Job Offer in Grand Prairie, But . . . (Dallas, Fort Worth: rent, house, look for a job)

[HealthInfoTech]

Hello everyone! Married Afr-Amer woman here, w/2 elem school aged kids [ages 8 and 10; 8 yr old is VERY bright, but has mild autism (high functioning), so seeking school districts with good autism services]. Husband was just offered a job in the Grand Prairie area not far from the Dallas Naval Air Station. Looking for housing (will RENT a house first so that we can get a "feel" for the area) and decent schools that are commutable to Grand Prairie, but because I work in the healthcare field, I'd also like to live close to a large concentration of medical facilities/hospitals so I won't have too far of a commute (I'll look for a job AFTER we get there). Hubby would prefer a 25-30 min commute, but will do a longer commute (45-50 mins or less), if it means the kids can go to decent schools and my commute is 25-30 mins or less.

I understand that Mansfield & Cedar Hill are not far from G.P. (good commute for Hubby), but are their schools any good (esp. the autism services) and what about their proximity to a number of hospitals for healthcare support jobs for me? I've read many great things about Plano for its schools and its proximity to hospitals (good for me and the kids), but looking on a map, a Plano-to-G.P. commute for Hubby looks painful -- am I right????? Also open to finding a good Baptist church. No, we are not overly religious people or anything like that, but we do enjoy attending spirit-lifting, gospel services on a semi-regular basis. Taking into account of all our "wish list" here (esp. the schools/autism services and access to hospitals parts), should we consider living in Tarrant or Dallas County?

Any suggestions? All is appreciated. I look forward to responses. Many, many thanks in advance!!!

[HealthInfoTech]

Hmmmmm........any help would REALLLLLLY be appreciated . . .. . .....

[cincylifer]

You should probably do a search on this dallas forum, there have been plenty of prior threads of folks looking for schools for kids with autism.

Btw, good luck, we too are a Black family of 5, moving to Dallas next month, looking for a baptist church, hubbys job is in Grand Prairie too!

[HealthInfoTech]

I appreciate the response, cincylifer, and will check out the Dallas forum. Perhaps folk will still post here with helpful info anyway. All info I can get will go a long way.

[HealthInfoTech]

DFW is a rather big metro area in size. I'd REALLY like to know where the bulk of the hospitals are concentrated though. That would help.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Use the "search this forum" for info about hospitals. My impression is that they are quite spread out. I know Parkland is just north of town. Isn't SMU in Dallas? They have a hospital. Sorry, that's all I know.

[FarNorthDallas]

Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern, Zale Lipshey and Children's are in the same area and it's just northwest of downtown Dallas.

Baylor Hospital is just east of downtown Dallas.

Methodist Dallas is just southwest of downtown Dallas.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is just north of downtown Dallas.

After those above that circle the downtown area, there are hospitals in all directions. Plano has 4 hospitals - Medical Center, Presbyterian, Baylor and Children's, but they are not necessarily near each other.

[ChristieP]

FND gives excellent advice about the Dallas area hospitals. SMU does NOT have a hospital.

In Fort Worth, the "hospital district" is just south of I-30 at Summit/8th Avenue. The ones down there: John Peter Smith (county), Baylor All Saints, and Plaza. If you chose to live in Arlington or Mansfield, Fort Worth would also be an easy commute.

[fray]

i live in Forney. that would give your husband an est. 45 min commute with traffic to N. GP area. There are a couple of new hospitals recently built in the area that could have some opportunities for you.

Great schools. However, I don;t know about Autism specifically.

Small town feel, close to the city. Good luck!

[HealthInfoTech]

Originally Posted by fray

i live in Forney. that would give your husband an est. 45 min commute with traffic to N. GP area. There are a couple of new hospitals recently built in the area that could have some opportunities for you.

Great schools. However, I don;t know about Autism specifically.

Small town feel, close to the city. Good luck!

Forney? Thanks. I will check it out.....again, thanks!