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Old 09-01-2008, 03:14 PM
 
13 posts, read 28,155 times
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Hello! We are a thirty-five year old couple moving to Dallas, Texas because of a career choice. We're coming from Santa Fe, New Mexico, an area that we absolutely love because of its amazing proximity to the outdoors, its very small town feel, its liberalism, its culture, and its gorgeous natural beauty. We are very sad to leave, but we must. We are wondering about good areas to live in the Dallas metroplex that might have more of an outdoor, open feel to them. The job calls for working in downtown Dallas, so we must be able to commute there without too much hassle. We love mountain biking, hiking, and simply taking in small-town sunsets. I realize that Dallas is probably not the best place for this, but given our job situation, any suggestions of best Dallas area places to live? Our housing budget is about $250,000. Any and all advice would be so much appreciated! Also, safety is a primary concern as well.

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Old 09-01-2008, 04:05 PM
 
6,686 posts, read 13,898,454 times
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I would start with Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie. They have a large lake and a state park. They don't have mountains but they do have plenty of rolling hills and it's pretty scenic. Commute to Dallas would be about 40 minutes during rush hour and you could cut 30 minutes off if it's during non-rush hour. It's as close as your get to New Mexico.
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Old 09-01-2008, 04:29 PM
 
Location: Lancaster, TX
1,636 posts, read 4,079,850 times
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I agree with Grainraiser, Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie would best suit your needs.
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Old 09-01-2008, 04:36 PM
 
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Joe pool lake in cedar hill is great for hiking...and the mountain bike trail there is the toughest ive ever been on.

there are also more bike trails in and around dallas
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Old 09-01-2008, 05:00 PM
 
2,231 posts, read 6,044,917 times
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Definitely look around the Cedar Hill area.
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Old 09-02-2008, 11:53 AM
 
16,087 posts, read 41,003,227 times
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"amazing proximity to the outdoors, its very small town feel, its liberalism, its culture, and its gorgeous natural beauty."

"working in downtown Dallas, so we must be able to commute there without too much hassle. We love mountain biking, hiking, and simply taking in small-town sunsets"

Lakewood (named for White Rock Lake) is the place for you. Not much mountain biking though. $250,000 is on the low end, but you can probably find something (and it will be a good investment) - try Junius Heights Craftsman Bungalows or Vickery Place - try searching 75214 and 75206.
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Old 09-02-2008, 03:59 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
2,346 posts, read 6,894,093 times
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Default Re:

Uh, no. All the previous posters gave the OP some good ideas, though.

What's the saying? - "To a kid with a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Lakewood is out of their price range and does not have the outdoor feel they are looking for. Vickery Place? That would be their worst nightmare.

It's OK for people to live in places other than Lakewood. Really, it is.
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Old 09-02-2008, 05:17 PM
 
16,087 posts, read 41,003,227 times
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37 single-family listings under $250K in 75214

also 37 single-family listings under $250K in 75206


They might find even more on the other sides of the lake, say Little Forest Hills, Peninsula, Old Lake Highlands.


The Lakewood area has a wide variety of sizes, ages and types of homes - that is why it has a small-town feel.

Why would you think it is not outdoorsy enough for the OPs?
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Old 09-02-2008, 06:26 PM
 
Location: Dallas
434 posts, read 1,476,040 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lakewooder View Post
"amazing proximity to the outdoors, its very small town feel, its liberalism, its culture, and its gorgeous natural beauty."

"working in downtown Dallas, so we must be able to commute there without too much hassle. We love mountain biking, hiking, and simply taking in small-town sunsets"

Lakewood (named for White Rock Lake) is the place for you. Not much mountain biking though. $250,000 is on the low end, but you can probably find something (and it will be a good investment) - try Junius Heights Craftsman Bungalows or Vickery Place - try searching 75214 and 75206.
isn't Lakewood already packed tight?
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Old 09-02-2008, 07:27 PM
 
16,087 posts, read 41,003,227 times
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How do you mean, 'packed tight'? We have multitudes of estates on several acres and homes on 50 X150 lots - and everything in between. We have the two largest parks in Dallas - White Rock and Samuell-Grand, The Dallas Arboretum, three golf courses, several hiking trails, wildlife areas, creeks, etc. Lakewood Proper - east of Abrams north to Mockingbird south to Gaston over to the lake has no major streets or stoplights - it is probably the largest area in DFW like that...

Take a drive down Fisher Road to the lake using street view:

7100 fisher road dallas texas 75214 - Google Maps
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