Bullard

With the official state nut of Texas in its name, the gated community of Pecan Valley Ranch evokes the spirit of the Lone Star State. The neighborhood, located in Bullard, features lot sizes comparable to those of an actual ranch, with many topping an acre. Large, ranch-style houses sit on top of these lots and provide residents with rural seclusion and surprising views of the East Texas landscape. “The big thing about Pecan Valley Ranch is being able to have the views,” says Stephanie Miller, a local broker and Realtor with Standard Real Estate. “The terrain is a little different, and to be on top of a hill with an overlook is not very common in this area.” However, this seclusion is an illusion, as the local shops and restaurants of Bullard are just a quick drive away, and the historic centers of downtown Tyler are 16 miles north. Bullard Kids’ Park is the closest green space and features playgrounds and picnic areas. Farther down the road, the Green Acres Sports Complex offers multiple athletic facilities, including soccer fields, softball diamonds and an 18-hole disc golf course. The neighborhood sits between Lake Palestine to the east and Lake Tyler to the west. Many residents enjoy spending a day on the water, with both lakes being a popular spot for fishing and watersports. Golfers swing away on the well-manicured 18 holes at Oak Hurst Golf Course, under 5 miles away. Behind Pecan Valley Ranch’s gates, large rural estates sit on expansive grassy lots. Ranch-style builds with brick exteriors and gabled roofs are the predominant style, and the average single-family home size is well above the national average at almost 3,500 square feet. Modern farmhouses can also be found scattered throughout the neighborhood. Lots often run over an acre, and many are empty, providing an opportunity for residents to build their own dream homes. Most houses have multi-car garages and backyard swimming pools. Prices for three-bedroom builds range between $500,000 and $700,000, while larger four-to-five-bedroom estates sell between $900,000 and $1.2 million. The neighborhood has an HOA that maintains the recreational spaces and fishing ponds. Bullard Independent School District serves the neighborhood and received an A-minus rating on Niche. Younger students begin their education at Bullard Early Childhood Campus, which received a B rating. Bullard Primary School (1-2), Bullard Elementary (3-4), Bullard Intermediate School (5-6) and Bullard Middle School (6-8) all received an A-minus rating. The B-plus-rated Bullard High School is a hub for extra-curricular activities ranging from agriculture and engineering to culinary arts. It maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. Parents looking for a private school option may consider the Brook Hill School, which received an A-plus rating and specializes in college prep. “It looks like a college campus when you drive by it,” Miller says. “People from all over the world send their kids here.” Downtown Tyler is 16 miles away and can be reached via US-69, which runs parallel to the neighborhood. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is 24 miles away and services multiple daily flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Dallas is around 115 miles away, roughly equal to a 2-hour drive. Pecan Valley Ranch is entirely residential but is close to Bullard's local shops and restaurants. Hondo & Shorty’s is a popular no-frills burger joint serving tasty cheeseburgers and chicken fried steak. Down the street, visitors can get a hot cup of joe at Coffee Around the Corner or try some smooth glasses of red and white at Moody Family Wines. Bullard also has plenty of chain restaurants, including Whataburger and Sonic Drive-In. Brookshire’s provides the neighborhood with fresh produce and weekly groceries. The Village at Cumberland Park is 10 miles away and features over 45 premium retail stores and dining shops. Residents are close to the vibrant community events held by the City of Bullard. The annual Red White & Blue festival has been ongoing for over 20 years and focuses on honoring veterans with a day of music, car shows and parades. The event is usually held the first week of November. Other celebrations include a Fourth of July fireworks show and Octoberfest.