First things first: It’s not a condo.

That’s a rarity when seeking out a place to live that’s below $200,000. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 517 Magdalen Ave. in Crowley might be a diamond in the rough.

It’s not even a fixer-upper. It’s ready for move-in and boasts a large living room with a brick, wood-burning fireplace.

This Weekend One Hundred selection offers 1,868 square feet of space, including an eat-in kitchen, spacious master suite, and two-car garage. The 6,621-square-foot lot has plenty of room for backyard barbecues.

The traditional home in Tarrant County, built in 2002, is equipped with a washer and dryer and fenced with a security system. Homeowners pay $40 a month to the Coventry Homeowners Association.

Crowley, which has a population of 14,866, received a B- rating from niche.com for places to live, with an A in diversity, B in housing, and B- in “good for families.”

“Crowley is a genuine community,” said Assistant City Manager Jack Thompson. “It’s a tight-knit group. People like a place to live where you know your neighbors.”

A sense of place

Thompson, who also serves as the city’s economic development director, said while the city has in the past been referred to as a “best-kept secret,” he’s trying to change that.

“We’re really working on creating a sense of place,” he said. “We have a Main Street but we’re working on a walkable downtown where people can gather with family and friends. We’re going to take out the open culverts and put in curb, gutter, dedicated bike trails, public art, and a plaza. We’ll hold events there on a regular basis.”

Also on the way? Boo Ray’s New Orleans, a Cajun restaurant that is planning a two-story downtown eatery with a balcony.

“We’re encouraging new development to build up on what will be the sidewalk,” Thompson said.

The city hosts an annual Celebration of Freedom event in July with food trucks and fireworks at Bicentennial Park. Movies in the park also are held over the summer.

School Days

Crowley ISD schools in the area include Deer Creek Elementary, which met Texas Education Agency standards in student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps, but needs improvement in the academic growth category.

H.F. Stevens Middle School fared a little better in the TEA ratings, meeting all standards, but not earning any distinction designations for individual subjects.

High schoolers in the area will attend Crowley High, which met all TEA standards and earned a distinction designation in comparative academic growth.

According to its community profile, the area’s largest employer is Crowley ISD, followed by Harbison Fischer, which makes oil field pumps and components.

Drive Time

The Magdalen Avenue home is about two miles from Kroger and just over four miles from an H-E-B. Plenty of restaurants are in the area, and a quick 10-minute jaunt to downtown Fort Worth isn’t out of the question.

“It’s a great location,” Thompson said. “Crowley Road is a good thoroughfare that doesn’t get backed up. We’re close to some good work areas. Mixed use, office, retail, and restaurants are our focus. It’s an exciting time to be in Crowley.”

The Christian Group with Keller Williams Realty Fort Worth listed 517 Magdalen Ave. for $190,000.

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