Crazy to not look North of 635 (Dallas, Richardson: to rent, crime, big house)

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by mSooner

I'd say it pretty exclusively depends on your budget. Under $400k? You can probably forget every area within 635 except Richardson.

This is widely thought but just not true, as a blanket statement. It depends on priorities.
Our priorities were good schools, an older established neighborhood, being in the city, being able to walk to parks, some restaurants, coffee shop, having lots of kids around, and being in a diverse area. A big house was NOT a priority for us. We rented in Junius Heights (Lipscomb - Long - Woodrow school pattern) for three years and this month will close on a house six doors down, built in 1921 for under $150,000. It is a smaller home (about 1,500 Sq Feet) but we weren't looking for a big house. Now this is a really good deal but one can easily do it for 180,000+.
Now if you also want good schools, but walkability to restaurants, coffee shoppes, etc is not a priority, and you favour a large house and new construction, over a historic district, or older homes, then north of 635 might suit you better unless you do have more to spend.

[lh_newbie]

Originally Posted by mSooner

I'd say it pretty exclusively depends on your budget. Under $400k? You can probably forget every area within 635 except Richardson.

There are good areas under $400K inside 635. In the L-Streets, you can get a 1300-1400 sq ft place for $200K in great shape and with great schools. Our neighborhood starts around $300K for a 2200 sq ft place in good shape - lower if you want a fixer-upper. Lots of really, REALLY nicely updated/maintained homes in the $350-400K range. We live in 75231 area code.

Brian

[lh_newbie]

To the OP - I know I say this all the time, but trying to figure out where to buy a home while living out of state is completely insane. Move here, rent for 3-6 months. Learn the different areas, then make a much more informed decision. Making the wrong, rash decision based on everyone's input (when everyone has their own agenda) is very expensive and stressful to undo.

Brian

[BellaO]

We have a budget of 750k, but it's tempting to see we could spend a lot less with a longer commute. If we did UP, we would probably go up in budget, but are still looking at a pretty small house. We actually live more in the "country" here in western NJ. It's very pretty, but I have to say I'm tired of driving 20-25 minutes to get to shopping or most restaurants. We have a large lot, 2 acres, and I have to say I'm tired of all that time and upkeep it requires. I grew up in an urban suburb outside of NYC, and a small lot was what I was used to.

Since this is a move to headquarters, we anticipate this as being a move that is for the rest of his career, so we really want to put down roots.

[racehorse]

In my opinion, you should rent for a while, spend some time looking at different areas, then buy.

[hamiltonpl]

Originally Posted by racehorse

In my opinion, you should rent for a while, spend some time looking at different areas, then buy.

I think that's good advice as well.

[Willsson]

Originally Posted by BellaO

We have a budget of 750k, but it's tempting to see we could spend a lot less with a longer commute. If we did UP, we would probably go up in budget, but are still looking at a pretty small house. We actually live more in the "country" here in western NJ. It's very pretty, but I have to say I'm tired of driving 20-25 minutes to get to shopping or most restaurants. We have a large lot, 2 acres, and I have to say I'm tired of all that time and upkeep it requires. I grew up in an urban suburb outside of NYC, and a small lot was what I was used to.

Since this is a move to headquarters, we anticipate this as being a move that is for the rest of his career, so we really want to put down roots.

Also consider, that if co-workers are more urban, who will do the commuting when it comes to socializing? Do co-workers have kids the age of yours? As kids leave home, how much of a yard are you really going to use? And remember, it gets frustratingly hot in late summer. It's 90 degrees in Dallas today.

Also consider the perspectives of the people who will become your neighbors. Dallas is a destination city, people moving in from all across the country, and from more rural towns. Compared to the social interactions to which you are accustomed, are you going to find your place is that suburban outreach or among those who find an urban interaction more appealing.

As your kids grow up and leave, where will you find your social interaction?

Suburban NYC is vastly different from suburban Dallas.

[BellaO]

Originally Posted by racehorse

In my opinion, you should rent for a while, spend some time looking at different areas, then buy.

I know this is the best advice....it's overwheming knowing we could make 2-4 trips down, having to visit towns, and schools, and then the househunting itself, but it's hard to think about moving the kids to another school in a year. I'd have to check out the relo. pkg as well to see if this is possible.

[racehorse]

Seems like most of the expense in the relo is packing your things up and moving them here. Once things are here, moving them from storage to your new home shouldn't be much of an expense. If you can arrange to move right at the end of the school year to some sort of corporate housing, it would give you all summer to scope out places to live.

In some companies, executives tend to live in a few suburbs. In my company, people live all over the place. You might want to find out where a majority of people live.

[momof2dfw]

While many say that within 635 you can not find a new build......... you can. They are few and far between though. Many of these new builds are in older well established neighborhoods that are family friendly, easy access to the highways and downtown, close proximity to the best private schools in the entire Dallas region, etc. And the owners have lived in the original house for a few years and their family has grown and instead of moving to the big shiny new house further from jobs in downtown......... they just rebuild on the lot. In the historic districts one can not do this but in many of the well kept neighborhoods of the older nice, custom, well kept ranch homes you will see a couple of new builds on each block.

You can most likely find a house in these neighborhoods that would fit your budget, be close to shopping, dining, easy commute and good/great schools and family friendly. Not many will be for sale as these are desirable neighborhoods and highly coveted.

Yes, HIGHLY recommend that you rent first and explore your options. Even if your children do have to change schools after you decide where you REALLY want to put down roots that is much better than buying a house in a hasty fashion and coming to regret it in a year or less.