Elena R.

This will come up at the next city council meeting for sure.

TSAHC grant is real and it's a GRANT — you don't pay it back. Combined with a 3.5% FHA loan, we got into our Rowlett home with less than $8K out of pocket on a $320K house.

Cotton Patch chicken fried steak is the size of a small child. Bring your appetite or plan to take half home.

Napoli's is a Rowlett institution. My family has been going there for 15 years. The owner still walks around and checks on tables. That does not happen at chains.

Rockwall resident here. The restaurant scene is better but your property tax bill will make you cry. My 2,400 sq ft house in Rockwall is taxed higher than my buddy's 3,000 sq ft in Rowlett.

The "what hasn't changed" section hits home. My kids still ride bikes to their friends' houses. I still wave at my neighbors. We still go to the Rowlett-Lakeview football game. The growth is real but the community is real too.

The rec center weight room in July is a sauna. I'm not exaggerating. Bring a towel and two water bottles. But at $25/mo with pool access, you can't beat it.

Interesting perspective. I see it differently from the Fort Worth side.

CareNow on Lakeview is fine for basic stuff but if you need anything beyond a strep test, go to Lake Pointe ER in Rockwall. CareNow sent me there twice anyway.

Lost a small dog to a coyote in 2023 in The Shores neighborhood. She was in the backyard for 10 minutes. I'm not sharing this for sympathy — I'm sharing it so nobody else makes the same mistake. Don't leave small pets outside alone. Period.

I take my dog to Paddle Point for the sunset walk every evening. It's become my daily decompression. The combination of water, sky, and space is therapeutic. Rowlett residents don't appreciate how special lake access is until they leave.

I proposed to my wife on the Bayside promenade at sunset. She said yes. This spot has real magic.

Not something I expected to read today but glad I did.

The Shores is beautiful but that HOA is $200+/month on top of your mortgage. Factor that in before you fall in love with the lake views.

The unequal appraisal argument is the cheat code. I found 4 houses on my street in Dalrock Ranch appraised $30K-$50K less than mine with the same specs. The appraiser adjusted mine down immediately at the informal hearing.

Sharing this with my neighbors. They need to see this.

Third-party inspection on new construction is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Our inspector found 23 items the builder's inspector missed, including a plumbing issue that would have caused a leak within a year. Best $450 I've ever spent.

VBS is a cheat code for free summer activities. Lakepointe Church does an incredible week-long program with crafts, music, snacks — all free. Registration opens in April and fills up fast.

Harry Myers in Rockwall is worth the 12-minute drive. Shaded, clean, and the regulars are friendly. My dog's favorite place.

Investor here — I own two rental properties in this area. Demand is strong, especially from young professionals who want DART access. Rents have climbed 25% in 3 years. The fundamentals are solid.

The DART station walking distance is huge and most people don't appreciate it. I take the Blue Line to work downtown. No traffic, no gas, no parking fees. That's $300+/month in savings vs driving.

The no-HOA sections are a double-edged sword. Freedom is great but you do see the occasional yard that hasn't been mowed in a month. Overall the neighborhood maintains itself well through pride of ownership, but there are exceptions.

I run the Bayside promenade every morning. The sunrise over Lake Ray Hubbard from that trail is genuinely one of the most beautiful things in DFW. Not an exaggeration.

The Chiesa Rd construction right now is painful. Detours add 10 minutes to my commute. But I keep reminding myself it's being rebuilt specifically to support Sapphire Bay and Bayside growth. Temporary pain.

Anyone know if there's a Rowlett adult rec sports league? All this high school sports talk makes me miss playing. Would love a men's basketball or soccer league.

Brianna Okonkwo at Lakeview is a special talent. Going from 12 wins to 26 wins in one year doesn't happen without a transcendent player. Texas State got a good one.