Aubrey, Little Elm, McKinney (Dallas, Denton: house, middle school, pros and cons)

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by caligurltotx

I have a similar problem with a relocation. I am trying to transfer with a gov't agency (USPS) and the fastest way to do it is to take a location that is not in demand. I am a city girl and would prefer to be close to Ft Worth or Dallas. I was told by Personnel they have something in Bridgeport or Pilot Point that nobody else ahead of me has requested.

Bridgeport is definitely out! If I go with Pilot Point which cities are close enough for me to live and feel like I have a city life. I don't want to commute more than 15 miles but if I have to I will. All my friends are going to be in Grapevine, Dallas, and Irving which are way too far for me if I have to work in Pilot Point.

Any input is greatly needed and appreciated.

P.S. Single, no kids, mid 40's.

Thanks!

The closest "city" with anything happening would be Lewisville but it's more than 15 miles. The good news is that you will be going against traffic as you go north to Pilot Point and it's mostly highway...

Lewisville has one of the largest malls, lots of dining and entertainment. Also would be a good place to commute to meet your friends in Irving, Dallas and Grapevine.

Naima

[stargazer]

I hadn't heard back so I thought I post anyways. If your husband's job is off of 121 east of the Toll.. There are some neighborhoods off of 121 near the ball parks in Mckinney that are your price range. That is Frisco schools. You would look it up on Realtor as Mckinney and look for the Frisco School at the bottom to know that is the area.

If the job is going to west, maybe living on the 380 Corridor would be good for you. The 380 corridor has lots of homes that would be in your range. There are other sub divisions too besides Savannah and Providence. The school isd over that way would be Denton, Aubrey, Prosper and some parts are Mckinney.

West of the toll on main which turns to Kings road there are some neighborhoods that way that aren't as new, but nice. I though am not sure about prices..

[vukinjo]

There are some areas of McKinney that are on the west side of 75 in Frisco school district that you may want to check out. You can do some searches on some realtor websites (I like kwfrisco.com) to see what's available in your price range.

[TexasNina83]

We have lived in the northern 'burbs for several years, recently leaving Little Elm due to .... you guessed it, traffic. We lived right on the Little Elm/Frisco border. Now that the tollway has opened up to US 380, the rush hour traffic on El Dorado is horrendous, even more than it was already. It is a two-lane road that is earmarked for expansion, but until it's done (not even slated to start until 2009), it will continue to be a very painful commute to north Frisco/Little Elm. On the up side, new retail/restaurants are cropping up constantly--new Wal-Mart, Super Target, fast food, etc., so you don't have to drive far to do some of your running around. Property tax rates are very good in Little Elm and Frisco (Denton County), though.

FM 423 is even worse. It runs north/south from SH 121 through The Colony, ending at US 380, and also goes down to a single lane in both directions just south of Little Elm. During rush hour, it's stop and go for many miles. Depending on where in Frisco you would want to go, from Aubrey or Pilot Point, it would not be a fun commute, although you would be going against the worst of the traffic flow. Going to Lewisville down I35 might be a bit better, but Lewisville is not as new as Frisco and IMO, not as desirable. It's probably a matter of personal preference. A lot of the overflow from Lewisville is spilling into Flower Mound, a high-end town with lots of growth, but also very bad traffic issues (like Round Grove Road and FM 1171).

On to McKinney--traffic up/down US 75 is rough during rush hour, and most of the side streets can get clogged as well. It is growing like crazy, and US 380 gets pretty backed up even at lunch time. There are some really rough areas in town, (like some areas in east Plano), and I would stay west of US 75, given the choice. The traffic would be better if you didn't have to cross 75. Also, the property tax rate in McKinney is among the highest in the DFW area. There are some very nice areas with parks and trees, although most of the houses sit on small lots, just like most of the other suburbs.

Pilot Point is not really considered a suburb. It is known for horse ranches and the atmosphere is radically different from Little Elm and McKinney, although it's not all that far. Now that US 380 has been expanded, the access to towns like Pilot Point, Aubrey, Prosper, Celina and Gunter has gotten much easier, and the growth in these areas is about to go nuts. A recent article in the big Dallas newspaper predicts Celina (which covers roughly 100 square miles) is going to experience the most growth, since a large east-west road which will connect Preston Road to I35 is expected to go through the center of town, and plans to expand Preston Road are underway. Also, the tollway will eventually go all the way to the Oklahoma border. Celina city leaders are working hard to get the infrastructure in place before this all happens, probably within the next 3-5 years, according to the article. Celina still has a great deal of affordable housing, but that will change before long. Prosper is fairly confined and is known for having higher-end housing on larger lots (mostly acreages). Neither town has much in the way of commerce yet, although Celina has a fairly new Brookshire's grocery store, and Prosper has a new CVS drug store, a strip mall with a Mexican restaurant, and plans for a new Chili's-type restaurant coming soon. Most folks drive to either Frisco or McKinney for their retail and dining needs, but then they are putting up with the very traffic they wanted to avoid when they moved out there. It's definitely going to change soon, though. So far, the tax rate in Celina is lower than McKinney and Prosper, and if they are able to attract major retail and business like Frisco has done, it should stay that way.

Pilot Point is nice, the people are friendly, but it won't be the social setting you might want unless you're into horses. Celina is the next Frisco, and it would probably be a good time to get in if you're looking for a return on your investment. Frisco is great but the traffic will be a factor until some roads are expanded. McKinney is the prettiest, topographically, of the closer-in cities, but new construction is on some of the tiniest lots in the area and traffic can be brutal in some areas and taxes are high.

Hope this is helpful to those of you who were inquiring...good luck with your moves!

[caligurltotx]

Just now checking back in and will look into Celina. I haven't made a move yet but I expect to within the next six months. This is really a great website and thanks to all of the regular posters here!

[Bigtex77]

Why don't you just live in Frisco? There are tons of houses. Or do you not want to live where he works?

Here is the 411 about Little Elm...tons of congestion. Lots of foreclosures. Lots of builders trying to give away homes. But if you hold onto the home for 10-15 years, it could be a great investment. The problem is the roads also have not kept up with the building..but that is all over the metroplex. It is a growing area though.

Ok, now Aubrey..be careful. They are putting up some cheapo homes out there. Paloma Creek...tons of homes..it is in the 100 year FLOOD zone, so they say. Savannah and Providence are the big "master" planned communities extraordinairre, but you get what you pay for..siding, not brick. Homes that are soooo close together. But they are a kid's paradise with the water parks, constant activities, etc. Hwy 380 will have tons of retail soon. But you have to wonder...will your house maintain it's value? It is a trade off...bigger home, less quality, great lifestyle for the kiddos...

McKinney is a nicer area...yes, it has grown, but it feels more established. Plano is nice as well. If you have a realtor, they can steer you away if there are any not so nice areas,but overall, Plano is a great area. There are some great homes there.

Or what about Carrollton? You would get an older home in your price range, but it is a nice area, with a great location. He would be going AGAINST traffic up to Frisco. I don't recommend The Colony.

[Bigtex77]

I don't know why I am being brain dead..what about ALLEN? I have heard they have some of the best schools in the metroplex (according to my realtor), and I am sure he could avoid the highways somehow going up to Frisco. Prices on homes are pretty reasonable as well.

Frisco schools are really great as well.

Do a search on REALTOR.com - Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale in your price range and see what you can find.

[Bigtex77]

Yes, this is my 3rd post..but I am passionate. Also look at Melissa, TX, which is just north of McKinney. All new subdivisions, and better prices. Move To Melissa

They are building a brand new elementary and town center. It is still a small town, but that wont last. It is about a 7-10 down Hwy 5 to the nearest Super Target. They are also building a Signature Kroger by Liberty Subdivision.

[Amyund]

Originally Posted by packgirls

Thanks for the heads up. I'm glad to know that Aubrey is out too cause of the drive. I guess it is little elm or mckinney... anyone live there? pros and cons???

Part of Aubrey on 380 where all the new homes are.. backs up to Little Elm, so I would not rule out that part of Aubrey. New homes there are only 7 miles from tollway. Aubrey proper would be too far! Prices are good in Aubrey. Little Elm has lots of foreclosures and I have heard neg. about schools.

School Rankings..my personal opinion as a former teacher:
BEST:1)McKinney
2)Aubrey-(zoned Denton ISD ir Aubrey ISD)
3) Little Elm ISD...not the best ISD

Homes cost the most in McKinney. There are still some pockets of NEW 150K homes in McKinney, but some will go to Prosper or Frisco ISD..but both those ISD's are great!

Moderator, I am just telling them of areas I feel are good buys, I am not soliciting business from them..Amy

[RE Diva]

Packgirls,

Have you moved already? Have you found a home?

Aubrey will give you more house for the money, but you'll drive to go anywhere. The closest grocery store is about 10 minutes away. They have put in a new Walmart Superstore in Little Elm which is a little closer. There are 3 - count them three - restaurants in the area. If you like to eat out, you'll have to drive to do that. The closest movie theatre is about 15 miles away. IOW, you'll spend lots of gas money doing things. Most of the areas in Aubrey are Savannah, Providence and Paloma Creek that are in that price range. There are quite a few foreclosures in this area. Denton schools are not as highly rated as some other schools in the area. It's expected that the market will turn around by 2009, though. At 380 and Preston, Jerry Jones (of the Dallas Cowboys) is behind a development that's going to be putting in a riverside hotel with lots of shops and restaurants. Then, at 380 and the Tollway, the same development company is going to be putting in a mall like the one at Stonebriar in Frisco. It'll be really nice. That area is growing - it's just taking a little time to do so. If you can wait it out, property values should bounce back within a few years and more restaurant, shopping, movies, stores, etc. should appear.

You could however, still afford Little Elm and Frisco homes within your budget. Frisco schools are highly rated. I don't know the age of your kids, but you can go to greatschools.net on the web and compare the different schools at the different levels - Elem., Jr. High, High School.

If you are going to look at McKinney, I would try to get into Prosper schools. They are a smaller school system than McKinney and are going to keep it that way. They are very highly rated. You can easily buy a home in McKinney right now for $150 and it wouldn't be hard to get to Frisco from there. The main thoroughfare to get from McKinney to Frisco is 380 and it's usually moving at 60 mph at all times. FM 423 is where everything gets bottlenecked around rush hours in the morning and evening.

Hope it helps.