The Homesteads - rural prairieland with a quick commute to the city
In the 1850s, suburban towns like Alvarado and Venus attracted those seeking a self-sufficient lifestyle in the West with land and room to roam. Now, one of its most true-to-form communities is the Homesteads, a rural, residential area in the rolling prairies of North Texas. Within a 45-minute drive of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, it offers an easy commute from cowboy country to the energetic beat of the city. "Dallas is a growing city with so many different people. But in this area near Venus, the lot sizes are bigger, and it is one of the safer places to live," says Diandra Harris, a Dallas local and assistant property manager at the Palladium Venus apartment complex. "Everybody knows everybody. People are much friendlier here because it's their home. It's where they grew up."
Flat terrain and fenced-in lots on this North Texas landscape
Many houses are on fenced-in properties with gravel driveways on flat landscapes surrounded by cedar elm and live oak trees. The Homesteads has a collection of New Traditional and ranch-style homes on several-acre lots, ranging from $280,000 to $560,000. Manufactured houses cost between $150,000 and $300,000. The Homesteads is in Johnson County, which faces summer heat waves, with average summer highs in the mid-90s, frequently reaching triple-digit temperatures. Its location in Tornado Alley can cause tornadoes to form due to high winds from the Gulf Coast.
Residents fly out of DFW, one of the world’s busiest airports
There are major cities and nearby towns within a short drive of The Homesteads. Fort Worth is about 30 miles northwest on Interstate 35W, and Dallas is approximately 37 miles northeast. The nearest emergency room is at the Texas Health Hospital in Mansfield. Approximately 33 miles north, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport offers more direct flights than any airport in North America.
Roadside Mexican restaurants and bakeries, plus a short drive to Venu
The area features a modest selection of unassuming Mexican restaurants that blend into the landscape, resembling houses on the roadside. Arrieros Restaurant is a western-themed Mexican eatery serving pozole soup and fajitas. Las Palmitas is a taco food truck with sheltered picnic tables. Also nearby, Panaderia Mi Lindo Guanajuato is a bakery with desserts, such as pan dulce and tres leches cake. Residents can find some essentials at Sunwest Grocery, a neighborhood convenience store. Venus is about 7 miles south, with more dining establishments and a Brookshire Brothers supermarket. "Much of the area’s dining is in downtown Venus. It doesn’t have a lot of fast food, but there are a bunch of mom-and-pop shops," Harris says.
Venus High has a program for career readiness
The Venus Independent School District serves more than 2,300 students across four schools. “From my understanding, many people move here because of the school system in Johnson County. I hear that the teachers are really great," Harris says. Venus Primary School earns a B-minus grade from Niche and serves students from prekindergarten to first grade. The district encourages the use of digital tools and technology from a young age. Venus Elementary School earns a C and serves second through fifth grade. It follows standards set by the STAAR standardized test, with practice resources and guides for students. Venus Middle School has a C-minus, with school events in the community like the North Texas Teen Book Festival. Venus High School scores a B-minus and has a P-TECH program meant to give students opportunities to earn college credit, industry certifications and gain hands-on work experience.
Parks in Venus offer athletic courts, trails and picnic areas
Venus has multiple parks and green spaces nearby. Fielder Park has athletic facilities like a full-size basketball court and baseball diamonds. It also has a playground, picnic areas and a concrete track. Cedar Hill State Park is about 25 miles north, with swimming access, campsites and the DORBA trail system.
