Midlothian, Burleson or Fort Worth? Need neighborhood ideas...

[smartmx5]

We have our house up for sale in Cleburne, TX. We are looking to move to one of the three cities posted above. We are going to downsize our house. Our price range is $125K to $200K. Yes, there is a discrepancy, but if we can get close to the amenities we have now, we will pay more.

The Question: Do any of you know good quality, family oriented neighborhoods in these cities that would be in this price range? My wife works in Fort Worth and I would like to stay close to FW. If you know the name of the neighborhood or address, that would be helpful.

Thanks for the help!
Alan

[Version3]

I'm a big fan of the Park Glen area of Fort Worth. It's just S/SW of Keller, and is KISD as well. I graduated HS in this area, moved away, moved back (and into Park Glen). Then we tried other parts of the metro area, even in and around Frisco. Came back to Park Glen.

[POS Racing]

I totally disagree with Version3 I've been in Park Glen for 16 years and as soon as we get the kid out of the house we are gone (Class of 2014)! My kid attends Private Schools so I can't coment on the local schools.

But Traffic Sucks (377, 820, & 35), City of Ft. Worth sucks if you have any issues, and this years group managing the PID (Public Improvement District) couldn't find their ass if they used both hands.

As an added bonus property values have plummeted in recent years so you can get a sweet deal on a poorly built cookie cutter home.

I do have some nice neighbors but none of them like me......

[Version3]

I'd totally agree on the traffic. It's not the only place in town where traffic sucks, I'm not fond of it near Burleson either (from the OPs city choices), but I've done traffic all around. I find the traffic over here much less infuriating than traffic anywhere North Dallas, so I think I give this area a pass. I find the schools here as decent as I can give credit for public schools, and I find the neighborhood to be not only that exactly (an actual neighborhood rather than a aging development), but I find it to be generally the same as it was when I was a teenager in this area.

I doubt that the argument of property value is below average for the metro area, and the homes are built about as well as most in the OPs price range. Builders just don't do good work anymore, and you can't find houses built after the mid-to-late 80s that don't suffer many of the same problems, or aren't subject to the same materials issues. This neighborhood in particular has had a lot of issues over the years with the PVC pipes used for water supply during original install. It's actually pretty common for a lot of developments during that period, and I've found that a lot of people don't know about it because a PO already dealt with it. Homes and home materials are just junk these days, and unless you pay for higher quality workmanship and materials, I suspect planned developments are going to be largely the same with the same amount of time having passed.

I like this area because of the community, and the attitude of people living in this part of town. It's the part that actually brought me back. I haven't been here for the same stretch of time as POS, but I've been here before during and after the same period. Opinions vary, but I do like this area for many of the things that are important to me. Traffic sucks everywhere. If not today, then it will tomorrow.

[POS Racing]

LOL Version3 I wish I could see Park Glen throught the rose colored glasses that you have.

Maybe it's due to my first hand experience dealing with the City, the PID, and trying to sell this house a few times that has skewed my veiw.

On the Traffic I'm thinking you could be a work at home type or work odd hours. I work in Euless and the wife works Downtown Ft. W and we both know the traffic sucks. This area is documented as some of the worst traffic in North Texas with 820 being the crown jewel.... I'm pretty sure smartmx5's better 1/2 works near downtown so the traffic is definatly something they want to take into consideration.

Fort Worth Highway Voted Among U.S. Traffic Worst
By Melissa Newton
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― The cars, the congestion, and the complaints, Loop 820 in North Tarrant County has a lot of all three. That's why a new nation traffic study, conducted by INRIX, reports the top three worst bottlenecks in North Texas are all along that small stretch of road.

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Loop.820.tr...2.1518398.html

[onething]

You didn't list Arlington, but I like it. I frequently go to downtown Ft Worth, and it is typically a 20 min. drive on I30 from just south of UTA. While I've been vocal about vehicle break-ins, I've stopped making it easy for the bastards. The neighbors are great, and they like me Most of the houses are mid-60's vintage and definitely no cookie cutters. There are even a couple of houses on the market right now. PM me if you want more info (I am not a realtor and my only interest is keeping my neighborhood the way it is.)

[Version3]

I know we are drifting a bit OT, but the traffic DOES most certainly suck, but I think the stretch of 183 through Euless and Bedford is much worse than 820 at 6-6:30 when I come through. Sure 820 is slow, but it's only 2 miles or so of it. I probably just dismiss it because it's predictable and comes of no surprise ever. I actually felt like the Dallas N Tollway through Frisco/Plano was much more stressful, infuriating and unpredictable. Went on for several miles as well. I drive to Uptown D most every day for work (work from home 1 day per week). Yeah, knowing that the OPs would have to deal with a traffic run to Downtown Fort Worth, if traffic bothers you, it's really something to consider.

Maybe if I'd had to deal with the city on anything but an obvious water issue that they already knew about, I'd have some stronger opinions. The larger cities often have these kinds of issues, something you probably wouldn't see as much in many of the suburban cities. As far as the neighborhood though, I really like the fact that the HOA here seems to become slightly more relaxed than it was 6-8 years ago. I'm not sure if that's really the case, but it's been my experience. Especially with tinkering with cars, and parking on the street.

As far as home quality, I really feel like it's about on par in this area with other homes built in the same period, I personally tend to like houses built in the late 60s to early 70s, if you can find them somewhere you want to live. In many cases, they make much better foundations for improvements.

[CarCar]

Quail Crest Estates or Woodbriar Estates, Bedford. Quality custom homes built 1975-1982. quiet neighbor hood with a few of the smaller homes for sale at your price range. excellent school district. somewhat high school taxes. what you need conveiniently close. yes, congested 183/ airport freeway rush hours but you can skirt around it.

[cwisenheimer]

You might check out Benbrook in SW Fort Worth too. Very easy access to downtown FW. Fairly quiet. A range of house ages/prices to choose from.

[smartmx5]

Thanks to all that have posted. I appreciate the insight. I originally had Arlington in the list, but I had read there is above average foreclosures and we will probably not be in the area too long, as we would like to get back to Tyler. We are looking for something with the idea that we could rent/lease the house once we are gone or get out of it quick, hence the price range discrepancy. My wife brought up Ben Brook and that may be an option. I will check the MLS listings on that area.
Alan

[cam76034]

Thanks to all that have posted. I appreciate the insight. I originally had Arlington in the list, but I had read there is above average foreclosures and we will probably not be in the area too long, as we would like to get back to Tyler. We are looking for something with the idea that we could rent/lease the house once we are gone or get out of it quick, hence the price range discrepancy. My wife brought up Ben Brook and that may be an option. I will check the MLS listings on that area.
Alan

So you're looking to purchase? or rent? I've got something in Hurst that should be available for lease in a month or two.

[smartmx5]

Purchase. I still want to have somewhat of an investment that isn't (yet) totally controlled by our government!!!