Need advice choosing a community in North Dallas (Plano, Carrollton: condo, houses)

[movnfromplano]

Help! My husband and I will be moving out of our 2 bedroom condo in Plano (when it sells!) and are having the WORST time trying to decide on an area. I work in Las Colinas, my daughter goes to private school in Farmers Branch, my nanny for my youngest lives in Carrollton...so we have considered Carrollton, Flower Mound, Las Colinas, Coppell, Lewisville, Frisco, Celina, Plano, seriously - all of these places. With the cars, schools, child care, etc. our budget is $180K max but my taste is $500K so thats our first problem. Second, I want to live in a community with friendly neighbors that still enjoy getting out in Dallas. We are considering some master planned communities in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Little Elm but am terrified of feeling stuck out in the sticks. Any advice?

[sonshinelife]

I'm not quite sure I'd consider the areas you mentioned as the sticks. Things are drastically different than they were just 10 years ago. There are all kinds of stores, roads, etc. out those directions these days. I say go with your heart and don't settle. Keep looking until you find what you want for the amount you are considering. Just don't go over what your budget is. I think this is where too many people go wrong. Have you ever considered buying a previously owned home? Maybe you could find something more your taste, within your budget.

Also, food for thought... have you ever consdered going from private to public schools? There are many quality schools in some of the places you mention that would allow you to up your anty a little. (I'm not trying to start a debate on public vs. private...just wanting to throw this into your equation.)

[movnfromplano]

Well we are going to choose a community with a good school district as a backup - especially for high school. But we LOVE the private school so we'd rather sacrifice the house for the school. I think you hit it on the nose - that we're going to have to keep looking until something pops out at us. We've checked out all those areas, so I guess it will come down to the house we find...thanks!

[sonshinelife]

sounds like you guys have a good plan in place... good luck

[thefatneck]

No one really seems to respond to the N. Dallas area questions.I am looking for some info too and keep having to post to put it back on the top!Good luck.

[socketz]

What about staying in West Plano ? Have you looked at the smaller homes in the area behind the Tom Thumb/24 Hour Fitness at Park/Preston. My son goes to school back there and the homes are older/smaller and right around 200k. Nice community and very centrally located (190 is right there for the commute to FB, park to Hebron willl take you into Carrollton)

[FarNorthDallas]

Just to clarify, the term North Dallas refers to the part of town from downtown Dallas north to LBJ Freeway. Far North Dallas is LBJ north to the Dallas city limits. All these cities in Collin County and elsewhere are not North Dallas (I guess they would be north of Dallas).

I know some things about North Dallas, Far North Dallas and west Richardson and try to be helpful regarding those areas, but am not too helpful about other areas like Collin and Denton Counties.

I am saying this because so many questions are about "North Dallas," but really the questions are asking about a much much bigger area.

[Lakewooder]

You hit it right on the nose, FND!

[ISellAddison]

How about Highland Village? The Colony? Corinth?

[OU314]

Carrollton seems like best bet as far as driving distance to the nanny, school, and your job. Maybe something near Carrollton Creekview HS in case you need a public school as a backup. I think the houses out there are nicer compared to a lot of other areas of Carrollton. There's also a nice neighborhood on the NE side of Frankford and Midway that's actually in the Plano school district, but the houses are generally in the $200K range. Not real convenient to Farmers Branch, but an easy drive to Carrollton and Las Colinas via the GB tollway. Addison would be good too - the area south of Beltline and west of Midway - but it might be a little pricey for you. There's some stuff off Frankford west of the GB tollway that might work. Lewisville and Frisco would be really inconvenient to drive to all the places you mentioned.