Plano or Irving? (Dallas, Carrollton, Lewisville: apartments, homes, neighborhoods)

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by texaschris29

What are the people in Plano like?

All types like most places.
There are a number of people who are very wealth and status conscious. there are a lot of people who are not. Plano is a large city, and has the variation you would expect in a large city. If you like large "McMansion" types of homes then West Plano would be for you. If you like more traditional neighborhoods with established trees, etc then you might want to look in Central Plano. I
It has a less urban feel than Las Colinas (not that Las Colinas is particulalry urban) it is more conservative, both socially and politically, and is oriented primarily to families rather than singles.

If you like to go out, liek nightlife, theatre, etc.. Plano probably isn't for you. If you like good shopping, and don't mind being in a minority as far as being a couple rather than a family, Plano might be a good fit. If you think you might be spending time in Fort Worth as well as Dallas I would definately stick with Las Colinas as it is an easier trip from there.
I would just visit both and feel out which is better for you.

Also you really must take into account where you will be working. Traffic and Commuting is a major issue in the DFW area, and if you can stay close to your work area it would be helpful. (having said that my wife commutes from Old East Dallas to North Richardson every day because we prefer to sleep where we live rather than where we work).


Cards on the table, Plano is not somewhere I would care to live. That is not bashing Plano which obviously fits the needs and desires of many, rather think of it as part of the strength of the Dallas area, that there is a neighborhood that fits the wants of most anyone, if you look around for it.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by tycobb2522

^ Could you translate this for me, please.

Las Colinas is not "westernmost Plain-O"...thank god

[Metro Matt]

To the OP

If you like nightlife, I wouldn't live outside of Dallas County.

Las Colinas is still in Dallas County.

[FalconheadWest]

Las Colinas is more "wealthy" than most of Plano. Las Colinas is all about the big houses and being able to tell your friends you live in "Las Colinas". That's where the Byron Nelson is held each year, and it's a plastic factory looking for husbands. Las Colinas is ALL about money.

Plano has many different areas, and though they have Willow Bend and Gleneagles, the majority of Plano is priced well under $225k with modest sized homes, and very nicely rated schools.

I grew up in Richardson and currently live in Richardson, but I've also lived in Valley Ranch which is just north of the Las Colinas community, but that's still Irving, and from personal experience, Las Colinas is definitely more about money and wealth than Plano is.

[caligurltotx]

Thanks falconheadwest. I was just gonna say didn't a 2 million dollar home just burn down in Las Colinas? Seems like some pretty wealthy folks would have to be living there!

I like the feel of Valley Ranch and the people here are nicely diverse from doing pretty well financially to those just getting by (students). Super Walmart is like being in every country around the globe. They don't seem to be very pretentious here. Plus the convenience is the best. I have been everywhere from Duncanville to Plano with no major issues as far as traffic. But then again I wasn't traveling at 6 a.m. either.

[tycobb2522]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Las Colinas is not "westernmost Plain-O"...thank god

Thanks for clearing that up for us. So now you have given us: Flower Mound isn't Houston, and Las Colinas isn't Plain-O... Quite a little geography lesson. Unfortunately, we are all a little dumber from the experience.

[tycobb2522]

Originally Posted by caligurltotx

Thanks falconheadwest. I was just gonna say didn't a 2 million dollar home just burn down in Las Colinas? Seems like some pretty wealthy folks would have to be living there!

Laughing. Well, you can use a news report of a 2 million dollar house burning down as the source for your contention...

Or, you can spend 3 minutes right here on CD and find actual statistics.

Couple of West Plano zips: 75024, 75093 ; $94,659, $109,352 median household incomes respectively.

Irving (LC) 75063, 75039, 75062; $62,726, $56,929, $45,467

Yes, I suppose there are "some pretty wealthy folks" living in Las Colinas. But as we have been told, "it aint westernmost Plain-O"

To be honest, I was surprised at how low the incomes are in the Plano zips; I would have never guessed that. I would not dream of owning a home in either of these zips on a personal income that low, much less a household income. In fairness, I think that shows how strung out financially many people are. However, one of the Las Colinas zips showed median home prices in the mid-300's, which shows they are even more strung-out financially, unless I'm not interpreting the statistics correctly.

[grindin]

Originally Posted by tycobb2522

Quite a little geography lesson. Unfortunately, we are all a little dumber from the experience.

Thank you so much for reminding us of how much smarter you are than the rest of us! Thank you again! Reading your condescending insults and not contributing anything important to any thread ever are so empowering and enlightening...

[tycobb2522]

Originally Posted by grindin

Thank you so much for reminding us of how much smarter you are than the rest of us! Thank you again! Reading your condescending insults and not contributing anything important to any thread ever are so empowering and enlightening...

Wow, I hate to condescendingly insult you, but perhaps you could turn your eyes to the post directly above yours and see where I used actual statistics to contribute to the thread and counter an illogical contention.

Not that I'm smarter than you or anything...

And since you're slow to catch on around here, please understand that I will make such "condescending insults", every time I come across a ridiculous, inciting, and ignorant post, such as "Las Colinas is not Westernmost Plain-O, thank god", or one like yours. I actually get along just fine with almost everyone here. It's posts like yours that will get such responses.

Now, if you happen to not like what I have to say, you, like anyone else in this forum, are perfectly welcome to hit that little "ignore" button, and never see another one of my posts again. Understood?

[loves2read]

just a word about Irving
we went to see musical performed at the Lyric Stage in Irving on McArthur this past Saturday--while I did not like the musical itself--the performance values were strong--great cast and orchestra played well--the theater was lovely--very comfortable seating--wide aisles--parking was good...
first time we were there---there was also another production of the Irving Chorale group and a quilt show going on sponsored by the Irving art league I guess--did not really see who sponsored it--
but frankly we were plesantly surprised...it was totally first rate--
there is a larger community theater in the same area but separate bldg...
based on that positive experience we will probably look for more shows to attend...
I think Irving has a sharp divide in the population and areas---basically along Airport Frwy
Irving south of the 183 freeway is older and probably from what we have seen driving through it, lower socio-economic--there are retail/commercial strips and apts and homes but not a lot of gentrification
Irving north of 183 is a mixed bag--there are some older neighborhoods that while they might be older are maybe pretty stable and not that affected by crime...sort of like Richardson's better areas--
maybe some neighborhoods that are minority but middle class...
then you have Las Colinas areas like Hackberry Creek, Cottonwood Valley, 4 Seasons resort complex and the big businesses and retail places with upscale apts/condos for singles or couples with money...La Villita is one like that...
The big issue really for buying a home seems to be the school
Irving ISD for the 06 TAKS had fewer students earning commended--which relates to a truly excellent score--than the TX average of 11%--Irving had 7%--it tied with Grand Prairie and the only ISD in the area lower was Dallas--
that is not a good comparison--in 07 the district passing rate was 69 in math and 64 in science...72% are economically-disadvantaged and 32% are limited English--
no HS is more than acceptable in ratings
one middle school rated recognized in 08==and 7 elementary but no elementary rated exemplary--that is really what is shocking--even in the higher income and supposedly better educated areas there was not an elementary that rated exemplary--
so once again it is easy to see that low income, limited language students struggle--no news in that--
but if the district can't succeed with students from higher income areas where people supposedly are better educated then how can they do it with students who really struggle to make gains

Irving has higher % of those types of students because it is older and cheaper housing costs attract poor families--also it is located between Dallas and FTW making work in either area fairly convenient...
IF the district showed that the better areas had better schools you could risk buying home in those enclaves and spending tax money on public schools--but apparently that is not the case
there ARE districts in the area that have the same type of demographics and they do succeed with having better rated/tesing scores for their demographics---and they can do it in areas where income/language are handicaps vs helpers...
buy there...