Plano, Farmers Branch, Carrolton? (Dallas, Irving: crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[skbs]

Ok... just for kicks... what about Plano vs. frisco? I am getting the idea that they are the two best areas... I don't know why I was told Farmer's Branch and Carrolton then.

Taxes... I am looking at a variety of homes in a wide price range... and the taxes don't really seem to go about $6K for the majority of the homes (going for about $250K)... That is still less than I am paying on a home I built five yrs ago for $174K (assessed at $190K) and about 8oo sqft larger than my home in NY... I am not too worried about the tax situation... as a 2800+ sqft new/newer home here would go for well above $300K and my taxes would be about 10K+ (I am aiming low on that guess). If there is no imcome tax- and the taxes on the homes are lower than what I am paying on my smaller and less expensive home... I am betting we will alright...we can just stash the cash we save for a/c

I just looked up a listing in my town... 2825sqft, $265K (rounded up)older home, taxes $10,500 (rounded down).
Another newer home... 1900sft, taxes $9400, for $290K

[GHJohn]

Plano is for the most part built out. Frisco is still developing. It would be a lot more fair to compare both of them in 20 years time.

[skbs]

In Plano... one of the listings I was sent-
$270K, taxes $4400, 3310Sqft... newer home

$80K more than my newer WNY home's assessed value, 1310 larger than my home, and the taxes are more than $2500 less than my home...

Taxes are what kill us here in terms of our total monthly paymet... lower taxes would mean less of a payment if we do it right.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

Plano is for the most part built out. Frisco is still developing. It would be a lot more fair to compare both of them in 20 years time.

Right now I live on the outskirts of a very popular town... large class sizes, busy roads, shopping centers- but beautiful... our home is in the "country" as some would say...or in the sticks and we are forced to drive to everything... I am assuming Frisco might be similar based on this statement? I love where I live- 40 acres of everwild in my backyard with the benifits of living in a very small neighborhood of newer homes... we moved here because it was cheaper to build and the distance wasn't an issue... if that is the case w/ Frisco we might be happy there.

[GHJohn]

Originally Posted by skbs

Right now I live on the outskirts of a very popular town... large class sizes, busy roads, shopping centers- but beautiful... our home is in the "country" as some would say...or in the sticks and we are forced to drive to everything... I am assuming Frisco might be similar based on this statement? I love where I live- 40 acres of everwild in my backyard with the benifits of living in a very small neighborhood of newer homes... we moved here because it was cheaper to build and the distance wasn't an issue... if that is the case w/ Frisco we might be happy there.

Actually that would have been Frisco about 10 years ago. It has grown a lot since then. The drive for shopping isn't that crazy especially if you live in west Frisco which is a little more developed. But as you go the other way (towards McKinney) the roads (like ElDorado) have not been widened, even though there are plans to do so. This is what I was getting at when I said it would not be a fair comparison because Plano like I said is pretty much built out. Also you aren't going to find anything like what you are currently living at in Frisco (closest community that I can think of is Chappel Creek - a gated community where homes start from the 800K's). If your looking for an area over the long term Frisco is it.

[yjc281]

Originally Posted by GHJohn

If your looking for an area over the long term Frisco is it.

Quite a few people say that Frisco would be the Plano in the future.
We were considering between Plano and Frisco. For similar specs we could
get a better price on the house in Frisco. We finally bought in Plano because we prefer the convenience we have "now" instead of 3-5 years later. Also, I believe the commute to downtown is still quite a bit shorter from Plano than from Frisco. That may matter to some but not others. The physical distance is something that can't be changed. I do think Frisco will become more prosperous and offer more job opportunities in the future, though.
So it really depends on personal preferences to say which one is better.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by skbs

In Plano... one of the listings I was sent-
$270K, taxes $4400, 3310Sqft... newer home

$80K more than my newer WNY home's assessed value, 1310 larger than my home, and the taxes are more than $2500 less than my home...

Taxes are what kill us here in terms of our total monthly paymet... lower taxes would mean less of a payment if we do it right.

Hmmm....our taxes are over 5000 (with homestead exemption) for a 3100 square foot home appraised at about 260,000. (This is in Plano.) I don't remember our tax rate per square foot etc. but taxes might be a little higher than you think in Plano though unfortunately. Probably not as high as what you have been accustomed to, though, it sounds like.

[MelyLuhrs]

Originally Posted by skbs

We are doing some serious research into the Dallas area. My husband is looking for another job and we have been told we should look at Plano, Farmers Branch and Carrolton. I will be moving from Western NY and am looking for someplace with a Fabulous education system, parks and rec, housing under $300K (2500sqft +), in a great area... which would you choose? Right now I live in a very family oriented town, have a 2000sqft home (plus huge finished walk out basement) assessed at $190K but my taxes are through the roof for the price ($7K)... which town would YOU choose and WHY? Thanks ahead of time for your response...

I would say Plano Frisco for sure, not farmers branch or carrollton for sure.
YOu can get more house for your money in Frisco and Little Elm where I currently live. Great parks, and lake views, and the highest rated school district, the list goes on.

more info contact me at melissaluhrs@att.net
Good Luck!

[Grainraiser]

Just a FYI. You can forget about a basement in Dallas. They are as rare as a unicorn

[CTR36]

I have lived in Carrollton and FB before. I now live in McKinney. I would choose Plano of the three. I love living here though.