My retired dad may be moving to Dallas to be near us, where should he live?

[Souleiado]

Plano doesn't have high property taxes , it is actually much lower than cities like Richardson , Carrollton or Addison.Property Tax Rates

[RonnieinDallas]

Far north Dallas midway and Frankford area zipcode 75287. Lots of retired people in the town homes there and I see lots of motorcycles around there. Lots of nice town homes in that price range, and some are 1 story too. It's an easy drive on the North dallas tollway.

The Keller springs condominiums have lots of the AARP crowd. Nice clean property. I'd say the average age is 55 there, but they are active and really nice.

[Smito]

You might look at the Copperfield community in Lake Highlands. It's about 20 minutes from Uptown. Some of the homes may fit his price range. It's a community of patio homes, townhomes (suggest one with a downstairs bedroom) and condominiums.

[loves2read]

Look at a map
Don't know that your dad would want to be in Tarrant county just to save small amount in taxes

Bedford is nice area -- but taxes there are higher than in some other areas -- not exactly sure what the situation is for senior buying a home--thinks their rate is frozen but not appraisal value which could go up
But it is probably a 30 min commute when there is traffic to your area

Finding a part time job might be the place to start for your dad
He should consider where he is most likely to be happy working--what level of income he would need
Some places like Home Depot and Lowes have reputation for hiring older workers
And activities he will likely want to start/continue once he moves here
Might be easier to live where he has access to motorcycle club/group for weekend rides

Maybe he could put stuff in storage and stay with you for short time to get oriented
Or even take longer vacation here before actually moving---try to find a sublet on Craig's List for couple of months
Would not recommend buying someplace right off the bat--too difficult to undo if it is made in haste and becomes unpopular

[ETex2]

For the closest in, I think you'll find that Richardson has a pretty good selection of small single family homes and townhouses in his price range.

[carroll4628]

Don't have him pay a premium for great schools i.e., save those homes for the kiddos ;> Seriously, you can find nice, safe neighborhoods in Richardson and Garland so he doesn't have to live "way out there", unless he wants to live "way out there". There's no reason to pay a premium for an 'explemplary' school (Elem, MS or HS). Yes, you'll want a safe area, but there are some nice (albeit small) homes in south Garland for less than $125k in well kept neighborhoods. (I drive by them almost every day.)

[ggolf]

Why does he feel the need to buy? Is he going to pay cash? Why not rent; it opens up a bunch of options and freedom. There are rental agents here who will show him around and not charge him anything. He can rent a house, townhouse, etc so it's not like an apartment complex. Although there are nice apartment complexes here.

[Lakewooder]

If he could go higher, I would suggest Ridgewood Park (75214). It's full of smaller 50s and 60s ranch homes located just north of the Lakewood Elementary area, so not as pricey. But it still has a great location between North Park, SMU, Greenville Avenue and White Rock Lake. Easy access to Northwest Highway and Central Expressway (about 10 minutes from Uptown). Bikers ride at the lake, meet at Keller's Drive In and go to Lower Greenville Avenue on Sundays. If he wrecks his motorcycle, he's not far from Presbyterian Hospital and Baylor :O