Where to Live Around White Rock Lake - Young, no kids (Dallas: 2013, townhome)

[shanson]

My wife and I are looking to buy a house around White Rock Lake and could use some advice on where to live. We're mid-twenties, no kids, not concerned with school districts, looking for a 2-3 br. Our budget is about $200-220k.

Right now we are considering Little Forest Hills, Claremont, Lochwood, Casa Linda, but I don't really understand what the differences are between these neighborhoods (besides the obvious geographic location).

Which are the best places for young people? We have seen some homes we like in Claremont, but we drove through it the other day, and I didn't see anyone walking around, and the neighborhood felt a little boring to me (just the impression I got, hopefully not true). We would love to be a part of a neighborhood that is active and has people in a similar stage of life as us.

Would love to hear what you all think are some good areas for me and my wife.

Thanks for you help!

[TurtleCreek80]

Little Forest Hills would be my first choice. It's such a pretty neighborhood and so close to the lake.

Old Lake Highlands would tie for first choice if you can still find a home in your price range. It's between Peavy, Easton, and Lake Highlands Drive. As recently as a year or so ago, you could still be under $200k for a 2br. Great little neighborhood with solid 1950's houses. A lot of young couples and singles in that area. Great elementary school also helps hold values.

[DFWgal]

Little Forest Hill houses are more expensive than that. There is a small one that needs TONS of TLC and it's 220,000. I have a coworker that lives in Lochwood. She says that she has lived there for +20 years and it's safe.

I would not buy in Claremont right now. Everyone is selling and moving away as far as they can. And I find it boring too. It is very close to Lakewood and Casalinda anyway. You are in the right place, though. White Rock attracts lots of active people.

[pepper131]

More and more people - couples and singles in the late 20s and early 30s are moving into my neighborhood - Casa Linda Forest. It's still in your price range and decent size houses. You probably drove right past it!! :-) Bordered by Lakeland, Ferguson, Buckner, and the train tracks. We just had a young couple with no kids move in across the street...not sure of the actual selling price, but a 4br on a creek.

[biscuitmom]

Little Forest Hills is a trendy, close knit neighborhood with loads of charm. But as DFWgal indicated, houses in your price range are likely to be fixer-uppers or super small. The fixer-uppers usually involve serious repairs, not just cosmetics and updates.

Homes in Casa Linda Forest for the most part were solidly built and have been maintained through the years. It's a serene and quiet area. It has sidewalks too, which much of Little Forest Hills lacks. I'm happy to see younger folks moving in and updating the homes.

[Walter Benjamin]

Even if schools aren't a factor in your search, the overall schools picture still has an effect on the market, and prices will reflect that, all else being equal.

Hexter Elementary is generally seen as desirable so houses there will reflect that:
http://www.dallasisd.org/cms/lib/TX0...ndanceDISD.pdf

Sanger Elementary is in the "on the upswing" phase where parents are working hard to develop the school, though not fast enough for some:
http://www.dallasisd.org/cms/lib/TX0...sanger2011.pdf
Morning News Shows Poor Judgment, Lousy Editing With Front-Page DISD Story | FrontBurner | D Magazine
How East Dallas family reluctantly gave up on DISD elementary school | Dallas Morning News
The News Says Parents Are Giving Up on This Dallas School, But Parents Say Otherwise | Dallas Observer

In that general area east of White Rock lake, the DISD elementary schools outside those two have less "buzz" at least on this board.

Hence, if you are not thinking about schools, it may be a rational choice to consciously look outside these areas for a lower price...

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

We bought a 3-br townhome last year that is basically adjacent to Little Forest Hills and Casa Linda Forest. May still be in your price range, but units still available don't have their own green space like ours does. Just a thought!

[shanson]

Thank you all so much for your input! Based on your feedback, we have decided to concentrate most heavily on Little Forest Hills, Old Lake Highlands and Casa Linda areas. Might also check out Lochwood.

In the last couple of days, we put offers on two LFH houses, though they weren't accepted. Seems LFH area is in high demand right now!

[loves2read]

probably high demand in any of those areas