Moving to East Allen near Bethany Dr? (Dallas, Plano: transplants, homes)

[w3stfa11]

We are househunting and keeping our options open. We found a nice updated 2001 home under $230K in East Allen at Bethany Ridge Estates right next to Bethany Lakes Park (Bethany Dr and S Allen Heights). I've heard West Allen is nicer but I've heard overall, all of Allen is a great suburb to live in. Our criteria is 1995+ and under $250K, maybe $275.

I like the location - close to park, close to highway. I'm a consultant that moves from client to client within Dallas area. Current client is in Farmers Branch, but I will probably be searching for a new job likely in Plano/Addison/Richardson in the next year or two.

We have been looking around Plano, Murphy, Allen. Carrollton would be nice but we are having a hard time finding homes there meeting our budget and not being outbid. I welcome any suggestions!

[jsafstrom]

It's a nice area. I live a few miles North in Allen and work all over DFW. Bethany Lakes is further to 121 than the West side of Allen, but not a big deal. Easy to get to 75 from there, as you know. That price range moves quickly throughout the metroplex. The condition of the home can vary greatly in the sub $250 price range homes that I have seen lately.

[w3stfa11]

Yeah, I've found some severely overpriced homes for $250K. Or they're much older, like pre-80s. But I guess that's the market today. I may need to bump up my budget to $275k

[Emc62]

If your commute keeps changing with clients then try to find something more central. East Allen doesn't offer many options for commute. I would keep looking in Richardson, Carrollton and Plano for homes, sitting on market due to cosmetic flaws. You can always fix and fresh those with little money and lots of elbow grease. Dated looking homes offer much better value now because immigrants and transplants rush towards newer and updated stuff.

[Brookside]

I have family in that neighborhood. It's a very nice, safe area. The park is lovely. It's easy to get to Central Expressway from Bethany, plus you have easy access to all of the shopping/restaurants at Watters and Fairview.

[AFJag]

I live near there. It is a nice quiet area with older homes. Lots of parents walking kids to the elementary school in the mornings and the park is nice. The Kroger near there is the best in Allen IMHO; older but managed very well. Since it is a couple of miles from 75 with lots of intersections, it adds to the time to get to 75, but it is easily doable if you are going to be working in Plano or Richardson. You can also take Greenville all the way down if you care to avoid the interstate.

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by AFJag

I live near there. It is a nice quiet area with older homes. Lots of parents walking kids to the elementary school in the mornings and the park is nice. The Kroger near there is the best in Allen IMHO; older but managed very well. Since it is a couple of miles from 75 with lots of intersections, it adds to the time to get to 75, but it is easily doable if you are going to be working in Plano or Richardson. You can also take Greenville all the way down if you care to avoid the interstate.

FYI: US75 is not an interstate, it is a US highway. The closest interstates are I635 and I35E.

The neighborhoods there are also close to the great shopping/restaurants at Watters Crossing and even the shopping/restaurants/outlet mall at 75 and Stacy.

Agree about the Kroger being one of the best in the Dallas area.