Moving to Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington: 2009, neighborhoods, public schools)

[WTAL]

My husband and I are planning on moving to Texas in October. We are in our Fifties with two grown children that live in Dallas. We have thought about moving to one of the following cities: Burleson, McKinney, or Keller.
My husband likes Burleson though we have never been there. We are African American and would like to know what it is like there now in 2009

Honesty is the best policy

[Dangerfield]

Check out Cedar Hill in Southwest Dallas County. Laid back atmosphere, trees everywhere, rolling hills, near Joe Pool Lake. Many new retail developments but not overwhelming taking away from the beauty of the area. There are many stable neighborhoods of middle to upper-middle class Black families with Hispanics, Whites and Asians mixed in.

Honestly, I don't like any of the cities you've mentioned. They're all pretty much bedroom communities with few outdoor activity options. In Cedar Hill you have the lake and State Park.

[Cowboybootnut]

Originally Posted by WTAL

My husband and I are planning on moving to Texas in October. We are in our Fifties with two grown children that live in Dallas. We have thought about moving to one of the following cities: Burleson, McKinney, or Keller.
My husband likes Burleson though we have never been there. We are African American and would like to know what it is like there now in 2009

Honesty is the best policy

You may want to let us know what type of activities that you like, shopping, sports, lakes, etc.

McKinney is not too far away from Frisco, and Frisco has a lot of activities, sports (hockey, baseball, soccor), golf, shopping, lakes (Lake Lewisville, Lake Lavon), etc.

[GayleTX]

What part of Dallas do your kids live? Dallas is huge and it can take an hour or more more drive across it through heavy traffic if they should live on the opposite side of the city from you.

[DFWAg]

I have lived in Burleson for 20 years and still do (when I'm not at college). It is very much a laid back community, with friendly, helpful people. As you may have heard, racism was an issue in the past, but it is certainly not a problem here in 2009. (As in any town or city, there will be individuals who are racist, but here, they will not openly express their opinions in public).
It has a very small town feel; it feels a world apart from Fort Worth, but is only 20 minutes from downtown. A new natatorium is being built, housing is very affordable, and there is very little crime.

On the down side, it will take you at least an hour to travel to Dallas, depending on the traffic and what part you're traveling to. If you would really like to live closer to your family, I would suggest McKinney or Keller over Burleson. From what I've heard, these two cities are also great places to live.

Best of luck on your move

[doctorjef]

I think of Burleson in terms of Ft Worth rather than Dallas (I have lived twice in Ft Worth for a total of about 7 years). It could make sense if you had family in Ft Worth, but it is inconveniently located relative to Dallas. I don't know what Burleson is like now, but I wouldn't describe it as much of a town 20 years ago. I would tend to stay away from all these bedroom community small towns-turned-suburbs. If you want to avoid the hugeness of Dallas, why not check out Fort Worth or even Arlington? If you want a smaller city, you might check out Denton, although IMO the drive into Dallas from Denton is unpleasant. Fort Worth offers the easiest access to Dallas.

[Eric S]

Originally Posted by Dangerfield

Check out Cedar Hill in Southwest Dallas County. Laid back atmosphere, trees everywhere, rolling hills, near Joe Pool Lake. Many new retail developments but not overwhelming taking away from the beauty of the area. There are many stable neighborhoods of middle to upper-middle class Black families with Hispanics, Whites and Asians mixed in.

Honestly, I don't like any of the cities you've mentioned. They're all pretty much bedroom communities with few outdoor activity options. In Cedar Hill you have the lake and State Park.

This is a good suggestion. Since you no longer have to worry about public schools, having a nice big piece of property where you can enjoy your family and grandkids is more important. Cedar Hill seems to be a place where you could do that. There are some newer large lot properties in Burleson that I wouldn't touch because of water and zoning issues. Keller is showing itself to be overrated (in my book) and it's off the beaten path from Dallas. Leave Keller and McKinney to the people who think they're going to find "happy valley, USA."

-Eric

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by WTAL

My husband and I are planning on moving to Texas in October. We are in our Fifties with two grown children that live in Dallas. We have thought about moving to one of the following cities: Burleson, McKinney, or Keller.
My husband likes Burleson though we have never been there. We are African American and would like to know what it is like there now in 2009

Honesty is the best policy

We were exactly your age when we moved to Dallas, we never regretted it. At the time we had 2 grown children there and 2 grandchildren. We were lucky enough to watch those 2 little girls grow up. I wouldn't trade those years for anything. They are now adults, through college, married and one has her own little one.

I don't know much about Burleson, but both McKenney and Keller are very nice. I would lean toward Keller, just my personal preferance. A lot of where you choose to live will have to do with your housing budget and your outside interests. Will you both be working, are you taking an early retirement or what is the situation? That too will make a difference.

Good luck, good choice.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Cowboybootnut

You may want to let us know what type of activities that you like, shopping, sports, lakes, etc.

McKinney is not too far away from Frisco, and Frisco has a lot of activities, sports (hockey, baseball, soccor), golf, shopping, lakes (Lake Lewisville, Lake Lavon), etc.

You are so right and Keller isn't that far either. I don't know why people think these areas have no activities??? Interesting huh???

Nita

[WTAL]

Carrollton, Texas