I'm a So Cal native (greater L.A.), lived in eastern Fort Worth near Burleson off 35W in the early 70's, as a kid. Still have a few relatives in Burleson and Alvarado. I loved it there, off course I was a kid then. I have been there for a couple of weeks at a time in the last few years. All of my part of the family land has long been sold off, but I still think about living out in the country on several acres. If I could find much country left in that area.
Lots of growth and overdevelopment. What the heck happend to the one horse town of Mansfield?
I second the renting for a year and getting to know the different areas.