M Streets v. Lakewood? (Dallas, Greenville: crime, buying a house, neighborhoods)

[ako2002]

Hey, everyone! I've been following this forum for the past 4 months since learning of a possible move to Dallas. I have found your advise/feedback to others very helpful in doing my research but now I need some help and FAST! My husband has started a fabulous job in Dallas so we are relocating to the area from NJ this summer. After reading this forum, visiting the area and getting input from his co-workers, we have chosen the Old East Dallas as our focus for buying a house. We have 3 children (daughter, age 8 and 6 yr old twin boys) so in doing research we focused primarily on the Stonewall Jackson district and then found that Lakewood Elem. is highly thought of as well (as a former NJ public school teacher, I am partial to public schools... at least for now!). At this point we have been through a number of houses in Lakewood & Greenland Hills and are leaning toward a house in the M Streets neighborhood in the Stonewall Jackson district. I did, however, meet someone recently who used to live in Lakewood and implied that Greenland Hills is less "family friendly" than Lakewood Proper, i.e. more newly married couples, retirees, etc. Obviously, we are looking for an area where our children will be able to find some friends. Anyone (perhaps Lakewooder?) have any helpful advise before we put in our offer? Thanks!!

[hamiltonpl]

I think both are family friendly. I see more families in Lakewood, and younger singles in the M-Streets. But that might be changing.

My only admonition is to beware of living close to Greenville Avenue. There's a St. Patrick's Day Parade that gets pretty lively. And you won't be able to find a place to park on the streets on the weekends. But that won't effect you if you're not close to Greenville.

Both places have beautiful houses and great schools. You'll be happy there.

I live in Lakewood. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[Lakewooder]

Yikes I don't want to step on any Stonewall toes, but I did attend Lakewood Elementary and what I would say is that it's more social, a kind of world unto itself. The kids are a competitive group who continue their achievements all the way to Woodrow. My closest friends are from kindergarten and first grade at Lakewood, after all these years.

I know a lot of people who went to Stonewall and they have a close-knit group as well. Stonewall is a smaller school and some say it's the better school, but the 'scene' at Lakewood is better.

Most of the organizations such as Lakewood Service League, LECPTA and other groups are based in Lakewood because of the long-standing tradition and generations of the same families who have lived there.

In any case be prepared to be an uber-mom as they are constantly involved with something. They are 'affectionately' known as the "Lakewood Mom-fia"!

OK well that does have some drawbacks with teachers at Long and Woodrow. So you might get better treatment being from Stonewall...

[ako2002]

Thank you both for your input. Lakewooder, what do you mean about the "scene" at Lakewood Elem? Also, what are your thoughts on Lakewood Country Club? We would love to find a place to swim (if we don't have a pool) and a club seems like a good way to meet people. Is it comprised of mostly Lakewood residents or are members from surrounding areas? Regarding proximity to Greenville Ave, how close is TOO close? Are there safety concerns as well? We looked at houses on Lakeshore Drive toward White Rock Lake and it certainly seems quiet over that way compared to the M-Streets. I did look up the crime stats on each and Lakewood looks a bit better on that front as well... but we are being told by coworkers of my husband's that the whole area is very safe. Can you feel comfortable taking a dog for a walk alone at night?

[KBilly]

Ako2002... here's the Greenland Hills neighborhood assoc. site: Greenland Hills

You won't go wrong in either area.

Greenland Hills is a huge "walk the dog" area, too. Any teardowns that now happen in GH are restricted -- it's a Conservation District. The M-streets area area has the largest concentration of classical Tudor housing in the U.S.

[khfar]

There are tons of kids in the Lakeshore/Lakewood Blvd. area, so you should be fine if you choose it.

In regards to Lakewood CC, I haven't been there in years. When I was a kid, we belonged. It was mostly Lakewood residents, and I suspect that it still is. I live in Lake Highlands, and even though it is very close to Lakewood, most people over here go to Royal Oaks CC. I'm sure there are people that make the drive, but for the most part, I think you will find a lot of neighborhood folks at LCC.

Good luck!

[Lakewooder]

LCC is mostly residents, although there are people from other areas.. I'm not a member (why pay when I'm there for different organization meetings/lunch/dinner/fundraisers/reunions so much?)

What I meant by 'the scene' in Lakewood is the social whirl..not your usual Dallas pretentious stuff but quite active. Do not fail to go to the 4th of July Parade - you will learn a lot about the whole area.

[ako2002]

Thanks for the advise, everyone! Hopefully, our family will find a place in the area soon.

[Lakewooder]

Lakewood Parade is the site for the parade route and info - apparently they have not yet chosen a theme - but I'm sure they will in the next few days.

[jmdroege]

we too with everyone's great help here have decided to move our family to the mstreet/lakewood area. Now the difficulty we are having is which one? We liked the lakewood area but it seemed a bit further out then the mstreet and we never did find the homes people talked about that you could walk to restaurants and shops that you could if you lived near greenville? So at this hour in our searches we are leaning towards the tudor homes in the stonewall mstreet area. We have a 3 or 4 year old so we are focusing on the family oriented neighborhoods that we can walk to things with and not always have to get in the car to do something as we do here in the burbs!!! Anymore advice folks? Reason we are still saying lakewood could be far out is one we really are not sure of the areas in lakewood everyone is referring to and no we cannot afford a $500,000.00 dollar home and two I still am going to have to commute to arlington quite a bit and it just seems as if the mstreets are quicker to get to. let me know everyone!!! thanks already for all your help