Rowlett

Waterview is characterized by a versatile mix of undeveloped northern farmlands and a suburbanized southern region that straddles the sparkling waters of Lake Ray Hubbard. Several residents enjoy waterfront homes along the lake, while others live near the community's central golf course and namesake, the Waterview Golf Club. The club's golf course is a significant community draw, but Waterview has a dynamic list of amenities. "It's an amazing community because it has everything," says Realtor Clint Rose of self-owned Rose Group Realty. Rose has sold homes across the region for just over a decade. "It's got ponds, pools, parks and playgrounds. It's literally a one-stop shop." Waterview comprises a fairly unique landscape. Much of the land north of Rowlett Community Park and the golf club is undeveloped and lends itself to a more rural vibe. There are a few farms, well-established farmhouses and ranch-style homes on spaced-out properties. Further south, closer to I-66, housing subdivisions become more abundant. Spinnaker Cove mainly features brick colonials and new traditional homes from the 1980s, while Broadmoor Estates is a gated community on the golf course with large custom homes from the early 2000s. Waterfront homes, like those on Briarcrest and Columbia Drive, often feature spacious backyards and private docks. A three-bedroom brick house in Waterview will cost around $300,000 to $400,000, while larger homes, like those on the golf course, cost between $500,000 and $700,000. Homes on the waterfront can cost well over $1 million. Kids growing up in the area attend schools in the Garland Independent School District, which scored an overall A-minus on Niche. Liberty Grove Elementary School is in the neighborhood's heart and received an overall B-minus on Niche. Students progress to Vernon Schrade Middle School, earning an overall B on Niche, while Sachse High School earned an overall A. Out of nearly 2,000 public high schools reviewed by Niche, the academic reviewer placed Sachse among the top 40 most diverse in the state. The high school allows students to earn associate degrees through the Early College High School program, which works in partnership with Dallas College. Community members get together at Rowlett Community Park. Local soccer, baseball and softball leagues, like the Rowlett Youth Soccer Association, use the park's 10 baseball fields and 12 soccer fields. Several teams play simultaneously, so the park buzzes during nightly practices and weekend games. Walking trails bound the park's two lakes, which also feature a fishing pier for local anglers to cast a line. Additional amenities include the sand volleyball court, outdoor fitness equipment and a playground for the kids. While Rowlett Community Park is a focal point of community recreation, Waterview earns its name from its central golf course. Waterview Golf Course offers a scenic and challenging round for golfers of any level, and Rose says it is popular with locals. Water hazards come into play on 10 of the 18 holes, including the course's signature hole, which features a lake wrapping around the green. Locals mainly head over to I-66 to shop or grab a bite to eat. Tom Thumb is in the heart of Lake Pointe Market shopping center, providing grocery options. The shopping center also features several service businesses and restaurants, from Super Cuts and Foot Spa to Ephesus Bistro and Grill and Burger Island. The latter is known for its innovative burgers, like the jungle burger, piled with jalapenos, mushrooms, bacon and Swiss cheese. Additional options include Tatiano's Italian, a locally owned Italian restaurant famous for classic pasta dishes and its award-winning crab claws. Across the street is a Walmart Neighborhood Market, offering more grocery shopping options. Residents usually drive to get around, and Highway 66 is the most used highway for travel. Locals headed into downtown Rowlett have about a 4-mile trip into the city's heart down I-66, while Dallas is about 21 miles away. Healthcare is provided at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. And if locals need to catch a flight, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about 44 miles away.

Lakewood Pointe is a small suburban community in the heart of Rowlett's easternmost peninsula, just over a mile from the western shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. Surrounded by water on three sides, residents catch lake views daily. Whether commuting across Lake Ray Hubbard Bridge or paddling the trail at Paddle Point Park, it's hard for residents to miss the lake's sparkling waters. While the water intrigues buyers, the community's tucked-away location stands out. "There's not a whole lot of development over on the peninsula," says Realtor Alex Cho of United Real Estate Family. Cho has sold homes across the greater region for nearly two decades. "There's some shopping and restaurants, but it's kind of away from everything. It's a quieter area." There's a large range of housing styles in Lakewood Pointe. "It's the full gamut. You have everything from older homes being renovated to newer, luxury homes," says Realtor Wendi Conley of M&D Real Estate. "And the price ranges are pretty widespread." Buyers will find new traditional villas, ranch styles and contemporary colonials with brick facades. Homes are built relatively close together and have manicured front yards. Built-in garages are standard, most of which are accessible behind the house through small alleys. Most streets in the neighborhood feature sidewalks where locals enjoy casual walks or bike rides to the water. A three-bedroom home is typically priced around $300,000, while four bedrooms cost anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000. Lakewood Pointe's location near Lake Ray Hubbard makes it a popular destination for water activities. "Having the lake right there is an added perk," Cho says. Locals explore the community's shoreline on the Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail at Paddle Point Park. This 6.4-mile trail travels around a cove of Lake Ray Hubbard, offering views of area wildlife like blue herons or egrets. Lakeside Park South features a lakefront walking trail and benches for locals looking to appreciate the water from the land. The park also features a sand volleyball court and a playground. Closer inland, Twin Star Park is a five-acre outdoor space with a large multi-purpose court used for soccer, hockey, basketball or pickleball. A walking trail surrounds the park, and there's a playground for kids to explore. Kids growing up in the area attend schools in the Garland Independent School District, which Niche gave an overall A-minus. Giddens-Steadham Elementary School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 and an overall B-minus on Niche, while Vernon Schrade Middle School has an overall B. Students head to Rowlett High School to earn their diplomas. The high school has a dynamic arts department, home to the Eagle Theater Company, which facilitates about six theatrical productions annually and hosts various arts events and fundraisers. Students can also earn college credit with Eastfield College through the school's Early College programs. Niche gave Rowlett an overall B-plus. Commercial pockets on the peninsula are concentrated along Highway 66. Lake Pointe Market is a popular shopping center anchored by Tom Thumb, where locals grab groceries. The shopping center also features a spa, bank and a few spots to eat, like Burger Island and Ephesus Bistro and Grill. The neighboring shopping center, across Dalrock Road, features Jabo's Ace Hardware and a few chain restaurants, like Little Ceasar's and Subway. Additional grocery shopping options are across I-66 at Walmart Neighborhood Market. Chiloso Mexican Bistro serves signature plates for dinner, including chicken taquitos and rojo chicken flautas plate. RetroCade also has vintage arcade games, burgers, and funnel cake bites. Most residents drive when they need to get around, and Highway 66 is the most popular route in and out of the area. "This is right off 66, so it's a super convenient area," Cho says. "Rowlett is kind of known for its traffic, so many people reroute around 66. So, it's nice living on that side of town because you're not stuck." Locals headed into downtown Rowlett have about a 4-mile trip into the city's heart. Healthcare is provided at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. And if locals need to catch a flight, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about 44 miles away.

Sprawling northbound from the waterfront Sunset Boulevard is Dalrock, an evolving residential community on Lake Ray Hubbard. Dalrock hugs the western end of Rowlett's easternmost peninsula, putting the lake at the fingertips of most residents. "The lake and the lake lifestyle is the main reason people are drawn to Dalrock," says Realtor Marina Mueller, a local Realtor with Only 1 Realty Group. Mueller has sold homes across the region for nearly two years. "Plus, it has a close-knit community feel and is an easy drive into Dallas." And Dalrock is expanding. Since 2018, Sunset Boulevard has dramatically developed. Contemporary homes line the sidewalk-lined street, allowing residents to step off their front stoops to watch the sunset from Sunset. And more development is coming. Work is underway to develop the Sapphire Bay Marina on the neighborhood’s southern tip into a 116-acre resort where people can live, work and play. Dalrock's oldest homes were built in the 1980s and '90s, closer to I-66. As development continued into the 21st century, subdivisions began to spread across the peninsula's southern region, away from the interstate. And many homes were built within the past 10 years. Buyers will find a mix of new traditional and contemporary colonials with custom flair, making each house different. Many homes feature rear-facing garages accessible through tight back alleys. Houses are between 1,500 square feet and 3,500 square feet and prices range between $300,000 and $800,000. "As you'd expect, prices are higher the closer you are to the water," Mueller says. "But since Dalrock is on a peninsula, you can get a home near the water at a price point less than some other lake communities." Most streets in Dalrock feature a sidewalk where residents enjoy evening strolls or bike rides to the waterfront. Kids growing up in Dalrock attend schools in the Garland Independent School District, which earned an overall A-minus on Niche. Herfurth Elementary School is in the community's heart and has an overall B-plus on Niche, while Vernon Schrade Middle School has an overall B. Rowlett High School has a B-plus on Niche. Students can earn college credit through the Early College program. With Garland ISD's Choose Your School program, parents and students can apply to attend schools within the district other than their zoned schools. "There are many options for schools in the area," Mueller says. "It just depends on what you're looking for." Considering Dalrock's location along Lake Ray Hubbard, locals naturally spend much of their time on or by the water. Peninsula Park is at the peninsula's southernmost point and features panoramic views of the lake with paved walking trails and a few benches. Dog owners often walk their furry friends to the park and let them off their leashes at the gated dog park. Locals also enjoy lake views from Lakeside Park South, where they fish for bass or catfish, play a game of sand volleyball or let the kids play on the playground. There are also plenty of picnic tables for small gatherings by the water. Paddlers take off from Paddle Point Park, kayaking the 6.4-mile Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail. Boaters dock at Sapphire Bay Marina, with over 1,000 docks and slips. The marina is part of a rapidly developing, soon-to-come resort that will feature a 400-room hotel, a 6.5-acre lagoon and a surf and beach club. Dalrock Diner features checkered floors and bright red booths, embodying a classic American diner. Locals enjoy Texas-shaped Belgian waffles or honey-drizzled baklava pancakes, among other items from the all-day breakfast menu. Sammy Lou's Home Cooking and BBQ has a few savory options, from chicken fried steak to smoked brisket. But to cook a meal at home, locals grab ingredients from Tom Thumb in the Lake Point Market shopping center or at Walmart Neighborhood Market. Off the peninsula, westbound on I-66 toward the heart of Rowlett, are a few more shopping options, from Target to Sprouts Farmers Market. Locals head to RetroCade for late-night fun. Visitors play vintage arcade games while enjoying beers and fried snacks. Residents typically drive when they need to get around, and Highway 66 is the most popular route in and out of the area. Locals headed into downtown Rowlett have about a 4-mile trip into the city's heart down I-66, and Dallas is about 21 miles away. Healthcare is provided at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. And if locals need to catch a flight, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about 44 miles away.

Just north of downtown Rowlett and about 23 miles north of downtown Dallas is the quiet neighborhood of Flower Hill. “It's a nice little community in a very convenient heart-of-Rowlett location near stores, highways and the DART light rail station,” says Heather Sims, Rowlett resident and broker/owner of the Elysian Agency. “And you can get a great home for a great price there that will be a great investment.” The area is also home to Back Elementary School, while along Lakeview Parkway to the south is retail shopping. The President George Bush Turnpike runs through the neighborhood, and Lake Ray Hubbard, a 22,000-acre man-made lake acts as the eastern edge of Flower Hill. Flower Hill is predominantly made up of single- and two-story New Traditional-style, brick, single-family homes. These homes were built in the 1980s through the 2000s. "Flower Hill was one of the first neighborhoods ever established in Rowlett," Sims says. "And it's typical of Rowlett's beginnings, where you can still get a well-priced, older home that has been updated for less than $350,000." Home prices range from $160,000 to $425,000 for a ranch-style home. The area is primarily laid out in a grid-like pattern, with streets named after plants. Many properties have a two-car garage at the back of the property, leading to backyard alleys. There are a few homeowners associations throughout Flower Hill, with the Mariner Park HOA having a community pool. Backyard pools can be found throughout the area as well. For a New Traditional home in either ranch-style or Colonial Revival, prices range from $300,000 to $649,000. Hubbard's restaurant off Lakeview Parkway to the south has hearty country cooking, including breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy or delicious homemade pies, including lemon meringue, sweet potato pecan and chocolate turtle. Opa! Greek Taverna features authentic Greek dishes like spanakopita and lamb souvlaki while Amelia’s serves Mexican food and has happy hours Tuesday through Friday. Across Rowlett Road to the west is a Sprouts Farmers Market and Walmart Supercenter. At the intersection of Lakeview Parkway and the President George Bush Turnpike are Target, Ross Dress for Less, PetSmart and other stores. The Rowlett Community Centre sits along the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard and has classes to improve basketball, volleyball, fencing and other sports. Rowlett Bowl-a-Rama has karaoke every Thursday and Friday and glow bowling on Friday and Saturday nights. Throughout the year, Rowlett has city events for most holidays, including a Trunk or Treat during Halloween and a Holiday Main Street Fest and Parade during Christmas. Every Friday in September is the Friday Night Grooves, with live music and food trucks, at the Rowlett Downtown Green. Flower Hill children attend schools in the Garland Independent School District. Through Garland ISD's Choose of School program, families can decide which of the district's schools’ students will attend, including Back Elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Coyle Middle School receives a B-minus, with Rowlett High School earning a B-plus. Rowlett High offers college preparatory classes, like Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses as well as over 40 different activities and clubs. Herfurth Park covers 24 acres of green space with baseball and wiffleball fields, as well as tennis and pickleball courts. The park is also home to an in-line skate hockey rink and the Scentral Bark Dog Park, for both large and small dogs. For other outdoor adventures, grab a mountain bike and head about 3 miles west of Flower Hill to the Rowlett Creek Nature Preserve, with 15 miles of bike trails winding through the meadows and woods of the preserve's 97 acres. The area also has fishing spots along the creek with picnic pavilions. Continue outdoor pursuits with a kayak paddle or big-water fishing on the tranquil shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, less than 4 miles east. Along the lake is the 27-acre Pecan Grove Park, sitting next to the Rowlett Community Centre. It has a small waterpark as well as a disc golf course. The Dallas Area Transit Authority operates a Light Rail line, the Blue, that passes through to the south of the neighborhood at the Downtown Rowlett Station. The Blue Line stretches to downtown Dallas and comes through every 35 minutes. The President George Bush Turnpike cuts through Flower Hill to the east; this toll road circles around the northern section of Dallas and its suburbs.

Highland Meadows offers residents the luxuries of lakeside living with proximity to two vibrant downtown districts. The community sits on the eastern peninsula of Rowlett, Texas surrounded by Lake Ray Hubbard with lakefront housing. "The lake is the main reason people are drawn here," says Broker Chris Garcia of Altura Realty, serving the area for over eight years. “You’ve got that easy access to the lake, but you’re also 30 minutes to Downtown Dallas with no traffic. Plus, it’s tight knit. The neighbors all know each other.” Twenty miles from the bright lights of Dallas, two major thoroughfares provide access to the quaint Downtown Rowlett area in 5 miles and historic Downtown Rockwall in 4 miles. The 22,000-acre Lake Ray Hubbard encompasses Highland Meadows, so boating and deep-sea fishing are popular. Sapphire Bay Marina is less than 3 miles south of the community across Interstate 30 at the furthest point of the peninsula. Residents can rent boats and boat slips and purchase yachts. The surrounding marina district is part of a massive planned mixed-used development called Sapphire Bay. When finished, slated to open in late 2024, the 117-acre property will include a restaurant complex called Baywalk, a lagoon, a 400-room resort hotel, a lagoon, 1,500 townhouses and condos and a surf and beach club. The 14-acre Shorewood Park, which sits at the heart of the neighborhood, has basketball courts, a hockey rink, a playground, soccer fields and multi-use trails. Lakeside Park South is less than 3 miles west and is one of many lakefront parks. Stretching 6 acres, the park offers a sand volleyball court, covered picnic areas and a fishing pier. Paddle Point Park is next door, and its 6-mile paddling trail is popular for canoeing and kayaking. The 137-acre Rowlett Community Park is 5 miles north and is used the most for recreation and events. The park features softball and soccer fields, outdoor exercise equipment, a lake with a fishing pier and hiking trails. Rowlett Creek – Dallas County Nature Preserve is 7 miles west and spans 97 acres around the creek. The preserve is known for its challenging 15 miles of wooded bike paths, but it also provides fishing opportunities. The tree-lined lakefront community is filled with ranch-style and two-story brick homes, modern townhouses and million-dollar lakefront properties. “It's the main medical center area of Rowlett, and it’s also one of the original areas in Rowlett, so the homes tend to be older and priced a little lower, except for homes along the lake,” says Heather Sims, a Rowlett resident and the broker/owner of the Elysian Agency. Most single-family houses were built in the mid-1980s and ‘90s. Prices range from the high-$200,000s for a 1,600-square-foot three-bedroom to the mid-$500,000s for a 3,400-square-foot four- or five-bedroom. Properties near Lake Ray Hubbard start in the high-$500,000s and get significantly pricier from there. “The closer to the lake, the higher the price, so a Highland Meadows-area lakefront home can cost $1 million or more,” Sims says. Lot sizes are spacious, with most averaging a quarter acre or more. Most dwellings have rear garaging parking, spacious paved driveways for boats or other toys and fenced-in yards. Higher-priced homes have in-ground pools, private boat docks and walkways leading directly to the lake. Waterfront townhouses are also available in the Heritage on the Lake subdivision in the neighborhood’s northern section. Prices start in the low-$300,000s for a three-bedroom and include attached two-car garages and direct access to the lake. “That isn't a common type of home in Rowlett," Sims says. “It's a good area for someone looking for a competitively-priced alternative to a single-family home and for someone looking for lakefront living." All residents are within walking distance to Shorewood Park and walking or biking distance to the lake. Rockwall Independent School District serves the area and is the 14th-best district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Students can attend Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary, which offers regular literacy and math nights and earns an A-minus on Niche, followed by the A-rated J.W. Williams Middle. Kids can finish their primary education at Rockwall High School, which scores an A and is the second-best public high school in Rockwall County. Rockwall High also offers a film club and swimming and soccer teams. "It's important to note that Highland Meadows is zoned to the sought-after Rockwall ISD, which has helped sustain a lot of value for the area," Sims says. "It offers a good option for someone who wants Rockwall schools but also wants a home that fits their budget better than a home in Rockwall might." Most shopping and dining options are clustered around Highway 66 and Dalrock Road. Anchored by Tom Thumb, Lake Pointe Market offers Walgreens, Petco and Bank of America. Burger Island is also in the strip mall, known for its half-pound burgers stacked high with toppings and sandwiches. Also at Lake Point Market, Ephesus Bistro & Grill is a local favorite for kebabs, gyro sandwiches and other Mediterranean fare. The checkerboard-decorated Dalrock Diner is a popular weekend spot for breakfast and classic comfort foods. Tokyo Hana is the go-to restaurant for an upscale dinner on the lake. The Japanese steakhouse serves a menu of sushi, hibachi meals and sashimi. Walmart is available in the Dalrock Crossing shopping center. Downtown Rowlett is 5 miles west for more shopping and dining options. Rowlett offers events year-round, including Rowlett’s Family Campout at Pecan Grove Park every May; Friday Night Grooves, a music series downtown in September; a Fourth of July fireworks celebration on Main Street and an annual Holiday Main Street Fest and parade. State Highway 66 and Interstate 30 cut through the neighborhood at opposite ends, providing access to the rest of the area. Downtown Rowlett is 5 miles away, Dallas is 20 miles away, and Dallas Love Field Airport is a 25-mile drive. The neighborhood has no public transit, but Downtown Rowlett provides a train station. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe is the closest hospital, less than 2 miles north.

Mere minutes from the lapping shores of majestic Lake Ray Hubbard lies Shady Acres, an area of Rowlett, Texas, where old and new, rural and suburban, lake and land all blend to create a relaxed, convenient lifestyle. "With a mix of older and newer homes in the area, you can get a good quality home at a good price that's close to easy commute routes like 66, I-30 and 190," says Heather Sims, a Rowlett resident and the broker/owner of the Elysian Agency. "And every once in a while, you can find a Shady Acres-area home that's lakefront."<br><br>In Shady Acres, you'll find a mix of Traditional-style, brick, single-family homes built from the 1970s through the 2000s. Home sizes range from 1,400 to 4,500 square feet with two to five bedrooms, and sale prices tend to fall between $220,000 and $695,000, with an average list price of around $427,000. "The price range in this area varies quite a bit because of the range in home ages," Sims says. "It also has good options for neighborhoods with or without mandatory HOAs -- because people either love or hate them." <br><br>Youngsters in Shady Acres attend schools in the highly-regarded Garland Independent School District. Through Garland ISD's Choose Your School program, families can decide which of the district's 72 schools students will attend, including Steadham Elementary for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Schrade Middle for grades six through eight and Rowlett High School, rated an A-minus by Niche. "Much of the Shady Acres area is walkable to Steadham and Schrade, which are both highly-rated schools," says Sims.<br><br>At the end of a long week, hop over to nearby Twin Star Park for 5 acres of outdoor fun, like playing a game of hockey on the in-line skating rink, kicking the ball around the soccer field, hiking the trails or simply relaxing on a park bench while the kids wear themselves out on the playground. If quiet contemplation in nature is what you seek, head to the tranquil shores of nearby Lake Ray Hubbard, where you can fish, kayak along the Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail, or simply sit and take in the stunning views.<br><br>If all that fresh lake air jumpstarts your appetite, head to nearby Arboledas Mexican Grill for tasty house specialties like enchiladas verdes or tacos al pastor. Or you might get a hankering for some smokey barbecue. If so, locally-owned Sammy Lou's Home Cooking & BBQ is there for you in your time of need with a juicy brisket plate or a tender rack of baby back ribs. When you're inspired to whip up a family feast at home, load up on ingredients at the Walmart Neighborhood Market or Tom Thumb grocery store, both conveniently located within 3 miles of Shady Acres. While you're at it, stop by the local Petco to stock up on treats for your favorite canine or feline pal. With the convenience of amenities and commutable highways close by, varied home prices, and a lake practically at your doorstep, there's certainly no reason to throw shade at Shady Acres.