Mesquite

"The rodeo, retail, being close to downtown," are just a few reasons people might move to Town East Estates, according to real estate broker Cynthia Randle with Evolve Real Estate. Residents enjoy a bounty of shopping in every direction, as well as employment opportunities with downtown Dallas being less than 10 miles west. Between that bustling downtown and the neighborhood’s quiet residential streets are Fair Park, White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum - all major area attractions. Meanwhile, Lake Ray Hubbard – a popular place for boating, fishing and relaxing - is around 9 miles northeast. Spanning 22,000 acres, it's the largest waterway nearby. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo is also always there, just 5 miles from home on Rodeo Drive, situating locals close to what makes Mesquite "Mesquite:" the state designated Rodeo Capital of Texas. Homes were mostly built in the '60s, somewhat close together, with modest yards that, aside from the occasional flowering tree, also express modest landscaping while being capped by sidewalks. Properties prices typically range from the high $200,000s to the low $300,000s. Though architecturally, most are ranch-style with a few traditional bi-levels mixed in, houses are not cookie cutter; some are distinguished through painted brick exteriors, gingerbread trim and midcentury flourishes. Mesquite has a moderate flood risk, so flood insurance might be worthwhile. The last major reported incidence within a 5-mile radius of Town East Estates was a flash flood in 2022. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo was founded in the '50s and has become a community staple. Over 40,000 people visit annually during rodeo season, from June to August, to chomp down on Texas barbecue and watch bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and more. The rodeo's summer concert series starts after, and is included in the ticket price. Another major attraction is Fair Park, 9 miles west, with its museums, music hall, football stadium and rotation of free community events, from Art in the Park to yoga. “In Mesquite, our parks are designed into our neighborhoods. It gives them a close-knit feeling,” says Mesquite Parks and Recreation director Elizabeth Harrel. Five of the city's 70-plus parks anchor this residential area, offering playgrounds and sports fields a short walk from homes. The largest green space in the neighborhood is Town East Park. Neighbors can cool off in its swimming pool, get a game of volleyball in on the sand court, bring their kids to the playground, and enjoy the just over a mile walking trail. At the parks northern end, there's an off-leash dog park with sections for large dogs and small dogs, offering space to play and doggie fountains for refreshment. Bill Blackwood Park is a open green space in the southern portion of the neighborhood where kids play pick-up soccer games. Just south of the neighborhood, there's an expansive greenbelt with more trails that wind along a creek, disc golf courses, an accessible playground and more. Town East Shopping Center is a short walk from homes. Its highlights include a health food store and a handful of local eateries, like El Atoron, a Mexican restaurant with rave reviews that doubles as a laundromat. A dental office, several dollar stores, Albertson's for groceries and more, surround that shopping center. Interstate 635 is a bit farther east, lined with restaurants. Aside from well-known chains like Olive Garden, Razzoo's Cajun Cafe offers something different, including fried alligator. The Marketplace at Towne Centre and Town East Mall are on opposite sides of the interstate with popular chains including H&M, Best Buy and Sephora. Downtown Mesquite is 5 miles southeast with a farmers market every Saturday from April to November and a range of walkable boutiques and eateries. Students may attend Tosch Elementary School, McDonald Middle School and North Mesquite High School - all within the Mesquite Independent School District. The elementary and middle schools earn B minus ratings from Niche while the high school scores a B. The high school is known for its Big Blue Band that brings school spirit to pep rallies and football games. Most locals hop in their cars to get around as there are no public bus stops in the immediate area. When air travel is needed, Dallas Love Field is 14 miles west.

From cowboys with lassos to shopping sprees and Friday Night Lights, Valley View offers a taste of small-town living on the outskirts of downtown Dallas. Valley View is home to the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. This iconic institution has been in operation for more than 60 years. Its widespread popularity has earned Mesquite the Rodeo Capital of Texas designation. Throughout its history, hundreds of thousands of people have attended the rodeo, including presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. But there's much more to Valley View than riding bulls at the arena. According to Alicia Trevino, Broker with eXp Realty, there's always something going on in Mesquite, like attending Friday playoffs at Texas's largest high school football stadium. The area also offers a range of local and chain restaurants, a well-known mall, a strong school district and a short drive to the expansive Lake Ray Hubbard. New development is taking over the area – mainly concentrated in the northeast corner of Valley View. The housing inventory is primarily comprised of townhomes with warm-toned brick facades and oversized, two-car garages. While uncommon, established one-story homes listed on the market are often recently renovated and provide larger yards than their condo counterparts. Trevino says the city of Mesquite has a wide range of housing costs. In Valley View, homes range from $215,000 to $500,000, depending on the property's square footage and age. Mesquite Independent School District is the city's largest employer and is ranked as the tenth-best school district in Dallas by Niche. "Mesquite's been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAAM Foundation for over a decade," says Brenda Gonzalez from the communications office for Mesquite Independent School District. "Only four percent of districts across the nation receive this award." Gonzalez adds that Mesquite's district-wide Mariachi Ensemble first performed in the greater Mesquite ISD community in 2023. Students in Valley View will attend either Seabourn Elementary School or Galloway Elementary School, which share a B score from Niche. Both schools feed into Lanny Frasier Middle and West Mesquite High Schools, earning B-minus and B, respectively. The high school was built in 1976 on land once part of the rodeo. The school property is also home to the Mesquite Tower, which broadcasts the district's radio station, KEOM. Mesquite ISD offers several public facilities for students. Just north of the high school is Memorial Stadium. Built in 1976, it's the state's largest high school football stadium, with a capacity for 19,400 spectators. The stadium was renovated in 2015 to add parking and loading zones, increase the concourse size and expand concessions facilities. It hosts football games for all five Mesquite Independent School District high schools, marching band competitions and neutral-site high school football playoff games. The Mesquite ISD Natatorium is a newly upgraded aquatic center that opened in the Spring of 2024. It features a transparent roof that can be closed or opened depending on weather conditions. Valley View is 14 miles east of downtown Dallas, so residents can easily access the city's vibrant nightlife and multicultural events by hopping onto I-30 West or Military Parkway. Mesquite is also 12 miles south of Garland. Major highways include Interstates 635, 30, 20 and 352. STAR Transit provides public transportation and a ride-share service that takes residents to Eastfield College and Town East Mall. Mesquite Specialty Hospital is the closest medical center for immediate healthcare needs. While Mesquite Metro Airport is 3 miles down Scyene Road, commercial flights are most convenient at DFW International Airport, 36 miles away. Mesquite is a Playful City USA and offers a laundry list of outdoor recreation spanning golf courses, biking trails and parks. According to Trevino, City Lake Park is the most popular green space, featuring a large pond, baseball field and walking trail. It is also the site of the Brunhilde Nystrom City Lake Aquatic Center, which features a swimming pool, water slide and wading area. For a day of boating and fishing, the expansive Lake Ray Hubbard is a little over 10 miles northeast. Valley View is at the southern end of Restaurant Row, a portion of I-635 with dozens of restaurants dotting the sides of the highway. Military Parkway towards the highway has ample fast-food options, including the popular regional chain Griff's Hamburgers. Barbecue, Tex-Mex spots and chain restaurants comprise most of the area's food scene. Still, several local eats can be found along East Davis Street. Notable options include family-owned restaurants, such as Yia Yia's House of Gyros Mesquite and Mesquite BBQ. Most locals visit the downtown area for Front Street Station, a newly installed gathering space that hosts live entertainment and the Mesquite Farmers Market. The event is held every Saturday from June through August, and local farmers and vendors showcase their best produce and homemade goods. Additional shopping can be found at Town East Mall, 5 miles north. The mall is a key player in North Texas' retail scene and offers over 160 department stores, including Target, Dillard's and Macy's. Valley View is home to several of Mesquite's best-known attractions. "They have concerts, they have a convention center," Trevino says. "There's a lot you can do in that portion of Mesquite." The Mesquite Arena is a 7,000-seat facility that hosts concerts, festivals, monster trucks and the Mesquite Outlaws soccer team, in addition to hosting the rodeo. The Mesquite Convention Center is next door, offering more than 50,000 square feet of floor space to host a convention, trade show or conference. Neighboring Dallas hosts several large-scale events throughout the year, including the State Fair of Texas, the North Texas Irish Festival — one of the largest Irish festivals in the country — and the Greek Food Festival of Dallas. Dallas also offers well-known attractions like the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Ten miles from downtown Dallas, Pecan Bend offers a small community that's quiet and neighborly. "My neighbors are great. I've met a lot of them either by them coming up to the door because they have my package or by interacting with them walking down the sidewalk. Everyone is really friendly here," says Justin Ward, who's lived in Pecan Bend for three years and owns Legacy Lawn Services on Huntington Drive. "I think this neighborhood is somewhat of an older part of Mesquite. A lot of people have been here for 20 years," he shares. "There's also a lot of first-time homebuyers here, like myself." Pecan Bend shares a border with Westover Park to the north and a business/industrial park to the south. It's also within a 10-mile radius of White Rock Lake and Lake Ray Hubbard, both popular for boating and fishing. Locals have quick access to U.S. 80, Interstate 635, and Interstate 30, making the area highly convenient. Though there are a few Colonial-style homes, brick ranch styles with rear-entry garages dominate the landscape. They settle along winding streets with sidewalks, on modest lawns with flowering bushes, trimmed hedges and mature trees. Most home prices fall between the upper end of $200,000 and the low $300,000s. "It is one of the more affordable areas to be in Mesquite," says Realtor Kristine Edens with JPAR Realty. "Many people have lived there for so long they have really good interest rates and don't want to move. Once interest rates lower, you might see that change." Though Pecan Bend doesn't have any new homes, many of its older homes are being remodeled from the inside out. The CAP index does reflect higher rates of Motor Vehicle Theft in Pecan Bend than national averages. There's a Walmart Supercenter 4 miles east off I-80 for groceries. Locals can find popular chains like Sephora and H&M between The Marketplace at Towne Centre and Town East Mall, both 2 miles north. Downtown Mesquite is just under 4 miles southeast, with Bear Cave Coffee, Dos Panchas, Mesquite Barbeque and more for dining. Corner Theatre provides a venue for community worship services, poetry readings, and live music - all driven by local talent. Aside from being able to walk or bike to the nearby greenbelt, most locals hop in their cars to get around as there's no public bus option. Dallas Love Field is 15 miles northwest along I-30 when they want to fly. Westover Park is connected to DeBusk Park by the paved Westover Park Greenbelt Trail. DeBusk Park features a baseball field, disc golf course and two playgrounds, including the ADA accessible KidsQuest playground. Westover Park has a picnic shelter and another playground available to residents. Ward says the city built a bike path along South Parkway, which runs parallel between Pecan Bend and Westover Park; they're also currently extending it. "They are doing construction right now. I just bought a bike for Christmas, so I'm excited about that." There's an AMC dine-in theatre less than a mile from KidsQuest for movie nights. Students in the neighborhood will be in the Mesquite Independent School District. Rugel Elementary School is the only school in the neighborhood. It feeds into Lanny Frasier Middle and West Mesquite High School. The elementary and middle both score B minuses from Niche while the high school earns a B rating. Rugel is named after Joseph Columbus Rugel, a former teacher, legislator and hardware merchant from Mesquite. Memorial Stadium hosts high school football games; it's the largest football stadium in Texas, holding nearly 20,000 people. Ward says his house gets lots of trick-or-treaters on Halloween, but the neighborhood doesn't organize any specific community events. He appreciates raising his own daughter here for a few reasons. "People don't speed down the roads when they are in the neighborhood," he shares. He also enjoys that there's an elementary school in the neighborhood. Mesquite Fire Station is less than a mile from the neighborhood on Forney Road, adding a layer of safety. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center is 6 miles east on Collins Road for emergencies. Flooding risk is moderate in Mesquite; the last major flood was in 2022.

Shaded residential streets pour out from centrally located Downtown Mesquite, a mini-Main Street USA adorned with brightly painted murals and recent renovations. The city was considered a small farming hub until the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived in Mesquite in 1873. What was once a rough parking lot along these same train tracks is now Front Street Station, Downtown Mesquite's newest community gathering space. With revitalization coming into the commercial area of Downtown Mesquite, the city hopes to draw residents into town to visit local businesses and events. "Downtown Mesquite is actually being renovated at this moment," says Alicia Trevino, a Broker with eXp Realty. "It'll have more restaurants and have a park-like setting where there will be concerts." Though it's changed, traditions like the Mesquite Championship Rodeo and its title as the Rodeo Capital of Texas remain. Valley View is within 14 miles of Dallas and Lake Ray Hubbard, along with premier shopping malls and entertainment across the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex.<br><br>Most homes are on the neighborhood's northern end, where Mesquite's Main Street gives way to tree-lined residential streets. Contemporary ranch-style homes, often with brick exteriors and wide driveways, are typical in Downtown Mesquite. Trevino says many of the homes here were built in the 1950s and 1980s, and the prices of homes in the area are a big draw for homebuyers. Most of these one-story properties offer three to four bedrooms and a price range of $210,000 to $325,000. Several New Traditional and split-level homes with brick facades and larger lots also dot the area. Homebuyers can expect these 2,500-to-3,500-square-foot residences to be priced between $360,000 and $550,000. There are clusters of two-bedroom condos along Kearney Street and close to Broadmoor Plaza, often priced between $130,000 and $160,000. <br><br>Mesquite Independent School District is one of the area's largest employers. It is ranked as the tenth-best school district in Dallas. Families appreciate its low student-to-teacher ratio, renovated facilities, massive stadiums and award-winning extracurriculars. Brenda Gonzalez, an employee with the communications office for Mesquite ISD, says that Mesquite has a prominent fine arts program, which has been recognized by the NAAM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Gonzalez adds that only four percent of districts nationwide receive this award. Mesquite has created a district-wide Mariachi Ensemble, which hosted its debut performance in 2023. Students in Downtown Mesquite can attend Tisinger Elementary School or Hanby Elementary School. The schools earn B-minus and B scores from Niche, respectively. Both feed into Wilkinson Middle School, which also earns a B-minus. Mesquite High School, graded with a B Niche score, is right across Bryan-Belt Line Road from the neighborhood. The high school is on the site of the original Mesquite Independent School District building, which was built in 1902. Several public facilities are available to Mesquite students. Memorial Stadium, Texas's largest high school football stadium, can get crowded for football games, so traffic can be expected every Friday. The City of Mesquite partnered with Dallas Eastfield Campus to upgrade the Mesquite ISD Natatorium," Gonzalez says. "It's now an indoor pool for practices and meets, but it's also open to residents." The facility, which opened in the Spring of 2024, features a transparent roof that can be closed or opened, depending on the season.<br><br>STAR Transit is the area's primary public transportation to surrounding Dallas, including Town East Mall, Eastfield College and nearby medical facilities such as Dallas Regional Galloway Medical Center. With multiple highways nearby, Trevino says the area's accessibility is one of the major selling points. Main throughways include State Highway 80 and Interstates 635, 30, 20 and 352. Downtown Mesquite is 14 miles east of downtown Dallas' multicultural events and colorful nightlife, accessible via I-30 West or Military Parkway. It is also 12 miles south of Garland and the waterfront communities around Lake Ray Hubbard. Mesquite Metro Airport is 3 miles down Scyene Road; however, most residents take commercial flights at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, 36 miles away.<br><br>Mesquite is considered a Playful City USA and offers a wide range of outdoor recreation spanning the area's golf courses, trails and playgrounds. Several parks within the neighborhood, like Hillcrest and Westlake Parks, offer plenty of recreation opportunities. Westlake Park is a popular sports spot, with six outdoor lighted tennis courts and three more covered courts. The park also has an eight-lane archery range, with shooting distances varying from 10 to 100 feet. City Lake Park is the most popular, and Trevino says it's a great place to go for a jog or just take a leisurely walk. The park has a large pond in the middle of its walking trail and a baseball field. It is also home to the Brunhilde Nystrom City Lake Aquatic Center, which has a swimming pool, water slide and wading area with playgrounds for children. Samuell Farm's wooded park offers a walking trail, a playground, a volleyball court and shaded picnic areas. Fishing and boating are popular pastimes at Lake Ray Hubbard, a little over 10 miles northeast.<br><br>What used to be a sparse, unlined parking lot near Main Street is now Front Street Station, a designated community gathering space for live entertainment and new restaurants. This $5.5 million project opened in May 2021 and has excited the area. It included new infrastructure to support more restaurants, façade improvements for the existing buildings, a performance pavilion and an area for events and vendor booths. Front Street Station hosts the Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market every Saturday from April through November, allowing residents to interact with local growers and producers and support local businesses. Several restaurant options — mainly barbecue and Tex-Mex — dot the commercial area. A notable mention is Mesquite BBQ on East Davis Street. The family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 1959, making it the oldest restaurant in the city. One of its most notable menu items is a loaded baked potato topped with tender brisket. Locals can also visit Restaurant Row, a portion of I-635 with dozens of restaurants dotting the sides of the highway. Military Parkway towards the highway has ample fast-food options, including the popular regional chain Griff's Hamburgers, a no-frills hotspot for old-fashioned burgers and crispy onion rings. Target and Sprouts are located at Town East Mall, an additional 3 miles north. The mall is a key player in North Texas' retail scene and offers over 160 department stores, including Dillard's and Macy's.<br><br>Front Street Station also hosts the Off the Rails concert series during the summer, which brings the surrounding Mesquite community together for a night of music and fun right in the heart of downtown. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo draws crowds to the Mesquite Arena every Saturday from June through August. The 7,000-seat venue also hosts concerts, monster truck rallies and Mesquite Outlaws soccer games. Next to the area is a 50,000-square-foot convention center that hosts large-scale events like trade shows and conferences. Family weekends can be spent watching the latest blockbuster at AMC DINE-IN Mesquite 30 or enjoying classic arcade games at Celebration Station. Dallas hosts several large-scale events throughout the year, including the State Fair of Texas, the North Texas Irish Festival – one of the country's largest Irish festivals – and the Greek Food Festival of Dallas.

Valley Creek is eighteen miles away from Dallas but has carved out its own distinct suburban culture. Part of Mesquite, the official rodeo capital of Texas, residents can partake in the authentic Texas culture that this community is known for. <br><br>Homes within Valley Creek range from contemporary homes built in the 1980s to newer construction built in the 2020s. Homeowners in Valley Creek take pride in their community. This is most notable with the manicured lawns and landscaping that add to the curb appeal of the neighborhood. Valley Creek is walkable, with sidewalks threaded throughout, making it easy for residents to access the community’s namesake park. “Valley Park is made up of beautiful, updated homes with a park that is basically in your backyard,” says Alicia Trevino, CEO of the Alicia Trevino Team, with eXp Realty. A three-bedroom, two-bath contemporary home will cost you around $360,000. $455,6600 will get you a newly constructed four-bedroom, three-bath home. The median listing price for a home in Valley Creek is $449,302. <br><br>Students living in Valley Creek can attend Gentry Elementary, which has a B rating on Niche. After attending Gentry, students can move on to Berry Middle, which has a B-plus rating and Horn High, which has a B rating. The student-teacher ratio at Horn High is 17-to-1. <br><br>For recreation, those living in the neighborhood can head to Valley Creek Park. There, kids can enjoy the playground, which features a jungle gym. The park also features a softball complex and tennis courts for a bit of friendly competition. The park’s walking trails are a great way to walk the dogs or go for a jog. The pavilion is used for barbecues and other gatherings. <br><br>For dining out, residents can head to a few notable restaurants. JC’s Burger Bar is known for their stacked burgers. Have the Nooner, which is made of fried egg, bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomato. If you can handle it, the Toddzilla is three-half-pound burger patties stacked between three slices of cheese. Right next door to JC’s Burger Bar is Yia Yia’s House of Gyros, a mom-and-pop Greek counter-server restaurant. Order their Gyro w/ Steak Fries, which is a blend of lamb and beef. For grocery shopping, residents can visit Tom Thumb on Pioneer Road, which is only a mile away. The nearest shopping mall is Town East Mall, which is about seven miles away from Valley Creek. Residents can shop at popular retailers like Dillard’s, H&M and Macy’s. <br><br>Residents can head to downtown Mesquite for community events. This includes Christmas on the Square, where the community comes together for a bit of holiday cheer. Residents can take photos with Santa, sip on free cocoa and shop at the gift market and food booths. At the Black Box Theater at the Mesquite Arts Center puts on It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play in December. Based on the classic film, the arts center’s rendition comes with a twist: the play is staged as a live radio broadcast. <br><br>The Mesquite Championship Rodeo is just a few miles away from Valley Creek. For more than 60 or so years, the community has been entertained by rodeo events like bull riding, barrel racing and team roping. In Valley Creek, you are getting that authentic Texas culture.