Frisco vs. Flower Mound (Dallas, Irving: townhouse, neighborhoods, to buy)

[New2BigD]

My wife and I are new to Dallas, and have been house hunting online a bit, and in person for one weekend. Seems like we have our options narrowed down to Flower Mound and Frisco...but can't seem to decide which is best for us. Some details for consideration:

We currently have no children, but will in the coming years.
My wife will need to commute to/from UTSW.
We want a house with a pool and some yard for a dog to run, or at least have a place to do his business!

Frisco seems to offer newer and bigger houses, and our realtor says it offers a better commute to UTSW than FM. However, looking at maps this is sort of hard to believe. Is this because the tollway runs to Frisco but not to FM? FM looks closer on a map?

Anyway, any and all opinions are welcome. Please help us decide!

[TurtleCreek80]

First, what time of day will your wife be commuting to UTSW? If it's a traditional 8-5ish workday, then NEITHER are a good choice. You're conservatively looking at a 60+ Minute commute each direction.

Since you have no kids, there's really no need to buy way out in the burbs unless you just really like spending 2+ hours a day in your car driving bumper-to-bumper. (bonus points for the almost $10/day commute from Frisco via Dallas North Tollroad!) There are so many better neighborhoods in the city of Dallas (or a closer in suburb like Richardson) where you'll actually get MORE yard and live around more DINK professionals. If you don't have a kid for 2-3 more years, then you don't need Kindergarten for another 7-9 years. Save yourself and cross that bridge when you get there!!

[New2BigD]

Her schedule varies, but usually goes to UTSW early (~7am) and home between 5 and 6:30.
Also, I work from home but will be headed to DFW a good amount.

[stephwin]

Yeah, neither. Flower Mound would work for you if you have to fly out of DFW, but that's a horrible commute for your wife.

Budget?

[New2BigD]

We would like to stay close to 450k.
We prefer newer homes, hence the shift away from Dallas proper.

Is Rockwall another horrible commute?

[frenzyrider]

Agree with TC80.

Additionally, new houses in Las Colinas may not be a bad option since it is nicer, has many DINK pros and way closer to UTSW than either of the two choices.
If you really want Frisco then stay closer (like 5-7 minutes) to 121 and DNT. Flower Mound may not give such options. Another option is a townhouse in Coppell's main street.

[DFWtransplant189]

Take a look in Las Colinas (area in North Irving). It's convenient to the airport as well as the medical district. She can take NW Hwy or 114/35 to work and commute will only be about 20 minutes. Elementary schools in that area is exemplary. Neighborhoods I recommend you looking into are La Vallita, Riverside Village, and Escena...which are all within your price range.

[New2BigD]

our realtor steered us away from las Colinas...but not sure why.

[synchronicity]

As others have said - both Frisco and FM are pretty bad commutes to UTSW. You haven't mentioned budget, but if you're looking in FM and Frisco and we're guesstimating, and you absolutely want to live in "suburb with good school system", look at Coppell. Close to DFW airport, shorter commute to UTSW.

All that said, I'd agree with TC80 (no surprise) that there's no reason to focus on "good school" suburbs quite yet.

ETA- 450K budget, then Coppell or Las Colinas would work. Why is your realtor steering you away from the latter, and apparently nudging you towards Frisco? There's nothing "wrong" with Frisco, but given your preferences there doesn't seem much "right" about it compared to other options aside from "newest homes in your price range". And for yards, Frisco is somewhat infamous for tiny lots (yes, there are exceptions, but they are exceptions rather than the rule).

[New2BigD]

good schools mean better / easier resale, regardless of if we have kids. and we don't want to move again if at all possible.