Moving from SF to Ft Worth - What are some safe places to live in Fort Worth/Arlington area? (North Richland Hills: rental, condo)

[dinoo82]

Hi All!

I'll be moving to the Fort Worth area in a month or so and I don't have the slightest idea of what areas are considered safe in the Fort Worth/Arlington area. I'm currently looking for a 2br and rent up to $1500, does any one have any recommendations as to where would be a good place to move?

Thanks for all your help!

[texas_nightowl]

A liitle more info please?

Where's work? The DFW metro is huge.

How long a commute do you care about?

Children? ie. Do you care about school district?

[dinoo82]

Hi Texas_nightowl,

Sorry about that. I'll be moving there and will be looking for a job. Being that I'm in no hurry to find one yet and I know that's crazy, I'm willing to live w/ the long/short commute. We currently have no kids and we plan to rent 1 year before we settle somewhere in the city with a good school district.

So any tips of any safe areas to live would be great.

[ChristieP]

Find the job first,then decide where to live. The DFW area is huge,a nd there is no reason to make a lengthy commute here as there are many good areas all over the metroplex. You will also have a hard time finding a place to rent with no income.

Generally speaking, the southwest and west parts of Fort Worth are the better parts. Northeast Tarrant County is also good.

[Trance750]

I would generally stay clear of South Arlington (especially between New York and Collins). That whole neighborhood has gone down hill.

Nothing but cheap housing (and New York/Arkansas) is a rent-controlled lower-income housing district

About 10 years ago, the area was infested by the Latino/Asian gangs

[bredyb]

I will be working in Fort Worth, the hospital district, 900 Jerome Street to be exact. I am looking for an area with good schools from which I can commute. How long would the commute be from Keller? From Mansfield? From Colleyville? I was told that the Colleyville commute was up to an hour and a half. I desperately need advice. Thanks in advance.

[ChristieP]

No, Colleyville is not an hour and a half unless there is major bad weather or a horrible wreck that shuts down the freeway. I commute to the medical district from south Grapevine, and it takes 30-45 minutes, tops. However, I bet and hour and a half is realistic from Keller simply due to the construction and the overcrowded freeways. Many people from Keller end up using side streets to stay away from the freeway.

Your budget is going to be a big factor here. We really need to know what it is.

There are also good schools in the HEB ISD and Birdville ISDs. These include Hurst, Euless and Bedford (stay north of 183), and North Richland Hills.

[bredyb]

My budget is about 2500 a month and I really want a property with a pool, which I know are few and far between, but I have found 1 or 2 in Mansfield and Colleyville. I haven't seen as many listings in Bedford, Euless or Hurst.

[ChristieP]

Then Colleyville won't be a problem. I agree that finding a rental with a pool is going to be tough, even in that budget. The liability to the landlord is just so great for risk, and that the tenant won't keep up the pool properly.

Remember, too, that the part of Euless north of MidCities Blvd feeds into Colleyville schools. There are some nice homes in that area, too.

[Aggie Law]

I assume that you and the wife are young (since you are thinking about having kids.) Also you are working in the hospital district and have $2500 a month in rent, for $1500 and up you can find something nice (with a pool) in the downtown area, West 7th, or Fairmont district in Fort Worth.

Downtown is a popular tourist destination with 5 star resturants, bars, clubs, comedy clubs, rodeos, opera house, and is very touristy (and enjoyed by the downtown residents.) It is the place to be for the grad school and older crowd. It has been the focus of urban living for longer than the other 2 and is popular with the white collar young professional. Easy to find a nice and unique condo in a renovated train station or high rise, all well within your price range.

West 7th (just over the bridge from downtown) is popular with TCU undergrad and older crowd. It is not as walking friendly as downtown and more focused on the bar scene. Cabs are plentiful and there is good live music and bar scene.

Fairmont is a neighborhood in transition. There are still some un-updated historic homes. Much of this area has been gentrified and you are as liable to see a young artist blowing glass sculptures in his garage as you are to have an older neighbor who has owned the home for 40 years. There is neither the incredible police presence that you find downtown (although single women jog through the neighborhood at night) nor is there really good cab service. Some of the most eclectic restaurants run across Fairmont's main street Magnolia including a place with only three tables (that only takes cash or Euros... seriously) and a variety of fusion, and ultra-hip type places. The club scene is non-existent, but there are bars and a friendly vibe.