The ever-popular Weatherford? (Dallas, Fort Worth, Willow Park: neighborhood, purchasing, college)

[missela]

I'm new to the forum, reading older posts . . . it's interesting how many posts are about Weatherford.

Is it because Weatherford seems to be the most appealing "small town" near the metroplex - to not only locals, but also those looking to move to Texas?

I moved there, back in the early-mid 80s and I really liked it - I remember it having a real clean, laid-back, easy-going feel . . . not knocking it, but the past few times I've been over there, it was obvious those qualities are missing now. Guess that happens whenever there's a big influx of retail growth, along with the inevitable happenings of times.

[loves2read]

I would not say that Weatherford is the MOST appealing small town near the metroplex--
I think many of those posts were asking about horse communities
Weatherford has reputation as being quarter horse town--lots of ranches/trainers there and it is more ranch community than even Aledo/Willow Park which are east of it because they are being taken over by suburban neighborhood growth

[ClarenceBodiker]

Originally Posted by missela

I'm new to the forum, reading older posts . . . it's interesting how many posts are about Weatherford.

Is it because Weatherford seems to be the most appealing "small town" near the metroplex - to not only locals, but also those looking to move to Texas?

I moved there, back in the early-mid 80s and I really liked it - I remember it having a real clean, laid-back, easy-going feel . . . not knocking it, but the past few times I've been over there, it was obvious those qualities are missing now. Guess that happens whenever there's a big influx of retail growth, along with the inevitable happenings of times.

I hear you.


I lived in Weatherford in the mid to late 90's. It still had that small town charm back then. All of that development off of I-20 started right around the time I was leaving. The last time I was in Weatherford, probably a year ago, I didn't even recognize the roads anymore around where my first job was -- over by the Walmart on South Main. There was practically nothing there but a Grandy's, a McDonald's, and a bunch of land inbetween South Main and my subdivision by Weatherford College. Now, I-20 is full of chain restaurants and retail in that area.

In all fairness, it's really only that southern part of town that has blown up. The rest of it still has that small town charm. The traffic, however, it terrible up and down Main Street. Of course, I'm sure my Weatherford that I grew up knowing was different than the one you knew in the '80s. I don't think it was ever the most popular small town in the metroplex, though. That distinction typically goes to whatever the next small town is on the chopping block in Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road's firing path.

Sure, Weatherford has changed some, but there's a lot of positive in that growth. I remember when if you wanted to sit down and eat steak, your choices were limited to a couple of truck stops. (Although, I still love the Iron Skillet ) Overall, I have a lot of positive memories and a few lifelong friends from being a teenager there. I grew up both in urban Fort Worth and Weatherford, and a lot of great memories were created in that town. I would probably consider them the most memorable and influential of my youth.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by missela

I'm new to the forum, reading older posts . . . it's interesting how many posts are about Weatherford.

Is it because Weatherford seems to be the most appealing "small town" near the metroplex - to not only locals, but also those looking to move to Texas?

I moved there, back in the early-mid 80s and I really liked it - I remember it having a real clean, laid-back, easy-going feel . . . not knocking it, but the past few times I've been over there, it was obvious those qualities are missing now. Guess that happens whenever there's a big influx of retail growth, along with the inevitable happenings of times.

I lived in Weatherford for a number of years in the early-mid 2000's. I seriously considered purchasing property and settling there. I went back last fall for a visit and, WOW, what a change! (Not for the better, IMO)