Moving to FW from Minneapolis (Fort Worth, Arlington: apartments, HOA fees, condo)

[Bruslance]

Hello Everyone,

This is another moving and question thread. I am moving to work in downtown FW. I'd like to live as near as possible to downtown. As for a home I'm looking for something around 250K. Ideally I'd like something around 1500sqft and no HOA fees (so no condo). One thing that I'd very much like is to be within walking distance of a few restaurants/bars/shops (1 mile or so).

It looks like the market here is pretty overbought, so I'm trying to expand my search. So anyone here have any thoughts as to what areas I should be looking at?

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by Bruslance

Hello Everyone,

This is another moving and question thread. I am moving to work in downtown FW. I'd like to live as near as possible to downtown. As for a home I'm looking for something around 250K. Ideally I'd like something around 1500sqft and no HOA fees (so no condo). One thing that I'd very much like is to be within walking distance of a few restaurants/bars/shops (1 mile or so).

It looks like the market here is pretty overbought, so I'm trying to expand my search. So anyone here have any thoughts as to what areas I should be looking at?

FW is different from MPLS in that downtown is a bit of an island. It is surrounded by freeways, floodplains, and, in some directions, urban blight. Sure, there are some neighborhoods that have been fashioned "urban villages" but they aren't in walking distance to downtown and if you wanted to walk the 2-3 miles, well they aren't scenic that's for sure. I'd look at Fairmount or Arlington Heights.

[Bruslance]

Thanks for the reply. I noticed that downtown was out of my price range. I will look into the areas you mentioned.

Also just to clarify, I am okay not being able to walk downtown, I'd just like some conveniences in walking distance and a low crime neighborhood whether in a suburb or in the metro area. In regards to downtown, I mostly am wanting as short a commute as possible

[txbasedgirl]

You are moving to the right state! I grew up in Shakopee, have lived in TX for over 12 years, and it is a great place. With regards to Fort Worth, I'd suggest looking at a few suburbs north of Fort Worth, which have some great retail very nearby, safe and you will love the value you get in housing for your money. North Fort Worth, even Keller. Depends on how much you are willing to commute. Direct message me if you have other questions. We live out in that area, and simply love it. Commute to downtown Ft. Worth is 15-25 minutes depending on time of day...

[Bruslance]

Originally Posted by txbasedgirl

You are moving to the right state! I grew up in Shakopee, have lived in TX for over 12 years, and it is a great place. With regards to Fort Worth, I'd suggest looking at a few suburbs north of Fort Worth, which have some great retail very nearby, safe and you will love the value you get in housing for your money. North Fort Worth, even Keller. Depends on how much you are willing to commute. Direct message me if you have other questions. We live out in that area, and simply love it. Commute to downtown Ft. Worth is 15-25 minutes depending on time of day...

Thanks for the input, and glad to hear it's a great place to relocate! As for N. Fort Worth/Keller I've heard horror stories on the commute. I don't mind traffic, but I'd definitely like to stay under 30mins during rush hour.

[ChristieP]

Then don't pick Keller or anything north of 820. I35W is currently being reconstructed and is an awful mess until at least 2018. The alternative routes are city streets with heavy traffic from everyone trying to avoid I35W!

[Bruslance]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

Then don't pick Keller or anything north of 820. I35W is currently being reconstructed and is an awful mess until at least 2018. The alternative routes are city streets with heavy traffic from everyone trying to avoid I35W!

Thanks for the warning, which directions are better traffic wise?

[ChristieP]

Look in the Arlington Heights and Ridglea neighborhoods, and around TCU. Also, look south of I30 on Bryant-Irvin and Hulen Street for both houses and apartments. Avoid anything in Fort Worth that's east of 35W until you learn the area better.

The Fairmount area and along Magnolia Street just south of downtown might have exactly what you are looking for. Just be observant as the neighborhood changes quickly.

Traffic from the southwest and northeast are less bad than that from the north, south and west.

[4Movingeast]

Agree w/ PP advice and will put one more on your radar since it doesn't sound like you need public schools: Oakhurst, slightly NE of downtown w/ great access. Borders a rough neighborhood but is just a beautiful historic neighborhood, and one of my faves in the city.

Oakhurst Neighborhood Association

[Bruslance]

Thanks for all the input! Great information