Best neighborhood for commute from Addison (Dallas, Carrollton: condo, townhome, landscaping)

[Vermontmom]

After lurking for a while on this board, I wanted to ask for better insight about areas for my family to live if my husband accepts a job in Addison. The job is right off the Tollway, on Spring Valley Road. We are open to living in either the suburbs, or in Dallas itself. We live in Vermont, and I consider it idyllic in many ways (except for the winters!) but are ready to move on and explore life in the South.

Our priorities are the public school district being small (we are also open to private schooling since we have only one child, but would prefer public -- though am in shock after seeing the size of some of the districts), having an open yard without that fenced-in, claustrophic feel that I see from so many pictures online, no more than 30 minutes of commute time for my husband, be in a community that offers a pool, playground and a sense of belonging and have interesting architectural qualities that are not all the brick "castle-like" structures that seem so dominant in Dallas neighborhoods. Oh, and as my husband will be frequently flying out of DFW, the commute to the airport is also a consideration.

The house can be anywhere from $400k to $650k.

The one neighborhood suburb that seems to have some, if not all of these qualities, is Tucker Hill in McKinney. I love the different builders and diverse architecture, but am concerned that the lots are going to make us feel like we're living with our neighbors instead of next to them. The site seems to claim that it would take 25 minutes for one to commute from there to the intersection of the Toll road and 635. Does anyone know if this is accurate?

Other areas we would consider (ALL of these from looking online and not actually visiting in person, but am hoping people here can help eliminate some because of the commute time) and if anyone can throw in other subdivisions or towns, please feel free!

Frisco: (I know the district is large, but it seems to have divided up the kids with enough schools so there aren't 1,000 kids in one building. . . )

The Trails
Starwood

McKinney:

Tucker Hill (Prosper schools -- are they any good?)
Mallard Lakes (McKinney school and might consider private schooling if this is where we end up)
Stonebridge Ranch (some of it is Frisco. . . some of the yards look pretty big)

Coppell:

Northlake Woodlands
Summit at Spring

Dallas:

Lakewood
University Park (Doubtful we can afford anything of quality here, but it seems like what we are looking for -- too bad it's so pricey)


This is such an active board. I know I can count on some really thoughtful feedback.

[Dallas native]

If you're open to looking in the city of Dallas, you will find lots of 'hoods with older homes on large lots and unique architecture. Private schooling might be your best bet if you live inside the DISD (although there are a few public school exceptions). With your price range you should be able to find a house with a pool in these general areas: Lakewood, Bluffview, Kessler Park. All of these places have lots of hills, trees, creeks and old world architecture. Bluffview would offer the easiest commute to Addison as it is the furthest north. University Park wouldn't work at your price point unless you are willing to get a duplex, condo or townhome.

[Lakewooder]

Of those you mentioned in Dallas, Lakewood has the best public schools - others have bright spots but hard to go all the way through. Addison might take 45 minutes to reach but I think you will be very happy you chose our little Mayberry over other places.

If you can travel during times slightly off rush hour, it's not that bad. And you don't have to use a freeway or tollway - you can go up to NW "Highway" Loop 12 over to Hillcrest and up to Belt Line. Actually somewhat of a pleasant drive...the tollway can get clogged anyway. Not so sure about McKinney but it might take longer from there -- more people, more traffic, constant road work.

[TriumphOfTheSprint]

Originally Posted by Vermontmom

The one neighborhood suburb that seems to have some, if not all of these qualities, is Tucker Hill in McKinney. I love the different builders and diverse architecture, but am concerned that the lots are going to make us feel like we're living with our neighbors instead of next to them. The site seems to claim that it would take 25 minutes for one to commute from there to the intersection of the Toll road and 635. Does anyone know if this is accurate?

No chance of a 25 minute commute from McKinney to Addison (maybe if you are the only car on the road )

Take a look at Castle Hills also http://www.city-data.com/forum/dalla...ewisville.html (there are some photos in that thread). I commute to Spring Valley - it's a consistent 20 minute commute on surface streets. The commute to DFW Airport is also 20 minutes - straight down 121.

Varied architecture, small town feel, excellent schools, great for kids, decent lot sizes, and right in your price range.

[Spookmeister]

Just live in Addison and spare yourself the commute from wherever else. Belt Line to the North, Addison/Inwood Rd to the East, Spring Valley to the South and Marsh Lane to the West has some decent places. If you like Country Clubs, try the Bent Tree or Prestonwood Country Club neighborhoods.

[Vermontmom]

Thanks for the responses so far. If Lakewood is a 45 minute drive, then it is out of the running. (It's good to know this now before I start to daydream about living there.)
If McKinney is too far a commute to Addison, how about the areas of Frisco that I mentioned? Looking at a map, it seems a straight shoot up the Toll road, but maybe that's discounting some kind of horrific daily traffic jam that I'm unaware of.
Castle Hills is pretty and I think the houses are very nice, but I wanted a smaller school district than Lewisville. However, private school is always an option if the commute is decent.
I hadn't really considered actually living in Addison, since it doesn't come up on this board too often, but I must be missing something. Tell me about the communities and schools there.

[Spookmeister]

I would live in Addison or Carrollton before I'd even remotely consider Frisco or McKinney if commuting to DFW is a consideration.There are a couple of private schools right on Addison road, north of the airport so school isn't an issue living there. If they're not good enough, there a several more on Inwood south of 635 and around NW Highway, so you'll have options.
Nice area, definitely livable and the cops aren't nutcases like the surrounding areas...

Seriously, Farmers Branch is next door so you can't avoid the snide remarks sure to follow when you tell anyone where you live.

[catluvr]

Actually Coppell is awesome. Lots of trees, family oriented and all schools are top rated except high school which is recognized (I believe anything below 90% on the TAKS gives you recognized, but I could be wrong). Still a VERY good school with so much opportunity. In coppell, you do not need private school. You can get a very nice house for that price range and possibly a pool. The commute to Addison is really easy. Coppell has the friendliest people I have ever met. Lots of trees, nice landscaping and plenty of parks, a nice library, good shopping (no malls) and lots of things to do. Only drawback to what you are looking for is most of the houses are brick. You will rarely find the cool old wooden/sided homes here in the burbs!

Please definately consider Coppell.

[catluvr]

Originally Posted by Vermontmom

I hadn't really considered actually living in Addison, since it doesn't come up on this board too often, but I must be missing something. Tell me about the communities and schools there.

Addison schools are not good. If you live in Addison you will definately have to pay for private school and the houses are very expensive (for what you get). Addison is really a city geared for young, upper class singles. It's a place to eat, drink and party. It's where the 30 something "wannabemillionaires" hang out. From the few times I've been there (I used to live in Carrollton) I would not have considered Addison as a place to live, though nice communities in Carrollton/North Dallas nearby. Spring Valley has some really nice homes as you drive by as does Royal Ln. All North Dallas. All these areas will probably require private school.

Definately resesarch the schools. Some schools are fabulous despite their rating on a one time test taken within the year. Some schools stink and are exceptionally rated. You will have to personally visit the schools and talk to people in the neighborhood to make your decision.

[Vermontmom]

Does anyone know if Northlake Woodlands has a community pool? We would rather not have a backyard pool, but would need a central clubhouse/pool/playground where families congregate so we can make friends quickly.
It seems there are a lot of different phases of Northlake Woodlands, too. . . older homes, bigger lots, is there new construction going on as well?