Balch Springs has a variety of housing 20 miles from Dallas
An eclectic mix of housing offers something to meet every desire in Balch Springs. This suburban city is just a 20-minute drive east of downtown Dallas, making it a convenient location for commuters while also being one of the most affordable. “It’s really just a mix of everything,” says local Realtor Cacey Cason with Nest Finders. “You can have a brand-new house – well, not brand-new but two years old – or you can have a house built in the 60s, 70s, 80s.”
Ranch-style homes from the 20th century are common
Most of the homes in the small city are ranch-style houses, but you can find plenty of other styles as well. Two-story houses are rare, but some Millennial Mansions are throughout the area with tall arched entryways and built-in garages. Cason says there are some smaller subdivisions throughout the city, so you can find places where many houses are similar. As Cason mentioned, there’s not a lot of new development going on in the city, so most homes are from the last century. Balch Springs is one of the more affordable suburbs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with a median home price of around $240,000.
Students attend Mesquite and Dallas schools
The city is split almost in half between the Mesquite and Dallas Independent School Districts. Students in the southwest portion of the city will attend Dallas schools, although there is only one in the city. Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Middle School opened in 2016 as the district’s first all-girls school. The school heavily focuses on STEAM subjects and aims to empower its students to become leaders in those fields while preparing them with college and career skills. There are five Mesquite ISD elementary schools in Balch Springs and one middle school. A.C. New Middle School feeds into West Mesquite High School. Students here can participate in clubs and organizations, including Campus Crime Stoppers, Robotics and Coding, and Battle of the Books.
Local parks include Luedeke and Oak Ridge Park
Residents in Balch Springs have several public parks to take advantage of when they want to get outside. Luedeke Park features a walking trail that leads to a secluded pond with benches to enjoy the scenery. The park has a playground and splash pad for children to enjoy, making it a popular place to spend time with the whole family. Another splash pad is available at Oak Ridge Park. Head to Irwin Park to get all your sports in. The park has four baseball and softball fields open to residents, two tennis courts and two basketball courts. The Balch Springs Recreation Center is located near the park, offering a weight room, indoor basketball courts, group fitness classes, and karate.
Residents dine at chain and local restaurants like Bell’s Better Burge
The city is home to many popular fast-food chains but also has a few popular local restaurants to check out. Pine Tree Garden Chinese is among the highest-rated local restaurants, serving Chinese classics in a relaxed setting. Locals say the sesame chicken is some of the best they’ve ever tried. Bell’s Better Burgers is a local drive-in with a classic burger joint menu. While burgers are the main draw here, locals also recommend trying the catfish.
If you want to cook at home, there is a Walmart on Lake June Road or a Kroger on Elam Road for all your grocery needs. And with I-635 and the C.F. Hawn Freeway nearby, you’ll have an easy commute throughout the Metroplex.
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Mike Healey
