Leaving Keller traffic for Aledo or Mansfield....any thoughts? (Dallas: neighborhoods, buy)

[metrorider100]

I am so tired of the Keller north Fort Worth traffic. We have been here 7 years and it has only gotten worse. The schools and neighborhoods are very family oriented but the glut of traffic in every direction makes it too busy for us.


We have made weekend trips to Mansfield & Aledo and both areas have room to grow with decent school districts. Our budget is $350K but may have to go a little higher.


What is long-term outlook for these areas?

[tcualum]

Where are you trying to get to from Aledo and Mansfield?

[metrorider100]

Will be commuting to Grand Prairie.

[bmlx]

Sounds like Mansfield would be the better bet, because you would be closer to Grand Prairie. There are traffic problems in and along Highway 360, especially with the construction of the 360 South toll road, but that should be done in the spring of 2018. If it is north Grand Prairie you are commuting to then you might encounter traffic problems further north along 360.

With regard to traffic along Interstate 30 from Aledo towards Grand Prairie, I have noticed over the last several years that I-30 west of Fort Worth has started to see traffic problems which were practically nonexistent 10 years ago or so. The main choke point seems to be between Camp Bowie and Hulen Street going westbound (evening rush hour), where traffic entering I-30 westbound from Hulen has to jump over 2 lanes in 1/4 a mile or so to stay on I-30. It's not as bad as the traffic in the north Fort Worth and Keller areas, but I-30's traffic issues will only get worse as housing developments in the Aledo area (especially Walsh Ranch) start to expand. The part of I-30 from east Fort Worth to Arlington does not seem to see as many traffic problems as the western portion does; I used to drive this section every day to commute to a summer job in east FW, and out of the 3 summers I worked there, I only encountered gridlock 2 times during the morning rush hour (it was sort of a "reverse" commute with respect to downtown FW, but there are job centers in Arlington and other places further east like Dallas where people probably commuted to work). I did not commute past the 820 east loop though, so I am less sure of the traffic situation along I-30 in Arlington, which I would assume to be worse. If you're commuting to north Grand Prairie I would expect to encounter traffic issues around the 360 interchange (for construction); long-term though this should get better as direct connection ramps open between I-30 and 360.

[ChristieP]

I can totally agree that commuting from Keller to Grand Prairie would be awful. Aledo would be just as bad of a commute due to the distance. This is why we are always telling people here to live close to where they will be working.

As the poster above said, Mansfield has its own traffic issues, which will hopefully get better soon once the 360/30 interchange is done.

[loves2read]

How far is your work from the Bush Toll road--
That goes south of I 30 now I think
In your price you might also consider Grapevine/360 into GP area

[asiatrails]

Look at where Ikea is building their new mall, if you buy south of there, the commute and traffic will be just as bad.

[Yohkos]

I commute from keller and Arlington for work and it's horrible. Have you thought about Midlothian?

[asiatrails]

Have the same commute Keller to Arlington, takes about 45 minutes for 22 miles on a good day. But we prefer the schools and amenities in Keller. Midlothian is the cement capital of Texas, think about the concrete dust and trucks.

[TheProtege]

South Grand Prairie(Mira Lagos area): Mansfield schools in that area are pretty good.
Mansfield: Either Mansfield or Lake Ridge high school districts.
Arlington: Avoid the SW and West side.
Midlothian: The cement plants are mostly on the west side. Other then the plants it's a good choice.
Venus: Avoid it.
Cedar Hill: Lake Ridge area is nice. Recommend private schooling.