Could we be happy in Forney? (house, move to, estates)

[loveandcoffee]

Originally Posted by OkieSoonerGuy

You pretty much summed it up for me. The houses seem to be pretty big for the amount of the money you are spending but they just seem so generic. I'd rather drive an extra 10 minutes to Terrell to find something nicer.

Hahaha, thanks. Yeah, my sister lived there for awhile and we almost purchased there ourselves until we ended up finding something we liked better in Travis Ranch. The only flaw with your suggestion is that the Terrell schools are terrible. If you're not in need of schools, that's a good plan, but I think OP is. An older home in Forney would be ideal, no HOA, etc...or one of the other new build communities if that's more your style, just not Windmill Farms.

[Vylette]

What about Travis ranch? It looks nice... Anyone know about quality of their houses? We saw a home there that we loved there but I just have to wonder why they're moving. (I know it could be a million different reasons I just worry that it could be something wrong with the house or the neighborhood?)

[Vylette]

Originally Posted by OkieSoonerGuy

You pretty much summed it up for me. The houses seem to be pretty big for the amount of the money you are spending but they just seem so generic. I'd rather drive an extra 10 minutes to Terrell to find something nicer.

Terrel looks great but the schools are rated very poorly. We have elementary aged kids so it rules out Terrell for us...

[loveandcoffee]

Originally Posted by Vylette

What about Travis ranch? It looks nice... Anyone know about quality of their houses? We saw a home there that we loved there but I just have to wonder why they're moving. (I know it could be a million different reasons I just worry that it could be something wrong with the house or the neighborhood?)

I lived in Travis Ranch from 2006 to 2012. There's nothing wrong with the neighborhood that I know of, and the houses are usually built as well as any other new builds in the same price range. We moved just because we were looking to move back to Dallas proper and minimize our commute. My next-door neighbors moved the next year because they'd outgrown it. They bought the house while expecting their first baby and by the time they left Travis Ranch they had 5 kids. The elementary school is great, the neighborhood was good, the only thing I didn't like was the HOA, but most new-build communities like this will have them unfortunately. If you do choose Forney, Travis Ranch is an excellent choice.

[gtt99]

Originally Posted by Vylette

Terrel looks great but the schools are rated very poorly. We have elementary aged kids so it rules out Terrell for us...

Terrell schools have changed for better a lot in the past few years. The new superintendent has been doing an excellent job lifting up Terrell ISD. Their elementary schools are average or slightly above it and their high school is very good. Go to each school's website and look at the most recent performance numbers.

[OkieSoonerGuy]

Originally Posted by loveandcoffee

Hahaha, thanks. Yeah, my sister lived there for awhile and we almost purchased there ourselves until we ended up finding something we liked better in Travis Ranch. The only flaw with your suggestion is that the Terrell schools are terrible. If you're not in need of schools, that's a good plan, but I think OP is. An older home in Forney would be ideal, no HOA, etc...or one of the other new build communities if that's more your style, just not Windmill Farms.

You're right. I actually looked at Terrell since I don't have kids and I don't plan on having any. You would think the schools would be better there.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by gtt99

Terrell schools have changed for better a lot in the past few years. The new superintendent has been doing an excellent job lifting up Terrell ISD. Their elementary schools are average or slightly above it and their high school is very good. Go to each school's website and look at the most recent performance numbers.

It's about time! Terrell schools were bad for decades. That new superintendent had their work cut out for them!

[Abiola22]

Originally Posted by GrandParent555

I think for a below $200k budget, Plano has very limited offerings and unless you have a well connected realtor, most of those will get snatched by cash buyers and investors. Forney fits the bill for your needs. If you are okay with longer commute and can do without the conveniences that Plano offers then you can be very happy in Forney. You'll have to compromise on quality of schools but you'll get more house and a more rural environment.

Most likely rural feel is not going to last for long but certainly never going to be as busy as Plano. Happiness is an attitude and Forney can't guarantee that.

Compromise on schools?

[Abiola22]

What is wrong with windmill farms? I'm thinking of purchasing a home there.

[roberta08]

You should look @ Skyline Estates, in Forney. The builder, Highland Homes, has been one of the highest rated builders in all of the metroplex for many years. I've had no warranty issues, & I've been here 10 years. What I like is that there won't be any further development around me. The land, on the east side & on the north side, are privately owned estates. To the west is Federally protected wetlands. To the south is Hwy 80. It's a small, QUIET area!