Garland -- am I crazy? (movies, live, shop)

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by Brookside

I guess eveyone else seems to think so too because Plano is darned expensive. I started looking at homes in Garland and I'm tempted because we could get sooo much more house for the $. But -- and I mean this respectfully -- Garland seemed to be (and still is by many) considered to not as desireable as the other northeren burbs.
.

It is quite likely that a lot of people who told you to stay out of Garland at all costs have never even been there.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by Brookside

Potential move to the Dallas area. DH's job would be downtown, and proximity to the DART rail would be great.

I guess eveyone else seems to think so too because Plano is darned expensive. I started looking at homes in Garland and I'm tempted because we could get sooo much more house for the $. But -- and I mean this respectfully -- Garland seemed to be (and still is by many) considered to not as desireable as the other northeren burbs.

We're empty nesters and so schools are not as important, except for their resale factor (which likely won't be a problem, either. We're staying put after this move.)

The Firewheel area seems nice -- can anyone give me zip codes of this and other other "nice" parts of Garland?

thanks for advice and suggestions.

I live in Garland in the Firewheel area. LOVE IT!!!! Most of my family has now moved to this area as well from other burbs (Plano, Carrollton & Frisco). All of them love it. It is a totally different vibe compared to the others. More of a "hometown" feel to it even if you did not grow up here they are very accepting . Get to know people in the area (which is very easy to do) and soon you will finde that everyone knows someone you do as well (so be careful about what you say about someone ). My retired uncle moved to Firewheel from Florida after living there for 2 years and prior to that in Plano. Only here has he meet most all of his neighbors and has a golfing group he goes out on the course with at least 2 times a week. Even in a retirement area of Florida they never were able to make friends like that. Lived on two different golf courses in Plano and never had a group that was as close. I love my neighbors as well. VERY friendly and outgoing people in the area.

As for the schools, I'm VERY HAPPY with them. My oldest has been in the G&T magnet program since kindergarten and the GISD does have a VERY GOOD school district.

The zip code to look in is 75044 for the Firewheel area. For around $300K you will find a wide range of homes to consider. Right now there are a few more on the market than normal (spring season is when anyone that is wanting to sell puts it on the market). Not all of the people selling are moving from the area. Most are moving up or down depending on their family situation. A LOT of people in this area don't leave, they just move to a house in the area more suitable for their present/future needs be it growing family or empty nesters.

Originally Posted by loves2read

run a search--lots of posts about Firewheel and Garland areas--one of the posters lives there and has lots of positives to say about it
think there is dart in garland as well--and building a new station there too but don't know area that well at all

Me. LOVE IT!!!!

Originally Posted by Brookside

Under 300K

Should not be a problem at all. Look in the 75044 area.

Originally Posted by brokerars

If you have children and can afford better housing go north of Garland and away from crime - police do not pursue criminals and crime rate reported are not accurate of the danger this area presents-

Right.......

The GISD has one of the best G&T and magnet programs around. The area is also VERY SAFE. Been here for over 16 years with a business in it as well for over 25. Could not be happier.

Originally Posted by Debsi

It is quite likely that a lot of people who told you to stay out of Garland at all costs have never even been there.

So true, so true. Or they are a "fly by poster" like this one seems to be.

[MSPMom]

I drive through Garland every single day and it's a nice, comfortable community. The neighborhoods seem friendly and laid back and it's great to have Firewheel Mall close by (I live at DSW ). I also drive by the main high school and a couple of other schools often and I'm always impressed by the diversity of the student population and how they all seem to get along very well. These are just my observations in passing, but I think spending time driving around, shopping and hanging out in a community gives you a great feel for what it would be like to live there.

Although we plan to move into Dallas because we're more city-oriented and need to be close to school and work, I'd have no problem living in Garland or surrounding areas like Richardson or Rockwall. It's a TOTALLY different vibe than the north suburbs, which aren't my cup of tea. Relaxed, friendly people in the east suburbs who seem quite tied to their communities. I still wonder why people bash Richardson and Garland...

[leovation]

Not sure if you've moved yet or not but...

Take a look further east. If you head right over Ray Hubbard, you'll find Rockwall, Fate, then Royse City. Fate and Royse City have new developments and new/newer homes for a lot less money with outstanding school districts. The suburbs don't have any undesireable sections to speak of since it is all newer construction and well planned. I live in Fate, and couldn't be happier.

My wife worked in Dallas for a while and her commute time was 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, so weigh that with everything else, however note that you can get a HUGE house out here for $300k, and very large for a lot less. I'm 10 minutes from the water if I take my time, there's good mountain biking and kayaking here. Fishing is great. There are golf courses nearby as well as churches to fit most any need/desire. There are great restaurants and a beautiful waterfront shopping/dining area where bands play every Thursday night during the summer. I can't say enough good things about this area.

[stouchstone]

I often work Firewheel and North Richardson and both are very nice. You will want to search zip codes 75044 and 75082. Breckinridge Park is in this area (gorgeous) and Firewheel has 63 holes of golf!

[teralmc]

I grew up in Garland. But I don't live in Garland now. I do live within 10 miles of Firewheel Towne Center just off of Hwy 190 PGBT and Hwy 78. With the extension of Hyw 190 PGBT in progress the area around the Town Center will see some rapid growth. It's a good part of Garland but the DART rail is not out that way yet. One of the higher end subdivisons is Firewheel in zip code 75044. Rowlett and Sacshe both neighbor this area with some nice subdivisions.

[RonRut]

If you care to look a little to the East, Rockwall is very nice.

[unseengundam]

I work in Garland and have seen most part of the city. The some areas are nicer and newer than others. For 300k you newer houses along 190, like everyone has been saying. There also some very nice houses along Campbell in Garland (north of 190). You can have look at houses around Garland Rd @ Campbell and Brand Rd @ Campbell. These houses are also in Firewheel area. There seem be couple nice houses in 300K area last time I looked. I live north of 190, in Richardson though, and this area is very nice. Crime in this area isn't a worry at all I would say.

There also quite few new houses from 250k to 300K right south of Firewheel Parkway and Mars Dr. You can have look there as well.

[MaryS80]

There are nice areas all over Garland, it just depends on what you want. In south Garland along Glenbrook drive there is a nice neighborhood of good sized older homes. Lots of large trees and everyone has a well kept yard.

In central Garland near the downtown area, and near Garland High School there are a lot of small and medium sized homes. Lot's of nice architectural styles.

Firewheel is the newer area, large homes, lots of shopping and of course golfing. The homes are pretty big, and there is a god mix of young families and empty nesters.

[fmwalk]

Is the Oakridge 10 neighborhood near Oakridge Golf Course a nice area? Zipcode 75044. Anyone know if there is a walking trail in that area? Thanks.