Coppell vs W Plano vs Allen for a family from NH (Dallas: best cities, apartments)

[test_new_sw]

We are planning to relocate to Texas shortly and interested in Coppell, W Plano and Allen. The main priority is schools. Planning to rent a 2+ bed/2bath initially.

If you all can help on these points below, it will be greatly helpful and appreciated:

- Comparison of Coppell, W Plano, Allen and probably Irving (with Coppell ISD)
- Can you grade these places based on their ISD performance/results
- Is W Plano the best ISD or is it Coppell?

- Is there any other places that feed into Coppell or W Plano ISD? We heard some places in Irving use Coppell ISD.

- Share any particular rental apartment communities that serves Coppell, W Plano, Irving (Coppell ISD) or Allen

- Rents for single family homes are around $1800+ in Coppell/Irving. Is this too much?
- Any better places to look for available listing? We have already checked zillow, renters.com, etc.

- Since the cooling/electricity expense is a major factor, just curious to know what is some ballpark for a say 2000 sq ft home in summer?
- What about the monthly cost of lawn maintenance and water?

Thanks in advance....

[Austrian2]

Here is one home below 2k in Plano that comes with Rice>Jasper>West feeder. As realtors say, it's not going to last.

http://m.realtor.com/#details?listin...7&rentals=true

[TurtleCreek80]

Coppell, Plano West & Plano Senior are all in the top 5 public high schools in all of DFW. You can't go wrong with any of them, academically. Plano class size (the whole grade, not the individual classes) is HUGE. Around 1100-1300 in each grade. Coppell is going to be a good bit smaller. It's also a one-high school district which breeds more community unity (ie, whole town cheers for one football team, etc). But those points may not be important to your family. You really can't go wrong with any of those so pick what works best for your budget and commute.

Allen is good but not as highly regarded academically. It ranks around #15 in the metroplex, very good but not THE BEST. Kind of a cross between Coppell & Plano- the huge class sizes of Plano (1500 kids graduate each year!), but a single high school district for community spirit. Allen is a less central location in DFW thab Plano or Coppell, if commute or proximity to airports is a consideration.


There are apartments in Valley Ranch (Irving) that are zoned to Coppell and are nice.

[mSooner]

Is there any other places that feed into Coppell or W Plano ISD? We heard some places in Irving use Coppell ISD.

Yes, areas of Valley Ranch are zoned to Coppell ISD--usually those west of MacArthur Blvd, but you need to double check each listing for sure. You can check on Coppell ISDs website.

I'd say Coppell and West Plano are pretty equal school wise. Both are excellent and some of the best in DFW

That rent range should be fine for Coppell and Valley Ranch. There are fewer apartments in Coppell, but more in Valley Ranch. There are some duplexes and condos/townhomes in Coppell that occasionally come available and should be a good fit. Plenty of single family homes (usually 3/2) in that range as well.

I have a 2000 sq foot home in Coppell. Our water/sewer/stormwater/trash bill this month was $93 (we have a sprinkler system used relatively liberally lately).

Our electric bill is about $175-200 at its height in the heat of the summer (August) and dead of Winter (January). However, we have a heat pump, so we have electric heat which is more costly. On the flip side, the system is new and efficient. TO give a range, in May, the bill was $111.

We mow ourselves, so I'm not sure about lawn maintenance.

Coppell & Allen/Plano are pretty far apart though--where are you commuting to? You really need to take that into account.

[test_new_sw]

mSooner- Thanks for the details.... The plan is to work from home. Hence our top priority is schools esp elementary and middle school in the short-term.

[test_new_sw]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Coppell, Plano West & Plano Senior are all in the top 5 public high schools in all of DFW. You can't go wrong with any of them, academically. Plano class size (the whole grade, not the individual classes) is HUGE. Around 1100-1300 in each grade. Coppell is going to be a good bit smaller. It's also a one-high school district which breeds more community unity (ie, whole town cheers for one football team, etc). But those points may not be important to your family. You really can't go wrong with any of those so pick what works best for your budget and commute.

Allen is good but not as highly regarded academically. It ranks around #15 in the metroplex, very good but not THE BEST. Kind of a cross between Coppell & Plano- the huge class sizes of Plano (1500 kids graduate each year!), but a single high school district for community spirit. Allen is a less central location in DFW thab Plano or Coppell, if commute or proximity to airports is a consideration.


There are apartments in Valley Ranch (Irving) that are zoned to Coppell and are nice.

Thanks for the information.... What are the best cities to qualify for Texas 10% rule? How does it work? Is it a city level or school level allocation? Are cities with single high schools a better bet?

[mSooner]

Thanks for the information.... What are the best cities to qualify for Texas 10% rule? How does it work? Is it a city level or school level allocation? Are cities with single high schools a better bet?

School level...so honestly, going to the best high schools in DFW isn't going to really help you. Better to be the best student in a crappy school if you are going to make the top 8% rule your goal.

I'd choose the best schools and not count on the top 8% rule being the ticket to college admission for your kids. A very good student from a very good high school probably has a good shot of getting into most Texas schools (except UT, and even then you have a shot) anyway.

[test_new_sw]

Originally Posted by msooner

i'd choose the best schools and not count on the top 8% rule being the ticket to college admission for your kids. A very good student from a very good high school probably has a good shot of getting into most texas schools (except ut, and even then you have a shot) anyway.

+1.

[test_new_sw]

Heard that most roads in Dallas have tolls? Do these cities Coppell, W Plano, Allen and Irving have access to toll-free roads? Which roads/highways are toll-free?

[lifofifo]

Originally Posted by test_new_sw

Heard that most roads in Dallas have tolls? Do these cities Coppell, W Plano, Allen and Irving have access to toll-free roads? Which roads/highways are toll-free?

East/Central Plano and Allen have easy access to 75, which is toll-free but a mess during rush hours.

P.S. There's no West Plano ISD. It's Plano ISD.