Single Mom to move to Park Cities? (Houston, Dallas: insurance, daycare)

[mami2emily]

Originally Posted by Vicman

I wish all of HP had the best of both worlds, where one could be zoned to Highland Park schools, but also had the option to send kids into Dallas magnets.

And I would love to be able to fully use the Dallas Public Library system, instead of only being able to borrow 5 items at a time through Texas Share. The UP library system leaves much to be desired unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Southern1979

Thank you!

Does the "Golden Corridor" have a north/south boundry?

While being in the " golden corridor" is the ideal, do not be limited by that. We live 1 1/2 blocks east of the "corridor.". What I have noticed is the great number of kids who walk or bike even if they are outside it. In the mornings/afternoons there are countless crossing guards up and down Hillcrest to help with the crossings. I am assuming it is similar on the Preston end, although that is a wider, busier road.

When school isn't in session, between all the crosswalks and the strict enforcement of speed limits by the ever present UP Police the kids seem to have no problem.

[Vicman]

In the Houston area, Houston Public Library, Harris County Library, and the City of Bellaire have agreements with each other. I can get full fledged library cards at all three, so I can use them all three (Several years ago I drove up to area branches of HCPL and Bellaire and got cards for them).

What agreements do the Dallas-area libraries have with each other? Have you tried getting a card at Dallas Public Library?

Originally Posted by mami2emily

And I would love to be able to fully use the Dallas Public Library system, instead of only being able to borrow 5 items at a time through Texas Share. The UP library system leaves much to be desired unfortunately.

For Catholic parishes I used the diocese's parish finder, with Highland Park's zip code. Here are parishes within three miles of the HP zip code:
* Christ the King Parish: 8017 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75225 - 1.9 miles
* Holy Trinity Parish: 3826 Gilbert Ave. Dallas, TX 75219 - 2 miles
* St. Peter the Apostle: 2907 Woodall Rodgers Fwy. Dallas, TX 75204 - 2.5 miles
* St. Thomas Aquinas Parish: 6306 Kenwood Avenue Dallas, TX 75214 - 2.8 miles
* Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 7617 Cortland Avenue Dallas, TX 75235 - 3 miles

[mami2emily]

Originally Posted by Vicman

What agreements do the Dallas-area libraries have with each other? Have you tried getting a card at Dallas Public Library

My street address does not qualify me for a card at Dallas Public Library, even though for mailing purposes my address is Dallas, TX. University Park is considered a separate city. Both library systems participate in the Texas Share program, which means I can borrow books from any Dallas Public Library branch, or any other library system in the Texas Share program. However, I am limited to only 5 items out at a time and I have to renew my Texas Share card every 6 months

My contact at the Skillman-Southwestern branch assures me DPL does not set those limitations, they are set by the state.

The main reason it is a constant source of frustration for me is because I am a preschool teacher and use a wide variety of books during the school year. Always easier to find what I am looking for in a big library system. Hmmmm...I am thinking my kids need to get Texas Share cards and that will triple our limit...

[jennifw]

Back to the OP from the arguing over HP vs. UP

You might also look at Lakewood. It is east of 75/Central, near White Rock Lake. The specific borders are Mockingbird / Gaston and Abrams/the Lake. All of the homes won't be as affluent as HP/UP, but there is a great number of nice homes and a great sense of community. The major streets with the "nicest" homes in my opinion are Lakewood Blvd, Tokalon and Bob-o-Link. There are a few tucked in streets (Nonesuch Way, I think) with some really lovely homes. Right around the Elementary school, you will find a lot of new construction while most of the other homes are renovated older homes from the 20s/30s.

I won't get into the private/public debate about Lakewood, but a large percentage of the neighborhood Catholic children go to St. Thomas Aquinas school which is in the neighborhood. It goes to 8th grade where children then transfer to a Catholic High School (or other). A lot of kids go to Bishop Lynch, Ursuline (girls) and Jesuit (boys).

The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA is a great way to meet people as is the Lakewood Service League. (like Junior League but local org focused on East Dallas) You might also look at the Lakewood Country Club. Not sure if it is an "old boys club" like many of the others.

Zipcode to search is 75214.

Good luck with your move/decision.

[Squirl]

I cannot think of a single reason that a person who can purchase a home up to 4 mil, doesn't plan on working, has 2 children and doesn't know a soul in DFW would move here. The weather stinks a full 40% of the year and the geography is far inferior to many parts of the US. People choose to live here for family connections or employment reasons. Find yourself a better place to live!

[nonexpat]

Originally Posted by Squirl

I cannot think of a single reason that a person who can purchase a home up to 4 mil, doesn't plan on working, has 2 children and doesn't know a soul in DFW would move here. The weather stinks a full 40% of the year and the geography is far inferior to many parts of the US. People choose to live here for family connections or employment reasons. Find yourself a better place to live!

I was also wondering about the choice, but she did say she is a "very conservative lady" and that she is southern--this might explain her thought process. I would choose Boston, Chicago or somewhere in California if I were her, but I'm not "very conservative" and I prefer cool or cold to hotter than H@ll.

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by nonexpat

I was also wondering about the choice, but she did say she is a "very conservative lady" and that she is southern--this might explain her thought process. I would choose Boston, Chicago or somewhere in California if I were her, but I'm not "very conservative" and I prefer cool or cold to hotter than H@ll.

Asheville or Charlotte are southern......(beautiful)
Jacksonville, FL is southern (ocean)
Little Rock, AK is southern (beautiful) also, conservative w/Universities....
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Salt Lake City
Provo
Portland.....

lots of better places!

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by Squirl

I cannot think of a single reason that a person who can purchase a home up to 4 mil, doesn't plan on working, has 2 children and doesn't know a soul in DFW would move here. The weather stinks a full 40% of the year and the geography is far inferior to many parts of the US. People choose to live here for family connections or employment reasons. Find yourself a better place to live!

LOL. Like where?

Outside of the South, where among the local elite is a Conservative Catholic welcome?

And after a divorce, who does not want a fresh start?

[GreyDay]

Are you the same folks that get all fidgety when the minister says 'speak now of forever hold your peace'?

Dallas or Park Cities are perfectly fine if you've got the means, are looking to start over and raise young children. It's not Pasadena. But it ain't Little Rock either.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by GreyDay

Are you the same folks that get all fidgety when the minister says 'speak now of forever hold your peace'?

Dallas or Park Cities are perfectly fine if you've got the means, are looking to start over and raise young children. It's not Pasadena. But it ain't Detroit either.

Agreed. OP clearly stated she's southern & conservative and obviously wants to live in the city, but in the great schools/affluent enclave. There are few sunbelt/ Bible belt cities with enclaves that meets that criteria -> the Buckhead part of Atlanta, Mountain Brook in Birmingham, ??? For all we know, OP may be moving away from someplace like Buckhead which would be an obvious suggestion.

The Park Cities are a wonderful place to raise a family and meet all of her criteria. Plus, if one has loads of time to volunteer in the schools & community OR loads of cash to get on the charity event/underwriting circuit, it's vey easy to get plugged in to the community and be at home there. (A lot easier than a single parent with a high stress, long hours job and a nanny who shuttles kids around from 8am to 8pm- though plenty of those types live in the Park Cities too.) Lucky for OP, she's in the rather rare position of having time AND money, so it should be quite easy to make a new home & start in the Park Cities.

It's the singular best real estate to sink up to $4M into in the Dallas area- the trifecta of schools, city services/safety, and location.