2018 Move to Fort Worth (Dallas, Arlington: to rent, mobile home, safe area)

[BurnInTheMil]

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I are from the Louisville, KY area, born and raised (we are both Mid-Twenties). We moved to San Francisco a little over a year ago with my company, and are ready to move on to a new city. With my work, I have the flexibility of being able to move to almost any "larger" area that we have an office. Luckily, Dallas/Fort Worth is a major market for my company. That being said, we are unable to move until Summer/Fall of 2018, but we are in the planning phase now.

Currently being in San Francisco, and California in general, we cannot deal with another "Liberal Elite" area, as its overbearing and super tiring/annoying. Also, cost of living is outrageous here (We pay $2200 to rent a 2bd 1bath in a decent suburb).

I have been to the Dallas/Fort Worth area twice over the past 6 years. Stayed with family friends both times, once in Rockwall, the other in Fort Worth near the Watsuga area. I enjoyed my visit both times, and had nothing but friendly people that I met.

My wife and I mid-twenties, both have stable careers, and have no kids currently. We enjoy the outdoors, so hiking, biking, kayaking, etc... I realize Fort Worth isn't the best for outdoor activities, however are there any nice lakes nearby for a boat/swimming? We absolutely want a safe area, that is friendly friendly (in case we decide to have kids). Our housing budget would ideally be $150K-$200K. I've been looking online, and that budget seems to definitely be "doable". We aren't religious, and lean more right than left politically, although tend not to talk politics if at all possible with others.

All being said, Fort Worth seems to be a good fit from what I know and have experienced the couple weeks I've spent in the area. All Help & tips would be appreciated! We mainly need recommendations on towns/neighborhoods to look into, and we aren't opposed to "rural" places either

[C24L]

Originally Posted by Greg10556

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I are from the Louisville, KY area, born and raised (we are both Mid-Twenties). We moved to San Francisco a little over a year ago with my company, and are ready to move on to a new city. With my work, I have the flexibility of being able to move to almost any "larger" area that we have an office. Luckily, Dallas/Fort Worth is a major market for my company. That being said, we are unable to move until Summer/Fall of 2018, but we are in the planning phase now.

Currently being in San Francisco, and California in general, we cannot deal with another "Liberal Elite" area, as its overbearing and super tiring/annoying. Also, cost of living is outrageous here (We pay $2200 to rent a 2bd 1bath in a decent suburb).

I have been to the Dallas/Fort Worth area twice over the past 6 years. Stayed with family friends both times, once in Rockwall, the other in Fort Worth near the Watsuga area. I enjoyed my visit both times, and had nothing but friendly people that I met.

My wife and I mid-twenties, both have stable careers, and have no kids currently. We enjoy the outdoors, so hiking, biking, kayaking, etc... We absolutely want a safe area, that is friendly friendly (in case we decide to have kids). Our housing budget would ideally be $150K-$200K. I've been looking online, and that budget seems to definitely be "doable". We aren't religious, and lean more right than left politically, although tend not to talk politics if at all possible with others.

All being said, Fort Worth seems to be a good fit from what I know and have experienced the couple weeks I've spent in the area. All Help & tips would be appreciated!

The Metroplex is not known for an abundance of outdoor activities.I wish you the best of luck,Greg.

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by C24L

The Metroplex is not known for an abundance of outdoor activities.I wish you the best of luck,Greg.

I am aware of this, I am not expecting to be able to check all boxes off our list. While we may not have an abundance of hiking, does Fort Worth or nearby areas have any nice lakes? Getting a boat is on our to do list

[C24L]

Originally Posted by Greg10556

I am aware of this, I am not expecting to be able to check all boxes off our list. While we may not have an abundance of hiking, does Fort Worth or nearby areas have any nice lakes? Getting a boat is on our to do list

Okay kool.There are some lakes in the Metroplex that you can boat on but idk how nice they are.

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by C24L

Okay kool.There are some lakes in the Metroplex that you can boat on but idk how nice they are.

I'll look into!

I enjoyed the area the times I visited, and have always thought about making it "home". I'm more looking for suggestions on areas to live.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by Greg10556

I'll look into!

I enjoyed the area the times I visited, and have always thought about making it "home". I'm more looking for suggestions on areas to live.

Okay thats good.

[ChristieP]

In the current housing boom here in DFW, $150-200k is going to be very, very competitive. Your budget will limit you to areas with higher crime, significantly older homes, and underperforming schools. If there would be any way to up your budget to $250k, you would be able to get a much better house. Or, if you are handy, you may be able to get a fixer upper and do the work on it yourself.

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

In the current housing boom here in DFW, $150-200k is going to be very, very competitive. Your budget will limit you to areas with higher crime, significantly older homes, and underperforming schools. If there would be any way to up your budget to $250k, you would be able to get a much better house. Or, if you are handy, you may be able to get a fixer upper and do the work on it yourself.

Can you point me to the safe areas? On Realtor.com, I can find houses all day between $150K-$200K that look nice and have nice neighboring homes as well. How is the Watauga area?

[mschrief]

I don't know where you are going to buy a home for 200k. Even my fixer upper purchased last year for 153k is now over 200k.

Maybe a mobile home on an acre in Azle.

Really, really tight housing market.

[bmlx]

With that budget, I would consider looking at Westworth Village. Be aware that Westworth is an "up and coming" area and home prices could rise in the next year given the redevelopment occurring in that area. If you decide to have kids, Westworth does have one of the better elementary schools in the area (Burton Hill), though the middle and high schools (Stripling MS and Arlington Heights HS) aren't the best.

Westworth also has easy access to the Trinity Trails for biking and running.

Also note that there are some expensive homes in the Westworth Village area; with regard to your budget I am referring to the "older" part of Westworth Village along Burton Hill Road.