West Plano or Southlake? (Dallas, San Antonio: houses, buying, school district)

[aeh]

Ok, we've thought we were going to Denver, Austin, Atlanta, Seattle, but it now looks like the Dallas area (although the possibility of Dallas was interspersed in there a few times as well).

To refresh the situation:

Originally from Dallas
Lived in West Plano before we moved away
Considering West Plano or Southlake
Like trees and big lots (hmmm, doesn't sound like West Plano, does it/
Want great schools
Have ruled out Fairview due to school issues there, although that was where we were really leaning
Had also considered HP but budget will rule that out
Budget will be 750-1M


Considering the schools, etc, what are your thoughts on West Plano vs Southlake?

[aeh]

Guess I should also clarify that some of the appeal of Plano is that I have family in North Dallas, but also if my kids don't make school sports teams, it seems like there would be plenty of sporting activities through PSA etc and through city facilitiies which host tons of teams and I am not sure Southlake has other sports teams than the school teams, which I know that means only the "very best" will make the team. Also, I want to make sure my ADD son will have his needs met (he is not a behavior problem, just struggles with organizatinal issues). We have two kids.

Wondering if anyone has any ADD kids in Southlake schools reading this forum and has any info (or in Plano schools for that matter). Or anything else that could make the decision easier. Husband's job location isn't an issue as he will work from home. Thanks again.

[nsumner]

Sounds like you did a lot of homework. Good for you. In West Plano, I can only think of Willow Bend Country that would have large wooded lots. Southlake does has an excellent school district. Have you considered Colleyville?

Naima

[jtrichel]

As I said in my message to you, I dont think anything beats Southlake for combination of wooded acreage and good public schools...just be willing to accept that those schools are really huge, very focused on sports, and all the kids have lots of $$. Some of this would be the same other places, or private schools, but I am just mentioning it. Carroll Schools are also very good academically. Your price range should put you in a 5000sq ft house built after 2005 on 1+ acre.

[lolamom]

Originally Posted by aeh

Ok, we've thought we were going to Denver, Austin, Atlanta, Seattle, but it now looks like the Dallas area (although the possibility of Dallas was interspersed in there a few times as well).

What are you, me???? Going on our 3rd house-hunting trip this year---the first two were to New Jersey and San Antonio.

[ChristieP]

I agree with Nsummer that you need to look at Colleyville. GCISD has a very good reputation, especially in the non-sports (academic) areas. The school, while still a 5A, is not so huge as Southlake. Your price range will buy a nice home there, and the city has a LOT of wooded areas!

[aeh]

Originally Posted by lolamom

What are you, me???? Going on our 3rd house-hunting trip this year---the first two were to New Jersey and San Antonio.

Funny, we used to live in New Jersey!! I am happy to be thinking this will be my last house (or at least until my kids graduate!!)....


Also, we will definitely take a look at Colleyville as well as Southlake when we make our trip. Ah, another area to research....

[FarNorthDallas]

I would consider private school for your ADD child. There are several schools for kids with learning disabilities and/or ADD.

The Shelton School - the largest with 850 kids
Fairhill
Dallas Academy
Winston

[EdwinFa]

Plano is so much better
We lived in both places.
Plano won because:
1. Plano ISD is very good, i think better than southlake carroll because Plano ISD offers more AP classes and Honors classes than carroll isd.
2. Plano is close to so many great shopping places, stonebriar / willow bend / collin creek / allen outlet / northpark / gallria and so on
3. who said plano was old? yes it is old compare to southlake but if you are buying houses in west plano and north plano, it would be about the same age as southlake. altho east plano is not that great but weve been living in plano for 5 years now, we barely go to east side of the city.
4. compare to southlake with over 90% white population, plano is more multiculture, its good for children to learn about other areas in the world by having different types of friends.
5. people are nicer in plano, this is my personal view.
6. great recreation centers (rec) at a very cheap price for residents to use ($3)
7. PLANO IS JUST A LOT CLOSER TO EVERYTHING BUT THE AIRPORT.
you might think carroll high school is good, yes they do have a great football team
but they literly suck at academics and the rest of the sports
plano senior high school is basicly good at everything, my daughter is on volleyball this year and my son's team just got a state championship a few years ago. plano senior high school also has 7 state championship for football. same number as southlake carroll. oh yeah plano senior high school also has the best swimming team.
plano west is good at soccer , volleyball and tennies
i dont know much about plano east
hope this helps.
Plano is the nicest city ive lived so far.

[TurtleCreek80]

Edwin- you just replied the exact same message to no fewer than 5 threads that are all 2-3 years old. Don't dig up the oldies, just post a question if you have one or you may reply to recent threads.