DC cosmo family moving to Paris, TX (Dallas, McKinney: real estate, house)

[nomasamee]

My family is seriously considering moving to Paris, TX for a great job opportunity, my husband is in the medical field. We are from the DC metro area, and are hoping that we can have the luxuries that a good income bring, while still being able to access Dallas lifestyle on weekends every once in a while. What would stop me from moving there is only schools for our kids, ages 9 & 7. We are highly educated professionals, and currently have our bright kids in outstanding schools. Any information on where we should look, or private school options would be greatly appreciated. Also, insight into school culture would be great!

[nomasamee]

Also, any areas outside Paris within an hours drive can be considered if the schools are better. We are also a Muslim family of Middle Eastern descent, which I am sure will make us stick out like sore thumbs in that area, but are willing to try to make the best of it for a few years, if & only if its something that wont be too difficult on the children, especially the 9 year old....

[Grainraiser]

My wife is from Paris so if you can wait until morning I will get some answers for you. I do know the two major employers in the city is Campbell Soup and Kimberly & Clark. If you have any specific questions shoot me a private message and I will get an answer for you. She still has alot of friends and family in Paris. Be forewarned that the difference between the DC area and Paris, TX is huge. There is nothing cosmopolitan about it. Most young people get out of there as soon as they are older enough to move to Dallas. My guess would be the closet city with the nicest schools would be Commerce Tx. There is a decent size university located there so I would think they would have some private schools. I believe Sherman is pretty close also so it may be a option. Driving to Dallas would be a great weekend outing. The city will have a whole lot more to offer than Paris.

Reggie

[destin04]

Paris is a smallish town in the NE Texas area. You are about 100 miles from Dallas and all it's activities. I looked mapquest because I thought it might be close enough to McKinney which is considered a northern suburb of the DFW area....but after looking at the map...I believe it would be too far. The area of Paris/Bonham/Denison is considered kind of a little triangle of commerce. There is a lot of rural land dotted with farms and ranches. The landscape is pretty. I would check out the TEA (Texas Education Assoc.) web site for the ratings of the schools.

[loves2read]

and you should consider reposting in the main TX forum--Dallas is too different an area to get attention of people who might have more Paris-orientated info
although you got lucky with someone whose wife is from there

[mysterymachinebl]

Originally Posted by nomasamee

My family is seriously considering moving to Paris, TX for a great job opportunity, my husband is in the medical field. We are from the DC metro area, and are hoping that we can have the luxuries that a good income bring, while still being able to access Dallas lifestyle on weekends every once in a while. What would stop me from moving there is only schools for our kids, ages 9 & 7. We are highly educated professionals, and currently have our bright kids in outstanding schools. Any information on where we should look, or private school options would be greatly appreciated. Also, insight into school culture would be great!

You may not stick out as much as you may think. There are other doctors there of middle eastern descent. Former Pakistani President Musharraf visits one of the doctors up there, and was just there recently. Real Estate in that area is pretty cheap compared to areas around Dallas, so you can get quite a lot for your money.

[Grainraiser]

Well spoke the wife and she says the public school system is pretty much the only option in the city of Paris itself. There is a very,very small private christian school and that's it for private schools. Paris is a medium size town and the income per capita is not that great. They have a Home Depot, Super Walmart and a few chain restaurants and that is about it. I will check to see what private schools they have in the county but my guess is your going to have to expect some commute time to get your kids in a upper echelon school.

[nomasamee]

Thanks very much for the responses. I will take a look at Commerce for schools....and any more info on private schools in the county would be great!

[Lakewooder]

I posted on your post in the Texas section. Sherman would be too far to drive. Paris does have some lovely old mansions on Church Street. That seems to be the center of the 'cultured' set. Also there are some nicer homes on the east side. If you like Craftsman bungalows you can find a lot of them in different sections of the city. Also a lot of people with $ have ranches around there -- Gene Stallings is one - he grew up in Paris. Paris is unusual in that in the center of its town square it has a European-style fountain instead of the county court house (located a block or two north of there).

[Grainraiser]

There are some lovely older homes in Paris and they are right in the middle of town. They also have a subdivision with much newer homes.

Grainraiser