Commutes and schools (Dallas, Arlington, North Richland Hills: appointed, to rent, home)

[kallie26]

We are planning to relocate from D.C., to take advantage of the great housing options and start a family. I have been reading these forums quite a bit and really appreciate all the great advice! Just a had a few more specific questions -- if anyone can help that would be wonderful. A few things about us: we are looking to stay under $180K and hoping to find a good, solid school district/area but one that isn't too snobby/elitist. DH and I are both from the Midwest originally and would like a return to "normalcy" so to speak even though we do love this area in many ways.

- What is the commute to downtown Dallas *really* like from either the North Richland Hills area or the SW Arlington/Mansfield area? These seem to be nice areas. Coming from the east coast, I don't mind a commute of up to 45 minutes as long as traffic is generally moving and you're actually coming home to a nice place. It's just hard to tell from Google.

- I have been checking greatschools.net and it looks like Martin HS, Mansfield HS, and Richland HS / Birdville ISD are all considered really good schools/districts, but they rate "Academically Acceptable." Since that's the third out of four ratings, what does that really mean? Is "Acceptable" really just acceptable (meaning not really that good) or does it mean "good, just not extremely great"? It's hard to interpret. I really appreciate thoughts on this.

- Last question - do these areas have nice library systems? I love libraries - would be disappointed if the local ones weren't that good.

Also, if there are other areas I'm overlooking, I welcome suggestions. Colleyville, Grapevine, Coppell? Thanks!

[loves2read]

UNDER 180 you can cross colleyville and most of Grapevine off your list...

Martin hs is thought to be the best hs in AISD but if you don't have children a hs is the last school to worry about--you need to be considering elementary schools first--

where are your jobs--why are you moving if you do't have employment???

[kallie26]

Thanks -- I do have a job set -- north downtown Dallas off 35E. Since I would only plan to be working for a few more years (pre-kids) I wouldn't mind a commute for awhile, just trying to get a sense of how bad it really is. I also have some family in Arlington, and they were the ones who pointed me towards the west mid-cities.

Most of the elementary schools in HEB ISD seem to be recognized or exemplary, same for Birdville and the Arlington area in SW - of course I would check those too.

High schools, I was just thinking long-term and appreciation over time, given that we are looking to settle.

[davbetcoo]

The Trinity Rail Express commuter train runs from FW to downtown Dallas Union Station. It has Tarrant Co stops at Richland Hills, Hurst and just south of DFW airport. Takes 30 minutes from the DFW (Centreport) stop to Union Sta. Pretty convenient to north Arlington and all of HEB, and the south part of Grapevine.

I would think the driving commute from NRH to downtown Dallas would be at least 45 minutes (maybe more most afternoons). Not sure about from Arlington.

[blueskies49]

As far as a commute from south Arlington to Dallas, it would be murder. Not exaggerating, that is something I would not consider even though my daughter lives in south Arlington and I would love to live closer to her. But I work in Dallas and I don't want that commute. As far as from the North Richland Hills area, that's not so great either. If you are going to be working in north downtown Dallas then you'd probably take Hwy 635 and that is no fun at all! You would have to leave early enough in the morning, before 7 a.m. and maybe by 6:30, 6:45 in order to not encounter the worst of it. But like the previous poster said, it might be more advantageous for you (and less stressful!) to find out the schedule for the TRE.

HTH!

[loves2read]

what about where your husband is working--if you are gonig to stop after you have children--his jobtravel should be most important consideration

[kallie26]

Thank you for the practical answers on the commute times! It seems like the SW side is definitely worth avoiding while NW might be a bit more doable, especially with the rail system.

Loves2read, you're right that that consideration ought to be of equal importance. Having considered all of the helpful information on this forum and looking into things a bit more, it seems like the best option all around would be to rent for awhile and continue to get a better sense of the area before actually buying. Thanks.