Moving from NJ to Plano TX in July 2016 (Dallas, Austin: rental, townhouse)

[Poseidon3]

Need views and help from forum members.

Family of 3 (my wife, daughter and I), moving from NJ to Plano, TX.

1. Move timeline - July/Aug 2016
2. Moving to - Plano or nearby areas
3. Must haves - 9/10 or 10/10 High School (daughter will be a Sophomore next year). She's got the best of school in NJ so, this is one of the key requirements.
4. Must haves contd - Indian Asian community, near shopping malls/grocery/supermarkets preferred (wife can't drive due to phobia)
5. Housing - 3 bed house/apt but must be big enough. We're currently staying in a townhouse. Rent affordability - 1750 to 2000. Community - Safety first.
6. Income and office - No need to commute office to Dallas office. Have flexibility to work from home. Above 5K pay monthly

Will provide any other info required. Looking for suggestions...

[numbersguy100]

Can you clarify whether you literally need to be within walking distance of stores because your wife can't/won't drive? Or is it enough to be close so that you can drive her and you simply don't want to have to be driving all over the metroplex? Reconciling the not wanting to drive with the location and budget you have seems difficult. I thought that the Indian community was more centered in Irving and Richardson but will let others comment on that.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by numbersguy100

Can you clarify whether you literally need to be within walking distance of stores because your wife can't/won't drive? Or is it enough to be close so that you can drive her and you simply don't want to have to be driving all over the metroplex? Reconciling the not wanting to drive with the location and budget you have seems difficult. I thought that the Indian community was more centered in Irving and Richardson but will let others comment on that.

Richardson's Indian community (smaller than west Plano and Irving) seems centered in northeast Richardson which isn't very walkable.

I'd recommend the OP focus on west Plano and Irving. And seek a good therapist for his wife to overcome her phobia of driving. It's challenging to live here without being able to drive.

[Poseidon3]

@Numbersguy100 and @BigDGeek - thanks for your response.

Honestly, I'd prefer to drive my family for shopping than get rid of phobia. Have tried a lot and it just wouldn't go. She tried learning 6 times and even got Learner Permit but that's it..

I'm open to Plano and other districts but school is first preference, even at the cost of Indian community. We've lived in Austin in 2007-8 with no Indian neighbors in a 5 mile radius.

[ChristieP]

Agree 100% that your wife is going to have to get over the phobia of driving. You just can't live in the suburbs here and refuse to drive. The alternative is spending a fortune on cabs/Uber, or wasting a lot of time riding the bus.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Poseidon3

@Numbersguy100 and @BigDGeek - thanks for your response.

Honestly, I'd prefer to drive my family for shopping than get rid of phobia. Have tried a lot and it just wouldn't go. She tried learning 6 times and even got Learner Permit but that's it..

I'm open to Plano and other districts but school is first preference, even at the cost of Indian community. We've lived in Austin in 2007-8 with no Indian neighbors in a 5 mile radius.

West Plano is going to be your best bet if you want excellent public schools and a large Indian community. You could also look at Frisco; most of my Indian coworkers live there.

(I don't think you'd have a problem finding Indian neighbors in the Austin area nowadays.)

[BayTexan]

For the top high school in Plano, you probably want to look at the Jasper --> Plano West zone (given your other requirements of Indian community). You can look in the Russell Creek Area (lots of Indians) and should be able to find homes in your rental price range. Look in the rectangular area (in a map) between Coit and Custer and McDermott & Hedgecoxe.

Originally Posted by Poseidon3

@Numbersguy100 and @BigDGeek - thanks for your response.

Honestly, I'd prefer to drive my family for shopping than get rid of phobia. Have tried a lot and it just wouldn't go. She tried learning 6 times and even got Learner Permit but that's it..

I'm open to Plano and other districts but school is first preference, even at the cost of Indian community. We've lived in Austin in 2007-8 with no Indian neighbors in a 5 mile radius.

[Poseidon3]

@BigDGeek and @BayTexan - thank you for the suggestion. Will look into the areas you mentioned and will dig into the schools.

@ChristieP - trust me, if I could do it, would have done a long time ago....she just wouldn't let the fear go when she's behind the wheels. Sitting next to me is fine with her but not in the driver's seat....one advantage is that she doesn't tell me how to drive !! (use to poke at my driving a few years ago)....That said, have taken up the task one more time, because of winter not able to teach her (she's done with driving schools). Once the spring starts, will try for 7th time.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Poseidon3

@BigDGeek and @BayTexan - thank you for the suggestion. Will look into the areas you mentioned and will dig into the schools.

@ChristieP - trust me, if I could do it, would have done a long time ago....she just wouldn't let the fear go when she's behind the wheels. Sitting next to me is fine with her but not in the driver's seat....one advantage is that she doesn't tell me how to drive !! (use to poke at my driving a few years ago)....That said, have taken up the task one more time, because of winter not able to teach her (she's done with driving schools). Once the spring starts, will try for 7th time.

Teaching her how to drive isn't the problem; you have to address the underlying anxiety.

[Poseidon3]

@BigDGeek - Trying the psychological angle as well. This time it's been OK and she's able to drive internal roads but goes awry when a vehicle comes in opposite direction. Working on it....hopefully some magic will happen in next 6 months.