Looking for some advice/comments from you Texans

[Mike K]

Might be moving to the DFW, TX area and would like some comments from those that live there or have lived there. This might get a little long but I really do appreciate any and ALL comments!

A little about my current situation, I am 25yo, single, and I currently call Delaware my home, I don’t have a house or anything it’s just where all of my stuff is in storage and my parents live. I am currently a government contractor working in the Middle East so I am only in DE when I am home on vacation. For the last year I have been tossing this idea around about moving to a different state, now would be the perfect time to do it because I make decent money and don’t have any ties to any one location right now.

I am prior military and before that my dad was in the military so I am used to moving around and have seen quite a bit of the US. Long story short I think I have narrowed my search down to TX, specifically the DFW area.

Here is a map of the area; the black ‘box’ is the area where I am willing to move to; pretty much the NRH, Arlington, Grand Prairie area. Recently I have started looking at new homes and there are several home builders building in the ‘red’ box (look on map near I20 and 360).

Right now I am looking at 4 home builders; Sandlin, Lannar, Newmark, and there was one more that I cant remember. Sandlin and Lannar are the two I am seriously looking at. I have already been told to stay away from KB homes and Pulte.

I am looking for about 1,900-2,300 sq feet house, ranch style, 2 car garage minimum but REALLY want a 3 car and looking to pay around $200K. Not really sure what else I am looking for because this will be my first house. I am asking everyone I know opinions about houses, luckily there are a few here at work that currently live in TX and they have given me a TON of information.

This is where I am looking for your comments.

-Have you bought a home? Have any first time home buyer tips? Anything you regret you didn’t do?
-Have you had a home built? How smooth did the build go and how long did it take?
-Would you highly recommend any specific builder? What about any that I should NOT look at?
-What do you honestly think about the Arlington / DFW area? Crime, cost of living, job market, things to do, etc. ANY comments are welcome.

Again, any and all comments are welcome about home buying, or just the DFW area in general. In October I will be flying for 4 days with my brother to check out the area talk to my realtor and a few home builders…. BUT it is only 4 days so I want to do as much research as I can now.

THANK YOU
-Mike

 

[Mike K]

I posted this over on the mustang board that i am on (quite a few people from TX there) and somebody mentioned that i should look into north Dallas (plano area). With you living near there what do you think about that area compared to living between Dallas and FW?

About the crime, i was on citydata.com | City | Hotel | Entertainment | Restaurant and they have crime rates per capita and the arlington area is actually pretty mild when it comes to crime. I lived and worked in baltimore for 7 months before i came over here so i know about city crime and traffic. According to CityData Arlington actually has a lower crime rate then Dover, DE (again per capita).

I cant wait to visit DFW this october to get a feel for it. I hope i really like the area.

 

[happeetxn]

Howdy Mike,

Arlington is a pretty decent area. Lots to do and central to Dallas and Ft.Worth. If you fly alot I think you will appreciate living in this city as it a stones throw from D/FW International. Don't know much about the crime statistics in Arlington as crime in Dallas gets the news coverage. Check out the FBI's web page, they have crime stats for all cities. Employment wise I believe that the metroplex is doing well and hiring. If you want to work you can find it.
I lived in Wilmington DE for a couple of years and I think the biggest differences you will find living here are:
1) Traffic and Population
2) We have two seasons down here summer 50 weeks, winter 2 weeks (mid January)
Hope this helps,
Craig

 

[Mike K]

2) We have two seasons down here summer 50 weeks, winter 2 weeks (mid January)
Hope this helps,
Craig

Thanks for the input. The above statement is another reason why I want to move down there. I have been in the middle east long enough to where i dont miss the northern winters and cant wait to drive my stang with the top down almost year round.

I have been keeping an eye on the DFW weather, didnt it just peak up to 99 the other day? I wish it was 99 here, sure would be a nice break.

Ill be sure to check out the FBI's website to get some official crime stats. But i think i will find that center city Dallas will have the same crime as Baltimore.

-Mike

 

[RenoF250]

I agree on buying an exsisting house as well. The only benefit to new is that you get to pick the features but that is no big deal since they overcharge you for them anyway and most people order the same stuff. Puttng in landscaping and curtains etc is a pain along with dealing with all of the cracks that develop it does not seem worth it. Much easier to buy a house you like or will be easier to make you like.
What is drawing you to DFW if you have not been there? It has its benefits I suppose but it certainly would not be anywhere near the top of my list. I like it colder and need hills though.

 

[Mike K]

What is drawing you to DFW if you have not been there? It has its benefits I suppose but it certainly would not be anywhere near the top of my list. I like it colder and need hills though.

Well i have been to the DFW area, just never lived there. And like i said i have been to enough places to know what i do and dont want. I am not perticularly a fan of the cold now because i have been living in the Middle East for so long, anything below 70 is cold now (i used to love the snow) and most of my hobbies take part durring summer/warm months. I dont care about beaches, i have lived in Delware since '92? and have gone to the beach.... twice maybe and that was only for the shopping. Hell I live near the beach here and I still preffer a pool over the ocean (not to mention the water over here is super salty). Cost of living is 10x better then the north east, 2,500-3,000 sq foot house, 2 car garage (if you are lucky), home built in the 50's will go for $350K and thats with a 45-55 minute commute to work.The jobs just dont pay any better; in my career (heavy equipment mecanic) i will actually make MORE money in TX and have a house for 1/4 of the cost. Less toll roads, everywhere you go there are tolls. more/better jobs, i can find more jobs in the DFW area then i can in the whole state of PA (again, looking at my career). Republican (TX) vs Democrat (MD)

I see i am beginning to ramble, the only thing in the North East for me right now are my friends. I really feel that a move to TX is a great move and everyone that i talk to that is from TX agrees.

I look forward to more comments thats for sure!
-Mike

 

[BamaSixGun]

how about another state besides TX?

I know first hand that this is a great state to live in.

Home Sweet Home

 

[Fire1]

I don't have much to add, the highlights have been hit already. Hope you find what you are looking for. Texas is a GREAT place to live.

 

[Mike K]

Thanks for everyones comments. It looks like just about everyone i have talked to has said that if i go to the dallas area to shoot for North Dallas. I am really going to look into that while i am down there.

 

[Scarlet_Nape]

-Have you bought a home? Have any first time home buyer tips? Anything you regret you didn’t do? My first home was one built in Wylie, TX. Our builder was a small local one, but I was very happy with the process. The only thing I can remember regretting was not having the whole house sodded by the builder. We did the backyard ourselves in August, and that sucked!!
-Have you had a home built? How smooth did the build go and how long did it take? I think the build process took about 6-8 months. The one thing the builder did, which I really appreciated, was video tape each step (plumbing, foundation, wiring, etc) It provided myself and the next owner the ability to see where everything was located should any updgrades or modifications be made.
-Would you highly recommend any specific builder? What about any that I should NOT look at? I think you have done your homework. Our builder was not a national one, and was only building in Wylie at the time.
-What do you honestly think about the Arlington / DFW area? Crime, cost of living, job market, things to do, etc. ANY comments are welcome. I think the cost of living is as good as anywhere. The job market has its ups and downs, just like anywhere, but I think it's fine.

Mike,

I can tell you that the Dallas side of the metroplex does have the "black gumbo" dirt. When we were looking at existing homes, almost everything over 10 years old had some foundation work. It was common and not something to be afraid of.
I now live on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex and the soil here is much more sandy. I find it much easier to work with.
I grew up a military brat and have lived in many different places. By far, Texas has been my favorite. I think it has to do with the people. Not that other states don't have great people (I was partial to Alabama, too), but Texans are the friendliest and most outgoing you will find. And, being single, you will be very happy with the quality and choices in finding a girlfriend/spouse here, as well. Feel free to PM with any other questions you might have. You can tell by my sig, I'm definitely a Texas advocate!