Possible move from IN to Fort Worth area

[stuzz]

Thank you everyone for all of your input - I really appreciate it! Schools were next on my list to check out, since that will be a factor on where we buy a home. I don't need to be in the best school district, but definitely a decent one. Hi Horse, are there any elementary schools your wife could shoot down immediately? I tend to favor small schools over larger ones, but in most big cities, that just can't be helped. And jcamber, have you found the adjustment from Indiana to Texas to be difficult? I don't expect it to but just curious since you know the IN cities. I've been to TX only 3 times, and Dallas only when I was 6 - all I remember is that I saw the mansion from "Dallas" (not really helpful here). I could probably deal with a 35 minute commute to work, I did that for the first 22 years of my life, so have been pretty spoiled with my 15 minute commute the last 10 years. It's worth it to get south to Texas - although my loyalty will always be with the Colts...but I may find a place in my heart for the Cowboys eventually

[jcamber]

stuzz> the adjustment has mostly been around with the differences you get accostumed to. And you really can't tell them until you're here. I would say I loved the fact that in Indy everything was so close, you could get anywhere in less than 30 minutes and we had several shopping areas within 5 minutes. Here you might find it exactly the opposite. And if you want to go to Dallas for something in particular, get ready because it's a haul (by Indiana's standards anyway). Again, this may not be an issue if you don't mind the drive. I also miss the BIG trees and having a spring and fall. Other than that, people are super friendly here. A little on the proud side but to each their own.

Also, hopefully you have republican views or it may be a little harder to adapt. And last, expect some crazy drivers. I know, they're in all states but I can say there are more here than in Indy.

Good luck, let me know if I can be of any help.

[Hi Horse]

Originally Posted by stuzz

Thank you everyone for all of your input - I really appreciate it! Schools were next on my list to check out, since that will be a factor on where we buy a home. I don't need to be in the best school district, but definitely a decent one. Hi Horse, are there any elementary schools your wife could shoot down immediately? I tend to favor small schools over larger ones, but in most big cities, that just can't be helped. And jcamber, have you found the adjustment from Indiana to Texas to be difficult? I don't expect it to but just curious since you know the IN cities. I've been to TX only 3 times, and Dallas only when I was 6 - all I remember is that I saw the mansion from "Dallas" (not really helpful here). I could probably deal with a 35 minute commute to work, I did that for the first 22 years of my life, so have been pretty spoiled with my 15 minute commute the last 10 years. It's worth it to get south to Texas - although my loyalty will always be with the Colts...but I may find a place in my heart for the Cowboys eventually

Generally speaking getting around in Arlington is tough north and south, the eastern freeway, 360 is a mess most of the times you would want to use it. Over on the west side of Arlington there is, in Fort Worth loop 820 and it is better than 360 but it is no cakewalk. Moving east and west is not really a problem I-20 on the south side of Arlington is fast, you can run 80 much of the time. I 30 that cuts through the top 1/3 of Arlington is fast also. Look at the map.

Arlington schools, well, stay away from east Arlington. Southwest Arlington is good, Pantego and Dalworthington Gardens are 2 areas you might want to look, Arlington Schools, excellent. The I 20 corridor all the way from Fort Worth City Limits to just past 157, either side is ok.

Mansfield Schools are good but if you need to go North the dreaded 360 is waiting. east and west OK.

North takes you to Hurst, Euless and Bedford excellent schools but the dreaded parking lot known as airport freeway awaits.

In Fort Worth you will just have to scratch to check out the schools. Some are good and some suck, generally the lower the socio eco scale the worst the schools. I realize that what I am about to say sounds racist as hell, but it is fact and when you check the school ratings by the state it will bear me out. As a general rule the majority minority schools are not rated highly and I would not put my kid in that enviourment. My wife teaches in such a school but it is one of those exceptions, the homes are less than 7 years old (new school) and there is little rental property. People own the homes and look after what they are paying for and that seems to make the difference in the value system for both the kids, the school and the neighborhoods. Lots of minority lower middle class working people so it is OK. Go to the hood and you got crap, crime, gangs and schools that suck. Whereever you go you might want to rent for a year.

Why do you not go to Austin, San Antiono? That is the best place to live in Texas. If I were going to build a life I would choose that area. It is beautiful. You are 150 miles from the best part of the Texas coast, far enough away to not have the negatives but only 2+ hours away. You have the Texas hill country, all the lakes and a very nice area overall. Excellent educational opportunities and just really neat area of the country to live.

I also like Big Bend country but no way to make a living.

[Kibby]

Don't let the traffic scare you - trick is to find out from co-workers (and trial and error) which are the best routes. Some are horrible and some are just fine. I live in SW Arlington and worked in Dallas (on Stemmons Frwy) for 25 years ...... it would usually take me about 35-40 minutes to get to work during rush hour. I can get to Downtown Fort Worth from my house in less than 15 minutes.

Ft Worth has a pretty small town feel for a large city - lots to do, great down town and a lot of new building and neighbor restoration near the downtown area where you would be working. Schools are the main thing - check them out, FW is like any other large town - some good and some not so good. Stay away from North Ft Worth .... the traffic coming/going is horrible along I35.

[rottylover]

hi could you please tell me the apartment complex that allowed you to have a rotty? i'm having huge issues with this.

[rottylover]