Moving to Wichita Falls area...a few questions (Fort Worth, Keller: leasing, house)

[DragonflyLotus]

My husband and I are relocating in a little over a month. He lived in Lawton for a few years and that was his vote, but no income taxes and lower out-of-state tuition (plus the fact that I can't say "Oklahoma" without tunes from the musical playing in my head) led me to discover Wichita Falls.

I've been reading the local paper and forums, and so far see nothing to change my mind (amazing in itself...reading our local paper's forums online would keep me out of Tallahassee if I weren't already here ). I've already applied to Vernon College and we plan on driving out in a couple of weeks to look for a house to rent and jobs.

So I have a few questions for you:

*I prefer to rent from an individual vs. a company. The online links seem to be all management companies. I found one house here by driving around and looking for "for rent" signs. Is that a good way to do it there? If so, are there specific areas we should avoid? We prefer a 2 bedroom with a garage and space for a little backyard garden, but I still don't know if we want the city or something more rural. We're in our 30's with no kids, so schools aren't an issue. Cost is an issue, though, as I'll be paying higher tuition for a year.

*My husband works in the glass business (windows/screens/etc.) Does anybody know what the job market is like for that? My background is in property management (resident manager, accountant, leasing) but I hate it and want to go to nursing school. I have retail and restaurant experience, so I'll probably look for something there since I'll want a schedule I can work for school. Should I just pound the pavement or is there a place local employers post job listings?

*I'm an Alabama-born, Church-of-Christ-raised Southern girl, so I should have no problem 'blending' and I do enjoy attending Church at times (good music). However, I'm Buddhist. Will I be the only one in Wichita Falls? If so, that's ok with me, but if there is a Buddhist community that would be nice also.

I look forward to any advice from those of you who know the area!

[case44]

You can try the west side of Wichita Falls, near Fairway and Kell. Or you can try some places along Southwest Parkway. You'll have a delicate combination of the big-city amenities, but still have a small-town feel to it.

[whitechocolate86]

Originally Posted by DragonflyLotus

My husband and I are relocating in a little over a month. He lived in Lawton for a few years and that was his vote, but no income taxes and lower out-of-state tuition (plus the fact that I can't say "Oklahoma" without tunes from the musical playing in my head) led me to discover Wichita Falls.

I've been reading the local paper and forums, and so far see nothing to change my mind (amazing in itself...reading our local paper's forums online would keep me out of Tallahassee if I weren't already here ). I've already applied to Vernon College and we plan on driving out in a couple of weeks to look for a house to rent and jobs.

So I have a few questions for you:

*I prefer to rent from an individual vs. a company. The online links seem to be all management companies. I found one house here by driving around and looking for "for rent" signs. Is that a good way to do it there? If so, are there specific areas we should avoid? We prefer a 2 bedroom with a garage and space for a little backyard garden, but I still don't know if we want the city or something more rural. We're in our 30's with no kids, so schools aren't an issue. Cost is an issue, though, as I'll be paying higher tuition for a year.

*My husband works in the glass business (windows/screens/etc.) Does anybody know what the job market is like for that? My background is in property management (resident manager, accountant, leasing) but I hate it and want to go to nursing school. I have retail and restaurant experience, so I'll probably look for something there since I'll want a schedule I can work for school. Should I just pound the pavement or is there a place local employers post job listings?

*I'm an Alabama-born, Church-of-Christ-raised Southern girl, so I should have no problem 'blending' and I do enjoy attending Church at times (good music). However, I'm Buddhist. Will I be the only one in Wichita Falls? If so, that's ok with me, but if there is a Buddhist community that would be nice also.

I look forward to any advice from those of you who know the area!

I think if your religion is very important to you, Keller, Texas might be more up your alley as they have a famous Buddhist temple there...it is also a suburb of Fort Worth, so education access wouldn't be a problem...I don't know what the job market is like for your husband...but surely, you might be able to find something in the Metroplex up y'all's alley...not to hate on the WF people...but you will probably have more opportunities around here.

[NOTAM]

i like the towns outside of Wichita Falls-Burkburnett and Henrietta, also Archer City, Windthorst (though you would NOT find a rental easily in Windthorst), Electra....
i love the area..used to work in Wichita Falls as an RN at the United Regional Medical Center

[lilypad]

I lived in WF for six years and enjoyed it very much. Lived south part of town between Fairway and Barnett Rd. (Johnson Rd). Outskirts of town but felt very safe to me. Sometimes wonder why I left!