Stay in Chicago or Come to Dallas (Plano: deal, place)

[ajaxx]

Tom,

Are you with an RE agency or know a good agent? You mentioned number of homes sold in the area, so figure you might be one. Let me know and I'll send you some contact info.

[rosscountry]

Originally Posted by ajaxx

Cool. Thanks for the replies.

We currently live in Cary, which is 45-50 miles NW of the city, with two wee ones. I've lived in and around Chicago for the last 25 years (Hinsdale, Bolingbrook and the city). Didn't go to Big Ten
Like live loud music scenes, mountain biking (don't get much a chance to do that with children lately), really like live sports (had Bears season tix for a while) as long as beer is available .

From the research that we've done, it does look like the schools are a lot better and the cost of housing is a lot more forgiving pricewise, compared to NE Illinois. My wife is pretty much sold on Plano at this point in the game.

JMO

If you are into mountain biking, love sports and music scenes you should look at places closer in to Dallas like Lakewood, Cedar Hill - Grand Prairie.
What these areas offer that Plano won't is hilly areas for biking, Lake- water sports and easier access to Dallas sports such as the Dallas Cowboys (your new team), Mavericks, Stars and Rangers. It will be a long hike for sports venues from Plano.
Why is your wife sold on Plano?

[ajaxx]

Originally Posted by rosscountry

JMO

Why is your wife sold on Plano?

She's a sucker for 100 best lists and saw Plano near the top. Plus she read that the schools are good there.

[ajaxx]

Originally Posted by rosscountry

...easier access to Dallas sports such as the Dallas Cowboys (your new team), Mavericks, Stars and Rangers.

Ha! You have to know that a Bears flag will be prominently displayed from my from porch as soon as I get down there!

[LynnSlaney]

Originally Posted by rosscountry

JMO

If you are into mountain biking, love sports and music scenes you should look at places closer in to Dallas like Lakewood, Cedar Hill - Grand Prairie.
What these areas offer that Plano won't is hilly areas for biking, Lake- water sports and easier access to Dallas sports such as the Dallas Cowboys (your new team), Mavericks, Stars and Rangers. It will be a long hike for sports venues from Plano.
Why is your wife sold on Plano?

**Plano's a great choice...plenty of good bike riding areas off Windhaven-Nature Trl & East Plano. The Richardson Bike Mart has a location in Frisco with many planned trips for cyclist on back country-Farm Rds. (Just wait until the summer in 100 degree days and the "rattlers" are sunning on the roads!!) HaHa
***Pier 121 on Lake Lewisville is super close to Plano off Hwy 121 & Northpointe. Lake Lavon is on the East side of I 75- Central.
***

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by ajaxx

My wife and I are thinking about relocating to Dallas in the near future. How does the Dallas area compare to Chicago?

Thnx and Go Bears

I also moved from Chicago in 95 and we never regretted it. It is a different lifestyle and we find ourselves doing so many more things outdoors since the weather permits it.

Before you concentrate on one particular place, Plano or another, I urge you to make a trip and explore for yourself. What school age are your kids?

It is a great place.

Naima

p.s. we too had the Bears flag on our porch when we first moved here but eventually the local doctrine kicked in and we had to switch camps to the Cowboys... if they play the Bears, then we're in trouble

[aaronyoung777]

As most people in Dallas know, the outlying areas have more to do than the actual city, however that may change in the next 5 years or so. Dallas is not much of a place for people who come for a visit, however, living here is great. I think you will find people to be more friendly than Chicago. Most people i conversed with from more northern cities think the friendliness is fake and two faced, assuming you will never know if someone likes you or not. I would say the idea is more of an "I have to be around you, so I will be friendly, assuming you probably don't care what I think of you anyway" than a maliciousness. To someone from Chicago, you will probably find the summers brutal, and the water restrictions annoying, but something you will adapt to. Dallas is booming right now, and would probably be smart from an investment standpoint. Good luck!

[ajaxx]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Before you concentrate on one particular place, Plano or another, I urge you to make a trip and explore for yourself. What school age are your kids?



p.s. we too had the Bears flag on our porch when we first moved here but eventually the local doctrine kicked in and we had to switch camps to the Cowboys... if they play the Bears, then we're in trouble

One is four and the other is 3 months old.

Oh how could you guys cave?

BTW - Is there a place down there that sells Italian Beef sandwiches? It could be a deal breaker if there isn't!

[ajaxx]

Originally Posted by aaronyoung777

To someone from Chicago, you will probably find the summers brutal,

I lived in Ft Sill/Lawton, OK for a couple of years. I liked the summers there, oddly enough.

[cobolt]

Ahhh for an Italian Beef sandwich. I haven't found a decent one yet since I left Chicago, and I sure look forward to my visits back to Chi-town for that reason (and pizza, and Vienna hotdogs....)