I want to know about Garland, Tx (Austin, Carrollton: fit in, real estate)

[mothertnm]

I am looking for a good living place in Garland. And also looking for good schooling system, good neighourhood, low crime area. If anyone know about this please reply me.

[momof2dfw]

I live in Garland. What price point are you looking in for a house?

I LOOOOOOOOVE the schools. Been VERY HAPPY with the schools here in Garland. My oldest is in high school at Garland High and LOVING IT! Her and us as parents as well. The parents at the high school level are VERY involved at GHS. My youngest is in the neighborhood elementary school and it is great as well. The core curriculium is top-notch. My sis teaches in what some people THINK is a "better" isd in the area but when we compare our work we are on the same level or ahead. I also prefer our REAL grading system to hers. My oldest has been thru the magnets in the GISD and now in the IB program at Garland. The magnet program in the GISD is OUTSTANDING!!! There is a meeting coming up on December 1st at the GISD Special Events Center for the elementary magnets. I woud highly suggest you go check it out to see what all is offered. You can get the dates and times online at Garland Independent School District

We have had no issues with crime. Funny this is brought up. I grew up in Carrollton and last night for some reason my kids started asking me questions after hearing about the little girl in Florida :ma d: (nother story)
They wanted to know what all had happened to me or my experiences. I recounted all of the breakins and attempted breakins that happened to my family growing up over there. They said they were glad we had not had any of that with them. Which is true, the crime rate here is not bad at all. I have not waken up to find someone standing in my bedroom. I have not been awakened to find someone trying to kick in the front door. I have not had someone try to break in while we were gone. Had all of that in Carrollton and in NORTH Carrollton in a very nice neighborhood. In Garland, nada. So don't let people scare you off that most likely have never lived here much less driven thru it on the streets.

The community feel is AWESOME here. VERY community involved. There is the Labor Day Parade where every high school in the GISD marches in it, lots of the peewee teams, businesses, etc. The Star Spangled Fourth is another big event every year. The first part of December on one weeknight they close off the streets around the square and Santa flies in and there are choirs singing, vendors and all. The Firewheel neighborhoods have an annual Easter Egg Hunt and an annual Fall Festival. The Fall Festival is this coming Sunday from 4:30-7:00 at the golf course pavailian if you can make it out. If you have small kids there is the Firewheel Moms Club that gets together often. A lof the neighborhoods have bunco nights and such. Ours has a Halloween pizza party on one culdesac for the families and then everyone sits out on their sidewalk to hand out candy as the kids parade down the steets to "trick or treat".

This coming Saturday, Oct. 24 is Alumni Day at Garland HS. It is pretty much an all day event w/ alumni coming back to the school and the band will be playing and serving hot dogs and drinks. I've found that it is a BIG TO-DO!

If you find something and want the inside scoop on the street/area feel free to pm me and I'll tell you everything about it.

[UTDGraduate]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I live in Garland. What price point are you looking in for a house?

I LOOOOOOOOVE the schools. Been VERY HAPPY with the schools here in Garland. My oldest is in high school at Garland High and LOVING IT! Her and us as parents as well. The parents at the high school level are VERY involved at GHS. My youngest is in the neighborhood elementary school and it is great as well. The core curriculium is top-notch. My sis teaches in what some people THINK is a "better" isd in the area but when we compare our work we are on the same level or ahead. I also prefer our REAL grading system to hers. My oldest has been thru the magnets in the GISD and now in the IB program at Garland. The magnet program in the GISD is OUTSTANDING!!! There is a meeting coming up on December 1st at the GISD Special Events Center for the elementary magnets. I woud highly suggest you go check it out to see what all is offered. You can get the dates and times online at Garland Independent School District

We have had no issues with crime. Funny this is brought up. I grew up in Carrollton and last night for some reason my kids started asking me questions after hearing about the little girl in Florida :ma d: (nother story)
They wanted to know what all had happened to me or my experiences. I recounted all of the breakins and attempted breakins that happened to my family growing up over there. They said they were glad we had not had any of that with them. Which is true, the crime rate here is not bad at all. I have not waken up to find someone standing in my bedroom. I have not been awakened to find someone trying to kick in the front door. I have not had someone try to break in while we were gone. Had all of that in Carrollton and in NORTH Carrollton in a very nice neighborhood. In Garland, nada. So don't let people scare you off that most likely have never lived here much less driven thru it on the streets.

The community feel is AWESOME here. VERY community involved. There is the Labor Day Parade where every high school in the GISD marches in it, lots of the peewee teams, businesses, etc. The Star Spangled Fourth is another big event every year. The first part of December on one weeknight they close off the streets around the square and Santa flies in and there are choirs singing, vendors and all. The Firewheel neighborhoods have an annual Easter Egg Hunt and an annual Fall Festival. The Fall Festival is this coming Sunday from 4:30-7:00 at the golf course pavailian if you can make it out. If you have small kids there is the Firewheel Moms Club that gets together often. A lof the neighborhoods have bunco nights and such. Ours has a Halloween pizza party on one culdesac for the families and then everyone sits out on their sidewalk to hand out candy as the kids parade down the steets to "trick or treat".

This coming Saturday, Oct. 24 is Alumni Day at Garland HS. It is pretty much an all day event w/ alumni coming back to the school and the band will be playing and serving hot dogs and drinks. I've found that it is a BIG TO-DO!

If you find something and want the inside scoop on the street/area feel free to pm me and I'll tell you everything about it.

This is the best advice I ever read from your posts.

I would like to add that North Garland is a perfect kingdom to live than South Garland. 'South" of Garland such as the areas around S. Centerville Rd and Saturn Road is kinda less security than North.
Besides Firewheel mall area, you can find many great communities between Campell and Shiloh Rd; Arapahoh/Apolo and N. Garland Rd or any places along George Bush Turnpike (HW190) near Namman Forest High School.
In my opinion, the most ideal area to live in North Garland is those communities between N. Garland Ave and HW190 near Sam' Warehouse and SuperTarget stores.

P.S: I still wonder why I love to use the words "South side" and "Naughty" a lot.

[LAnative10]

You will find some of the best Vietnamese food Texas has to offer in Garland!

That might not matter, but I love it!

[L.A. Diva]

Originally Posted by UTDGraduate

This is the best advice I ever read from your posts.

I would like to add that North Garland is a perfect kingdom to live than South Garland. 'South" of Garland such as the areas around S. Centerville Rd and Saturn Road is kinda less security than North.
Besides Firewheel mall area, you can find many great communities between Campell and Shiloh Rd; Arapahoh/Apolo and N. Garland Rd or any places along George Bush Turnpike (HW190) near Namman Forest High School.
In my opinion, the most ideal area to live in North Garland is those communities between N. Garland Ave and HW190 near Sam' Warehouse and SuperTarget stores.

P.S: I still wonder why I love to use the words "South side" and "Naughty" a lot.

"This is the best advice I have ever read from your posts"

I agree, I agree, "momof2dfw" has it going on........she is so helpful!

[NanaHG3]

Great advice momof2dfw! I am relocating to the area at the holidays. We have 3 kids age 8 and under so schools are a major issue. My office is located at NW Hwy & the Tollway. Don't want a huge commute, but I know I'll have some.

My sister actually lives in Rowlett & teaches in the GISD at Brandenburg so she has sung GISD's praises - we just aren't quite sure whether to go Garland or Rowlett right now - we're waiting to seriously look at real estate until our house gets some bites, but we'd like to rent for a while to get our bearings...based on the posts I've seen from momof2dfw I think we'll most definitely keep the Firewheel Estates area of Garland on our list!

Appreciate y'all taking the time to help those of us heading that way!

[MaryS80]

I've been really happy with our mayor and city council over the last several years, they have really done a lot to improve Garland. Past leaders had made poor choices that resulted in a lack of needed growth, among other things. Garland has never had any major problems, but a lot of small things piled up. Code enforcement has been hard at work making sure yards aren't over grown and strewn with junk. Blighted run down apartments are being emptied, razed, and redeveloped. The city has also learned to embrace its multicultural aspect.

[momof2dfw]

Yes, I must say the GISD is rather impressive. I have nothing but good words to say about it. I have friends and family that teach in other surrounding districts as well as the many friends that teach in the GISD. Compared to the others the GISD really is a great district with much to offer.

For those interested in the different magnet programs the parent meetings are well underway. For parents of 8th graders that will be entering high school next year they have been having those already. For middle school they are fast approaching and elementary soon after. All well before the Christmas break. Here are the dates from the GISD (do not know how this is going to copy and paste but hope it works).

HIGH SCHOOL
Gifted and Talented Calendar 2009 - 2010 Highschool IB, MST, and Classical Dates (Garland, North Garland, & Lakeview) Date Description
October 8, 2009 *IB 8th Grade Parent Meeting - GHS 7:00 p.m.
October 12, 2009 *Parent Meeting - NGHS 6:30 p.m.
October 13, 2009 *IB 8th Grade Parent Meeting - GHS 7:00 p.m.
October 15, 2009 *Parent Meeting - NGHS 6:30 p.m.
Bilingual and English

October 19, 2009 Parent Meeting LCHS 7:00 p.m.
October 20, 2009 Junior Parent Meeting (Exam Registration) - GHS 7:00 p.m.
October 21, 2009 Parent Meeting - LCHS 7:00 p.m.
October 26, 2009 Parent Meeting - LCHS 7:00 p.m. Collegiate Academy
November 20, 2009 Application Deadline
January 15, 2010 Parent Notification - Acceptance Letters Mailed to New Students
January 30, 2010 Acceptance Letters - Due to Campus
*Identical information will be presented at both meetings.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School GT, MST, and Classical Dates (Austin, Jackson, & Brandenburg) Date Description
December 2010 Pre Q Letters Sent with Invitation to Parent Meeting
January 11, 2010 Parent Meeting - Jackson 7:00 p.m.
January 12, 2010 Parent Meeting - Brandenburg 7:00 p.m.
January 22, 2010 Application Deadline
January 25, 2010 Testing and Auditions
January 26, 2010 Testing and Auditions
January 29, 2010 Letters of Intent for Pre Q Due to MS Magnets
January 30, 2010 Austin GT Testing
February 10, 2010 Parent Notification - Acceptance letters mailed to New Students
February 19, 2010 Acceptance letters - Due to Campus
February 22, 2010 Data Clerks Code
February 26, 2010 Final List Due to Student Services


ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Elementary GT Academy and MST Dates (Hillside, Kimberlin, & Walnut Glen)
Date Description
December 1, 2009 General Magnet Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Special Events Center Ballroom
4999 Naaman Forest Blvd
Garland, TX 75040
December 7, 2009 *GT Parent Meeting - Kimberlin 7:00 p.m.
Decmeber 15, 2009 *GT Parent Meeting - Hillside 7:00 p.m.
December 14, 2009 *GT Parent Meeting - Walnut Glen 7:00 p.m

January 8, 2010 GT Applications Due:
GT Office
501 S. Jupiter
Garland, TX 75042

January 23, 2010 GT Test Date
Students entering Kindergarten and 1st grades
Kimberlin Academy

February 5, 2010 Letter of Intent Mailed Out
February 6, 2010 GT Test Date
Students entering 2nd - 5th grades
Including Art/Music Auditions
Hillside Academy

February 19, 2010 Letter of Intent Due to Academy
March 12, 2010 Parent Notification Letters are Mailed
March 26, 2010 Deadline: Acceptance from Students
April 1, 2010 GT Coding due
April 5, 2010 List of GT Students Due to Student Services
*Identical information will be presented at each meeting.

Elementary MST & Classical Dates (Beaver, Watson, & Vial)
Date Description
December 1, 2009 General Magnet Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Special Events Center Ballroom
4999 Naaman Forest Blvd
Garland, TX 75040
December 8, 2009 Magnet Parent Meeting - Watson 7:00 p.m.
Decmeber 9, 2009 Magnet Parent Meeting - Beaver 7:00 p.m.
December 10, 2009 Magnet Parent Meeting - Vial 7:00 p.m.
January 8, 2010 MST/CC Applications Due:
Individual Campuses
February 5, 2010 Letter of Intent to Return to Magnet
February 19, 2010 Letter of Intent due to Campus
February 26, 2010 MST/CC Lottery
March 12, 2010 Parent Notification
March 26, 2010 Deadline: Acceptance Letters Due
April 1, 2010 All Coding Completed
April 5, 2010 Magnet List to Student Services
April 9 or 16, 2010 List of Exit Students to Student Services


Here is the direct link:
GISD Gifted and Talented Calendar

*******If your considering the GISD area and will be in the area during the meetings...... GO!!!!!
My oldest went to Kimberlin, Austin and now Garland HS. I can not say anything but great things about these schools. Involved parents that care about the high standards of academics. Staff that work great with the kids. LOTS to get involved with thru the school from the arts to athletics and every thing in between.

If you are looking in the Firewheel neighborhoods or The Greens and will be here this weekend on Sunday then come on by the Fall Festival. It will be at the golf course pavalion on Campbell Rd on Sunday from 4:30-7:00. It is on Campbell between N. Garland Ave and Brand Rd.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by MaryS80

I've been really happy with our mayor and city council over the last several years, they have really done a lot to improve Garland. Past leaders had made poor choices that resulted in a lack of needed growth, among other things. Garland has never had any major problems, but a lot of small things piled up. Code enforcement has been hard at work making sure yards aren't over grown and strewn with junk. Blighted run down apartments are being emptied, razed, and redeveloped. The city has also learned to embrace its multicultural aspect.

I too have nothing but great things to say about our city leaders. They have a great open door policy and actually LISTEN to the citizens. Most of the workers for the city actually live IN Garland (you do not find that everywhere). Code in Garland is on top of things. We are one of the few cities that has a rental inspection program. A landlord must register their rental property with the city and it can be inspected at any time. It has helped run some of the crappy landlords out of the city and they have sold their properties to people that actually own them now . Local businesses are involved in the community as well from business owners actually living IN the same city as their business, supporting the schools and local organizations, etc.


This Saturday the GISD is having their International Fine Arts Celebration (my youngest will be performing ).

International Fine Arts Celebration 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Special Events Center
Located next to Naaman Forest High School right off of Hwy 190 and N. Garland Ave.


This Saturday is also the Garland High School Alumni Day at the school. That school is like a cult, in a good way. People that have not had kids there for years still are actively involved be it going to every football game and/or still giving their time and resources to the school. It is pretty amazing. I went to a school in Carrollton and we didn't have any traditions and no one stays in contact or anything. Since living in G-Town since 1992 when I got married and we bought a house here it is like I've been here forever. I get asked what GISD school I went to as it is just so easy to "fit in" and everyone accept you like you've been here forever. Wish I could say I did . It was pretty cool at the GHS vs SGHS football game a few weeks ago. A lot of the kids at GHS have parents that went to SGHS and it is a HUGE rivalry. The parents had on their old SGHS stuff but were sitting on the GHS side and stood up for both fight songs, alma maters, etc. That is one of the cool things I've LOVED about this town. It is like a TOWN and everyone knows everyone. They grew up here, went off to college, came back and got married and settled down to raise their kids in the same town. If anyone moves they just move to a different house within the city so there is not this huge transient society here like some areas. My kids have friends that live all over Garland, Rowlett, Sachse from one side to the other. It really is a great "town" to live in.

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I too have nothing but great things to say about our city leaders. They have a great open door policy and actually LISTEN to the citizens. Most of the workers for the city actually live IN Garland (you do not find that everywhere). Code in Garland is on top of things. We are one of the few cities that has a rental inspection program. A landlord must register their rental property with the city and it can be inspected at any time. It has helped run some of the crappy landlords out of the city and they have sold their properties to people that actually own them now . Local businesses are involved in the community as well from business owners actually living IN the same city as their business, supporting the schools and local organizations, etc.


This Saturday the GISD is having their International Fine Arts Celebration (my youngest will be performing ).

International Fine Arts Celebration 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Special Events Center
Located next to Naaman Forest High School right off of Hwy 190 and N. Garland Ave.


This Saturday is also the Garland High School Alumni Day at the school. That school is like a cult, in a good way. People that have not had kids there for years still are actively involved be it going to every football game and/or still giving their time and resources to the school. It is pretty amazing. I went to a school in Carrollton and we didn't have any traditions and no one stays in contact or anything. Since living in G-Town since 1992 when I got married and we bought a house here it is like I've been here forever. I get asked what GISD school I went to as it is just so easy to "fit in" and everyone accept you like you've been here forever. Wish I could say I did . It was pretty cool at the GHS vs SGHS football game a few weeks ago. A lot of the kids at GHS have parents that went to SGHS and it is a HUGE rivalry. The parents had on their old SGHS stuff but were sitting on the GHS side and stood up for both fight songs, alma maters, etc. That is one of the cool things I've LOVED about this town. It is like a TOWN and everyone knows everyone. They grew up here, went off to college, came back and got married and settled down to raise their kids in the same town. If anyone moves they just move to a different house within the city so there is not this huge transient society here like some areas. My kids have friends that live all over Garland, Rowlett, Sachse from one side to the other. It really is a great "town" to live in.

One of my old pals from class of 2000 still attends GHS football games on a regular basis. He recently brought his new baby to a game. My best freind and I went to GHS, her mother attended LCHS, and her grandmother also attended GHS there is a lot of tradition.

The city council is very nice, I spoke before them when was only about 19/20 years old. There had been talk at one point to raze some areas near GHS to expand the school. As much as i loved my school, I could not see parts of the area go. The measure never went through and the areas in question are designated historic downtown Garland, so they won't be changed anytime soon. I went there in jeans a t-shirt, just off work, no make up and they gave me plenty of respect.

With the exception of on semester of sixth grade, my entire school career GISD. In all that time at GISD I had one teacher that was bad, and you know what, she was not at the school the following year. Lots of districts may lolly gag around with poor teachers, but GHS does the darn near impossible and weeds the bad one out. I remember a really great science teacher I had at Bussey MS. There were a few of us geeky outcasts whom she would allow to hangout in her classroom after school until our bus/ride arrived. I can remember my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Echols very well. She really took the time to notice everyone talents. She new I liked to draw and on the last day of class gave me a big stack of drawing paper. There was only one G&T ES back then, and a waiting list to get in. She would give challenging assignments to those of us in G&T to keep us interested. Atticus Wiesener who is now one of the principles at GHS was a teacher/coach back in my day. That man really does have a passion for what he does. He loved teaching, spreading knowledge, and helping minds grow. He was very happy and in his element, he always made learning fun.