Where to live around White Rock Lake? (Dallas, Richardson: first time home buyer, neighborhoods)

[txstate17]

My wife and I are 27, have a budget of $400k (putting $40k down) and are in love with the White Rock Lake area. We're pretty active and love the atmosphere. We've rented in uptown/henderson/greenville area for 3 years and are ready to buy. We are currently liking the homes in the 75238, 75216, and 75218 zip codes. Are there any areas in this area where I should also be looking. I love the lake vibe, but still being a $7 uber ride to all of our favorite spots. My wife may be working downtown, so we'd like to be fairly close (2 mi.) away from the DART. We don't want to move too far east.

We are about 7 years away from our prospective children reaching elementary age, so schools are really NOT that important to us right now, UNLESS a school is so bad that prospective buyers might not buy into the neighborhood.

Any thoughts, and recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Edit (house preferences): First time home buyer: 3 br, 2 ba, at least moderately updated (do not want a money pit, or to add renovation to our task list). around 1800 sq ft or more.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by txstate17

My wife and I are 27, have a budget of $400k (putting $40k down) and are in love with the White Rock Lake area. We're pretty active and love the atmosphere. We've rented in uptown/henderson/greenville area for 3 years and are ready to buy. We are currently liking the homes in the 75238, 75216, and 75218 zip codes. Are there any areas in this area where I should also be looking. I love the lake vibe, but still being a $7 uber ride to all of our favorite spots. My wife may be working downtown, so we'd like to be fairly close (2 mi.) away from the DART. We don't want to move too far east.

We are about 7 years away from our prospective babies to be elementary age, so schools are really important to us right now, UNLESS a school is so bad that prospective buyers might not buy into the neighborhood.

Any thoughts, and recommendations are greatly appreciated!

What sized house are you looking for? You can still get into the Lakewood Elementary feeder pattern for under 400K right now, but it's going to be a 3 bedroom house in possible need of some updates. I would do that if you love the area is school is a top priority for you.

[bencronin04]

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...4_M78400-80950

[txstate17]

Originally Posted by bencronin04

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...4_M78400-80950

This is exactly kind of the stuff I'm looking for. Are there any other zips in the neighborhood I should be aware of? Although Ive lived in Dallas for 4 years, I'm not too familiar with the Lakewood area.

[txstate17]

Originally Posted by bencronin04

What sized house are you looking for? You can still get into the Lakewood Elementary feeder pattern for under 400K right now, but it's going to be a 3 bedroom house in possible need of some updates. I would do that if you love the area is school is a top priority for you.

Yeah, I mistyped. I meant school is not a top priority. I just don't want to be dumb and buy something in a bad feeder school pattern, and have a hard time selling it in 6 -8 years. We really don't want to update too much. If we need to add Quartz to the kitchen/bathrooms, or spruce up the front/backyard then we'd be okay with that.

[bencronin04]

Calling Lakewooder and TC80...

[TurtleCreek80]

If you want to be west of the lake, Ridgewood Park (75214, east of Abrams/ south of Lovers/ north of DART) is probably the best value neighborhood. If you can find anything zoned to Lakewood or Stonewall Jackson elementaries (look north of Mockingbird, south of DART) that works for under $400k, BUY IT! Even if you won't be using the schools, the schools drive home values up disproportionately to surrounding neighborhoods zoned to lesser schools

Hollywood Heights/ Santa Monica is a charming little neighborbood tucked just southeast of the Lakewood Country Club. Also zoned to Lakewood Elementary. 75223.

If you're open to east of the lake, 75218 zoned to Hexter Elem is the way to go. Anything off Northlake is such an easy, straight shot down to the lake. I think everything in the Peninsula neighborbood is probably over $400k now but worth a look east of Buckner,

[Space2k]

You'll get more for your money on the immediate east side of the lake in Little Forest Hills, Casa Linda, Eastwood, Lake Park Estates, Lochwood, and Old Lake Highlands. Basically all of 75218. The area has made great strides as far as amenities go in the last 10 years (Goodfriend, Torchy's, etc.)

[Texan#1]

I'm 29 and bought my house in the L Streets area of Lake Highlands. This is in the 75238 that you mentioned. The area is served by Richardson ISD and my neighborhood specifically feeds into Lake Highlands Elementary which is a great school. There are many young families in the neighborhood and you can definitely buy a completely updated house for under $400k. To get to the lake, I take Lanshire Dr to Flag Pole Hill Park and hop onto the lake trail there.

[pepper131]

Just across the train tracks from Little Forest Hills is Casa Linda Forest. I live in this area and it's just starting to get attention. There's a nicely remodeled house on Springwater a smidge below your budget.