Took a job in Arlington last year but don't want to stay here. What are some good areas with less expensive houses or nice apartments? Nearby? Trying to stay within 45 mins.

Possibly thinking apartment in Keller?

Keller is good. Maybe Mansfield which is south. Grapevine and Colleyville are nice but maybe a bit more expensive. Verandah is a new, very large planned community in north Arlington which might be worth looking at.

If you go the house route, Keller is great and has a pretty good school district which will help with resale or rental, whichever path you go down. In line with Keller, I'd look at North Richland Hills, Bedford or Hurst. All three cities have good starter homes in the $300-$350k. Competition is heating up for them though. Lastly, I'd look at a pocket of Euless between Mid-Cities and Glade Road. This part of Euless feeds into Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, which is historically one of the better school districts in the region. This area also has some duplexes, so you could purchase a full duplex and rent out the other side if that's something you're interested in.

Keller would stretch your 45 minute commute target. I work in Grand Prairie, and most people at work either live south of 20 in Mansfield, Far South Grand Prairie (around the lake) or Midlothian, or they live north of 183 in HEB, Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake.

The younger single or kidless folks typically live in Dallas and reverse commute and keep it under 45 minutes. For some reason not as many of them live in Fort Worth, I would think it would be a similar reverse commute, especially to Arlington.

I started out in an apartment in Euless of 360 and mid-cities, plenty of apartments around there. Then we bought a starter house in Euless but GCISD as mentioned above, then we moved to Colleyville after we got done having kids and needed more space for them.

Thanks guys! Also noting that my office is near the ballparks and I'm currently in an apartment in north Arlington. Looking for a starter home for myself if possible. Also still open to an apartment in a better area.

Fort Worth

You may also consider Las Colinas in Irving. It's mainly townhomes and apartments. There has been a considerable increase in amenities over the last 3-5 years and you are a relatively short drive from downtown Dallas.

My starter home was in the Cultural District area of Fort Worth. That was in 2012, and I'd guess it may not be too cheap anymore, even for smaller houses (mostly under 2000 sq ft). If you're single, it is a great place though. Just enough house for yourself, close to social activities, and right off I-30. Do not envy that commute to Arlington though...

I feel like Benbrook is also slept on a bit. A lot more affordable options, easy access to I-20, and close enough to Fort Worth. But, a terrible commute to the ballpark.

HEB area is also pretty decent. Decent home prices and close proximity to everything. Probably not too much further than where you are right now. You might can take 157 all the way and avoid the highways. The area along 121 between Cheek-Sparger and Glade has blown up the last few years...a lot of restaurants, shops, etc...Plus, very close to DFW is that's of any importance (and not very far to DAL either).

Keller is going to be a beastly commute, and it is pretty suburban. Mansfield would bore me if I were single. But, not a bad place for a starter home.

yocod said:

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You might can take 157 all the way and avoid the highways.

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I just want to add this is not an issue. 360 southbound in the morning is clear and 360 northbound in the afternoon is pretty light. All the heavy traffic is in the opposite directions. Plus they just opened up the flyovers to get on/off I30, so that should open things up even more.

There is also the Bush turnpike as an alternative for that, it's not too far east of 360.

Which side of Arlington?

Arlington is pretty big geographically. If you're working in South Arlington, I would look at the communities to the south. Mansfield has some decent neighborhoods. Waxahachie may be an option, depending on what part of Arlington.

There are some nice neighborhoods in North Arlington. And Dalworthington Gardens. Established nice neighborhoods. Lousy schools, so if that is a concern, I would look at the southern communities.