Trying to narrow it down in FW (Dallas, Fort Worth: appointed, neighborhood)

[Threestep2]

Get here, check into an extended stay and get a job. Then use your commute to locate a rental.
Pull up a good street map of DFW, compare distances to NY then pull up the traffic report on local TVs channels and Ft. Worth Telegram. Texans have a lot in common with Praerie dogs - they are building everywhere and traffic can be a major issue.

[ringwise]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

I would not advise anyone to buy a home in Richland Hills. The city has many problems, and petty crime is one of them. The town is aging, and not doing it gracefully. As the elderly residents die or move away, their small homes are being bought by lower income people who often bring large families. The schools are also not good, which is a turn-off for potential new residents who care about their kids' education. Also, the city is (again) preparing to vote on getting out of the public transit system, since they seem to think that it is a waste of their residents' money.

If public transportation is a must, then you really need to look in Dallas County, which has the best public transit system in the state. Even then, you will be limited to certain parts of the area, and only a few of the major hospitals. Texas just doesn't have good public transportation like cities on the East Coast. We are a car-oriented culture here.

I'm not sure what RH did to you to deserve this opinion, but you are wrong. As someone who bought a home just a few years ago from an elderly resident, we are far from lower income with a large family. And the home just purchased directly behind me? Young couple that are not low income. Same the house bought 2 years ago a few doors down - young kids, good income. And Birdville ISD is considered a good district. Yes, there are some not-so-great areas of RH, but for the most part the city is safe.

As for the public transit system, we do not think it's a waste of taxpayer's money. We do have a problem paying for something out of our tax dollars with no say in the matter.

I also believe that the OP expressed and interest in FW. You may think Dallas is great, but many of us like the slower pace and small town feel of FW. I drive past horse property every day, and know all my neighbors.

Please stop bashing an area you obviously know nothing about.

[ChristieP]

Actually, I have two good friends who live in Richland Hills, and I worked in Richland Hills from 2007-2010. My friends live on Dover and Ruth streets, and I worked for a business on Glenview.

One of the friends is an older resident who will be looking to sell her home soon. She has a large immigrant family that moved in next door. They have 5 cars, so they end up parked on the street in front of her house all the time, which annoys her. She says there are at least 9 people living there, including the children. She's called the city, since 9 people shouldn't be living in a 3/2 house.

The other friends are a couple who bought a "fixer upper" and are almost ready to sell it. Sadly, the hassles they have had with the City of Richland Hills permit office have made their renovation very difficult. Many contractors refuse to work in RH due to having to deal with the City, and others will charge extra for any work that requires a permit. My friends are honestly going to barely break even or possibly lose money on the house. They are just ready to get out of RH!

While I worked there, we had a lot of problems with employees' cars getting broken into in the parking lot, especially after dark. Sure, the thieves just took purses, iPods, cell phones, etc. But it was still inconvenient for the employees, and it got glass all over our parking lot. The PD was uninterested in watching the lot to help us catch the thieves.

Birdville ISD is very varied. Some schools are good, and others are marginal. The two elementary schools in Richland Hills are not rated very highly: Elementary Schools in Birdville Independent School District - Haltom City, TX | GreatSchools Birdville HS is also not well rated.

Sure, I will happily go have a delicious meal at Jerry's Italian, but i honestly cannot recommend that someone buy a house in Richland Hills.

[loves2read]

Very specific Christie

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by SomersNY

Ok, I've decided on Fort Worth but I know it's a big place. I'm moving from a NY suburb and would be open to something different, such as a city. I'm planning on renting first, a 3 bedroom. My kids are older 20 and 19 and will transferring to a collegeor university of their choosing.
So here are my demographics:
I'm in the medical field so finding a jobs isn't a problem and I can tolerate a 45 min drive, I did it for 10 yrs
Need a 3 bedroom, can go as high as $1800,
Need to have public transportation nearby, and needs to be a safe neighborhood: these 2 are very important to me

Any thoughts? I'm going to be traveling there in 3 months and would like to focus on a particular town so I can get started on moving

Why Fort Worth? I really do like FTW, especially the Arlington Heights area, but the public transportation is not good.

However, here's other suggestions. I'm sure there are many others, but these are safe areas near public transportation that should have things in your budget

Look in Dallas. Zip code 75206 near the Mockingbird DART Station
Look in Hurst, near the TRE
Look in Irving, Las Colinas near the DART station at Lake Carolyn or near North Lake

[bringamac92]

Originally Posted by ringwise

I'm not sure what RH did to you to deserve this opinion, but you are wrong. As someone who bought a home just a few years ago from an elderly resident, we are far from lower income with a large family. And the home just purchased directly behind me? Young couple that are not low income. Same the house bought 2 years ago a few doors down - young kids, good income. And Birdville ISD is considered a good district. Yes, there are some not-so-great areas of RH, but for the most part the city is safe.

As for the public transit system, we do not think it's a waste of taxpayer's money. We do have a problem paying for something out of our tax dollars with no say in the matter.

I also believe that the OP expressed and interest in FW. You may think Dallas is great, but many of us like the slower pace and small town feel of FW. I drive past horse property every day, and know all my neighbors.

Please stop bashing an area you obviously know nothing about.

I am opening a rotten can of beans with this statement. I wouldn't take offense to a specific posters comments, I've noticed...how can I say this "Favoritism" in people's comments on these message boards. Some people love the city (like myself) some people who live in Mid-Cities act as if it the gateway to heaven (personally I dislike the vast majority of the mid cities, I find it to be a very boring part of town. Hope the city of Fort Worth Annexes it all one day) And those same people will bash, and utilize statistics to "back" their statements. But ultimately it is their opinion, whats beautiful to me isn't beautiful to the person next to me. Plus...would you want to have a bitter neighbor living next to you? lol. I let people be and reply to the original poster always.

Cheers!

P.s. I do agree with your statement though.

[SomersNY]

Thanks sooo muck folks, you've helped a lot.

[jonesacca]

I might suggest you look in White Settlement, Aledo, or Weatherford (all west of FW)--- but there's no public transportation for any of those places- a car is a must in Texas. Oh... And traffic sucks.
Best city for public transport is undoubtedly Dallas, but those of us in FW say 'life's too short to go to Dallas''... So there you have it. DFW is a good market for healthcare, but there are multiple nursing & radiography schools here so be aware - there's competition.
Best of luck!

[Angie682]

North Fort Worth (North of 820) is new, safe, suburbia. Lot of restaurants, shopping, new construction. Aside from traffic with the freeway under construction, it is a nice place to live. Public transportation is not big in Fort Worth. You really do NEED a car here to get around, grocery shop, go places, etc. You really limit yourself tremendously with that as a requirement.

DFW was rated the second worst metro area for public transit for no car households behind Atlanta in 2011 and nothing has changed.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by SomersNY

Ok, I've decided on Fort Worth but I know it's a big place. I'm moving from a NY suburb and would be open to something different, such as a city. I'm planning on renting first, a 3 bedroom. My kids are older 20 and 19 and will transferring to a collegeor university of their choosing.
So here are my demographics:
I'm in the medical field so finding a jobs isn't a problem and I can tolerate a 45 min drive, I did it for 10 yrs
Need a 3 bedroom, can go as high as $1800,
Need to have public transportation nearby, and needs to be a safe neighborhood: these 2 are very important to me

Any thoughts? I'm going to be traveling there in 3 months and would like to focus on a particular town so I can get started on moving

Fort Worth is a great little City - there is a large area known as the "Hospital District" and quite a few other Hospitals around the area. Is sounds like you don't intend to have or drive a car - I know this is pretty standard in New York City, but it's just not a reality in most of Texas. It's possible I guess, but not easy and you are very limited in where you live or work. As to "safe areas" - there are plenty of those in Fort Worth and all Texas Cities. New York State to Texas is quite a culture shock, but most transplants end up loving it.

Good Luck