Moving from the Philippines to Dallas (Plano, Irving: apartments, rental, car insurance)

[macsret]

We, will be moving to Dallas after our son & daughter graduate from Pharmacy College here in the Phil, they will graduate at the same time. At present we are considering Rockwall, Plano, Allen & Rowlett but very open minded to any city/town in the DFW area. We want to rent for the first 6 mo to a year to give ample time to look around before buying.

Background - I retired from the Navy, married to a fantastic Flipina 24 yr ago, two great kids. Would appreciate any Cost of Living information and opinions on the above cities or others that may be as good or in your opinion better places to live. Commuting - Which of the above cities is the best for commuting to Dallas, should the kids secure an internship then a job in or close to Dallas.

Appreciate any and all information and/or opinions.

[TurtleCreek80]

Is being near a Filipino community important to your wife? If so, there is a large one in Irving.

The DFW metroplex measures about 600 square miles, larger than some US states! Rockwall is on the far east end of the metroplex and Rowlett / Allen are on the far northeast end, so they are not great "central" locations if your kids don't know where they will work. It can take 45-60+ minutes to drive into downtown Dallas from those points. Plano is a more central location. Irving & the suburbs around it are even more central to the entire DFW area. Valley Ranch, Las Colinas, Coppell, Grapevine, or Irving itself could all be good options and cover a very wide budget range (homes from the $100k's to $1M's). There are a good number of apartments in Valley Ranch & Las Colinas that are safe, well-kept, and good location to help you adjust to your new city and get your bearings before purchasing a home.

[macsret]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Is being near a Filipino community important to your wife? If so, there is a large one in Irving.

The DFW metroplex measures about 600 square miles, larger than some US states! Rockwall is on the far east end of the metroplex and Rowlett / Allen are on the far northeast end, so they are not great "central" locations if your kids don't know where they will work. It can take 45-60+ minutes to drive into downtown Dallas from those points. Plano is a more central location. Irving & the suburbs around it are even more central to the entire DFW area. Valley Ranch, Las Colinas, Coppell, Grapevine, or Irving itself could all be good options and cover a very wide budget range (homes from the $100k's to $1M's). There are a good number of apartments in Valley Ranch & Las Colinas that are safe, well-kept, and good location to help you adjust to your new city and get your bearings before purchasing a home.

No it is not important to be near a Filipino community but would be great if there are some Filipino grocery stores. The wife seems to fit right in no matter what nationality the people are. We have live in a multinational subdivision for the last 14 years.

Really appreciate the good info and will certainly do some more research. Hope you come back with some more info / opinions.

[TX75007]

I'd consider renting an apartment for the first six months in a central location like Irving, Las Colinas, North Dallas, or Carrollton then getting jobs, then you can find your final spot. The area is very big and once you get jobs, you will want to find the ideal location to keep your commute to work short.

[macsret]

Originally Posted by TX75007

I'd consider renting an apartment for the first six months in a central location like Irving, Las Colinas, North Dallas, or Carrollton then getting jobs, then you can find your final spot. The area is very big and once you get jobs, you will want to find the ideal location to keep your commute to work short.

I do agree! If you know of or find a place that you would consider, please come back and post it.

[macsret]

[TX75007, thanks for your post and I will rent for at least the 1st year to find the right house to buy.


I admit that I am afraid as I will be turning 70 y/o and am 100% Disabled American Veteran. The wife speaks good English but is easily intimidated by persons in authority. Our kids are just fine, they are American citizens and speak excellent English will (we hope) have a BS/PharmD degree so their confidence it high but still if they have to handle things on my behalf might be intimidated.

Sure hope you guys/gals offer your opinions on our budget with specific expenses We, four adults and will be living totally on my dime, that is until the kids find jobs.

Rent $1,800 - Food (4 adults) $800 - Water & Trash $50 - Elect Bill $250 - Phone & Internet $175 - Car Pymt (We will put a 50% Dwn Pymt) $260 - Car Insurance $175 - Rental Insurance $30 - DART Transits $200 - Gas (Car) $250 - Unknown / Misc. Expenses $150 - Emergency Savings $500.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by macsret

We, will be moving to Dallas after our son & daughter graduate from Pharmacy College here in the Phil, they will graduate at the same time. At present we are considering Rockwall, Plano, Allen & Rowlett but very open minded to any city/town in the DFW area. We want to rent for the first 6 mo to a year to give ample time to look around before buying.

Background - I retired from the Navy, married to a fantastic Flipina 24 yr ago, two great kids. Would appreciate any Cost of Living information and opinions on the above cities or others that may be as good or in your opinion better places to live. Commuting - Which of the above cities is the best for commuting to Dallas, should the kids secure an internship then a job in or close to Dallas.

Appreciate any and all information and/or opinions.

1. In case you haven't already - 100% verify that your kid's Phil Pharmacy Credentials will be recognized here in the US.

2. Also if either one has has interest The Army, Navy and Air Force are each very short of pharmacists.
The civilian need for pharmacists is strong as well.

3. Best of luck.

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by macsret

[TX75007, thanks for your post and I will rent for at least the 1st year to find the right house to buy.


I admit that I am afraid as I will be turning 70 y/o and am 100% Disabled American Veteran. The wife speaks good English but is easily intimidated by persons in authority. Our kids are just fine, they are American citizens and speak excellent English will (we hope) have a BS/PharmD degree so their confidence it high but still if they have to handle things on my behalf might be intimidated.

Sure hope you guys/gals offer your opinions on our budget with specific expenses We, four adults and will be living totally on my dime, that is until the kids find jobs.

Rent $1,800 - Food (4 adults) $800 - Water & Trash $50 - Elect Bill $250 - Phone & Internet $175 - Car Pymt (We will put a 50% Dwn Pymt) $260 - Car Insurance $175 - Rental Insurance $30 - DART Transits $200 - Gas (Car) $250 - Unknown / Misc. Expenses $150 - Emergency Savings $500.

If you rent a house both water and electric will be higher than your estimate. If you rent an apartment, probably your estimates on utilities will be ok. For a house I would budget for a $400 electric, $125 water. I pay $1400 annually for car insurance for 2 older adults; 2 nice cars. Yours will be quite a bit higher if you are insuring the whole family as drivers.

[macsret]

Originally Posted by EDS_

1. In case you haven't already - 100% verify that your kid's Phil Pharmacy Credentials will be recognized here in the US.

2. Also if either one has has interest The Army, Navy and Air Force are each very short of pharmacists.
The civilian need for pharmacists is strong as well.

3. Best of luck.

Thank you for the very important info. Regarding the kids and their Pharm Credentials; they will have to jump through some hoops, a couple of tests one being the FPGEC and being certified by the FPGEC. They will have to do 1,500 hrs. of internship so by that time most, hopefully all will have been accomplished. They might have to take a couple of classes, but so far doesn't look like it do to the school they are attending.

Thank you for ringing a bell in my head about the 'military', my bad as I'm retired US Navy, being a strong option and once they get their state license that will be a very viable option.

THANK YOU!

[macsret]

Originally Posted by Squirl

If you rent a house both water and electric will be higher than your estimate. If you rent an apartment, probably your estimates on utilities will be ok. For a house I would budget for a $400 electric, $125 water. I pay $1400 annually for car insurance for 2 older adults; 2 nice cars. Yours will be quite a bit higher if you are insuring the whole family as drivers.

Thank you and I will make the adjustments. We are planning to rent, most likely a Condo/Town House/Apt., for the first year and maybe longer.... until we find the right house.