Relocating From Atlanta... Where to buy? (Dallas, Carrollton: real estate, to rent, homes)

[ktskittle]

I will be relocating to Dallas from Atlanta. DH will be working near the Love Field Airport, and we prefer a commute of 30 minutes or less. That being said, we would like to live somewhere that is family friendly as we will be having kids during the next coupe years. Good schools are important... I am a teacher so I will be looking for work as well. It would be nice to live somewhere "walkable", but I am sure that a nice home in those areas would be well above our price range. We would like to buy around 200k, but have a nice (preferably newer or updated.) I tend to like either really old homes or 90's or newer homes. For some reason the middle doesn't appeal to me. We will ultimately push for a home with a pool, and hubby wants to have a somewhat short drive to a lake to take out the boat. We were thinking carrollton, richardson, lewisville??? Any feedback or suggestions. How long would a lovefield lewisville commute be?

[racehorse]

If you're looking in the Carrollton area and want good schools, I suggest you conduct your real estate listing searches in zip codes 75007 and 75010, as those zip codes have the better schools and actually feed into the Lewisville Independent School District, which is on the whole better than the Carrollton Farmers Branch School District. There are some exceptions to the rule in 75006, but it requires more digging and research to find them. I have lived in the area for 10 years, first in Carrollton and now in Castle Hills (just across the northern border in Lewisville). I'm less familiar with the Lewisville neighborhoods outside of my own, and don't know Richardson very well at all.

Our new neighborhood is very family-friendly but I believe it would be out of your price range. I've heard good things about the Meridian neighborhood in Lewisville.

[Lakewooder]

If you want the really old homes and 'walkable' check out 75206, 75214 and 75223. You are going to be on the low end for those neighborhoods but most of them are served by excellent schools and there is a good chance of appreciation. $250K would be a better starter home range. The northern part of 75206 would be any easy trip to Love Field via Mockingbird or University - maybe 15 minutes. In those neighborhoods you would also be neighbors with a wide variety of people, including some very affluent families that you may not find in other areas.

[TurtleCreek80]

I would HIGHLY suggest you look in the city of Dallas vs suburbs. A great neighborhood for your price point is Sparkman Club Estates - it's a 1950's hood filled with remodeled homes and it has a community pool, tennis courts. & clubhouse. It's a very social neighborhood! The schools zoned to the neighborhood (Degoyler, Marsh & White) are among the best in Dallas ISD. Degoyler is an Exemplary-rated elementary school and White is the top-rated non-magnet high school in DISD (Recognized). It has a stellar AP program.

The neighborhood is located at Marsh & Royal, about 3 miles (5-10 minutes max) north of Love Field. Hubby would have a straight shot down Marsh- no tollroads or highway driving needed!

Look up some of these listings and see what you think-->
10623 Royal Club Lane Dallas, TX 75229 4 bed/ 2 bath/ 1851sf/ $179,900

3253 Galahad Drive Dallas, TX 75229 3 bed/ 2 bath / 2210sf / $259,000

Also, be aware of our state's budget crisis. Most school district's funding is being cut by about 8-10% for the next several years. Many teachers will be laid off this summer and open positions won't be filled. If your family is dependent on your income to purchase a home, you will probably want to rent in case you do not find employment here.