I'm keeping an eye out towards Aledo and Azle. The schools look halfway decent, and as EMB stated, the houses aren't packed in tight. Ft Worth definitely seems to have more of a family feel to it than Dallas.

 

Somewhat of a crystal ball, but it is possible that folks felt the same way about Keller in 2000, then it started making all those Best Places to Live lists and top suburbs lists and the whole world (and traffic) invaded. Drive up and down 377 on a weekend and you will slit your wrists.

Me personally I would look at Colleyville, Coppell or West Plano area due to schools etc.

Also take a hard look at Grapevine.

Just speaking for me but I am the type of guy who hangs out at Barnes and Noble often (with and without the family) and hits Starbucks frequently. Also, taking kids to mall or movie theater without a huge drive is important. Not that I have ever needed it, but the paranoid pilot / dad in me is comforted that multiple 24/7 major hospital ER's are nearby. And if my wife's Honda Odyssey needs service while I am on a trip, she has five dealers within a 30 minute circle.

So my needs are satisfied more by those above cities. Azle and Aledo you are gonna have to drive a ways to do that.

 

We really want to find an area where we can get 1-2 acres, plus my wife is trying to transfer out to the Ft Worth VA clinic. Grapevine/Coppell/Colleyville houses are practically on top of one another and Plano is too far out.

 

copy that brother, in that case you are looking at the correct areas. Aledo over Azle if the various school district rating sites are to be believed. Hit the city-data Fort Worth forum for info from locals

http://www.city-data.com/forum/fort-worth/

 

Thanks. We've got another year to go before we can move, but we're going to make a few trips out there to sample some of the neighborhoods and visit the schools. We've got a 15-month old daughter who'll have to go to school there her whole life so we don't want to screw that up! And my two sons from my first marriage are contemplating moving in with us to go to high school (they live in Louisiana and the schools there suck). My wife's a country girl so the idea of living on lots crammed in together aren't very appealing to her.

For now I'll keep commuting from LIT to CLT, but it's a crappy commute due to all three (yes, only three) flights being RJs. I can't wait to move, but gotta wait for her career to catch up.

 

Trying to revive this thread in an effort to find additional towns. My family is looking for a home under $300k. We researched the towns already provided and appreciate all the recommendations. Is there anyone driving a longer distance such as Granbury, Burleson, Denton, Weatherford, Midlothian, etc. that is willing to provide their opinion of the commute? Also, did anyone buy new construction or have a home built that would recommend their builder? My wife researched most of the national builders and found some disturbing reviews.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

Did you end up moving?

 

Grayson County, or as far SW as you can stand

 

I lived in Granbury (pecan plantation) for a long time... 1:20 to dfw ... still have my house there. It is slower and things are further away, but rural has some perks
Joe

 

Thank you both for the updates. Seems like the price per sq ft is lower in that area, while still being in a nice area.

1+20 to be within security does not sound bad, but a 1+20 drive alone would make me nervous.