Gunter and Van Alstyne

[Streetslide]

Originally Posted by potentiallynew

Hey everybody, I appreciate any information you can give me in regards to Gunter and Van Alstyne. My wife and I have been shopping around the area (we are from the east coast and I am being transferred). I work at Preston and 121. I am used to a 45 minute + commute, but would prefer to shorten it with the move. We have two children, so schools are important. Can anyone give any ideas about the schools, the town in general, and what a commute would look like? We want to stay less than $400,000. Just a quick search showed many houses in our price range with 1 - 1.5 acre lots. The lot sizes are what is drawing us to the area. Thanks for any help and information, I appreciate it.

Commute:
A Google search will show you that Preston/121 is about 32-37 minutes from Van Alstyne/Gunter. I've been in Van Alstyne over 19 years coming from the burbs of Dallas. Before the recent Hwy75 construction I could make Eldorado Parkway in McKinney in 20 min. It should get better when complete. One advantage from here is you can go Hwy 5 (the back way!) Let me tell you the drive is a lot more pleasant than 30-40 min. from the burbs of Dallas.

Shopping:
It's a small town world here so you have local businesses - everybody knows your name. From Van Alstyne, if you need more it's a choice. VA is perfectly located 18 miles north of McKinney and 18 miles south of Sherman. No big whip & Anna is now getting a Walmart so no one will have to go to 380! Unfortunately we are the fast food capital around here but there is an excellent B&B called the Durning house that has been around for years & has a wonderful lunch. If you need other choices, 18 miles is pretty easy to take & contrary to what you heard, we have groceries and you can even get beer and wine.

Recreation:
Someone mentioned how terrible it is that you will have to go to Plano/Allen/Burbville for the kids sports. I guess that is true unless you like small town football, baseball, weight lifting ect. However, if you like boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding or pulling slot machines (when you have a babysitter) Van Alstyne is in the middle of a short commute to great area lakes including Lake Texoma, casinos in Oklahoma and a straight shot south on Hwy75 if you want the Dallas thing. This link is related to horses but it will give you a feel for the area Van Alstyne Area Equestrian Events,Organizations & Riding Locations

Airport - Hospitals:
You can make DFW in a touch over an hour 75 to 121 to DFW. If you have your own Piper Cub there are airports in McKinney, Sherman and even some private strips around. Great hospitals are in McKinney, Sherman and Denison so it's not like we have to use medicine men out here.

Schools:
Since I don't have kids I am not going to speak much on schools other than to say we have things you might not see in the burbs. Most kids out here have respect, they are taught by their parents and their teachers. Yes Gunter and Van Alstyne may have small classes compared to the burbs but would you rather have your children get some personal attention or lost in the crowd. Your choice & I am not putting anyone down who wants the big school experience, just pointing out there are advantages. It's not like we have a one room little red school house.

Lot Size, Septics and Misc:
It's the country and our lots are bigger. Yes you will probably have a septic tank. You will also have trash service and may join an Electric and Water Co-op. None of these things are big deals. I have lived with septic systems for years without any major issues. The people at the Co-Ops are your neighbors and they will be there when you need them. I use Waste Management for trash just like the big cities but you can contract with Joe Bob and his one trash truck if you want. That's the beauty - choice.

Why Live in the boondocks?:
It's like Mayberry. I lock my doors but I don't feel that I have to. When I go to the post office people say hello and ask how I am doing. They really want to know and I may not even know them by name. In a lot of cases, NO HOAs to tell you that you house can be any color as long as it's beige. Like someone else said, sunsets, peace and quiet! I started laughing one day when I realized I lived in a two stop light town - compare that to trying to get home in Plano or Allen.

Are there issues? Sure, we have potholes and I am sure you can get the same drugs you can in the city but if you do there is good chance someone will tell your mom! It's just a slower pace and some people appreciate it vs. planning every second of their and their kids lives. Maybe it's more fun fishing in your pond than playing Lacrosse in Plano. Sometimes our biggest pressure is being stuck behind a tractor on FM121. Different Strokes, relax and enjoy life.

I could go on but you get the point.

[Sandy008]

Originally Posted by Streetslide

Commute:
A Google search will show you that Preston/121 is about 32-37 minutes from Van Alstyne/Gunter. I've been in Van Alstyne over 19 years coming from the burbs of Dallas. Before the recent Hwy75 construction I could make Eldorado Parkway in McKinney in 20 min. It should get better when complete. One advantage from here is you can go Hwy 5 (the back way!) Let me tell you the drive is a lot more pleasant than 30-40 min. from the burbs of Dallas.

Shopping:
It's a small town world here so you have local businesses - everybody knows your name. From Van Alstyne, if you need more it's a choice. VA is perfectly located 18 miles north of McKinney and 18 miles south of Sherman. No big whip & Anna is now getting a Walmart so no one will have to go to 380! Unfortunately we are the fast food capital around here but there is an excellent B&B called the Durning house that has been around for years & has a wonderful lunch. If you need other choices, 18 miles is pretty easy to take & contrary to what you heard, we have groceries and you can even get beer and wine.

Recreation:
Someone mentioned how terrible it is that you will have to go to Plano/Allen/Burbville for the kids sports. I guess that is true unless you like small town football, baseball, weight lifting ect. However, if you like boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding or pulling slot machines (when you have a babysitter) Van Alstyne is in the middle of a short commute to great area lakes including Lake Texoma, casinos in Oklahoma and a straight shot south on Hwy75 if you want the Dallas thing. This link is related to horses but it will give you a feel for the area Van Alstyne Area Equestrian Events,Organizations & Riding Locations

Airport - Hospitals:
You can make DFW in a touch over an hour 75 to 121 to DFW. If you have your own Piper Cub there are airports in McKinney, Sherman and even some private strips around. Great hospitals are in McKinney, Sherman and Denison so it's not like we have to use medicine men out here.

Schools:
Since I don't have kids I am not going to speak much on schools other than to say we have things you might not see in the burbs. Most kids out here have respect, they are taught by their parents and their teachers. Yes Gunter and Van Alstyne may have small classes compared to the burbs but would you rather have your children get some personal attention or lost in the crowd. Your choice & I am not putting anyone down who wants the big school experience, just pointing out there are advantages. It's not like we have a one room little red school house.

Lot Size, Septics and Misc:
It's the country and our lots are bigger. Yes you will probably have a septic tank. You will also have trash service and may join an Electric and Water Co-op. None of these things are big deals. I have lived with septic systems for years without any major issues. The people at the Co-Ops are your neighbors and they will be there when you need them. I use Waste Management for trash just like the big cities but you can contract with Joe Bob and his one trash truck if you want. That's the beauty - choice.

Why Live in the boondocks?:
It's like Mayberry. I lock my doors but I don't feel that I have to. When I go to the post office people say hello and ask how I am doing. They really want to know and I may not even know them by name. In a lot of cases, NO HOAs to tell you that you house can be any color as long as it's beige. Like someone else said, sunsets, peace and quiet! I started laughing one day when I realized I lived in a two stop light town - compare that to trying to get home in Plano or Allen.

Are there issues? Sure, we have potholes and I am sure you can get the same drugs you can in the city but if you do there is good chance someone will tell your mom! It's just a slower pace and some people appreciate it vs. planning every second of their and their kids lives. Maybe it's more fun fishing in your pond than playing Lacrosse in Plano. Sometimes our biggest pressure is being stuck behind a tractor on FM121. Different Strokes, relax and enjoy life.

I could go on but you get the point.

This is the best reply to a question. Ever. Thank you for taking the time you put into this!

[TexansinIdaho]

How does everyone feel about Gunter and Van Alstyne now?