Mesquite or Garland or something else? (Dallas, Austin: 2015, low crime, how much)

[metromom2015]

I just got a job in North Mesquite near Eastfield College and am trying to decide whether mid to south Garland or north Mesquite would be the best place to settle? I would prefer not to have a long commute.

We are not looking for a fancy, newly built neighborhood. Smaller, older, fixer uppers are more our style. Also, we don't mind having diverse neighbors. We're mostly looking for a safe, family oriented neighborhood with decent schools and low crime rates. Bonus if it is an area with big back yards. We've been preapproved for $200, but would rather find a place closer to $80 that we could fix up and make our own.

Thanks so much for any advice.

[RonnieinDallas]

The area zoned to Poteet High School is usually considered the best part of Mesquite. I think it's on the north side.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by metromom2015

trying to decide whether mid to south Garland or north Mesquite would be the best place to settle?

I love many things about Garland, but mid to south Garland is not the best bet.

[ChristieP]

Definitely look in Poteet HS attendance area. North Mesquite and South Garland are not the best parts of town anymore. You might not be able to make a fixer-upper pay off just due to the area. Anything in the $80 range is going to be in an old neighborhood where the surrounding houses aren't much better.

You might look in Little Forest Hills in east Dallas. You could do a fixer there and likely make money since the area is getting more popular again.

[clickbear]

Be careful with how much you are willing to put in with Mesquite. The ROI isn't that great after $200k and some homes get stuck if they are over the $200k price range. If you go with Mesquite, look for homes in Beasley/Austin, & Porter Elementary schools. Those are listed in order of usually the performance and PTA involvement.

DO NOT go with anything in the North Mesquite/West Mesquite Feeder patters even though location might be tempting. Look at Wallace Elementary zone in Dallas (RISD). You might luck into a $200k. Lake Highlands Elementary could fit but the home location at that price would probably be on busy Plano or Walnut Hill. That commute could be made to Eastfield in 10-15 minutes from that part of town as well. You would have better luck with your wish list IMO. PM me if you want an agent referral for that area.

[globe9]

There is a small, neighborhood behind Audubon park off of Oates. It's on the Mesquite/Garland border. It's bounded by the park on one side, the golf course on another side and the greenbelt on the north side. It's literally surrounded by green space. I'm not sure what schools it's zoned too. The zip is 75043 and Trails Pkwy is the only street that leads into the neighborhood.

Another neighborhood I would look into in Garland is Eastern Hills off of Broadway and Centerville. Beautiful neighborhood with well kept homes. People take pride in their homes there and it shows.

[xS☺B☺s]

I personally like the Town East area. Not sure of specifics, but I suspect South Garland is heavily Mexican and North Mesquite is suburban AA. I kinda like that mix. Seems to me that presents a great opportunity to get the fixer upper you like. I love the Town East shopping area. reasonably priced, everything you need - lots of nice families - no Gucci posers.

Warren Buffett says "when everyone else is scared, be greedy. When everyone else is greedy, be scared." Don't be scared of Town East.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by clickbear

Look at Wallace Elementary zone in Dallas (RISD). You might luck into a $200k. Lake Highlands Elementary could fit but the home location at that price would probably be on busy Plano or Walnut Hill. That commute could be made to Eastfield in 10-15 minutes from that part of town as well. You would have better luck with your wish list IMO. PM me if you want an agent referral for that area.

This is the best advice. Mesquite is not known for good schools, houses that retain their value, and most of the city isn't known for being very safe. Your best bet is to buy whatever is in your price range in Lake Highlands HS zone in northeast Dallas and having a short commute. The schools are much better and the quality of life - even living on or adjacent to a busy street- is much better as well.

[ChristieP]

I grew up in Town East. The area has gone down really badly in the last 20 years. No Gucci there at all now. My sister lived there until 2000. When her kids were the only Anglo kids in their classes at school, she moved out to Royse City.

[the spindoctor]

I grew up in garland and bought my 1st home almost 7 yrs ago in the eastern hills country club area. Like someone else said, most people take care of their homes and have nice manicured lawns. Bigger lots, big trees gas heat and older pier and beam homes were what I was looking for. Crime wise petty theft is the only thing I'd be worried about. The drive to eastfield would he pretty quick. It definitely gets a little sketchy south on Broadway or north towards miller road. The way the economy is I'd expect simple theft to be a problem all over the place.