Where to look for residence and 5 acres east of Dallas? (Fort Worth: low crime, homes)

[rob043055]

Just trying to get a feel of which area might be better for an older couple to move/retire 20 miles or so outside a big city in order to have employment (accounting) options, but far enough outside to avoid big city crowding. Looking for a newer residence on maybe 5 acres to hobby farm/raise chickens.

Some considerations we have are to avoid flood areas, low crime, Christian people/churches, friendly people.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

[jdallas]

Originally Posted by rob043055

Just trying to get a feel of which area might be better for an older couple to move/retire 20 miles or so outside a big city in order to have employment (accounting) options, but far enough outside to avoid big city crowding. Looking for a newer residence on maybe 5 acres to hobby farm/raise chickens.

Some considerations we have are to avoid flood areas, low crime, Christian people/churches, friendly people.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

At first, I read that as though you wanted to avoid Christian people/churches and I was going to suggest a state other than Texas.


That said, a 5 acre homestead within 20 miles of the Dallas Central Business District is going to be expensive (~100k/acre). Look into Rowlett to the East and Cedar Hill to the South. Avoid the SE piece of pie along the Trinity River on the SE.

[ChristieP]

Rowlett hasn't been rural for over 10 years. It's almost totally suburban now.

I'd say look in Rockwall, Hunt and Kaufman Counties.

Avoid anything between Crandall and downtown Dallas along 175.

[gtt99]

Look into Forney, Heath, Crandall, Combine.

[WorldKlas]

None of these are east but otherwise fit:
Dalworthington Gardens
Mansfield
Midlothian
Heath
Haslet
Azle
Granbury
Godley
Weatherford

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

None of these are east but otherwise fit:
Dalworthington Gardens
Mansfield
Midlothian
Heath
Haslet
Azle
Granbury
Godley
Weatherford

None of them are within 20 miles of Dallas either. The OP posted this to the DALLAS board, not the Fort Worth board.

[rob043055]

Originally Posted by jdallas

At first, I read that as though you wanted to avoid Christian people/churches and I was going to suggest a state other than Texas.

Careless wording on my part. I wanted to go back and edit my OP, but can not figure out how to do so. But, thanks for your comment. Jesus is Lord.

[jdallas]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

Rowlett hasn't been rural for over 10 years. It's almost totally suburban now.

I'd say look in Rockwall, Hunt and Kaufman Counties.

Avoid anything between Crandall and downtown Dallas along 175.

Oops, I meant to suggest Rockwall and not Rowlett.


Rockwall and Heath are building out very quickly too so the OP better hurry.

[turf3]

Of course, we don't know what your budget might be; if you can drop $4 million, you have a lot of options.

For rational prices, there will be very little on 5 acres in an area you would want to live in, within 20 miles of Dallas. You might be able to find something on the west of Ft. Worth (which, of course, is not east of Dallas).

If you are willing to consider Tyler, Waco, Longview as cities, then you can very likely find a nice 5 acre place within 20 miles. My first choice among those three would be Tyler. It's not a "big city" (I would call it a small city as distinct from a big town) but it has a lot of city amenities and the general atmosphere is nicer in my opinion than Waco. It's far enough from any other city that it has a full range of options without needing to run to Dallas all the time.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

And Tyler has a lot of flowers and festivals. Used to be a big Army base there in WWII.