What builders should I stay away from? (Dallas, Arlington: homes, job market)

[piscesbaby]

I am currently stationed in Maryland and after 8 long years I am finally moving back to Dallas. I am looking at either Frisco or Grand Prairie. I have small children, so the schools are definitely important. I need recommendations on some of the better communities in either of the two cities. Are they any builders whose reputation isn't too good and I should probably stay away from? I was also curious about the home appreciation values in Dallas. I live in Maryland and the appreciation values up here are outrageous. Thanks for any help

[onrway2clt]

Originally Posted by piscesbaby

I am currently stationed in Maryland and after 8 long years I am finally moving back to Dallas. I am looking at either Frisco or Grand Prairie. I have small children, so the schools are definitely important. I need recommendations on some of the better communities in either of the two cities. Are they any builders whose reputation isn't too good and I should probably stay away from? I was also curious about the home appreciation values in Dallas. I live in Maryland and the appreciation values up here are outrageous. Thanks for any help

I don't live in Texas but I am trying to do as much research before I get there in Feb.

Frisco seems to be a great place to raise children, this is where I will be visiting. I do not know anything about Grand Prarie, I think momof2 can help you with that. Also you should try a search on that area.

As for builders to stay away from. I have heard very bad things about Grand Homes. I have heard some shaky things on First Texas homes as well.

Im sure others will chime in to help.

[usc619]

What's the lowdown on DR Horton?

[momof2dfw]

Grand Prarie vs Frisco

GP: Older city in the mid-cities (between Dallas & Ft Worth).
Frisco: Booming northern suburb that was just a few short years ago a small sleepy farm town. Only had 1 of each schools. High school mascot went from the "fightin coons" to the "Racoons". Had to be pc .

GP: Schools, ehhh. Go to publicschoolsreport.com and to the TEA website and check out the high schools. You have GP and South GP for high schools.
Frisco: 1 high school, Frisco High. Much newer. Again, check out the two above websites. Adding 6 new schools this year. Parents in a tizzy because their kids have to change schools. Price to pay for progress .
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfrepor...list.srch.html
From this page check to search by district name then put in the two cities.
There is a HUGE cultural gap between GP and Frisco.

GP: VERY close to Arlington. Along the border of GP right inside of Arlington are, well, several clubs that cater to men. Not exactly the kinds of places you want to have to pass w/ the kids in the car everytime you go somewhere.
Frisco: Since it is newer it is more "cleaner" or "sterile".

GP: Traffic wise can be a MESS. It is located between Dallas & Ft Worth & Arlington and will be hit w/ commuters going between the two. Just passing thru on the roads and highways.
Frisco: Traffic here can also be a huge MESS but most of the traffic is from people that are making Frisco their destination or their point of orgin. At least in tax dollars they are helping to pay for the roads they are using.

GP: Close to the lake. Joe Pool Lake.
Frisco: Close to the lake. Lake Dallas for us oldtimers and for all you newbies they call it Lewisville Lake. Sadly, one of the most dangerous lakes in the Dallas metroplex . Oh, and they have found gators in it. One was spotted in the very spot we had been in two days earlier and double

GP: Housing. A LOT of much older neighborhoods. New areas around the lake are being developed now.
Frisco: Not too long ago it was just a small farm community w/ not much when it came to housing. Even 15 years ago any subdivisions that were built were very small and minimal. The growth has been in the last 10 years.

GP: VERY close to Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, The Ballpark in Arlington (home of the Texas Rangers), the new Cowboys stadium. And D/FW Int'l Airport.
Frisco: Inside the city limits you have Stonebriar Center (large mall w/ ice rink), Dallas Stars Dr Pepper Center (where the Dallas Stars practice and the Texas Tornado play - minor team), Roughriders (minor league baseball - hugely popular as many north dallasites don't want to drive to Arlington for a baseball game, Pizza Hut Park (home of the MLS soccer team, Burn), outdoor bike track. Closest airport is Midpark - small private airport located at FM 544 and Midway, has been around for AGES.

GP: Industry - TONS!
Frisco: not much, mostly retail.

Hope some of this helps. These two cities are VASTLY different. If your work is in GP I would NOT commute from Frisco though. ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[piscesbaby]

You are awesome momof2dfw. Thanks for all the info. I actually llived in Irving and Flower Mound before I left for the Navy in 1998. As a teenager, I was sort of oblivious to all the of those things you mentioned that are very important now as an adult and buying property.My mom lives in Grand Prairie and I am so excited about having her there for my kids. My husband and I have been on our own without any family for so long, that I am really considering Grand Prairie just to be close to my mom. As far as the job goes, I have no idea where I will be working when I get out in November. I am actually a bit nervous about the job market in Dallas. I am in the IT field and the jobs are endless in the Baltimore/DC area. So I really feel like I'm leaving the job security that this area offers. I'm hoping my early preparation will pay off and I will find a really great job with the Government.Again, thanks for all the great info!

[momof2dfw]

piscesbaby,

If I were you and moving here not knowing where I was going to be working but still wanting to be close to mom and wanting a good family area w/ good schools, I'd probably look around the Grapevine area. This would be kind of right in the middle of what you are familiar w/ having lived in Irving and Flower Mound. Grapevine was larger than Frisco for a LONG time, lol. Still has some charm and very family friendly. It would also put you with better access to where your future job could be. I don't know if they were doing their big Grapefest when you lived in the area but it has become a huge event now. You would still be close to many things in the metroplex w/o being right smack in the middle of everything, good and bad. Close enough for the kids grandmother to visit easily or to go over for a day and stay. Glad to help and good luck.

[skyblu]

Momof2dfw is right on the money. Grapevine is an excellent compromise; superb school district, much better than Grand Prairie's, and overall quality of life is better. I would also pick Arlington over Grand Prairie as well.

[Guingirl]

gators in Lake Dallas???? I have heard that is is busy and one of the most dangerous lakes but GATORS??? What is that all about?? Do the other lakes in the area have them?

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by Guingirl

gators in Lake Dallas???? I have heard that is is busy and one of the most dangerous lakes but GATORS??? What is that all about?? Do the other lakes in the area have them?

Yep. They are there. And yes, other lakes have had them. We killed one in Tawakoni.

[socketz]

" Sadly, one of the most dangerous lakes in the Dallas metroplex "

Is this in reference to the gators, or are there other concerns ?

What are your thoughts on the bridge the will connect El Dorado to the 35 ?

http://enews.ntta.org/DrivingForward...ingGapLLTB.htm