Good family area within 20 minutes of TCC SE campus? (Arlington: appliances, house)

[Mommy2Ava]

Hello all!

We bit the bullet and moved to the area last month. Now we are looking to buy our first home and need some advice on good areas to search in.

We need good schools (daughter will be entering kindergarten), safe, and within 20 minutes of TCC SE. Our price range would be $135K max since we are working with one income for the time being. We would like a 3/2 with 1400 square feet (minimum).

Is Mansfield or best bet? Or are there other areas that would be good for a young family in that area?

Thanks!

[DFWNewHomeSpecialist21]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Ava

Hello all!

We bit the bullet and moved to the area last month. Now we are looking to buy our first home and need some advice on good areas to search in.

We need good schools (daughter will be entering kindergarten), safe, and within 20 minutes of TCC SE. Our price range would be $135K max since we are working with one income for the time being. We would like a 3/2 with 1400 square feet (minimum).

Is Mansfield or best bet? Or are there other areas that would be good for a young family in that area?

Thanks!

I would try either Mansfield or Arlington. I found a 3 bdrm-2 bth in your price range. Black appliances & good size backyard. I will send you a direct message.

[loves2read]

You might consider Cedar Hill--smaller town--smaller ISD--they are trying to improve the district--
one e;ementary is rated Exemplary and all others are Recognized as of last year's ratings--that is good
you would probably be going against traffic and the sun would be at your back in morning and evening--which is better commute than facing it--believe me...

properties around Lake Ridge--watch for bad foundations--lots of elevation in those lots

my daughter taught at West Elementary in AISD which is at 360 and 20--it took her 20 min to get there from our house in Bedford--going 183 to 360...that was couple of years ago so time might be little more now but it is not impossible commute from Mid Cities and HEB is better ISD than Arlington frankly...

[DFWNewHomeSpecialist21]

The home was in Mansfield ISD & not Arlington ISD.

[Mommy2Ava]

Thanks for the tips!

We had considered Cedar Hill, since it seems like you can get a lot more house there, but both realtors we have spoken to say that Mansfield has the best schools, hands down. Since we know nothing about the area, we aren't too sure if they are just blowing smoke or if they are right...

[Aporkalypse]

Mansfield has good schools. Keep in mind a big chunk of South Arlington and a small piece of Grand Prairie is in the Mansfield ISD.

[loves2read]

better schools in Mansfield are east of 287
check ratings
Exemplary is #1--Recognized in #2--
it is easier for elementary school to reach #1 than a middle or certainly a high school--
so you should really try to get Exemplary rating for elementary and at least Recognized for middle school..