Good commute to Dallas Love Field (Wichita Falls, Denton: how much, new home, neighborhood)

[notfromtexas]

DH works out of Love Field and interested in moving within 45 minutes of airport. My dh's commutes will be very early or mid-afternoon so typical rush hour traffic isn't too much of a concern.

We currently live 2.5 hrs from the airport in a city of 100,000. Have 2 children and we are VERY concerned about schools - looking for small class size, family atmosphere, and a good well rounded variety of activities and subjects (important for science labs, music and arts to be standard curriculum) offered - in other words - football isn't our life.

We are interested in areas that are more green and offer outdoor activities - walking trails, lake, river, etc. But also want a nice small town feel.

Is it possible to find this so close to Love Field?
TIA

[5stones]

The park cities, Highland Park and University park would be ideal.
BUT very $$$ and you didn't state how much you want to spend on housing.

Lakewood is another close option more affordable than the park cities.
Lake Highlands and the area around white rock lake etc...

help people here out with housing cost etc.... aand you will get much better anwsers.

[Mom2TwoBoys]

You're so lucky you don't have to worry about rush hour traffic! That really opens up a lot more options for your family, as far as commuting times go.

For greenery/parks, I would love to live near White Rock Lake (lakewood/lake highlands), but our commute limits us to areas more west of those locations.

Definitely check out Lakewood and Lake Highlands and White Rock Lake, it's very pretty.

[billdfw]

You are going to state your budget and type of house. There are a lot of options, but they could be cost prohibitive.

[notfromtexas]

Well, we could probably go up to 350K but not much more. We currently spent 250 on our house now. We don't need a huge house at least 1800 sq ft. We do like older more than newer. Have fixed an old house up before but not wanting an entire remodel at this point. Currently we are in a new home and just don't feel the love - weird high ceilings, no mature trees in the neighborhood, etc.

I was under the impression that the park cities would be too much for our budget and am not familiar with some of the other areas. And yes we are lucky not having to conform to rush hour driving scheduled but our main concern is living in a nice family area with good schools. Trees are the added bonus!

Thank you all!

[Lakewooder]

If you look in 75206 in Stonewall Jackson district or the northern part of 75214 in Lakewood district you would have a pretty easy trip to Love Field. I usually go the back way around and through SMU on University over to Lemmon.

We have older homes but your best bet might be around Mockingbird and Abrams and just to the north of there -- lots of solid as a rock 50s ranch homes and most are less than $350K. Lakewood Elementary probably has a bit more emphasis in the arts then Stonewall (Lakewood choir just won state in a contest).

[honu1]

I live near Denton and when not rush hour, I can be at Love Field in under 45 min. You'll have a pretty wide radius of communities to consider with that time frame.

[notfromtexas]

Does anyone know how much property taxes are in the lakewood area compared to say Flower Mound? Taxes in Wichita Falls are approximately $2000/$100,000 of house.

Not having to deal with Rush hour really makes the decision hard. Do you have any trees in Denton county? Are schools pretty big?

[5stones]

with the price of gas going up etc... I would NOT suggest moving north up near Denton.

There are plenty of options MUCH closer in. Yes, for your budget the park cities are out.

Lakewood might be a tough strech under 300k but I would definately search it out...you might find a true hidden gem in there somewhere. DSID

and Lake Highlands area as well... DSID and RISD

run a search here and you get zip codes and school info

This thread has lots of good info...http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...character.html

[Lakewooder]

It depends but I can usually get from the north part of Lakewood to Love Field in 15 minutes (no freeways -- almost a relaxing drive because of the trees and scenic homes).