Need some ideas on Arlington? (Dallas, Irving: to rent, how much, houses)

[jerseygirl1136]

We are moving to the Dallas area and would like to rent a house near my husbands office in Arlington. I would like to send my daughter to a Catholic school. We have been told by residents that Keller, Grapevine, South Lake is better for us. I would like to live in a middle of the road place with a 20 to 30 minute commute for my husband and myself.
Can we live in Arlington? and find a private school for my daughter? I found Holy Trinity and Holy Rosary. Any opinions out there on the area and the schools?

Thanks

[Grainraiser]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl1136

We are moving to the Dallas area and would like to rent a house near my husbands office in Arlington. I would like to send my daughter to a Catholic school. We have been told by residents that Keller, Grapevine, South Lake is better for us. I would like to live in a middle of the road place with a 20 to 30 minute commute for my husband and myself.
Can we live in Arlington? and find a private school for my daughter? I found Holy Trinity and Holy Rosary. Any opinions out there on the area and the schools?

Thanks

Depending on the budget you may want to add Grand Praire, Mansfield and Irving to your list (houses cheaper than the cities you listed). I am not sure of the catholic schools in the area but hopefully someone in the are will chime in.

[loves2read]

of course you can live in Arlington--you can live anyplace you want to--

the question you are not asking is will we be HAPPY if we live in Arlington--
that is much more difficult and personal question...

there are catholic schools in other parts of Tarrant co--some in Mid-Cities--
this is link to list of private schools--not sure how accurate it still is
Tarrant County Private Schools

Arlington has a school district that has some good and some not so good schools
has growing number of lower socioeconomic families--
Arlington is a city that has a shrinking pool of families that earn high dollars--the avg income for families in Arlington has been dropping over the past 10 years---
There is no public transportation system in a city that has a LARGE physical size, a major hospitality industry where workers are paid min wage usually and need public transportation, a large public university and an aging system of surface streets...
article in FTW paper several months ago said that Arlington was one of the most expensive cities around for people who are poor to live in--not that YOU are poor--

I would not recommend people move to Arlington unless they have real desire to do so to meet their needs...either for work or family reasons--it does have some very pretty neighborhoods but many of them are in areas where schools are weak...

the cowboy stadium is not going to save that town but it is a hugh distraction from what is really needed...and taxes are going up because of it...

the questions are WHERE is your husband working (and how long is he likely to be there)
HOW MUCH can you spend on home if you are paying for private school---
Southlake is very desireable area for many people but most homes are over 400K and taxes are high

a 20 min drive sounds like not a big thing but with the road system in the Metroplex as it is and the amount of traffic being what it is--20 min can grow into 30-45 pretty easily...

[jerseygirl1136]

Thank you so much. I am going to Dallas at the end of the month and start to see what feels right. I will not plan on Arlington being an option. You have all been very helpful.