Relocation to Plano, Allen, or McKinney – Rental Questions (Richardson: apartment, rentals)

[Mellowpepper]

I live in North Florida and should be moving to the Plano area very soon (within the month) for a job located in Plano. The question I have for users located this area is how hard is it to find a rental just by driving around neighborhoods in areas we are interested in? I see realtors have many listings for leases… are there a lot of private signs in yards or do most owners use realtors?

[FarNorthDallas]

I think you will have better luck with driving around looking for signs than looking at realtor listings. Rentals are going fast though.

[USA_Mom]

Rentals are going fast, if they are adverstised and/or in busy areas. I have a friend that has 35-40 homes that he owns and rents, but he ONLY uses signs and his will be on the market 2-3 weeks. Another friend of ours is a realtor and he uses signs, as well as puts it in something (I think MLS because you can find his on Realtor.com usually) and his go within a few hours to days--sometimes sight unseen. It's been crazy.

[Mellowpepper]

I flew in and actually drove around the W. Plano area and have to admit it was very nice... almost uncomfortable. I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and live in Panama City, FL at this time. It seems that this area is abnormally clean and I wonder how this translates to children. I make a fair salary I am concerned that my son (starting 9th grade) may feel out-classed. What areas are good for a high school student and doesn't have such enormous homes. We are currently in a 2/2 apartment and would like a 3/2 home that is approx 1500 - 1600 sq feet.

To put it in my sons words is he doesn't want to be surrounded by "preps"

He gets along with almost everyone usually just likes the laid back attitude of general middle class areas.

Does this exist around the Plano area?

[shelbelle72]

West Plano, that's the problem. Big new houses and some sterile looking neighborhoods. Come a little farther into Central Plano and you'll find what you're looking for. The neighborhoods near Vines High School are older, but have the feeling you're looking for. Also check out 75023. There are also some nice neighborhoods in East Plano near Bob Woodruff Park. Don't let the naysayers scare you away from Plano east of Preston Rd. There are wonderful areas here that aren't "McMansion-ville".

[nsumner]

Rentals in Plano go super fast. I put a sign in a yard yesterday and was planning to put in the MLS this afternoon. I already received 2 applications. There is a big shortage on rentals.

You can drive neighborhoods if you have the time but working with a Realtor saves you time too. Rentals usually don't have a flyer, so you have to call and wait for a call back and you don't even know if the house/price meet your needs.

Naima

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by Mellowpepper

I flew in and actually drove around the W. Plano area and have to admit it was very nice... almost uncomfortable. I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and live in Panama City, FL at this time. It seems that this area is abnormally clean and I wonder how this translates to children. I make a fair salary I am concerned that my son (starting 9th grade) may feel out-classed. What areas are good for a high school student and doesn't have such enormous homes. We are currently in a 2/2 apartment and would like a 3/2 home that is approx 1500 - 1600 sq feet.

To put it in my sons words is he doesn't want to be surrounded by "preps"

He gets along with almost everyone usually just likes the laid back attitude of general middle class areas.

Does this exist around the Plano area?

Check Richardson High School.

[Big G]

I'd say a large chunk of Plano fits what you're looking for. As long as you avoid Jasper HS and (especially) Shepton HS, you should be able to avoid the "prep" mentality.

An earlier poster suggested Vines HS - I'd second that. That attendance area, with the exception of a small development in Richardson above the $500K mark, primarily consists of homes in the price range $150K-$250K, with a smattering going up to $300K. You would have no problem finding a 3/2 rental in that area for a reasonable price.

[PlanoGirl]

Agree with other posters. Try older parts of Plano (look at zip 75075 or near Bob Wooddruff park wast of 75). Also parts of Richardson that are close to Plano.

[divanicki75]

Why don't you look for houses to rent on hotpads.com? We've always had good luck there