Finding the Perfect DFW Suburb: Part 1, The North Side

October 29, 2018

Are you trying to decide where to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? You sure have plenty of choices. Whether your lifestyle requires the urban vibe or thrives in a country setting, or maybe somewhere in the middle, Riverside Homebuilders can guide you toward finding the perfect DFW suburb for you and your family. There are some great ones, so in this article, we’ll head to the north side first.

Azle

Let’s start with Azle, TX. If you’re looking to experience the great outdoors to the fullest, this is the right hometown for you. Eagle Mountain Lake, the defining natural feature of this small city, spans 8,694 acres in North Texas, and only 17 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Created as a man-made reservoir, the lake has become a desirable destination for outdoor enthusiasts—for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, relaxing, and recreational boating. If you’re bringing your boat, you’ll find an ample choice of boat ramps and a full-service marina in Azle.

There’s plenty of country living in Azle, and the population has been gradually growing as a result of the satisfying rural lifestyle here. The availability of affordable housing and large homesites, plus the access to Fort Worth’s amenities, continues to attract newcomers to Azle, prompting a gradual but steady growth here. 

Azle is a friendly, serene locale with approximately 11,000 people, yet still close enough to the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (population: 6.5 million) to give you access to the excitement and activities of this major urban hub. Many residents commute to DFW for work or school, using Highway 199, which connects Azle to the regional interstate system.

In addition to the relaxed lifestyle and great outdoors, living in Azle gives you plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment, and services that have contributed to the appeal and the city’s growth.

If Azle sounds like the right choice for you, come take a look at Kimbrough Place, our new community of single-family homes, just a mile from Eagle Mountain Lake and Shady Grove Park.

Decatur

The small city of Decatur is a few miles from Springtown, 25 miles northwest of Fort Worth, and 45 miles from Dallas. In recent years, Decatur has experienced growth as more people recognize the value of having easy access to both cities and still live the rural life in an area that clearly represents small-town pride.

The downtown area is populated with locally owned shops, restaurants, and small businesses, as well as historical buildings, like the Petrified Wood Gas Station, The Waggoner Mansion, and Wise County Courthouse. The Chamber of Commerce is an active group here and organizes events throughout the year, like Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square, Chisholm Trail Days, and Paint the Town Pink, which celebrates breast cancer survivors.

We currently build new homes in two communities in Decatur: Hillcrest Meadows and Singletree Estates. Both neighborhoods offer one-acre homesites and beautifully designed new homes.

Gainesville

About 65 miles north of Fort Worth and 71 miles from Dallas, Gainesville is a wonderful suburb with so much to offer. In addition to numerous parks, residents take advantage of the many recreational amenities here: The Frank Buck Zoo, Home Grown Hero Walking Trail, Leonard Park Aquatic Center, recreation programs for children and adults, the miniature Frankie Schmitz Express Train, and the Dog Depot at Heritage Park. Denton and Sherman are next to Gainesville, providing even more resources and things to do.

In addition to its population of 16,000, Gainesville is a college town, with the main campus of North Texas Central College located here. The two-year college offers continuing education and personal enrichment programs, a real plus for Gainesville residents.

Next week, we’ll guide you through some other noteworthy DFW suburbs. In the meantime, feel free to talk to Rachel at Riverside Homebuilders. She can give you details about the communities, the types of homes we build, our new construction homes for sale now, the building process, and much more!




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*Promotional rate applies to contracts written for a limited time on select homes that close by 11/30/2026.

Buydown Schedule:

*FHA – YR 1 2.99% - YR 2 3.99% - YR 3 4.99% - YR 4-30 5.99% (6.540% APR) based on 3.5% down payment

*VA – YR 1 2.99% - YR 2 3.99% - YR 3 4.99% - YR 4-30 5.99% (6.608% APR) based on 0% down payment

Monthly principal and interest payments paid by the borrower per $1,000 borrowed: FHA/VA—12 payments of $4.21, followed by 12 payments of $4.77, 12 payments of $5.36, and 324 payments of $5.99. Payments exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, and applicable mortgage insurance or annual guarantee fees; actual payment obligations will be higher.

Offer valid for new contracts on select inventory homes that close on or before 11/30/2026. 5.99% fixed rate with temporary buydown cannot be combined with other offers. FHA Loan APR 6.540% based on available rates as of 9/29/26 with FICO score of 680, Sales Price of $450,000 and 3.5% down payment on a FHA 30 yr fixed term. VA Loan APR 6.608% based on available rates as of 9/29/26 with FICO score of 680, Sales Price of $450,000 and 0% down payment on a VA 30 yr fixed term. All Financing and Rate incentives are based on FHA/VA loans and only valid for customers using Builder Mortgage Direct, a D/B/A of SFMC, LP NMLS # 166487 until rates expire. Offer excludes Bond/Down Payment Assistance loans. Offer subject to credit approval, not all borrowers will qualify. Additional Closing Cost amounts, if any, are dependent on the structure of the loan buyer chooses and are the responsibility of the buyer. Other rate options are available. Seller credit cannot exceed actual closing costs and any unused amounts that cannot be applied will be forfeited. This offer is subject to change or to be discontinued at any time without prior notice. Please contact your Riverside Homebuilders Sales Counselor for further details. Additional adjustments may apply for credit scores below 680.”