AF captain moving to Carswell AFB (Fort Worth, Arlington: HOA, crime, houses)

[yanksfan]

I'm moving to Ft Worth with my wife and I've been looking at houses on zillow.com but we'd like some recommendations. We lived in Atlanta for several years so we are used to traffic and we like the options the city provides but my main concern when choosing a place to live is my commute in the morning. Can anyone tell me how the traffic compares to Atlanta?

I'm willing to drive 30-45 minutes to work so where should I start looking? I've concentrated my search on areas north of town like Saginaw and Watauga as well as east Ft Worth near I-30 and Arlington. Is there anywhere else I should look for houses for around 200k-250k?

We are both pretty active and enjoy anything outdoors. I'm a sports junkie and plan on spending a good part of the summer at Ranger games and she's a foody and enjoys cooking so anywhere near a good supermarket would be good for her.

Thanks for the help.

[ChristieP]

NO to east Fort Worth! Do a search here, but the Woodhaven area is not safe! The commute will also take you through downtown FW every day, which is unnecessary.

Honestly, the best parts of FW are in the southwest part of town. This will also earn easy commute to the base and have lots of shopping, restaurants, etc.

Watauga seems close, but due to the construction on 820 right now, your commute to the base will not be easy at all. I would eliminate this area from your list.

[loves2read]

Benbrooke area in SW FTW maybe--it is north and south of I20 and on either side of 377--some homes in Benbrook might be 10-15 min from the base
or you could look in FTW city limits--close to more restaurants/activities maybe but just have to watch your neighborhoods
there is great supermarket Central Market at I-30 and Hulen
you can get to Arlington via I30/I20 east and go north on 820 Loop to work which is not too bad
Lake Benbrooke has public access if you like water sports and you are closer to Lake Granbury on that side of FTW

if you don't have any children then you don't have to worry about the ISD so much cause I would not recommend FTWISD

[Exult.Q36]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

NO to east Fort Worth! Do a search here, but the Woodhaven area is not safe! The commute will also take you through downtown FW every day, which is unnecessary.

Honestly, the best parts of FW are in the southwest part of town. This will also earn easy commute to the base and have lots of shopping, restaurants, etc.

Watauga seems close, but due to the construction on 820 right now, your commute to the base will not be easy at all. I would eliminate this area from your list.

Yes to Far east Fort Worth... Opt that part of East Fort Worth is nice. There are some really nice homes and good people in that particular part of Fort Worth. Its a very diverse area. You couldn't go wrong with a home off John T White/ East Chase area. Its about 10 minutes from the new Cowboys Stadium and the Ball Park and Arlington.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by kdogg817

You couldn't go wrong with a home off John T White/ East Chase area. Its about 10 minutes from the new Cowboys Stadium and the Ball Park and Arlington.

And it's about 30 minutes from Carswell in morning traffic. It's not a good idea to live on the east side of FW when Carswell is on the NW side. It's a better idea to live on the same side of FW was the base. There is no good supermarket there, either. Wife will be driving to Central Market over on the west side of FW all the time.

[Exult.Q36]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

And it's about 30 minutes from Carswell in morning traffic. It's not a good idea to live on the east side of FW when Carswell is on the NW side. It's a better idea to live on the same side of FW was the base. There is no good supermarket there, either. Wife will be driving to Central Market over on the west side of FW all the time.

Albertson, Kroger’s, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart Super Center, Neighborhood Wal-Mart, and Target are all in that particular area.

[loves2read]

But no upscale grocery
Check crime map and flooding reports for se side of FW
Trinity river flows through the bottom area along john t white
Also gas drilling is proposed in that area by Chesspeake

[Exult.Q36]

Originally Posted by loves2read

But no upscale grocery
Check crime map and flooding reports for se side of FW
Trinity river flows through the bottom area along john t white
Also gas drilling is proposed in that area by Chesspeake

That area is not considered a part southeast Fort Worth. Its East Fort Worth... The Trinity river to my knowledge has never flooded in that area. Gas drilling is taking place all over Fort Worth.

[loves2read]

The area along John T White as it moves east toward Arlington is called the bottoms because it is in the Trinity River flood plain--the river flows NORTH of John T White--
there can be high water at intersections in that area
and yes--gas drilling is active in many parts of FTW which is why you should ask about it in an area you are not familiar with

South East, Fort Worth, TX Neighborhood Crime Map, Statistics, Alerts and Reports

http://spotcrime.com/tx/fort+worth/eastside

http://spotcrime.com/tx/fort+worth/tcu-west+cliff

3 mo worth of crimes reported 12/11-2/12

check out what type of incident is reported--
looks like lot of crime in TCU-Westcliff area--most are car burglaries vs assault or breakins to home--so some people might rank as less threatening/more target of opportunity if you were parking car in garage...or if you didn't leave anything worth stealing in plain sight...

you can use the link to check out any area or specific address--like specific apt complex area

PS if you are really willing to drive 40 min in daily commute you can live in variety of areas like the Mid-Cities (NRHills, Bedford, Hurst)--probably not as far east as Grapevine although that would be good town for access to the lake and other amenities

[TxBrn&Raised]

Originally Posted by yanksfan

I'm moving to Ft Worth with my wife and I've been looking at houses on zillow.com but we'd like some recommendations. We lived in Atlanta for several years so we are used to traffic and we like the options the city provides but my main concern when choosing a place to live is my commute in the morning. Can anyone tell me how the traffic compares to Atlanta?

I'm willing to drive 30-45 minutes to work so where should I start looking? I've concentrated my search on areas north of town like Saginaw and Watauga as well as east Ft Worth near I-30 and Arlington. Is there anywhere else I should look for houses for around 200k-250k?

We are both pretty active and enjoy anything outdoors. I'm a sports junkie and plan on spending a good part of the summer at Ranger games and she's a foody and enjoys cooking so anywhere near a good supermarket would be good for her.

Thanks for the help.

We are former military and have lived in the Saginaw area for a few years now. We've enjoyed it quite a bit and have several military families surrounding us, which has made our transition to civilian life a little smoother. A good supermarket is something you will not find here...you're looking at either Walmart or Albertson's. I have heard a rumor that Kroger or HEB is looking into land near Eagle Mtn Lake, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! This town is more of a blue collar town, but that's what we've loved about it. One side of Main St is industrial, with railroad tracks...some complain about that, I love the fact that we don't have major shopping centers on all 4 corners of intersections. I can't say there's days I wish I had Lowe's or Target right up the road though...but they're just a 5-10min drive away. So it's just personal preference

Your home price is on the higher end of the homes in the Saginaw city limits, but it'll get you a beautiful home right off of Willow Creek Park. The Dominion subdivision has existing homes and new construction homes (Cheldan Homes)...that neighborhood backs up to the park. Willow Creek subdivision has existing homes and new construction homes (McBee Homes)...that neighborhood faces the park. If you are looking for a HOA community with a pool, there's The Courts of Willow Creek, which is an existing home community, but beautiful as well.

If you are looking in the Saginaw area already, let me suggest throwing the Eagle Mountain area into your search. The Lake Country area will offer older homes on larger lots, as well as a new area that has new construction. Good luck on your search!