Fort Worth, TX

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I have an offer for a job in Fort Worth, TX, currently my wife is looking into a transfer with her company to see if this will work out. In the meantime, I thought I'd take a look on here and see who is in the area, where everyone rides, how far the surf is etc. I have started looking into some homes out of curiosity. Seems like a home on the water may be in our budget out there (way different than here in Michigan). However, a lot of the lakes I look at seem to be very shallow or dried up, any comments here?

Thanks in advance.

@swapmeet

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Sorry admins, probably should be in Off topic.

 

[wanderer1]

Not sure about the tax structure where you live, but educate yourself on the property tax structure in Texas before you got "big" lol. It is not the "promised land", but best state in the union imo, wish I was there right now. You got quite a drive to get to say, Surfside Galveston area, guessing a solid 6 hours depending on actual start point. I do like the Ft Worth area, but only visited, not lived there. Sorry, no info on the lake situation, just that I like "living" in the state. Good luck, hope ya find what you're looking for.

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Not sure about the tax structure where you live, but educate yourself on the property tax structure in Texas before you got "big" lol. It is not the "promised land", but best state in the union imo, wish I was there right now. You got quite a drive to get to say, Surfside Galveston area, guessing a solid 6 hours depending on actual start point. I do like the Ft Worth area, but only visited, not lived there. Sorry, no info on the lake situation, just that I like "living" in the state. Good luck, hope ya find what you're looking for.

I have heard about their property taxes being pretty high. Will certainly look into that. When I was browsing Zillow. Most of the homes I looked at have lower yearly taxes than we pay for summer taxes, with half the house lol. Can you tell I am not a Michigan fan?

 

[Wakerider26]

I ride in Fort Worth a few times a year. There are lakes EVERYWHERE. Its a great place to be for a jetskier. @JMew03 may be able to tell you what you need to know.

 

[wanderer1]

I have heard about their property taxes being pretty high. Will certainly look into that. When I was browsing Zillow. Most of the homes I looked at have lower yearly taxes than we pay for summer taxes, with half the house lol. Can you tell I am not a Michigan fan?

Good man, just wanted to bring it up so that you knew. I really like it there. Not for everyone, but I'm a big fan.

 

[onlyFX-1]

Quite a few people who ride there, and a majority of them take beach trips every couple weeks, mainly to Port A. I'm in Austin which is a 3 hour drive from Ft. Worth. Daniel Martin is in Azle which is about 30min from Ft. Worth

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Thank you gents. I have only been in that area once, and it was only for a day. I was trying to move back to Fl/GA area but this may be a great opportunity to get away from the cold weather and crappy economic state of Michigan. I have my fingers crossed that it works out. I would love to get a place on a lake and be able to ride every day.

Next question: What about vehicle inspections? Google tells me they do have emissions checks and my emission systems may or may not be completely removed from my 6.4 powerstroke. I could always leave my truck plated here in Michigan if needed.

 

[swapmeet]

There is a good group of people in the area who ride, probably 10+ (by area, I mean the DFW Metroplex), but depending on where in "Fort Worth" you live, our regular ride spot could be an hour away. Its still worth it IMO, I drive 45 min to get there, passing 2 other lakes.

@skinnyman lives closer to Dallas but has been riding here for a long time.
Fort Worth is a pretty nice place to live too. I'm not savy on lake front property value availability. I know that lake Granbury is getting sucked dry and its a bureaucratic mess. Lake Grapevine would probably the most choice place to live IMO because of the area, but I imagine its pricy because its smack in the middle of DFW.
I've only briefly lived out of state (WI) so I can't really comment on taxes. I know we don't pay a state income tax like most other states, but from what I hear you pay the piper with property tax and sales tax.

Coast trips happen occasionally. Its about 5-6 hours to Surfside Beach. Port A is closer to 7 hours.

I attached a little map to give you a lay of the land.
The star is our regular riding spot. Pretty much 3 weekends a month you'll find someone at Lake Lewisville, Spring though Fall. Sometimes every weekend.
The little Circle at the bottom is about where I live, just to show you my drive to the ride spot.

 

[kevbo]

There are plenty of lakes, a couple have a lot of big cruisers to chase. Property taxes run 2-3%, no income tax or personal property tax but they are beginning to tax airplane ownership. It has grown into a giant sea of suburbs so getting around can take time. Ghetto areas are fairly concentrated and easy to avoid. Everyone is from somewhere else now, meeting a native is rare. There is a gas well on every corner.

 

[Nate_D]

Texas is great. I've lived in Cali for a bit, but I was born and raised here.

Property tax varies greatly depending on where you live. The range is from 2% to up to 4.5% in some areas. Look out for new developments and MUD districts.

I don't know anything about the lakes up in the DFW area, but as several other have said the drive to Galveston is about 5-6hrs. The surf is small and choppy usually. Although there are some areas better than other. Surfside is decent at times and is usually far less crowded. I enjoyed the corner of San Luis pass as well. Small waves and very short interval, but consistent and cleaner than other areas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Yami-Rider]

We really enjoy riding with the lewisville crew. Surf can be decent if your lucky.

 

[RivMan]

I've only driven through Fort Worth, but I've spent the last 3 months in San Antonio, and would make the move permanent if we didn't have family back in MI!

-Rob

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Thanks again gentlemen. Keep the comments coming.

Rob, Family can visit lol. All our family is here in Michigan, which is the only reason I came back here the last time.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

I've only driven through Fort Worth, but I've spent the last 3 months in San Antonio, and would make the move permanent if we didn't have family back in MI!

-Rob

All my exes live in Texas


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JMew03]

I live in Southwest Fort Worth. There are 4 lakes within 30 minutes from my house that I enjoy visiting.
2 of which dont require a boat ramp so they can be used year round regardless of the water level.

 

[JMew03]

Lake Lewisville is fun which is about an hour away. Lake Grapevine is about an hour as well.

Lewisville doesnt need a ramp and Grapevines ramp is about a mile long. Lol

 

[JMew03]

Oh and diesel engines do not require emissions in TX. Rip the crap off and free that engine!

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Oh and diesel engines do not require emissions in TX. Rip the crap off and free that engine!

Excellent!
& it was long gone when the truck only had 16k on the clock, I dont know what happened to it the EGR and DPF just fell right off, I blame the rough Michigan roads.

 

[skinnyman]

surf runs average once a month 5hr drive
big cruisers on Lewisville
Ride year around
Lake houses can be found on the cheap right now
Texoma in the summer is a good ride also
We have a pretty solid group of riders with skill levels from Pro to novice