Best Suburbs Near Dallas????? (Fort Worth, Arlington: low crime, homes, neighborhood)

[Visitor2007]

These houses look very cheap for the following Grand Prairie locations. How is the neighborhood and what's the commute like from there to downtown?

1) Single Family Home - 3524 Quannah Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052 - Realtor.com

2) Single Family Home - 4520 Fargo Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052 - Realtor.com

[Grainraiser]

Originally Posted by Visitor2007

Name the top 3 suburbs in dallas that are affortable, reasonably safe (as long as it's not in the ghetto), and have a decent commute to downtown (say within 45 minutes each way).

I will try to give you a honest answer. With your price range and requirements I would suggest you look at places like Garland, Mesquite, Forney, Rowlett, Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, and Rockwall. You can find a house in each of the communities for less than 200k and they will be in newer surburbs or you can build new. The older burbs like Garland and Mesquite will have really nice area's and older areas that may not be as nice. Just go out and take a look at the newer areas and see what you think. You can get a 1,600-2,800 sqft home in most of these communities and is many cases you can build new with your price range. I live in Mesquite and for your price range you could get a new house built with would include club house, pool, HOA and nice school. I am sure many other communities could offer the same. There is nothing wrong with living in the Northern burbs but the simple fact is that they pay more in housing than the rest of the metroplex. Drive around for yourself and see what you are attracted to. I am betting some of those communities people are telling you to afford will catch your eye and you will put them on your list.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by Visitor2007

When I said affortable, I mean $150K - $200K for a small house that's built in the 80s, 90s, or newer.

My understanding is that South Dallas and East Dallas areas are generally bad such as Mesquite, Lancaster, De Soto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill, right?

Now, it seems that Richardson is a good choice based on my creteria.

But, what about Garland, Farmers Branch, Irving, Grand Prairie or even East Arlington?

Yes Richardson would be a good choice but limited. There are about 20 single family homes built from the 80s below 200K right now. Actually, they start around 170s...

Farmers Branch is very expensive. In Grand Prairie, I would suggest the Westchester area and Lago Vista. I think you should consider Mansfield too. Lots of nice areas there with newer homes. Other good suburbs would be Sachse and Wylie.

Naima

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by Visitor2007

My understanding is that South Dallas and East Dallas areas are generally bad such as Mesquite, Lancaster, De Soto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill, right?

The short answer is no. There are nice neighborhoods and homes in each of these cities.

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by Visitor2007

These houses look very cheap for the following Grand Prairie locations. How is the neighborhood and what's the commute like from there to downtown?

1) Single Family Home - 3524 Quannah Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052 - Realtor.com

2) Single Family Home - 4520 Fargo Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052 - Realtor.com

Here's an article in today's newspapers abotu Grand Prairie schools.
Grand Prairie parents drop schools that don't make the grade | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

[Visitor2007]

So, is Grand Prairie, or specifically, the location of my two links above, really that bad?

[Grainraiser]

Grand Prairie like many other burbs typically have a dividing line. For Grand Prairie is I20. The nicer areas of Grand Prairie are east of I20. It will be located near Lake Joe Pool. I am pretty sure thats where those two homes are located and I would say those areas or nice and safe with good schools. Hopefully someone who lives in the area can give you better information.

[Visitor2007]

Originally Posted by Grainraiser

Grand Prairie like many other burbs typically have a dividing line. For Grand Prairie is I20. The nicer areas of Grand Prairie are east of I20. It will be located near Lake Joe Pool. I am pretty sure thats where those two homes are located and I would say those areas or nice and safe with good schools. Hopefully someone who lives in the area can give you better information.

When you said "east," do you mean "south?"

[ISellAddison]

Two-bedroom garden homes in Addison average about $200,000 but don't come on the market very often. Addison is an easy commute to downtown (via the Tollway or I-35) and town's amenities are awesome.

[suzduval]

I am in the Garland area...just off the tollway. I commute to Ft Worth and Far west area (Azle) daily...I have no problems. Garland is affordable, and like every town..there is a good side..and a not so good side. From what I understand the schools are good as well....nice private schools close as well.