Want to relocate to Dallas area in 2009 as a new teacher need good locations (Arlington: fit in, homes)

[D-Love]

I currently live in Michigan in a suburb of just over 40,000 people. I am currently in the process of getting a master's in secondary education and would like to move to the Dallas area next year. I have two teenaged daughters and would like to move to an area that has a fairly good school system and still be on the quaint side because I have gotten used to being in a town with one high school and everyone is for the most part familiar with one another. As far as me teaching goes, I can settle for anything within a 30 mile radius of where I live as long as it is not in the city of Dallas. Is Plano any good? What about Arlington?

[FarNorthDallas]

Plano has 3 massive senior high schools. Arlington has multiple large high schools as well. Neither would be considered "quaint" I don't think. Both are big cities.

[GayleTX]

You will have to look quite a few miles outside of Dallas to find a one-school town, esp. one considered 'quaint.' However, you might want to consider such towns as Van Alstyne, Howe, Whitewright, Trenton....all are small towns with above-average ratings for their school districts. And you can be in the North Dallas suburbs to all the shopping/entertainment you'd ever need in less than half an hour. In all of them, the school is the heart of the community and there is a great deal of opportunity for participation in all activities for students and the atmosphere is very safe and welcoming to newcomers. They don't pay as well as Plano, etc but the living expenses there are much less.

[jeffari-al-texani]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

You will have to look quite a few miles outside of Dallas to find a one-school town

ahem...we only have ONE high school in Sunnyvale...

[jekutz]

Coppell ISD has one high school, great schools and about 40,000 people. It has that small town feel but right in the middle of everything.

[Grainraiser]

Forney would be a good fit depending own where you work. There are many places that would fit the bill but without knowing where you would be working it's hard to give good advice.

[jeffari-al-texani]

Originally Posted by Grainraiser

Forney would be a good fit depending own where you work. There are many places that would fit the bill but without knowing where you would be working it's hard to give good advice.

Forney will become a two high school town next year, so doesn't quite fit into her one school town part of her descriptor...

[Arri]

Take a look at smaller sleepy towns like Fairview, Lucas and Parker, Texas just north of Dallas and South of McKinney. These small towns have good schools, are beautiful places to live and close to Lake Lavon. The new area around the Village at Fairview shopping center has several new developments with very affordable homes compared to the majority of large estate homes in the area. Also look in Seis Lagos a gated community overlooking Lake Lavon. Lovejoy ISD is great school district and would be a great place to teach.

[getmeoutofhere]

Birdville ISD is quite good.

As is Flower Mound, but that is part of Lewisville ISD, so your school posting may not be in Flower Mound itself.

[SeaToby]

Any city in Collin or Denton counties, north of Dallas, are growing fast. Towns to the east and south are growing too, but not as fast. The rich Republicans, or yuppies, are moving to Collin and Denton counties.

Allen is growing so fast, its independent school district has gone to all year schooling, as others have. They can't build schools fast enough. Are you getting the picture?