relatively cheap lakefront living (Dallas, Tyler: real estate, trip , work)

[texastraveler]

My husband and I are hoping to buy a home on a lake. Unfortunately, we aren't rich! ;-)

I'd prefer it to be in a small town, rural feel, with a good school system. My husband likes to fish and I would like a lake that is big enough to waterski on.

[jkwing]

Check out Lake Brownwood in Brown county, has lots on or near the lake starting at $40,000

[Philip T]

Thing to look out for around Texas lake areas that are "cheap" are Meth-heads and the associated trash you will have to deal with. Something about Cheap + Texas + Lake really draws some trash to the area.

Even some Texas lakes that have half to million dollar houses on them have pockets of Meth-trash either with mobiles and less near or on the lakes.

[Poltracker]

Try Lake o the Pines in NE Texas, beautiful country there with easy access to Longview or Marshall for shopping. Also Sam Rayburn, not as easy access to shopping. But Phillip is right, watch out for the Meth Heads

[Philip T]

Another thing to look out for this year is lake level. It is unusually high. Often July and August are dry and hot here. Not this year. It is more like the tropics.

Areas that often mud-holes for a good part of the year -- such as some of Lake of the Pines -- now look like healthy "big water." Seriously talk to the local folks in detail about the real year-to-year lake levels. (not just the Real Estate agent).

As far as the Meth-heads. I think it is in Sept that a new "castle doctrine" law comes into effect for Texas. We will see what that does.

[texastraveler]

We have two young children, so we would prefer to stay were we are as opposed to a city that has a huge meth problem. I realize drugs are everywhere, but I don't want to live in Meth Central, you know?

What about the Eastland area?

[Philip T]

Yeah, I hear you. We have three kiddos -- 5 yo, an almost 3 yo, and a 2 month old. We have played the urban pioneer routine for more than a few years in a bombed out area of Dallas. Mrs. Phil is a Social Worker type, but (thank God) with the kids near school age, the trash level is even too high for her anymore.

Which is why we started, as you, looking at the lakes, etc. On the other side of this conversation, there are some MIGHTY nice areas around lakes to be found where there is some money involved. We have friends with wonderful areas around Eagle Mountain Lake, and Tyler. Been meaning to take a road trip out to Possum Kingdom lately, as well.

[Guingirl]

Eagle Mountain Lake does have some larger nicer houses, but also some reasonable ones as well 150K - 300K. There are some areas around Azle that are right on the lake that are nice off of Stewart (I believe).

[ripley]

Lake Gladewater

[texastraveler]

Does anybody know about the Eastland area? I am researching some of the other areas suggested.