Looking at Moving to the Dallas Fort Worth Area (Garland: apartments, foreclosure)

[magyei]

I currently live in the St. Louis Area and looking at moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. I have seen a couple of properties (online) under $200K in Terrell-Talty area. I have no kids yet. I am looking at settling and working in Dallas area. Is it a good idea to live out that far? Never been to the area. Planning on making a trip down there soon. Any advice about these areas?

[rdfw]

Do you have to own? If you don't have kids and don't mind renting, there are plenty of nice apartments all over the metroplex in areas that are more interesting. Plus, you'll save on property tax (no state income tax anyway, so that plus no property tax, no grocery tax is nice).

[momof2dfw]

If you work on the east side or in and around Rockwall, Mesquite, Garland then Terrell is not that far. You would probably have a shorter commute to those areas from Terrell than people living in McKinney to downtown Dallas. Terrell has some great older homes that are BEAUTIFUL! You might also look in and around Forney as it is growing by leaps and bounds.

And yes, I recommend renting first before deciding on an area to buy.

[Grainraiser]

Originally Posted by magyei

I currently live in the St. Louis Area and looking at moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. I have seen a couple of properties (online) under $200K in Terrell-Talty area. I have no kids yet. I am looking at settling and working in Dallas area. Is it a good idea to live out that far? Never been to the area. Planning on making a trip down there soon. Any advice about these areas?

For 200k I would look at Forney which is a burb between Dallas and Terrell. It is growing by leaps and bound and you could certainly find a nice home in that price range. Rockwall should also be on your list if your looking at the eastern burbs of Dallas. Do you know what part of town you will be working in. Mesquite, Garland and Rowlett are also some burbs worth considering.

[magyei]

Thank you momof2dfw. What drew my attention was some nice size homes (Winners cirle) in Talty that was why I asked. But I will consider renting before getting into the market.

[magyei]

Thank you Grainraiser, I do not know where I will be working yet. I am deployed overseas right now and will becoming home soon. I would love work and live in the Dallas area due to the growth of the job market, standard of living and the weather. I am tired of the midwest snow and cold.

[FarNorthDallas]

As a single person, I would think Terrell would be very boring. You're big outing will be to Wal-Mart.

[ChristieP]

I'd agree with everyone else to rent and find a job before buying. If you ended up working in North Dallas, you would HATE commuting from Terrell. Also, as FND said, there is ZERO nightlife in Terrell, and as a single person you'd probably be bored out of your mind.

[stouchstone]

So many great places to live in and around DFW metroplex. It is a fantastic time to buy as there are amazing deals all around! Especially if you don't have to worry with selling a home. You definitely will want to live some place that isn't too far from where you end up working. the area is huge! so if gas prices jump up to 4 bucks a gallon again, it will really hurt! Renting will get you out of property taxes, but won't get you anything by way of an investment, and I have been finding awesome investments for folks! What are you looking for as far as house style, yard, schools, etc...that will really narrow down the search. Location is huge here, and the best locations with shopping and serious nightlife, usually cost more, but the 'burbs are coming right along with some really nice features. Allen is having huge growth, as is McKinney, both North of Dallas. Northeast of Dallas all along 190, is really coming along with shops and restaurants. Northwest is Frisco--awesome commercial stuff and amazing foreclosure deals! And to the East of Dallas, is Rockwall, Heath and Fate. Fate is small and relies on Rockwall for most everything, including wonderful new shopping, movie theater, awesome restaurants all set along Lake Ray Hubbard, and fountains and live music--nice. Rockwall and Heath are a bit more expensive, Fate is a good value if you don't mind being a bit farther out. Terrell is really far from everything, except Canton, which once a month hosts a huge outdoor flea market called First Monday trade days. If your price range is $200K, you can't get very much for your money (unless it's a condo) in Dallas, so it all depends on what you are looking for.

[magyei]

Thank you all very much for the advise I am getting. Seems I will have to come down there and live for a while. But as I said in one of my previous threads, i am deployed right now and will be out here in the desert for about a 15 months. I was thinking investing in a home at this time when the housing market has cooled off and interest rates at it lowest was good idea.