Minnesota Family moving to Dallas area...Help!

[Texsez]

Originally Posted by minnesota charlie

Hi everybody-- I am a 35 y/o guy, married with 3 young kids (3, 5, 7) who is moving to Dallas over the next couple months. this is a difficult move as we have a lot of family here in minneapolis and know virtually nothing about Dallas area.

I'd appreciate any recommendations on addressing some of our questions:

1. I'll be working downtown. I'd prefer a 20 minute commute (is this realistic?). My wife and I do not know anybody in this area so I feel like living in a "community" type place with a pool, park, etc. may be a good idea to connect us to make friends. any thoughts? I'd like to spend in the 200-325 range. (should I rent a house?)

2. what do you do for fun? I'll say I love the lakes, outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.).

3. any general comments on culture, community, etc. There is only so much research I can do online--we are coming down on july 5th-7th to check out the area. I have heard west Plano is cool...but maybe too long of a commute for me?

I very much appreciate anybody's comments--we are scared/nervous/excited at the same time. our goal is to enjoy our time together as a family in a cool environment.

I have no idea if the Lakewood posters that replied to you even read that you have 3 kiddos. Parts of Plano and Allen or McKinney. That's it. You do not want your children in DISD. Now......Welcome to GODS country!

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by Texsez

I have no idea if the Lakewood posters that replied to you even read that you have 3 kiddos. Parts of Plano and Allen or McKinney. That's it. You do not want your children in DISD. Now......Welcome to GODS country!

Yes, 2 kids, both in DISD - one elem and one HS. No worries and no problems.

But Minnesota Charlie has to do what's best for his family. And sounds like he got a lot of work done during his visit.

[needsomeinfo]

Originally Posted by minnesota charlie

hi group--here's a quick update on our recent trip. as my office is located at the belt line road and the north tollway, we looked primarily in the plano an frisco neighborhoods. It was such a packed time, we had little time to check out all of the fine neighborhoods suggested.

so here's the scoop: we've found a couple houses in the north plano / south frisco--just near 121 and independence. one house feeds to the taylor elementary in plano, and the other feeds to Isbell elementary in frisco. the frisco house feels a bit "up there" as it is just north and a bit east off independence and 121. I am doing my best to figure out a commute time.

We would like more time to explore the areas, but are feeling crunched on getting the kids situated in school. We looked a lot of houses--yes, mostly in the northern burbs. yes--mckinney is way the heck up there!

both houses fit my wifes target home---which is newer without the needs to update--we want to plug and play!

any thoughts are appreciated thanks~

hmmm... I think you need to decide which school district you want your kids in, which area has better traffic, which city has better ammenities/things you would like to do, and tax rates. (and, of course, which house you like better and the house price).

the school district is a personal choice. plano is more established, frisco is newer and will continue to grow. I think your kids would get a very good education in either district.

traffic will generally be better south of 121. your commute will be shorter.

ammenties- also personal. plano and frsico both have nice rec facilites, although I think plano's are cheaper to use. plano has the meuhlenbeck center with an indoor & outdoor waterpark, frisco lets you have kids b-day parties at their fire stations. I am sure they are plenty of good things about each city and their services- these are just the ones I know of off hand.

tax rates- plano is 1.77 for city and isd, frisco is 1.82 (per collin cad, 2008 rates. excludes county taxes that would be the same in both places). so, not a lot of difference.

hope that info helps. it may be a tough choice, but great that you found 2 houses you like enough to buy!

[FarNorthDallas]

That Taylor Elementary may be in the city of Plano, but I think it is in the Frisco school district.

[Big G]

Yep, those are both Frisco ISD schools.

BTW, were you aware that school started today for many of the districts?

[minnesota charlie]

yes---we knew school started today---we actually met with a few parents in each respective neighborhood on friday afternoon. wish we could have gotten our kids in there in time, but didn't work out that way.

I'm waiting for my relo buyout..and then can pull the trigger on one of the two houses...or at least come back down to expore a bit more. clearly, we would like to get the kids set into a school asap---and not start them up here in maple grove.

with regard to commute--that is my big crux---nice community--nice house....potentially long commute. google maps has a traffic option where you can set time of day--- it says 20 minutes....45 in traffic. feels like this is what I will have to do to get into a 4 bed 3 car garage...but I'll keep looking. best to all and many thanks--- I'll keep you all up to speed!

[FarNorthDallas]

Make sure you call those schools to see if they have room for more kids this late in the year. In some districts, the school's enrollment gets capped and you get shifted to an overflow school.

[HugeTon]

Originally Posted by minnesota charlie

Hi everybody-- I am a 35 y/o guy, married with 3 young kids (3, 5, 7) who is moving to Dallas over the next couple months. this is a difficult move as we have a lot of family here in minneapolis and know virtually nothing about Dallas area.

I'd appreciate any recommendations on addressing some of our questions:

1. I'll be working downtown. I'd prefer a 20 minute commute (is this realistic?). My wife and I do not know anybody in this area so I feel like living in a "community" type place with a pool, park, etc. may be a good idea to connect us to make friends. any thoughts? I'd like to spend in the 200-325 range. (should I rent a house?)

2. what do you do for fun? I'll say I love the lakes, outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.).

3. any general comments on culture, community, etc. There is only so much research I can do online--we are coming down on july 5th-7th to check out the area. I have heard west Plano is cool...but maybe too long of a commute for me?

I very much appreciate anybody's comments--we are scared/nervous/excited at the same time. our goal is to enjoy our time together as a family in a cool environment.

Any updates on your move? I hope everything is going well for you and your family.