North Texas - Dallas general vicinity lakes?

[Fly'n Family]

Possible job worth relocating for in the north Dallas area, and wondered if anyone could educate me on a couple of lakes to check into?

I know of Lewisville, and we wouldn't be interested in that scene. Family with a 12 year old Son and 10 year old Daughter, and would like to find something with some scenery and amenities that would work well for us and our 370.

Appreciate any input.

 

[FootballFan]

Used to boat on Lewisville for a few years. Yeah, there is a party scene there on the lower lake. That is not our preference, we found the 30 minute cruise to the north part took us out of the lower lake scene.

Good news - Lewisville was 20 minutes the boat.

if I was ever to go back to lakes - I would probably go to Texhoma. Big lake - 100,000 acres compared to Lewisville at 24,000. Water is cleaner and nicer at Texhoma.

Downside it's an hour drive from the north side of town.

Other lakes in the area, but smaller.

Glad to answer any questions you have

Mark

 

[CaptRonn]

Go to Texhoma for sure.

 

[Hifirush]

We just moved to Corpus Christi from the Dallas area. We avoided the Lewisville scene as well. Texoma is worth the drive. Big lake, lots of places to hang out. If you want Party, you have "The Islands", but the rest of it is pretty quiet.


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[copb8tx]

I had my boat on Lewisville for 20 years and then 7 years ago I moved it to Texoma. I actually live on lake Lewisville. Both lakes have their pros and cons, don't let hype sway you.

Yes, Lewisville has a party scene, IF you travel to it. There are tons of places on the lake you can enjoy family friendly fun. We did it with our 2 daughters for years. They have a couple restaurant choices that I'm aware of. You can't beat the location if you want to just run up and and spend a day or few hours on the boat. It gets a bad rap for being 'the most dangerous lake in Texas' (queue the ominous music). That's true if you want to jet ski off wakes in front of marinas, run top speed at midnight, or drink until you can't stand and then go swimming. If that's not you you'll never need to worry.

Texoma is 5 times the size and people are much more spread out. There's a party scene there as well if you want hang at North Island, or a PG-13 scene if you want to hang out at Wood and Treasure Island. There are tons and tons of places to go and just be on your own. One thing Texoma has all over Lewisville are the sandy beaches. Marina choices vary from 'budget' to big. Let me know if you'd like my take on them. If you're going to be on Texoma then you have to commit time to the hobby. For us it's 1.5 hour drive each way. We like the separation because we feel like we're really getting away for the weekend, which we didn't feel at Lewisville.

Grapevine like is another option but it's TINY and one straight narrow line. I boated there when I first came to the area and got bored pretty quickly.

 

[Smedley69]

I boat on Lewisville and have most of my life. Its very busy on holiday weekends but it gets a bad rap, most weekends are typical for a metro area lake....gotta pick your spots.

Ray Roberts is an option as well. Same size as Lewisville, in between Texoma and Lewisville. Its limited on places to boat because of uncleared portions of the lake, trees left in place for fishing structure, but the areas available are really nice. Very family friendly. Clean, clear water. Nice marina that is cheaper than Lewisville and great fishing. Also Ray Hubbard is on the east side of Dallas, but I don't have any boating experience on this lake.

 

[Aguyindallas]

We've had a few boats on Lewisville at 2 different marinas. We enjoy it. Yes, it's got Party Cove but that scene seems to have dwindled quite a bit. It gets a bad rap for the most part. We've seriously considered moving it to Texoma but our reservation is that I can be at my boat in 15 minutes right now, which is SUPER handy during the bad winter days when you want to stop by and check on things. I do that anytime we are going to have a real cold spell. I like to stop at the boat and run the engines etc just for extra precaution.

Texoma has so many positives....but my schedule and the distance don't work in my favor.


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[Fly'n Family]

Hey Guys, apologize I haven't gotten back on this - I've just been quite busy.

The job is now officially there, working on the $$ aspect - but pretty sure I'm going to be moving from CO to the NE side of Dallas in the very near future.

As a pilot, I work about half the month. Work days usually come in strings of 3 or 4 in a row, then 3 or 4 off. Last week the plane flew 4 days, this week 0 days - so if I was on the job, this whole week would be off - just to give an idea of schedule. It's not just me, I'm also married with the two younger kids at home, wife is a full-time Mom.

I was able to drive up to Lake Texoma about a week ago. I went to Highport Marina as well as pulled up to Cedar Mills Marina (it was getting dark and needed to get back on the road to N. Dallas).

Highport was "ok". Nice folks - but the marina seemed rather grungy. The lady showed me 4 or 5 slips, they were around the corner/point from where the restaurant was - and I was quite surprised to see the majority of the boats were pretty old boats, which is ok - but most of them looked to be poorly kept. I'm anal with my boat, and it would have stuck out like a sore thumb amongst these. Maybe it was just because of the early season aspect, I don't know - but was definitely a turn-off. Presently, I have great dock neighbors in CO, and regardless of age of boat - all are immaculately clean. I got the opposite impression at this marina.

Got to Cedar Mills, and from what little I could see - it looked like a mostly sailboat marina, with few amenities. Possibly not as it was pretty dark - but all I could see was a bunch of masts and a tiny restaurant (I think).

Obviously couldn't check out the lake itself - I suppose if I find a marina a little more up to speed up there, I'll rent a boat and do some looking around. Most helpful gent was at MarineMax at Highport. He's spent his entire life on the area and was incredibly informative on the lake - and I liked what I was hearing about it.

If anyone has any other marina suggestions on Texoma, please let me know.

My other question was what is everyone's thoughts on Possum Kingdom lake? I realize it's "small" compared to Texoma with only 20,000 acres - but keep in mind we've been boating on a CO lake with a whopping 1,900 acres.

My job would be on the NW side of Dallas - Alliance Airport - and we've been zeroing in on an area called Flower Mound to live.

Hate to ask, but if anyone has input on best places to live where one can buy a semi-affordable house (no more than 450-500k) I'd certainly appreciate that input. Kids schools, low crime, proximity to Alliance are all driving factors.

Will be a huge change for us, kind of nervous with such a life change - so any input from those in the know is very sincerely appreciated.

 

[FootballFan]

Back when we still had a boat on a trailer we made a few trips over to Possum Kingdom.

Beautiful lake. It is not wide, rather it wanders down an old river channel, very deep in places. Every trip water quality was excellent. Seemed like a few places that you could pull in get something to eat. Not sure about size of lake, thinking it is closer to Lewisville vs Texhoma.

Downside, long ways over there. Point of reference - we live in the general vicinity of DFW airport. Was a couple of hours from our location. If you are east side of DFW - add another 30-45 minutes.

To look at each of the lakes - I would recommend that in addition to checking Marina's, rent a ski boat for a few hours. You can run around each lake get a feel for the boating environment before moving a larger boat in.

 

[FootballFan]

Hey Guys, apologize I haven't gotten back on this - I've just been quite busy.

The job is now officially there, working on the $$ aspect - but pretty sure I'm going to be moving from CO to the NE side of Dallas in the very near future.

As a pilot, I work about half the month. Work days usually come in strings of 3 or 4 in a row, then 3 or 4 off. Last week the plane flew 4 days, this week 0 days - so if I was on the job, this whole week would be off - just to give an idea of schedule. It's not just me, I'm also married with the two younger kids at home, wife is a full-time Mom.

I was able to drive up to Lake Texoma about a week ago. I went to Highport Marina as well as pulled up to Cedar Mills Marina (it was getting dark and needed to get back on the road to N. Dallas).

Highport was "ok". Nice folks - but the marina seemed rather grungy. The lady showed me 4 or 5 slips, they were around the corner/point from where the restaurant was - and I was quite surprised to see the majority of the boats were pretty old boats, which is ok - but most of them looked to be poorly kept. I'm anal with my boat, and it would have stuck out like a sore thumb amongst these. Maybe it was just because of the early season aspect, I don't know - but was definitely a turn-off. Presently, I have great dock neighbors in CO, and regardless of age of boat - all are immaculately clean. I got the opposite impression at this marina.

Got to Cedar Mills, and from what little I could see - it looked like a mostly sailboat marina, with few amenities. Possibly not as it was pretty dark - but all I could see was a bunch of masts and a tiny restaurant (I think).

Obviously couldn't check out the lake itself - I suppose if I find a marina a little more up to speed up there, I'll rent a boat and do some looking around. Most helpful gent was at MarineMax at Highport. He's spent his entire life on the area and was incredibly informative on the lake - and I liked what I was hearing about it.

If anyone has any other marina suggestions on Texoma, please let me know.

My other question was what is everyone's thoughts on Possum Kingdom lake? I realize it's "small" compared to Texoma with only 20,000 acres - but keep in mind we've been boating on a CO lake with a whopping 1,900 acres.

My job would be on the NW side of Dallas - Alliance Airport - and we've been zeroing in on an area called Flower Mound to live.

Hate to ask, but if anyone has input on best places to live where one can buy a semi-affordable house (no more than 450-500k) I'd certainly appreciate that input. Kids schools, low crime, proximity to Alliance are all driving factors.

Will be a huge change for us, kind of nervous with such a life change - so any input from those in the know is very sincerely appreciated.

Alliance is not on the NW side of Dallas - it is on the NNW side of Fort Worth. Flower Mound is NW of Dallas.

Flower Mound is a nice community, schools are part of the Lewisville ISD.

As you move west, there is Trophy Club, Keller, and Roanoke - some other housing areas opening up. If you were to draw a line from DFW airport to Alliance Airport - along that line is probably one of the fastest growing residential areas in the metroplex.

Lot's of good choices through there with good schools.

Cost wise the amount of money you mentioned will go along way. Some of those areas, number of pre-existing houses may be limited because everything is new - but lots of builders. Most people moving out in those areas are building new.

 

[copb8tx]

You were obviously shown the older boat houses at Highport. What size slip are you looking at? Newer docks like ZM are very nice with newer boats and beautiful build-outs.

Pm your contact info and I can give you much more info.

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[copb8tx]

Here's an example of our dock. Concrete walkways, high open ceilings, nice docks and boats and a great group of people

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[tedlewis]

Welcome to DFW!

I'm a terrible member in terms of contributing here, need to do a better job

I live in Frisco and Lake Lewisville is 15 min west of me....but have been on Texoma since 1992.

60 min drive feels like a get away, but not too far....more lake, more space, more amenities etc...

I was at Cedar Mills until a few years ago, but had to sell my lake house and slip improvements due to historical drought....looked at all Marina options: Highport, Grandpappy and Eisenhower Yacht Club made the short list, would have been happy at any of the three. Ended up in a boathouse at Eisenhower that had a floating Dokominium we liked and of course the 7 other neighbors were all super nice and clearly took care of their boats.

If you consider one of the above marinas....focus on the boathouse you will be spending your time at vs. the general marina (all 3 are great). The difference in who takes care of their hard earned possessions and those that don't are dramatic.

ZM dock in Highport that copb8tx mentioned is a perfect example of a boathouse full of people who raise the bar in that marina. A good friend of mine is selling his dokominium at the end of ZM after decades of having fun on the lake.

Possum Kingdom is gorgeous....but maybe 2 hour drive west for you....will seem longer when you make the drive....and will feel remote/isolated when you get there.

For Sea Rays - Lewisville, Texoma and Possum Kingdom have a huge Sea Ray presence....so you will be at home at any of the three.

I'm no expert, but your house budget will go far here...would not worry about it. My wife is one of the top realtors in this area, happy to make an intro thru PM if you need guidance there.

Good luck with the relo,

Ted

 

[Fly'n Family]

I sure do appreciate everyone that's responded. The job offer has been accepted, myself and family will be moving to the Fort Worth area in the next 1-3 months.

I looked at the drive to Possum Kingdom, and it's way to far - so that lake's out.

Love the idea of the quietness and size of Texoma, but not sure I want to have to drive 1.5+ hrs to and from every time I felt like being on the boat. So now I've come full circle, after reading your responses in this thread - to seriously considering Lewisville.

It's proximity can't be beat, especially since we seem to be zeroing in on the west side of the lake for our home purchase.

If the statement made earlier that there's plenty of lake to hide from the whacko's is accurate, it makes it that much more appealing. I do worry about the party scene, and the drunk boaters that surely produces, in addition to not wanting to expose any of us to the associated (potential) consequences.

I noticed the lake seems to be very shallow. Are there areas in the open water of the lake one has to be careful of? Are there any sandy beaches, or sand bars that one can anchor and let the kids play? With it being so shallow - does it get so low that you can't boat and have to pull the boats?

I've gotten some info from a couple of the marina's on the lake, and some place called Pier 121 seemed like it has a lot to offer, though I imagine it's a bit of a zoo with 1,000 slips.

Keep any info coming, this is a major life change for myself and family - the more info I have, the better the ability to make the right decision.

Thanks guys...

 

[copb8tx]

Sandy beaches are few and far between, if they exist at all. You'll typically anchor and float.

Absolutely there are areas of the lake that appear open and deep that will get you. There's even a very sneaky spot in front of the fishing barge that rears its head if it gets too low. But only if it gets VERY low. lake levels have been erradic over the years but some of that was self-induced by a dam repair followed by an extended severe drought. For the most part you'll be able to reliability count on the lake staying within a 6' swing spring to fall.


Pier 121 is a nice marina however it is on the east side, not the west. Coming from FW you'll go up HWY121 and it'll be 'pretty' easy although traffic can kill you on a Friday afternoon. A couple of downsides of that marina is that it primarily shares a common gate and parking lot. During the busy season this can make for a VERY long walk from your car to your boat. I mean VERY long and in the Texas heat. Second downside to avoid is picking your slip. Picking a slip in the wrong spot of could mean a 30+ minute no-wake zone troll to get to the breakwater. When you're new there it'll be pleasant. After a long day out and just wanting to get to the shade it'll feel like an eternity. All that said it's a good quality marina with a nice restaurant and some great people.

Eagle Point is where I was for 20 years. It started out as the 'better' marina but I felt it lost that a long time ago. Even though I live 3.5 miles from there I haven't been to it's restaurant/bar, Sneaky Pete's, in 8 years. If I were to go back to Lewisville lake I'd take another look at the marina but if it hadn't improved I'd make the drive to Pier 121. On the plus size, depending on which slip you choose you can park very close to your boat. Lugging supplies, etc. can be a breeze compared to P121. Also no-wake zones are short. You're on open water within minutes of letting go of your dock lines.

 

[Smedley69]

Texoma is the best cruising lake in this area hands down. For those of us that want or need to be closer to the boat, lewisville is not bad. It has its perks...for instance, It's nice to stop on the way home from work and run to the pump out or get gas before the weekend. I can walk away on Sunday knowing I can come back on Monday and clean up the dock. I stop by probably 4 out of 5 nights during the week...because I can.

If moving to this lake u need to know what docks to avoid with kids. Some parties do get a little crazy...which can also be fun when the kids are at friends, we just choose not to live in it but visit when able to.

If u want my thoughts on docks at eagle point marina to look at send me a PM.


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[FootballFan]

We kept a boat at Pier 121 for a few years. Based on our geography - that was the best choice for us.

If we lived on the north side of the lake - I would have been at Cottonwood. But if your anywhere other than north - it is a hike.

Issue I have with Eagle point is the portion of the lake where it sits is the most dangerous part of the lake. Saw some data from the Corp of Engineers - that's where majority of boating accidents happen. Right in front of the Marina is an East - West arm of the lake - Towards sundown gets rough. Also - the restaurant there is not what I would consider Family friendly - --- Just my opinion.

We never had to park outside the gate at 121. Point raised above about which dock you select is a huge factor at 121. There are some dock areas that might be family friendly - and you can have a long way to drag stuff after you get on the docks. Plus side they have been replacing most of the docks - I think before long every dock will be a new dock. This is the marina that had the roof collapse from ICE a couple of years ago.

Mark

 

[AuroraAfloat]

Have you looked at Eagle Mountain Lake in NW Fort Worth? Friendly, somewhat light crowd. There are 3 or 4 marinas, a few lakeside restaurants, and a couple of swimming beaches. We've been shopping for our first boat since last spring and Eagle Mountain is the closest to us, so we've spent a lot of time lurking about. There are families cruising around in Pontoons, ski jets, and sport boats pulling hooting tubers. But the lake is large enough that it's rarely ever crowded.

Grapevine is another popular lake. I've only been to it 3 or 4 times. The lake (also with a few lakeside restaurants) is beautiful, but I found it a little crowded for my taste and the drive from Fort Worth sucks. It seems to be a big sailboating community too. That makes for a very nice view.

 

[Hifirush]

I'll second Eagle Mountain Lake. Since you will be flying out of Alliance and living there, it's a great choice! 25 years ago when we first moved to Texas, we kept our boat in a garage 200 ft from Eagle Mountain. I loved that lake. It's got everything you could want, just on a slightly smaller version. Party, yes. Quiet coves, yes. Ski area, you bet! Marinas, bars/restaurants, yes. The north end tends to be more shallow than the southern end. If you want a home on the lake, you can buy within your range! It's also one of the few lakes in Texas that the lot on the lake is deeded to you. Other lakes have a 100 year lease from the Army Corp. maybe those could be a great destination for you!


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