Thinking about moving to arlington from michigan (Dallas, Grand Prairie: for rent, new home)

[girlthatlovessports]

We are thinking of relocating to the arlington area. We have 3 children and my concerns are:

1) How bad are the spiders and snakes?
2) Is it so hot that we really can't go outside in the summer?
3) What kind of house can we rent for 1400-1800?

I grew up on the west coast in oregon and moved to michigan 10 years ago. I can't take the winters much longer. I have only visited texas one time and it was in san antonio. My husband grew up in michigan but he's getting tired of the cold also.

So I would like to know what it's really like to live in texas. Any info would be great. We don't have much time to make a decision. Thanks!

[Grainraiser]

I doubt if you have a serious problem with snakes and to a less extent spiders but it really depends on where you put roots down. I live in a cookie cutter subdivision and have not seen a snake in 12 years. Have quite a few spiders but as long as they stay outside I am fine. Texas summers can be brutal. It takes a bit getting use to 100 degree weather. For folks from Michigan and Oregon it's gonna take time to adjust. I am not familiar with newer areas of Arlington but you should add Grand Prairie to your list. It's right down freeway from Arlington and has some very nice areas. I am sure some realestate agents will be more helpfull but I would say with your budget you should be able to find 3 bedroom, 2 car garage home in the 2,000sqft range with no problem. You will trade Michigan winters for Texas summers but it would be worth it IMHO.

[FarNorthDallas]

How did you zero in on Arlington?

[nsumner]

Grainraiser is correct. You can get a lot for your money in your price range may be even a 4-5 bedroom house in your high end. My family and I moved from Chicago in '95 and haven't regretted it at all. Yes it's HOT in the summer, but I'll take it anytime over the cold of Chicago.

You really need to make a trip to see for yourself. No matter how well it gets described for you, it won't give you the real picture. It's soooo big here.

Naima

[girlthatlovessports]

My husband would transfer with general motors. I'm just wondering if it's the right place for us. Thanks for the responses!

[clientschoice]

I have not heard about snakes seen in residential areas. As for the weather in Texas.... Yes it gets hot and the cool thing is the kids and their parents get to go swimming. Find a home with a neighborhood swimming pool.
Since you are thinking of relocating, I would suggest that you consider other cities close to Arlington like Mansfield and Grand Prairie. They also have nice homes and good areas and schools. Glorypark in Arlington will be the new home of the Dallas Cowboys and Arlington already has the Texas Rangers Ballpark and Six Flags.
For rent between 1400 and 1800, you would get 3-4 bedrooms with square footage of about 1500+. It is worth taking a trip down here to check out the areas. You will be pleasantly surprised because everything is big in Texas.

[Jayvee_1]

I'm also interested in this area of Texas. I have 4 small children, ages 9-2, and we've lived in Wisconsin for almost 10 years. Can you give me heads up on weather, critters, traffic, crime......and the list goes on. Please, if you're in High School and just can't wait to "get out", then don't reply. I'm really looking for a place similar to "Lighted Streets on Quiet Nights" to raise a family.

Jayvee_1

[Ã…dvenio_Nobis]

I live in Trophy Club, northwest of Arlington and a little more 'out there' so to speak.

The only snakes I have found are the good kind... those eight inch long garden snakes that like to hang out in your compost heap or piles of leaves. They are completely harmless but make great sport for my cats who leave one or two on the porch each week as gifts.

I can't say we've got a big spider problem here. I'm sure they're around. I just haven't noticed any big scary ones. Mostly little ones that are easily disposed of with a tissue. They seem to gravitate to the dark corners around the woodwork in the bathroom for some reason.

I have noticed an increase in the number of wild turkeys this year. They like to gobble around along the side roads near cow pastures and you have to be careful not to run over them.

We do have field mice in my neighborhood. Again, I probably wouldn't notice them at all if my cats didn't bring them home on occasion as gifts.

As for the weather... the DFW area is not particularly bothersome to me. The main difference between some other parts of the country is that it gets hot earlier and stays hot later in the season than more northern states. In other words... milder winters!

Crime? Well, coming from Washington DC, the difference for me is NIGHT and DAY. I talked to one of our local cops a few weeks ago and asked him if anything was going on worth noting. He responded that they'd had a string of four or five car burglaries (in a town of 7,500)... the problem was that ladies were leaving their purses or laptops out on the seat and forgetting to lock their doors. In fact that's pretty common in this area... people will leave their car running, with keys in the ignition, while they spend a few minutes in the mini-mart filling their coffee cup! We NEVER did that back east!

[Lakewooder]

What, no questions about tornadoes?

[rosscountry]

if you love sports like your username suggests I think you will love Arlington. Looks like it is committed to becoming the big sports draw in america with the cowboys and the rangers being down the street from one another. added icing on the cake for you and your kids is your easy access to the theme parks.

I don't think you'll have an issue with snakes all of the construction out there should have driven them away by now.