Rockwall, community feel, open to newcomers? (Dallas, Austin: jumbo loan, houses, school district)

[Shay3]

Our family of 6 is heading back to Texas this summer. We've been in VA for the past two years and we were in Pflugerville, just outside of Austin, before that. We are considering Rockwall. Hubby will be working in downtown Dallas, Griffen St. I know the commute from Rockwall will be longer than most people like but here he commutes almost 2 hours each direction so the commute from Rockwall will be a snap by comparison. We want a house on at least an acre preferably with no HOA. My kids are 15, 13, 11 and 7 so I want a family area that is friendly and welcoming to newcomers and has a strong sense of community. Schools are important of course. My oldest will be a Jr and takes advanced and AP classes. My middle two are both GT and the 13yo is taking Algebra as a 7th grader. I'll need a school system that hopefully has a system in place to allow him to take Geometry as an 8th grader. If I have to transport to the HS that is fine I just want it to happen. I'm also considering Southlake, Keller and Flower Mound but it seems those commutes would be worse and harder to find the land we want. Also my oldest is a serious swimmer so a HS swim team is important as is a fairly short drive to the pool as she will have her license and will be driving herself. Oh our budget is up to 500k but I'd like to stay below the jumbo loan threshold. We need a 4/3. Thanks!

[Grainraiser]

No sure how many 1 acre lots Rockwall have. I would suggest you add Sunnyvale to your list. They have one acre lots and they are a close knit community. It would be a closer commute for your husband and they have great schools. The only issue is they are very small school district (3A) so I am not sure how things like a swim team. It certainly is a place you guys should check out. I'm sure you find what your looking for in Rockwall but the house would be in a more rural setting if 1 acre is required. Rockwall is certainly family oriented and the high school has a swim team. They have great schools and the commute is not a horrible one.

[Shay3]

Thanks! Is it Sunnyvale High? I'll check it out.

[carroll4628]

In addition to Rockwall, I would consider Heath in your search if you really want east of Dallas and an acre lot. The commute down to US80 and into downtown isn't bad (less than coming/going on I30). I would interview the principals at the schools you would consider (via email if nothing else) and explain your education "requirements" as some schools seem more flexible and others more "this is the way we do things here". I would axe Sunnyvale off your list. While it has the 1 acre lots for under $500k, a good school system, and easy commute downtown, the school is small (2A maybe someday 3A) and doesn't have a swim team.

Your pickings would be slim for a 1 acre lot in Southlake with a $500k house budget. An acre lot (without the house) is going to be upwards of $250k. Also, you'll be in a very upperclass suburb of Dallas (good/bad however you see it).

The commute downtown to Flower Mound (or vice versa) isn't completely horrible - an hour or so. Depends on what you're use to. I would look there given the swim team desire. You could probably find an acre further out in western Flower Mound in your price range, but it'll add to your commute.

BTW - the jumbo loan threshold is $417k in Texas. In Fairfax/Arlington it's $625k.

[Shay3]

Thanks for the info/insight. I was considering Heath as well. I wonder if all the schools within an ISD would follow the same path or would I need to contact each school directly?

[ChristieP]

Commuting to downtown Dallas from Southlake, Flower Mound or Keller will NOT be fun. Your husband will be spending an hour each way in the car, and even longer if there is a wreck or bad weather. And with gas near $4 a gallon, that will also get expensive. As others have said, your budget really is not enough for Southlake.

[hbdwihdh378y9]

Heath and Forney sound like good possibilities if you want a full acre for $350k or less. Don't know much about the schools, but there are plenty of reasonably priced houses on an acre or more.

[Shay3]

Thanks for the help. Has anybody lived in the area that knows what the community is like? Friendly? Welcoming?

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Shay3

Thanks for the help. Has anybody lived in the area that knows what the community is like? Friendly? Welcoming?

Yes. Of course it is.

[Shay3]

Thanks