Berkeley versus Ryan Place (Magnolia: mortgages, houses, safe neighborhood)

[hopeinaus]

As per my other posts, we live in AUS and are trying to move to FW to live near family. We recently came over to look at houses and are trying to sort out mortgages, jobs, etc now.

We are down to 2 houses - one in Ryan Place and one in Berkeley. Both on nice streets near respective parks. Both near the schools.

So...any comments on which neighborhood is "best"? We have one 2 year old and hope to get prego with another baby soon. I will be stay at home Mom. Husband will work offshore and then hopefully get local job.

Seeking family friendly, safe neighborhood to settle down in and become part of the neighborhood (and hopefully live a long time).

My personal thoughts - Berkeley seems to be the better neighborhood (walk to park, pool, zoo, restaurants (Esperanza area)) for us but the house is about $100K more. I am thinking that the house in Ryan Place will be "good enough" and for $100K I can drive a bit more.

Thoughts?

[fwag04]

I live in Fairmount, the neighborhood directly north of ryan place. Ryan Place is nice, we almost bought a house in Ryan Place, but we were able to get more house for the money in Fairmout, about 2 blocks from Magnolia.

Ryan Place is a nice neighborhood where almost all the homes are fixed up and well maintained. Fairmount is getting there, which is why we chose to move there. Everything you would want to go to is about the same distance between ryan place and berkeley.

Bottom line, if money isn't an issue, go with Berkeley. If it is, you won't go wrong with Ryan Place. Just try to stay closer to the middle of the neighborhood, there's railroad tracks right behind ryan place ave, and the houses on the other end of the neighborhood (Ryan Ave) aren't as nice as the other streets.

[hopeinaus]

Thanks fwag. We will see how it goes with the offer on the Berkeley house and keep our eye out in Ryan pLace as well. I was just reading the Ryan Place newsletter - there seems to be a ton of community activities. I hope Berkeley has these sort of things as well!!