How has FW changed in the past 5 years? (Fort Worth, Denton: job, home)

[wanderer74]

I lived in DFW from 1994-2002, in the Park Glen/Watauga/Keller area of NE Tarrant. Moved back to MI to be near family and the MI economy is forcing us out, and I have a potential job offer in Fort Worth. From what I understand, the population of the Metroplex has increased by almost 500,000 since I left, and I'm wondering what the effect of an extra half-million people has been.

I have young kids that are in school. From what I've read here, the same school districts are considered good as was the case when I left. But is FW a safe place to raise kids? Has crime increased significantly in the past 5 years? And exactly how bad is the traffic now? lol I remember it being bad, but I'm wondering if it has gotten worse.

Obviously being in a place with more job opportunities than Michigan is important, but I'm a little nervous about returning to DFW because there were some signs when I left that it was starting to have more problems with crime and that sort of thing.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

I lived in DFW from 1994-2002, in the Park Glen/Watauga/Keller area of NE Tarrant. Moved back to MI to be near family and the MI economy is forcing us out, and I have a potential job offer in Fort Worth. From what I understand, the population of the Metroplex has increased by almost 500,000 since I left, and I'm wondering what the effect of an extra half-million people has been.

I have young kids that are in school. From what I've read here, the same school districts are considered good as was the case when I left. But is FW a safe place to raise kids? Has crime increased significantly in the past 5 years? And exactly how bad is the traffic now? lol I remember it being bad, but I'm wondering if it has gotten worse.

Obviously being in a place with more job opportunities than Michigan is important, but I'm a little nervous about returning to DFW because there were some signs when I left that it was starting to have more problems with crime and that sort of thing.

I'm just curious, but have you considered any other area instead of DFW or another state instead of Texas?

[artcgal]

Well, we live in the far North Fort Worth/Keller area...and, although it has grown tremendously...I haven't seen an increase in crime. The traffic, on the other hand...is nearly the same as it was 5 years ago (but, not 10 years ago). Basswood is open to 35W...as well as North Tarrant Parkway. They have widened North Tarrant Parkway, and this has helped the traffic on Basswood. Now...once you get down near 377 and Basswood...it is still pretty crowded during certain times of the day. It hasn't helpled that there is a few schools now down Parkwood (I believe this is the name of that street). Luckily, I now work the other direction and get to avoid that area all together. 377 is still pretty crowded...but, being that they keep adding shopping...they are adding in traffic lights. You still see people being desperate to get out of the shopping centers...but, for the most part, I don't really see much change from 5 years ago as far as the number of idiots that don't know how to be cautious while driving (I will just turn right so I don't have to cross over six lanes of traffic and then will go the long way home).

Anyway...Fort Worth is STILL a great place to live!!...despite the growth!

...and, this is MY opinion!

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by KewGee

I'm just curious, but have you considered any other area instead of DFW or another state instead of Texas?

Yes we have, and I have applied to other areas as well...DFW is not really my first choice, I just happened to have gotten a job offer there first.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by artcgal

Well, we live in the far North Fort Worth/Keller area...and, although it has grown tremendously...I haven't seen an increase in crime. The traffic, on the other hand...is nearly the same as it was 5 years ago (but, not 10 years ago). Basswood is open to 35W...as well as North Tarrant Parkway. They have widened North Tarrant Parkway, and this has helped the traffic on Basswood. Now...once you get down near 377 and Basswood...it is still pretty crowded during certain times of the day. It hasn't helpled that there is a few schools now down Parkwood (I believe this is the name of that street). Luckily, I now work the other direction and get to avoid that area all together. 377 is still pretty crowded...but, being that they keep adding shopping...they are adding in traffic lights. You still see people being desperate to get out of the shopping centers...but, for the most part, I don't really see much change from 5 years ago as far as the number of idiots that don't know how to be cautious while driving (I will just turn right so I don't have to cross over six lanes of traffic and then will go the long way home).

Anyway...Fort Worth is STILL a great place to live!!...despite the growth!

...and, this is MY opinion!

Thanks! I appreciate the input.

[swartz94]

It's definately have spread out more, the area you lived in is now spanding to Denton even more. No relief on the freeways though, they do not plan on expanding 35 until 2011 - great for all those driving that route.

[loves2read]

too many furriners...