Neighborhoods like Forest Hills, Lakewood, Highland Park in 'Burbs (Houston: transplants, real estate)

[stook1]

Hello, are there any neighborhoods in the suburbs that are similar to Forest Hills, Lakewood, Highland Park or even the Kessler/Oak Cliff area. We took a trip to the city last weekend to explore a bit prior to our move. We liked these areas the most - just wondering if there are suburbs that have a similar feel. I will be working in the Oak Lawn area of the city and hoping to keep the commute under 25-30 minutes max.

Also, somewhat related question (not to be taken the wrong way, hopefully). What are some of the less religious good neighborhoods? We were there during Easter and in some areas nearly every other house had crosses on the lawn. Coming from the NYC burbs and not being Christian, the religious showyness kinda freaked us out a bit.

thanks!

[lh_newbie]

Less religious neighborhoods? You're in the bible belt. I strongly suggest that you get used to it.

As far as subs like Lakewoods, Forrest Hills and Highland Park - nothing like this exists in the burbs that I am aware of. This sort of character takes decades to grow into a neighborhood. The closest possible would be the historic areas of Denton and McKinney - but they are well beyond 25-30 minute commutes.

[socketz]

Less religion north for sure, not because everyone is a pagan, but there are just alot more transplants from areas where church is not as big a part of peoples lives.

[stook1]

Originally Posted by socketz

Less religion north for sure, not because everyone is a pagan, but there are just alot more transplants from areas where church is not as big a part of peoples lives.

Just curious, how far north are you talking about? Any particular towns you are thinking of?

[Lakewooder]

I've had my Real Estate Broker's license for 25 years, traveled all over DFW, Texas and the world and I can say that Lakewood is unique.

I'm sure the "Cliffies" would say the same thing about "O'Cliff".

Why not go for the real thing instead of the ersatz?

[turnbun]

Why do you need to live in the "burbs" if you are working in Oak Lawn? All of the areas you mentioned are very nice and would be great places to live.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by stook1

Also, somewhat related question (not to be taken the wrong way, hopefully). What are some of the less religious good neighborhoods? We were there during Easter and in some areas nearly every other house had crosses on the lawn. Coming from the NYC burbs and not being Christian, the religious showyness kinda freaked us out a bit.

thanks!

I'm not going to say "get used to it" or anything but I will just say this. The day that in this country that people get offended because others are open w/ their faith and religion is the day we ALL need to fear.

I'm not saying this to offend anyone at all but it amazes me more and more. I guess w/ old age I'm a little more well in tune w/ my faith and how it is the mainstay of my life and how I live. I do not want to turn this thread into a religious debate at all it is just that if you would look over all the posts from people moving here and being "freaked" about how open people were about their faith you would maybe understand. Really, there was a post on the Houston threads a few days ago from some guy saying the place had "Jesus stuff and Bibles everywhere" and it "offended" him (which is not the truth, lol). If I moved to NYC there is nothing there that would change how I lived w/ my faith and I REALLY do not want anyone moving here to my home and getting offended or wanting us to "tone it down" for them. Yes, it is a free country and one can move anywhere they want to and all, I've heard that argument (lol). But you also have to look at the big picture that I started out with. The day that the citizens in this country are told to keep their religion/faith in the closet is the day we should ALL fear for our lives.

BTW, as socketz stated, the newer suburbs are home to TONS of transplants from other states. As has been pretty much the trend and the difference between the different religious climates in this country you will find more people in those areas that are less "showy" with their faith. BTW, when we ask "where do you go to church" it is NOT always a ploy to "get you". It is the same as asking "where do you work" or "where do you go to school". Just one more way for us to get to be more neighborly w/ our neighbors.

[kaykay]

Well said, momof2DFW.

[stook1]

momof2dfw, first let me say that I appreciate your perspective and your vast contributions to this forum. Your posts have generally been extremely helpful for me and I am sure many others. Still, I felt the need to reply to your post because I think it may be constructive for you in understanding the feeling of the "outsider" visting or living in some parts of the Dallas area (and likely other areas in the South).

This is a matter of community culture. I will freely admit that for many people religion provides a community structure that can be of great value. My own view is NOT that faith and religion are bad or offensive, as you indicated in your post. It is that religion should be private, in one's home and/or in one's place of prayer.

I am Jewish and live in Fairfield County, CT, which is also a predominately Christian part of the country. I am quite sure that there are many deeply spritual and religious people in my neighborhood. Still, people keep their Relgion to themselves. As an example, during the Easter holiday, you would be challenged to find a large cross on display on anybody's lawn.

To the outsider visiting or moving to a community where religious symbols are on prominant display, it creates unnecessary feelings of separation and distance from those who do not share the same beliefs (that is my view at least). I ask you to honestly think about the following question. How would you feel visiting Crown Heights in Brooklyn NY? This area is almost entirely Orthodox Jewish and you (and I as well, actually) will feel like a religious and cultural outsider in this neighborhood. Would you feel welcomed? Would you pick that neighborhood to live in? Probably not.

In a neighborhood with either subtle or no religious displays I am not likely to have the same reaction and I believe the end result is a community that is FAR more welcoming to people of all faiths.

[lh_newbie]

I'm not trying to start a religious debate, but it was always taught to me that we should be proud of our religion. We shouldn't hide it. I have a cross on my lawn. I am proud of it. Does that mean I do not have non-Christian friends? Nope. I have plenty of them. I try to represent my faith, but I do not hide it. My friends know I am Christian. They respect it.