Current Frisco'ite' looking to escape to Lakewood (Dallas, Highland Park: best neighborhood, violent crime)
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We've lived in Frisco for almost 8 years now and have seen it change so much; as have we.
We moved from Atlanta (but I went to UNT) - so picked Frisco as it was safe, clean and was very friendly. Of course some of the downside is that it can be very elitist, conservative and lately 'unfriendly' - and is so far away from the city. We also LOVE eclectic, funky things and that is hard to find up this way.
We now have a child entering Kindergarten and have a business of our own which requires frequent drives into Dallas.
We were originally looking in UP, HP - but the prices are just way too high and they are MORE elitist that Frisco. I DO like the crime stats and school ratings there though as those things are VERY important to me.
My eyes were recently opened up to Lakewood and we have driven around down there a bit and we love it. My husband is an avid runner and loves to run at White Rock Lake (which is a haul from here). =)
So my questions are:
1. Safety in Lakewood?? - It SEEMS safe and everyone looks happy there, but you never know and I am trying not to be ignorant. =) But do kids run around and play outside?
2. Schools? The Elementary schools (Lakewood and Jackson) seem really good - but I have heard differing opinions on the Middle School, High School
3. Liberal and inclusive? We would sooo love that as we are non-christian Democrats (very rare birds up here)
4. Friendly? Do the neighbors hang out outside and talk or does everyone keep to themselves?
5. What kind of issues do we face with an older house? We would buy one already fixed up - but cosmetics can be deceiving.
Sorry if I seem naive (lol) - but I have been tucked away in the 'burbs now for so many years and have heard all of the inner-city propoganda.
My husband is an avid runner and loves to run at White Rock Lake (which is a haul from here). =)
Have him check out the Run On on Mockingbird--they are sort of the nucleus of an awesome running community in this area.
As far as safety, we live in the M-Streets area "on the edge of the abyss" (i.e. it gets nasty two streets over) and I feel pretty safe. When I get up to go to running class in the morning, I make sure my husband sees that I get to the car safely because I have seen some interesting characters walking around at 5 am on the way there, but it's just a precaution. Lakewood proper seems even safer than where we are.
1. Safety in Lakewood?? - It SEEMS safe and everyone looks happy there, but you never know and I am trying not to be ignorant. =) But do kids run around and play outside?
It is perfectly safe. My reporting area had 7 crimes reported last year. Most of which involve teenagers stealing yard equipment or "breaking in" to an unlocked car.
Kids run around a lot and play outside, especially since there are no major streets in Lakewood proper.
I had similar concerns as you. I grew up in Highland Park and was told it was safer than any place else. But crime in Lakewood really hasn't been a problem.
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2. Schools? The Elementary schools (Lakewood and Jackson) seem really good - but I have heard differing opinions on the Middle School, High School
The elementary school gets very high marks and reminds me a lot of Bradfield in Highland Park. I've heard similar reviews of the middle and high school (but I don't have any personal experience). There is a major push amongst Lakewood and Stonewall parents to send their kids to the public schools in the area. I think this will improve the schools going forward and could be a completely different place by the time your kindergartener goes to school there.
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3. Liberal and inclusive? We would sooo love that as we are non-christian Democrats (very rare birds up here)
Yes.
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4. Friendly? Do the neighbors hang out outside and talk or does everyone keep to themselves?
It is weird for someone not to hang out outside or be very close to your neighbors. We've got a very tight, close knit neighborhood where everyone knows everybody -- and they know our relatives and friends as well. People don't want to move once they move in due to the friendliness of neighbors on our street.
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5. What kind of issues do we face with an older house? We would buy one already fixed up - but cosmetics can be deceiving.
Replacing the roof, HVAC, foundation issues in any addition to the house, replacing windows, insulation. But I know people that have had to do that to houses a few years old. We replaced (or the previous owners recently replaced) all of these things.
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Sorry if I seem naive (lol) - but I have been tucked away in the 'burbs now for so many years and have heard all of the inner-city propoganda.
I'm sure Lakewooder will chime in soon, but here are my $.02:
Crime is there but it's 99.9% property crime. If you close your garage, lock your home, and don't leave your handbag or iPod in your car, you'll prevent most of the possible crimes. Very little to no violent crimes- maybe a robbery at gunpoint every year or so.
People are very neighborhoody. Kids play outside and in the neighborhood with no supervision. They explore the creeks and parks, play ball at the school's field, etc. It's safe and there aren't any major traffic streets in Lakewood proper- not one traffic light in the entire neighborhood! Many of my friends who live there are "best friends" with their neighbors- cooking out together on weekends, sharing a glass of wine on the porch at night, working on PTA committees together, etc. There's a real sense of community. Many Lakewooders do go to church but it's more of a live & let live environment than other areas. Probably 50/50 Republican/Democrat.
Lakewood and Stonewall Jackson Elementary are both outstanding. After that, you will have to see where the schools are in 6 years and decide if you want to stay public or go private. As more and more people are priced out of the Park Cities and can't afford the $20-30k price tag for North Dallas private schools, Lakewood becomes more appealing and the school quality continues to increase. I would not worry about 6th grade now when you have a kindergartener. Long and Woodrow will be completely different schools in 6 years just as they are now completely different than they were 6 years ago (new IB program, etc).
Forgot one more thing- as long as an older home has been maintained and inspects well, it should live better than the brand new slab pieces of crap in Frisco. JMHO.
Forgot one more thing- as long as an older home has been maintained and inspects well, it should live better than the brand new slab pieces of crap in Frisco. JMHO.
We've been in the neighborhood for about 3 years, here's my take...
2. Schools? The Elementary schools (Lakewood and Jackson) seem really good - but I have heard differing opinions on the Middle School, High School
You see a good mix of kids going to private and public schools here. The groups intermix a lot...we have friends from all the local schools through sports, church, other friends, etc. Lakewood and Stonewall are very good and get tons of parent support, but very crowded and subject to the DISD nuttiness. Long is improving every year, so it's hard to know what it will be like when you get there. Woodrow is a great school if you're in honors.
3. Liberal and inclusive? We would sooo love that as we are non-christian Democrats (very rare birds up here)
Lots of churchgoers, but it's very low-key. We have friends of all political persuasions, it's the most diverse blend of anyplace I've ever lived. It's nice not to live in an echo chamber!
4. Friendly? Do the neighbors hang out outside and talk or does everyone keep to themselves?
We know all our neighbors, our kids play in the yard constantly, it's the most open friendly neighborhood you could hope for. Kids everywhere - it seems like every house that turns over from an older couple is bought by a family with young kids. Which explains the crowding at Stonewall and Lakewood.
5. What kind of issues do we face with an older house? We would buy one already fixed up - but cosmetics can be deceiving.
Get an inspection and know that systems die in old and new houses, it's just part of the deal!
3. Liberal and inclusive? We would sooo love that as we are non-christian Democrats (very rare birds up here)
As opposed to conservative and exclusive? Granted The Left needs to include as many people into it's social circle as possible so they can then tax you, tell you how to spend your money and ultimately tell you how to live your life. I call them The Beautiful People...
People keeping to themselves and living their lives quietly as they wish, ultimately defining Freedom as individual and collective autonomy is a little slice of heaven for alot of people.
None of that should be a reflection on an entire suburb. BTW, I do not and more than likely would not live in Frisco. But not for the reasons you mentioned.
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Current Frisco'ite' looking to escape to Lakewood
