Moving Family from NC to TX, need advice (Dallas, Plano: apartment, HOA fees)

[lkuznar]

Hello,

I am moving from a small town in NC to Dallas, TX. I currently live in a subdivision of about 300 houses with 1/2 acre lots, pool, tennis & clubhouse. I'll be working in Coppell, and I'm looking to meet the criteria below. I'm looking for feedback on best places to live that might meet most of my criteria below. Thanks so much for responding!

Note: I did my research on realtor.com and greatschools.net, but there seems to be so much choice (a good thing), that I'm finding it difficult to sift through the great options. Highland Park, Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller, Frisco, Plano all look like good options. I don't know if these have a "downtown" area (other than Frisco & Plano). I also don't know if Frisco/Plano commute would be > 25 mins.

My Criteria:
- Good schools for 2 elementary age children
- 3000-3500 sq foot house
- House < 10 years old
- House $380,000 - $400,000
- Subdivision w/ tennis, walking paths/sidewalks (community pool would be nice)
- <= 25 min driving commute with or without traffic
- Small town atmosphere
- 1/2 acre lot, HOWEVER, 1/4 acre is ok if other criteria met.

[supertexan]

Highland Park: You will not find an apartment, much less a house in the $380-$400K price range. The commute to Coppell would be 30-40 minutes.

Grapevine: You can probably meet all of your criteria, except for maybe the lot size. There is a lovely downtown. Commute to Coppell will be about 15 minutes.

Colleyville: This is a little farther from Coppell than Grapevine, but you can probably meet all of your criteria there. Houses tend to be on bigger lots. But, the price tags are bigger - more than your $400K limit. Downtown not as quaint at Grapevine.

Keller: ditto Colleyville.

Frisco: Too far. This will be a 45 minute commute. Lots are small.

Plano: Closer than Frisco, but still a bit far. No large lots. Not a small town atmosphere.

You might consider living Coppell. You won't likely find a large lot there either, but the rest of your criteria should be met. It is much smaller than the other commuities, about 35,000 residents, which gives you a greater chance of getting to know the neighbors.

[lkuznar]

Thank you SuperTexan for the response. It's very helpful. Actually, when I wrote Highland Park, I meant Highland Village. Any comments on this area when compared to my criteria?

[Rakin]

Highland Village is good but so is Bridlewood in Flower Mound. A fairly new area I really like is Lantana but the lots are not big.

[okie1954]

Highland Village is closer to the lake. You can see homes from about 150,000 with about 1600 sq ft. to 3000 plus for 300and up.

The newer phase lots are noticeably smaller. I have almost 1/2 acre and live in highland village. We have great mesquite trees and neighborhood schools, close shopping, movies, restaurants. Just about anything you could ask for.

[loves2read]

Lantana is farther away so drive would be more difficult

Grapevine will have smaller lots for the most part--many of the homes w/4 bedrooms have all bedrooms up if that is + / - for you to decide
and I don't know that there are subdivisions that have a community pool

Keller does not have a walk-able downtown that much--although there is Old Keller--
there are some subdivisions with community pools--Rancho Serena is one and the developments off Bear Creek Parkway but getting to Coppell will be a little awkward because it will take time to get to freeway

Colleyville--- newer construction is on .25 or smaller lots and the older homes on larger lots are usually 450K and above

[MurphyPl1]

Let me mention that there's some traffic issues in Flower Mound and Highland Village. Unfortunately TxDOT is about 10 years behind in dealing with traffic needs. And these areas, along with other parts of N. Texas have seen huge growth that they weren't not appropriately anticipating. So the developments are in (business and residental) but the roads are still two lane farm to markets.

I say this more as an FYI so you don't think the cities are not wanting to address it. I'm certain they are. I'm in Murphy and we have a similar situation and the City is extremely frustrated with the lack of cooperation from TxDOT on getting ours resolved.

[GHJohn]

Also keep in mind that Lantana has a very high HOA fees, quoted at $121 a month. While some of the costs of the HOA are nice - like mowing your front and side yard and also fertilizing your yard 2 times a year. I am not to crazy about paying for basic cable thru Grande communication even though you decide to go with a Verizon or DirectTV. That to me is just flat out a BS way to swindle people.

[sylviag]

If you looking to great schools you need to check out Plano which is know for their excellent schools. Plano has a small town feel with a 800 acre nature preserve and Oak Point park. You need to check out Parkmont Homes, my sister just purchase a new home with them and they purchase a 4377 square foot home for about $375k including an amenity center, cabana and swimming pool. There is lots of country clubs with great golf courses and tennis courts surrounding the community. You would have to drive and take George Bush Freeway to get you from Plano to Carrolton but it's worth it.