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Moving from SoCal to Dallas/Ft Worth Metro


MConstantineJr
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And need some solid advice. Narrowed it down to 4 towns that have great schools. We have a 5 month old son and working on another soon. We are both from small towns in the Chicago and Wisconsin areas respectively. Looking for a similar small town feel but close enough to shopping, golf, etc. Our final choices are Flower Mound, Keller, Mansfield, Midlothian. Home prices don't matter. We stand to make a good sized profit on our current home. What we do want is a pretty good sized back yard and house that doesn't have neighbors right on top of us. So taking price out of the equation which town would you recommend and also which is less trafficky into and out of Arlington between 7am and 7 pm? And most importantly if anyone has any input into either Walnut Country Club or the Trophy Club CC or any CC for that matter I would gladly like to hear it. Thanks gents! Oh and convince me to either stay in SoCal or move to Dallas area. We still have time to accept or reject the offer.
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I have relatives in Arlington, Saginaw, and other spots in the general FT Worth area. My money guy is located in Ft Worth.

I don't know what to tell you about avoiding traffic. The whole area is a slow mover from time  to time, but the slow down does not last as long as it probably does in socal. That said, if you know the right back roads your, commute can be less bothersome.

What I can tell you about the area is it is a completely different way of life down there. Example; we were all out for breakfast at a IHOP one morning. My sister in law was talking to a lady next to us. It was a great conversation between the two ladies. I took it they had had been friends for a long time. A while later I asked my sister in law how long she had known the other women. She told me  "about 30 minutes". Most folks are pretty well laid back down there.

There are lots of quality golf courses in the area. I have golfed on most of them at one time or another. There is also a lot of golf history in the area too. I have yet to find a golf course to complain about as yet. That is if you discount complaining about leaves during fall time of the year.

I have golfed at Walnut Creek CC a few times, but don't know anything about a Walnut Country Club. Trophy Club, if it's the one near Grapevine Lake is a pretty nice course. My Broker takes me out there when I visit. My favorite is Colonial CC which my broker gets me on. The toughest one in the area for me to play is the Rockwood Muni course just outside of FT Worth. That course kicks my backside every time I play it. That's probably why I play it the most.

About 15 miles north of FT. Worth, past Saginaw, there are a lot of homes for sale with lots of property that goes with them. If not for the ever changing weather, and the very high humidity, I would have purchase one of those homes myself, and built my own short course area.

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I believe @Mr. Desmond is from that area, maybe he can help you.

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

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Flower Mound and Keller are both great areas over that way.  Keller would probably be about 25% shorter commute depending on which side of FM you'd be on, but neither drive would be that bad.  As Patch said, traffic isn't THAT bad and you can usually find the backroad commute being roughly the same as taking the main roads and by doing that, you miss the frequent accidents and jams.  I have a 15 mile/25 minute commute over my way.  I could maybe save 5 mins each way by taking the highway, but as soon as it rains, gets foggy, construction or anything traffic gets backed up and the back way ends up being quicker and more consistent in the long run.

FM is probably a little more rural-y with more open and undeveloped land, where Keller is more like a regular suburban city that has been growing for a few years with the restaurants and shopping and everything else.  Beer Creek park in Keller is a great place to take the kiddos when they're a little older.  Haven't golfed either of the places that you mentioned, but just played Tour 18 in FM for the first time last week and it was in really good shape, if you like that kind of course.

Southlake is another really good spot in that area if you're still open to looking at other cities.

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I've lived in the DFW area for .... 50 years. Grew up in Dallas, and living now in the north 'burbs ... Flower Mound, which has great access to many area public and daily upscale golf courses.

In general, north of Dallas is thought to be better than south of Dallas.

I would advise you avoid Mansfield and Midlothian ... south of Dallas -- known for pollution from steel and cement plants, and it is south of Dallas, meaning when you want to get to Dallas, you've got to come in on I35 ... probably my least favorite stretch in the area. Lots of low income areas coming into town. And schools? No way ... but they do have some decent high school football teams in that area (Cedar Hill). Has Joe Pool Lake nearby, which may be the only redeeming feature besides Tangle Ridge Golf Course - public upscale. Still, it's the middle of nowhere. But some people like that aspect.

Keller/Roanoke/Trophy Club - on the way to Fort Worth.  The 36 holes of the Trophy Club features the only course Hogan ever designed. It is still in the middle of nowhere, relatively speaking but is better now because  of recent development and it is near Southlake, which is known as a hoity-toidy town. Good high school football team. Not too bad getting to Arlington but it will be busy.

Flower Mound/Lewisville/Highland Village ... Flower Mound has good schools. It is only 15 minutes from DFW Airport, and believe me, you will want to get on a plane to get the heck out of DFW Area and back to SoCal just to see water and scenery. There is no crime in Flower Mound. You could leave your garage door open all night ... police have a "no broken windows" policy meaning any violation is ticketed, especially kids. They don't allow anyone to get away with anything, meaning people are fairly well behaved on the street. It's all relative. Just obey all traffic laws and you'll be fine... it was a shock coming from Dallas.

Just opened a Whole Foods down the street so all is well. Huge upscale Walmart across street. More development at FM 407/FM 2499 intersections -- shopping, theatre, restaurants along with Whole Foods. Fairly sleepy town in terms of excitement. No night life other than 407/2499. Fine access to hospitals/medical -- new medical area just cropped up just north of Main St and 2499 -- the main drags.

Where to live? If you want more room, there is a little village to the west of Flower Mound called Double Oak -- lots of room and it adjoins Flower Mound. If you go a tad north and west around FM 407 past Lantana (private golf club in that development), many 1-4 acre lots. It is/was an area that held/holds lots of horses and training areas. You will have to check on schools in that area ... the area out there is developing and they have new schools.

The area has good access to Dallas and north Dallas -- i35 north, Hiway 121, Hiway 190 -- all needed to go east and then south to Dallas. Arlington -- I find it relatively easy from Flower Mound -- not as easier north of FM 407 because it's north. But from Flower Mound, get on FM 2499, head towards DFW Airport, head out 121 West, get off on 157 and head south. This is the short cut back way. Depends where in Arlington you're trying to get. North Arlington is closer to Flower Mound.

Lots of fine golf courses in/around/near Flower Mound. Bridlewood has a great practice facility, Tour 18 is nearby, (Dallas) Cowboys Golf Club, Grapevine Golf Club (27 holes), Trophy Club, Texas Star ... typically you find discounts all the time. I like to be near Bridlewood for practice and a nice 18.

You might check out Grapevine, too. Closer to Arlington and the Airport. The mid-cities of Hurst, Euless, Bedford are also there, but I'm not crazy about the mid-cities. But it's closer to Ft Worth, which is fun.

DFW - nice place to work but you'll want to accumulate miles to get out of town. Religion and Politics: It is very conservative and Bible thumping around here. Don't discuss religion -- before you know it, they'll be discussing Jesus' brothers and sisters, and engage you in Bible quoting wars ... Baptists. Large Catholic/Methodist/Protestant communities, lots of HUGE non-denominational Churches. It's an industry around here... I prefer to golf. lol.

More questions? Ask. Personally, if not for the drought in SoCal, I'd seriously consider staying in SoCal. Texas is culture and scenery shock. But you get value for your money in housing if you buy right. I am originally from NoCal, lived in SoCal as a young child, and like to get back frequently. So access to DFW Airport is essential. But Dallas nightlife has improved immensely over the last 10 years.

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Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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I should add that if you want rolling hills, look around Joe Pool Lake as stated above. It's been slow to develop out there (it's south).

The restaurant scene is decent around here ... too many chains, but many chains are local. DFW is a springing ground swell of restaurant ideas. I think we eat out more per capita than anyone else.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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If you're working in Arlington, you may want to consider something between Dallas and FW and south of 183. Check out Iron Horse GC and Waterchase--both have homes with large plots that are not too stacked. Also there are places between 20 and 30 in Arlington where you can get a home on 1-2 acres and have a very secluded feel in the middle of the plex (though you may be sending your kids to private schools). Btw I like Trophy Club but probably wouldn't join there. It's sooo big you feel like you're competing for tee times at a popular daily fee course. And the guest fees are $100!!! There is no reason for anyone to pay $100 for a round of golf in the plex. I can name 20 better courses that can be played for $60.

Kevin

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I too live in DFW. I can't speak on Flower Mound or Keller. But I can speak on Mansfield and Midlothian. I live near both. With the understanding that everything is relative and everyone has a different perspective based on their age, political views, race, and experiences, I agree with Mr. Desmond for the most part. There are fantastic parts of Mansfield and Midlothian. The size of home and size of plot of land in that you'll be able to afford trumps the size you'll be able to afford in FM and Keller. You'll be able to find a huge size of land for your home in Mansfield/Midlothian for 60-70% of the cost. But towns have great development. My oldest (7) was the third child born at Mansfield's Methodist Hospital. Traffic is a concern everywhere in DFW. But the commute from Mansfield to Arlington would be easy. Midlothian to Arlington would be more difficult. I can't compare these commutes to the commutes of Keller and FM to Arlington. Schools - Mansfield has really good public schools, but a lot of people go with private or charter schools in Mansfield.

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I too live in DFW. I can't speak on Flower Mound or Keller. But I can speak on Mansfield and Midlothian. I live near both. With the understanding that everything is relative and everyone has a different perspective based on their age, political views, race, and experiences, I agree with Mr. Desmond for the most part.

There are fantastic parts of Mansfield and Midlothian. The size of home and size of plot of land in that you'll be able to afford trumps the size you'll be able to afford in FM and Keller. You'll be able to find a huge size of land for your home in Mansfield/Midlothian for 60-70% of the cost. But towns have great development. My oldest (7) was the third child born at Mansfield's Methodist Hospital.

Traffic is a concern everywhere in DFW. But the commute from Mansfield to Arlington would be easy. Midlothian to Arlington would be more difficult. I can't compare these commutes to the commutes of Keller and FM to Arlington.

Schools - Mansfield has really good public schools, but a lot of people go with private or charter schools in Mansfield.


Agree!

I know nothing about Mansfield but my eldest son grew up in Midlothian and I would make that drive from Flower Mound. My son liked the schools out there. You can get 3-4 acres around Midlothian for not a lot of money with a home on it. There are some gated communities out there with attractive new homes. When I visited, other parents were a bit paranoid about environmental factors. I'd be aware of it. They have more development out there now... Joe Pool Lake is developing and it's rolling hills are scenic. I have a friend out there. They enjoy it. It's really about what you want and a balance of factors. Good luck with your decision.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Thanks guys! This is all good stuff. The primary reason for doing this is that with the sale of my house I can pay off my wife's student loans that are brutal, allows my wife to stay at home and raise our son and future kids, and it allows her to go to nursing school which she has always wanted. We can both tolerate the humidity being from the upper Midwest so weather isn't really a concern. I've never heard of the environmental factors south of Arlington until Desmond mentioned them. I'm sure glad he did because we were pretty set on Mansfield or Midlothian. I have a feeling we have 1 more move in us before our kids start to really go to school so I'm pretty content not spending an assload on a home and making some compromises. I've found some nice places in Flower Mound and everything I've read has been awesome. Guess I'll wait and see if and when the time comes to look for a home. I'll have a free 7 days to explore all areas. Also, if someone can expand on the air pollution thing that would be great. I'm gonna hit Google now and see what I can pull up.
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Thanks guys! This is all good stuff. The primary reason for doing this is that with the sale of my house I can pay off my wife's student loans that are brutal, allows my wife to stay at home and raise our son and future kids, and it allows her to go to nursing school which she has always wanted. We can both tolerate the humidity being from the upper Midwest so weather isn't really a concern. I've never heard of the environmental factors south of Arlington until Desmond mentioned them. I'm sure glad he did because we were pretty set on Mansfield or Midlothian. I have a feeling we have 1 more move in us before our kids start to really go to school so I'm pretty content not spending an assload on a home and making some compromises. I've found some nice places in Flower Mound and everything I've read has been awesome. Guess I'll wait and see if and when the time comes to look for a home. I'll have a free 7 days to explore all areas. Also, if someone can expand on the air pollution thing that would be great. I'm gonna hit Google now and see what I can pull up.

Here is a sample of a few articles:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2012/08/countrys_only_chance_to_commen.php

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/19/4951063/owner-of-midlothian-cement-plant.html

http://www.txpeer.org/toxictour/txi.html

http://www.earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/library/references/cement_kiln_bornhorst_testimony.pdf

Some may be dated, some are activist... There are many other articles if you search.

But where there is enough smoke, there is a steel and cement plant...

In Texas, they are not exactly enamored with the EPA. No one likes to speak poorly about business. So when they do, there is something bound to be going on...

I would go to my son's baseball games in Midlothian, and parents would talk about the occasional stink. For some schools near Highway 67, they would not let children play outside for recess...

Best to be safe...

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Just remembered that D Magazine has this edition on an annual basis:

Best Dallas 'Burbs:

http://interactive.dmagazine.com/content/best-dallas-suburbs-2014/

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Note: This thread is 3431 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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