KnowYard Community

Can you hold the dining table for me? I am working Saturday morning but can come by at noon. Will pay full asking price.

The city NEEDS to add lighting between the station and Main Street. Walking to my car at 7 PM in winter when it is dark is sketchy. It is only a few hundred yards but it is poorly lit.

I moved to Rowlett specifically because of the DART station. My office is near West End station. 35-minute ride, I read a book, I arrive at work relaxed instead of angry from traffic. The $96 monthly pass pays for itself in sanity alone.

Bus routes in Rowlett are long if you live near the lake and your kid goes to a school inland. My son's bus ride to Coyle is 35 minutes because of the lakefront geography. Something to consider if you are buying.

For anyone getting a catalytic converter shield, the CatClamp and MillerCAT brands both work well. Installed one on my Tacoma after the thefts started. $250 for peace of mind.

I am one of the Liberty Grove victims. My Toyota Tundra was hit in February. $1,800 to replace the converter. I am glad this guy is caught but I am not getting that money back.

Population growth from 57K to 68K with better infrastructure and better housing stock. That is the definition of smart growth. Rowlett got lucky that the rebuild forced modernization.

Park in the garage if you have one. If you don't, park in the most well-lit area possible. Motion sensor light aimed at where you park helps too.

Solar panels with battery backup. Not cheap but after 2 summers of anxiety I made the investment. When ERCOT asks me to conserve, I just switch to battery. Independence from this grid is priceless.

I watched someone walk out of a store with a full cart last week. Employees didn't even react. They're told not to intervene. I don't blame them — not worth getting hurt over merchandise.

I will say this: Texas drivers are aggressive but they commit. It's the hesitant drivers from other states merging at 40mph who cause the real accidents.

Starting salary in my district is $52K. Starting salary at Buc-ee's is $50K. With less stress, less responsibility, and no papers to grade at home. That tells you everything about how we value teachers.

I've protested every year for 5 years in Rowlett. Won every single time. The lowest savings was $350/year and the highest was $1,400/year. There is NO reason not to protest.

Check the TxDOT project tracker website. You can see the actual contract, budget, and timeline. It won't make you feel better but at least you'll know when to expect relief.

The real issue is that organized retail theft rings are running operations, not random people stealing food. They resell on Amazon and Facebook Marketplace. It's a business.

Fair warning on the older homes: get a foundation inspection. Some of the homes in this area are on pier and beam and have settled significantly. Foundation repair can be $10K-$20K. Know what you're buying.

Church and mutual friends are how most people here meet. I know that's not helpful if you're not religious but that's honestly the reality.

The distance thing is the real killer. I refuse to date anyone more than 20 minutes away. In Texas that eliminates like 80% of the population.

Package lockbox on the porch. $80 on Amazon. You put a sign on it that says "delivery drivers: please place packages inside." Works 95% of the time. Haven't had a theft since.

Through friends or through hobbies. Join a sports league, a gym, a climbing wall, something. The apps are a wasteland everywhere, not just here.

I switched from a truck to a sedan specifically because of gas costs. Went from $400/month to $180/month. I miss the truck but I don't miss being broke.

Look for shops that have been in the same location for 10+ years. If they've survived that long without moving, their reputation is keeping them alive. That's the best signal.

Dog park if you have a dog. I've made more friends through my dog in 6 months than I made on my own in a year. Dogs are social lubricant.

Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Prius are the most targeted. Higher ground clearance = easier access, and Toyota cats have more precious metals. If you own one of these, you're a target.

The distance thing is the real killer. I refuse to date anyone more than 20 minutes away. In Texas that eliminates like 80% of the population.