Moving from Houston, Need Advice (Dallas, Fort Worth: sex offenders, homes, good schools)

[Beth208]

Hello all,

My family knows we will be relocating to the Dallas vicinity in the next 1-2 years for hubby's job. We currently live in a starter home in a suburb near Houston. While we don't mind the burbs, we have our hearts set on getting some land. Ideally, we'd like three to five acres, unrestricted, to either build on or renovate an existing home. While my husband might have to drive in to Dallas once or twice a month, he will primarily be working from home, so commute is not a huge deal. I am a former teacher, currently stay at home mom, who is open to home schooling. Of course, I'd like decent schools if possible, but it's not a dealbreaker if the schools are small - just please nothing dangerous or terrible. Our budget is where we might have a problem. We only have about 200,000 to work with. I know that's not much when you start talking land, but I hope that our willingness to homeschool and the fact commute isn't an issue could help. Any suggestions on where to start looking, or if this would even be possible?

[RonnieinDallas]

Ovilla, Midlothian, Waxahachie, or Red Oak jump out first, all are ok for irregular commutes to Dallas and have bigger lots and land. Your budget is going to limit you to south of Dallas, unless you want to go super far out, or sacrifice good schools/safety. $200k won't go far anywhere north of Dalllas. The north Dallas suburbs/exurbs sprawl forever, which keeps raw land prices high almost until you hit the Oklahoma border. There's a few places northeast of Dallas that may work, but Princeton is known for sex offenders, and I've heard bad things about Farmersville. Rockwall/Heath is probably too expensive these days, and a lot of the towns east of that are kind of gross IMO.

Areas outside of Fort Worth are usually cheaper. Since you rarely have to commute, you might consider looking west. Maybe look at Weatherford, Granbury, or Mineral Wells. Those towns are all like 2hrs from Dallas though.

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by RonnieinDallas

Ovilla, Midlothian, Waxahachie, or Red Oak jump out first, all are ok for irregular commutes to Dallas and have bigger lots and land. Your budget is going to limit you to south of Dallas, unless you want to go super far out, or sacrifice good schools/safety. $200k won't go far anywhere north of Dalllas. The north Dallas suburbs/exurbs sprawl forever, which keeps raw land prices high almost until you hit the Oklahoma border. There's a few places northeast of Dallas that may work, but Princeton is known for sex offenders, and I've heard bad things about Farmersville. Rockwall/Heath is probably too expensive these days, and a lot of the towns east of that are kind of gross IMO.

Areas outside of Fort Worth are usually cheaper. Since you rarely have to commute, you might consider looking west. Maybe look at Weatherford, Granbury, or Mineral Wells. Those towns are all like 2hrs from Dallas though.

Great Advice! I would also add Forney and Godley. Godley is becoming a new Fort Worth hot place for its schools. Burleson might also work and has acceptable schools.

[Beth208]

Thanks! I'll look into those areas. I was also eyeing Kaufman. Is that area okay?