Somewhere In Between Work and Family (Dallas, Plano: houses, neighborhoods, new construction) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Candimom · 03-22-2015, 07:09 PM

My husband may be taking a job back in Texas in the Dallas area (most likely Addison area) sometime before fall of this year. We've lived in the Firewheel area before and enjoyed it, but this time I'd like to be closer to our parents. My parents live in Burleson and my inlaws live in Red Oak. So, all of that taken into consideration with work in Addison, I'm wondering what areas would be best to look at. We do have three kids so school district does need to be taken into consideration.

My husband said he doesn't mind commuting longer if it meant we were living close to both sets of parents. So far, I've thought about Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Midlothian, but we wouldn't necessarily rule out northern areas.

mSooner · 03-22-2015, 08:18 PM

Budget?

Candimom · 03-22-2015, 08:27 PM

$200k ish

ChristieP · 03-22-2015, 08:58 PM

Working in Addison and commuting from anywhere south of downtown Dallas is going to be really rough on your husband. That's a lot of time he will be spending in the car instead of with your family.

The difficult thing is that between Addison and downtown Dallas, there aren't many areas within your price range that will have even decent public schools.

BigDGeek · 03-23-2015, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candimom

My husband may be taking a job back in Texas in the Dallas area (most likely Addison area) sometime before fall of this year. We've lived in the Firewheel area before and enjoyed it, but this time I'd like to be closer to our parents. My parents live in Burleson and my inlaws live in Red Oak. So, all of that taken into consideration with work in Addison, I'm wondering what areas would be best to look at. We do have three kids so school district does need to be taken into consideration.

My husband said he doesn't mind commuting longer if it meant we were living close to both sets of parents. So far, I've thought about Cedar Hill, Mansfield, Midlothian, but we wouldn't necessarily rule out northern areas.

How often would you be seeing the parents vs how often would you be commuting to work?

If you're visiting with family on weekends but commuting to work five times a week, to me it makes more sense to live closer to work.

If you upped your budget a smidge you could look in Richardson, Carrollton, some older parts of Plano....you can still get a decent house in Richardson for $230k-ish. It won't be huge or fancy, but the schools are good and the neighborhoods are solid.

Plano schools are also excellent. I don't know about Carrollton schools so I can't give any advice there. I mentioned it because it's near Addison and might have houses that fit your price range.

Candimom · 03-23-2015, 03:54 PM

Thank you. So, if we considered a commute no longer than 45 minutes (he's used to an hour each way right now), what would be the best areas to the north of downtown? I like Richardson okay, but would like a newer home this time and I know most of theirs are nice, but older. Are we talking Frisco? Allen? Coppell is out of price range. What about Lewisville or somewhere that direction? Any tips on commute that way?

jennifw · 03-23-2015, 04:28 PM

It is going to be tough to find a new build for around $200-ish AND a 45 minute or less commute. I think most of the new construction is pretty far north (like north of Frisco). I don't think the Lewisville or Carrollton schools are well rated. Flower Mound is in Lewisville ISD but would add time to the commute. I hope some others chime in with better ideas!

ChristieP · 03-23-2015, 06:22 PM

FloMo to Addison would be awful, and you won't find a house there for $200k.

BigDGeek · 03-24-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candimom

Thank you. So, if we considered a commute no longer than 45 minutes (he's used to an hour each way right now), what would be the best areas to the north of downtown? I like Richardson okay, but would like a newer home this time and I know most of theirs are nice, but older. Are we talking Frisco? Allen? Coppell is out of price range. What about Lewisville or somewhere that direction? Any tips on commute that way?

You'll have to compromise somewhere: Commute time, ISD, or house. You can't check all the boxes on your budget.

Richardson has some newer houses, but they are out of your price range. Just because something's old doesn't mean it's in terrible condition or will give you constant maintenance problems. It does mean it will be smaller than new construction.

I guess you just need to ask yourself what is most important to you. Only you can answer that question.

Candimom · 03-25-2015, 01:02 PM

Thanks everyone. And I'm not thinking brand new, but maybe built after 2000. All of the homes we have lived is thus far were 1986 and older. And yes, not in bad shape, but was just hoping for something newer to us, maybe, lol. At this point, I think I'm leaning toward commute and ISD, and not so much near family since we do only see them a couple times a month.

So does that leave me with Plano and Richardson? Any others that come to mind?