for us. Going to take a look at Crandall right now and see what it's all about.

How does the property tax thing work? Where I come from we pay state income tax instead. Is the property tax all rolled into your mortgage payement? What would the approximate electricity/water/sewer/trash cost be on a 2,000 square feet home?

ETex2 · 06-25-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoyt79

Thanks for all the info so far everyone. Wife is really pushing Heath and I would like Forney because it is a little cheaper, larger lots but schools aren't quite as awesome as Heath. We'll see what God decides for us. Going to take a look at Crandall right now and see what it's all about.

How does the property tax thing work? Where I come from we pay state income tax instead. Is the property tax all rolled into your mortgage payement? What would the approximate electricity/water/sewer/trash cost be on a 2,000 square feet home?

Heath is expensive. Forney will have the best variety of homes in your price range on an acre or more of land. Yes, most mortgage companies require that the taxes and insurance be included as part of your mortgage payment, along with PMI if your equity is less than 20%. Crandall is a bit far from Mesquite for me.