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Old 09-09-2008, 01:23 PM
 
Location: Keller, TX
112 posts, read 290,369 times
Reputation: 39

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Considering a job change to a company in downtown Dallas. Hoping to get some advice on best places to live.

Short bio: I am in my early 40s, married, and have 4 kids (although one is soon off to college). Ther other 3 kids are elementary school-age. Grew up in north TX, so this is like coming home. Currently live in NC.

Here are my desired criteria, understanding that something may have to give:

- Short commute (relatively speaking, of course). Would prefer to have rush-hour drive of no more than 30 minutes. Or, a very short drive to a Dart rail station, for a combined commute time of <50 minutes.

- Decent yard for my kids to play in. Prefer 1+ acre, but could easily live with a 1/2 acre.

- ~4000 sqft home in the $450-600k range. Doesn't have to be super-luxurious or brand new construction, but would like the space (about the size of our current home). Wife wants 5 bedrooms, but could live with 4.

- Small town boy at heart, so probably wouldn't fit in with the Highland Parks crowd.

- School quality is a concern, though we aren't fixated on "only the best". Our kids are currently in a Christian-based private school, but that's not a requirement either.

Is this doable? I have some places in mind, which i can post later, but didn't want to influence the direction of the advice. The more specific (eg, subdivisions, builders), the better.

Thanks so much for your help!
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Old 09-09-2008, 02:14 PM
 
6,820 posts, read 14,034,515 times
Reputation: 5751
Just off the cuff I would Sunnyvale or Rockwall would be good starts. Sunnyvale would has a small town feeling and the kids to teacher ratio are very low. Just be aware that you would be using Mesquite for just about everything. Rockwall also has a small town feeling but is really growing fast. The far outlining Northern burbs like Murphy, Lovejoy etc might work but I think your commute time would be more than your asking. I'm sure others will chime in.
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Old 09-09-2008, 02:30 PM
 
Location: The Big D
14,862 posts, read 42,877,627 times
Reputation: 5787
Check Parker and Murphy. Up in Rolling Ridge Estates in Murphy/Parker there are 1/2 acre+ lots and some good prices right now. Shaddock is one of the builders. While this might put you pretty close to that 50 minute mark to downtown it would depend on the time of day your having to drive. Great small town feel area as well. Close to all of the city stuff but removed enough to not feel the hustle and bustle all the time.
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Old 09-09-2008, 04:06 PM
 
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
4,207 posts, read 15,257,217 times
Reputation: 2720
These are the towns that would offer all the requirements you ask for:

Sunnyvale (Mesquite ISD)
Rockwall (Rockwall ISD)
Heath (Rockwall ISD)
Royse City (Royse City ISD)
Forney Forney ISD, very few in Rockwall ISD)
Lucas (new construction on 1+ acres) Lovejoy ISD
Fairview (a few foreclosures) Lovejoy ISD
Parker Lovejoy ISD
Murphy has a handful (Plano ISD) the other side of Murphy is in WYlie ISD but I don't believe there are any homes that match what you're looking for.

Last edited by nsumner; 09-09-2008 at 04:33 PM..
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Old 09-09-2008, 04:10 PM
 
6,820 posts, read 14,034,515 times
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Just a FYI. Once the highschool is finished (It may be already completed) Sunnyvale will have it's own school system.
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Old 09-09-2008, 04:22 PM
 
Location: The Big D
14,862 posts, read 42,877,627 times
Reputation: 5787
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsumner View Post
Parker Lovejoy ISD
Murphy has a handful (Plano ISD) another site of Murphy is in WYlie ISD but I don't believe there are any homes that match what you're looking for.
Parker is in the Plano ISD.

Yes, there are some homes that would fit their criteria in the Parker/Murphy area. Here are a few:
MLS ID# 10990600
5bed/5 bath, 4700 sq ft, .49 acre lot, $549K

MLS ID# 11035357
5bed/5 bath, 5870 sq ft, 1/2 acre, $575K

MLS ID# 11023459
6bed/5 bath, 4788 sq ft, 100x121 lot, $579K

MLS ID# 10980572
5bed/4 bath, 4679 sq ft, 1.07 acres, $599K

There are a few more that go a bit over $600K
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Old 09-09-2008, 04:32 PM
 
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
4,207 posts, read 15,257,217 times
Reputation: 2720
Quote:
Originally Posted by momof2dfw View Post
Parker is in the Plano ISD.

Yes, there are some homes that would fit their criteria in the Parker/Murphy area. Here are a few:
MLS ID# 10990600
5bed/5 bath, 4700 sq ft, .49 acre lot, $549K

MLS ID# 11035357
5bed/5 bath, 5870 sq ft, 1/2 acre, $575K

MLS ID# 11023459
6bed/5 bath, 4788 sq ft, 100x121 lot, $579K

MLS ID# 10980572
5bed/4 bath, 4679 sq ft, 1.07 acres, $599K

There are a few more that go a bit over $600K

This is what I mean by a handfull. Rolling Ridge is in Plano ISD.

Parker is not in Lovejoy ISD, sorry. Part of it is in Allen ISD and another in Plano ISD.

Naima
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Old 09-09-2008, 05:06 PM
 
6,578 posts, read 25,465,801 times
Reputation: 3249
You might look east to Forney, southeast to Kaufman, or south to Red Oak
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Old 09-09-2008, 05:09 PM
 
16,087 posts, read 41,162,235 times
Reputation: 6376
We have some 1/2 acre lots around here, mainly in Forest Hills. We have homes with more than that but they would be too expensive. 10 minutes from downtown and a small town atmosphere like HP but without the attitude. Excellent home appreciation.

Search in 75214, 75218 and 75206 (smaller lots).
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Old 09-09-2008, 11:10 PM
 
Location: Keller, TX
22 posts, read 64,184 times
Reputation: 14
I would consider Southlake. All the schools are exemplary, so you will not need private schools like you will in some of the other areas mentioned. The only new construction that starts under $600K is Toll Brothers Johnson Place. There are a number of existing homes that fit your price range. Timberlake & Timmaron are two of my favorite communities.

Let me know if I can help further.
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