You don’t have to leave the city of Fort Worth in order to enjoy the beauty and activities available when you live near or on a lake. Fort Worth features 5 urban lakes, each of which have a specific purpose and can be utilized for a wide variety of outdoor activities. In this article, we will delve into each lake, providing in-depth detail of the surrounding areas, housing costs, and what makes each urban lake special.
What Makes the Urban Lakes Different from Other Fort Worth Lakes?
The biggest difference between the lakes we’ve covered in previous articles and the urban lakes are that there are almost no homes located near the shore of the urban lakes. Despite this difference, the lakes are still incredibly appealing, and as you’ll see, there are several homes for sale within 2-3 blocks of each urban lake, and residents near the lake can still enjoy many of the activities and amenities offered at the larger lakes surrounding Fort Worth.
French Lake
Located about 13 miles southwest of Fort Worth is the 3-acre urban lake known as French Lake. This is the neighborhood and area I grew up in, near the Candleridge area, and I have nothing but fond memories of this fantastic lakeside community, with frequent visits spent near the lake. One of the best features of French Lake is its ease of accessibility; Hulen Street, one of Fort Worth’s main streets, runs all the way north into Rivercrest Country Club (which we covered in detail in our Fort Worth Golf Properties articles) and into the historic Camp Bowie District. The homes for sale near French Lake feature traditional-style construction and are amongst the more affordable homes near a lake, starting at around $80 per square foot, with homes in the Candleridge area not exceeding $120 per square foot.
Candleridge Park surrounds French Lake, and is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors around your neighbors. You and your family can take a walk or run on the path, picnic areas and a playground. Other parks near French Lake include Kingswood Park, located within the Candle Ridge West subdivision, and the Wedgwood-neighborhood Rosenthal Park.
Just about all the shopping and dining you will ever need can be found in the shopping centers at the intersection of Altamesa Blvd and McCart Ave. Any grocery needs are within your reach at Kroger, one of the biggest supermarket chains in the country, and Big Lots is ideal for everything from household furnishings to bedding and other discontinued gems. The most popular fast food restaurants can be found in the area, including McDonald’s, Popeye’s Chicken, Whataburger, and Chick-Fil-A. Stay fit at the LA Fitness, or have a fun night of bowling at Brunswick Zone Westcreek Lanes, which has been in the area for as long as I can remember, and probably longer.
Echo Lake
About six miles south of downtown Fort Worth, right next to the Interstate 35W, is Echo Lake. The area surrounding Echo Lake continues to expand and improve, and there are several lots of land for sale, perfect for those who desire to build their custom home of their dreams. If you are in search of a home near Echo Lake that is ready for move-in, you can easily find one at an affordable price, starting at about $90 per square foot.
One of the highlight features around the Echo Lake area is the Worth Heights Community Center. Amenities of the community center include after-school programs and a wide variety of athletic and fitness programs.
Residents near Echo Lake have convenient access to an incredible assortment of ethnic cuisines, with many of the restaurants being local and family-owned. Gia Phu Vietnamese Restaurant features simple, straightforward yet delicious cuisine, while Taqueria Chely’s is a local favorite for those craving authentic Mexican fare. North Texas is full of amazing barbecue restaurants, and Robinson’s Barbeque is one of the area’s most popular.
Homes for sale near Fosdic Lake
Fosdic Lake is about five miles east of the heart of Fort Worth, just south of Interstate 30. Surrounded by Oakland Lake Park, the homes for sale around Fosdic Lake are considerably older compared to other lakeside subdivisions, but can be found at a bargain starting at around $60 per square foot. Homes that have been renovated and available for sale command prices well above $100 per square foot, making it an ideal location for an investor looking to make a profit.
One of the largest and most popular parks in the Fort Worth area is not too far from Fosdic Lake. Featuring a wide variety of baseball and fast pitch softball leagues, along with plenty of fields to accommodate them, Gateway Ball Park is the place for the baseball and softball players in your household. Meadowbrook Golf Club, a Fort Worth municipal golf course, is also in close proximity to the Fosdic Lake area, and is perfect for golfers of all skill levels.
Plenty of local and regional restaurants can be found in the area surrounding Fosdic Lake. Lisa’s Chicken is a popular regional chain, as is the Waffle House directly across from Lisa’s. Get your java fix at the local favorite Coffee Folk, or enjoy some delicious Mexican fare at La Rueda. If you’re in the mood for a hamburger, there are several options toward the southern end of the Meadowbrook community, including Griff’s, McDonald’s, and Whataburger.
Homes for Sale near Lake Como
Lake Como, which was named after the infamous Italian town, is about 15 minutes west of downtown Fort Worth and a great place to find an affordable home for sale. Prospective buyers can find a home for sale near Lake Como for about $100 per square foot, and with a little updating and renovation, these cheaper properties can turn into a great rental home or produce a nice return on investment when it goes back on the market. Homes ready for move-in near Lake Como can be found for approximately $140 per square foot. Not too far from Lake Como are several new homes in the process of being completed. These new builds are available currently priced between $220-$240 per square foot. Not only are these new homes beautiful, but they will certainly make the surrounding areas more desirable and could very easily increase demand and the equity of homes in the area.
At nearly 60 acres, Lake Como Park is one of the largest community parks in the city of Fort Worth. The nearby lake is ideal for a morning or afternoon of fishing, there are also plenty of basketball and tennis courts, as well as picnic tables to round out a great day in the outdoors.
Residents near Lake Como are within a 5 mile radius of an incredible assortment of grocery stores, shops, and restaurants to choose from. Central Market, an ideal place for those who love gourmet meats, cheeses and wine, is located in the Chapel Hill Shopping Center. Other great stores within the Chapel Hill Shopping Center include The Container Store, New Balance, and Cost Plus World Market. You can also find tasty food no matter the time of day at this shopping center, such as Pho Noodle and Grill, Mi Cocina, and Buttons.
Homes for Sale near Greenbriar Lake
The last of the urban lakes in Fort Worth is roughly 8 miles south of downtown, and is similar in size to French Lake. Located within the North Greenbriar subdivision, the homes for sale near Greenbriar Lake are perfect for finding an investment property, with fixer-upper homes starting at around $75 per square foot. Homes ready for move-in can be found for less than $100 per square foot, but even these can be renovated with contemporary interiors to make them stand out from those in the neighborhood. Residents near Greenbriar Lake enjoy convenient location to two major Fort Worth highways: Interstate 20 and Interstate 35W. As the city continues to grow, homes near major highways will increase in value, especially for those with longer commutes to and from the city.
Greenbriar Lake is connected to Greenbriar Park, which is next to the Greenbriar Community Center. While many park visitors enjoy the lake for fishing, the outdoor fun doesn’t stop there: Greenbriar Park features an 18-hole disc golf course, a baseball field, playground, and picnic facilities. The Community Center offers a variety of classes, sports leagues, and activities for residents of all ages.
There are a plethora of various activities available for those who live in the Greenbriar Lake area. Crowley Road BingoPlex is in South Greenbriar and considered one of the best bingo halls in the state. You can also find a couple of pool halls in the area: Fast Freddy’s and Puckett’s Pool Hall. For a more family-friendly atmosphere, Brunswick Zone Westcreek Lanes is less than ten minutes away and features several bowling lanes and a large arcade. As is the case with the majority of Fort Worth neighborhoods, the restaurant options in the Greenbriar Lake area are amazing. Enjoy a tasty hamburger at the burger, or find some delicious Mexican food at Taqueria La Super Sabrosa.
We hope you find the urban lakes surrounding Fort Worth an appealing place to find your next investment property or long-term home. The Chicotsky Real Estate Group is dedicated to making the home-buying process as easy and streamlined as possible, and we are looking forward to serving your Fort Worth Real Estate needs!
