Considering a home on Bellaire/TCU (Houston, Weatherford: renters, house, neighborhood) - Fort Worth - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

beautyschooldropout · 10-24-2007, 04:03 PM

We are looking for homes in Ft. Worth. We have found a great house on Bellaire, directly across from the TCU campus. Very busy street and people use the side street that would be used to turn into the driveway to turn off of Bellaire. The home is very solid and you hear none of the traffic while inside. We have three children under 7, but certainly wouldn't allow them out front, which is fine with me. Where we live now, in OKC, we are really overrun with children and kids in the streets. I realize this would be a lifestyle change, but really like the idea of living close in. My question is whether any of you live in busy areas, how you deal with it, what you think, etc. Thank you!

loves2read · 10-25-2007, 07:37 AM

if you are seriously considering this house, you should check out what happens in football season when there is a home game--

5stones · 10-25-2007, 08:34 AM

or getting out of your driveway during high traffic times. (especially turing against traffic) may not seem like too much trouble, but after a year of having to wait 10-15 minutes just to get out of your drive would get real old for me.

Are there lots of college renters in hte neighborhood? I was one at one time, loved being able to walk to campus etc... but now that I have kids, I don't want to be in the "Party neighborhood" every weekend. Check out the neighborhood on Friday and Sat nights, the busy road may be the least of your worries.

Also really how practical is keep 3 kids from going out the front door. Toddlers yes but once they are riding bikes etc... have friends down the street is keeping them constantly under lock and key really practical? By the end of a year you will feel like nazi mom..."don't go out in the front, NO you cant get the mail, Who left the door open??" etc...

beautyschooldropout · 10-25-2007, 10:40 AM

According to the google map, it is near the intersection of S. Bellaire and Bellaire W? Hope that makes sense - I am unfamiliar with Ft. Worth in general. It is diagonal to the campus - and there is a yard, etc. I'm not completely foolish here about having children. People live in NYC and San Francisco, etc. with families. We aren't home much. I appreciate any feedback on the area. The people living there now have children and there are homes on both sides, but it definitely doesn't appear to be rental homes or anything.

loves2read · 10-25-2007, 01:00 PM

Berry is very busy street that is big cross town artery--think there would be traffic around that house pretty much all day long--whether or not you notice it inside.
If it is the house I caught on an MLS search it has only 1200 sq ft and is less than .18 acre for a yard--and lists only 2 bedrooms--and you have 3 kids under 7--

personally I think it is still overpriced--notice that it has been listed since September and it could have been listed for longer than that on a previous listing that expired...the price drop probably means there is significant problem beyond the price per sq ft--maybe electrical or something expensive to repair--but 5 people and a 2 bedroom house--I think you are brave...

beautyschooldropout · 10-25-2007, 01:22 PM

That's not it - it has four bedrooms, plenty of room. We have a place in the country for weekends if we buy this - we may build in Weatherford. Heard the schools are good and the areas I saw were really pretty. MLS # 10844807.

branzta · 10-25-2007, 02:53 PM

I grew up in the TCU area, actually on Stadium, so yes I know exactly where you are...there really wasn't any issues when we were kids, but you know kids will be kids and you just have to watch out for them! But the area has always been great and would love to move back if I ever got the opportunity!

There are a lot of renters off of Berry, so just watch out you may move next to some college kids that can either be the best or your worst nightmare--we always had great college neighbors from what I remember! The game days do get a little hectic so just be aware of when they are! But traffic is busy but just remember it could be worse...especially since that is where I was from and now living in Houston, I don't take it for granted when I come back "home".

The schools in the area are really good...the high school is one of the top high schools in the state!

Good luck on your decision!

5stones · 10-25-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

I'm not completely foolish here about having children

hey...just playing devils advocate here. (I too have 3 kids)

I know how it is when you find a house you really like, it's easy to dismiss the negatives.

Quote:

but it definitely doesn't appear to be rental homes

If it's in walking distance to major university like TCU the neighborhood WILL have rentals for college kids.
I've known many parents that buy a small house near campus for thier kids to use.

AGAIN...just playing Devils advocate.

loves2read · 10-26-2007, 06:43 AM

that house is very attractive--big difference between the one I mentioned and thought you were talking about--but it does have a very small yard--how convenient is that rear garage to get in and out of?
Unusual to see a basement in this part of TX--guess because it is older home--probably a pretty good safe room in times of bad weather...

beautyschooldropout · 10-26-2007, 07:45 AM

Great house, just wish it were on another street. Someone will probably buy it before we can reach a decision anyway.