Is there anything bad about Coppell? (Dallas, Irving: for sale, crime, custom home)

[HouseHuntingAgain]

We are almost decided on Coppell by hearing all good things about the area for schools and children. This is impt to us as we have two who are 5 and 2 yrs so good schools are impt. Our budget is around 350K and we like quite a few houses we have seen on the internet. We are currently in CT but we have visited Dallas twice on short visits (3-4 days). Below are our specific questions
1. What areas / subdivision in Coppell should we avoid.
2. Are there any specific areas subdivisions that houses have been known to have foundation / construction issues. This looks to be an issue with the Dallas Area.
3. We like to see people around the area, walking, jogging, playing, cycling is this common in Coppell. Some areas of dallas look deserted just big houses, I would understand when it gets too hot.
4. What activities if any can we expect in the area, we would be new and hence looking to make friends.
5. My wife is petrified on Hurricanes and tornadoes, how common are they specifically the tornadoes in the coppell area.

[sonshinelife]

no hurricanes around Coppell

haven't heard specifically of tornado in that area for a long while/although we do get some bad storms on occasion...nothing though to be worried about...I've lived in the vicinity for over 40 years and have never seen a tornado

As for Coppell...pretty much anywhere is decent to live...I've never heard anything bad about neighborhoods in that area

[5stones]

I don't think there is a "bad" area or neighborhood to avoid in Coppell.

More than tornadoes we have very bad Thunderstorms in the DFW area with "tornado warrings and watches" meaning the conditions are right for spawning tornados.
Strong winds and hail probably do more damage than tornadoes. Spring is very windy.

Schools are all very good. The DFW area as a whole has alot of academic competetiveness and pressure for AP exams etc... (all trying to get that top 10% status)
Coppell has a great rec center pool complex.

The only negative thing I can think of is that alot of the yard are small. Big houses on small lots.

Overall it's a great little community.

[loves2read]

one nice thing about Coppell to me is the fact that the city council zones signage more strictly than in other DFW communities--street signs for businesses are lower and less intrusive--
it may make it more difficult to FIND a location if you are not familiar with it--but it is peaceful to drive down the streets without having your line of sight overwhelmed and compromised by tall, bulky, aggressive signs...

I am sure there are areas of Coppell that have fewer people outside doing activities like you are asking about--we moved from Bedford to Hurst--just 3 miles from our old home--into community that is newer with mix of seniors/young families and older ones--and here there are very, very few people my husband sees when he goes out walking in the morning before breakfast--
in our older subdivision--probably more older couples but still some younger ones--there were people walking in morning and at night--more daytime activity
so think each neighborhood has rhythm of its own...
Google for Coppell parks or specific neighborhoods/subdivisions to see if there is web site with info
I will PM you a good web site
the heading for Dallas county check out Coppell--it will have list of any subdivision with homes for sale which makes a good list of neighborhoods to check for further information
Coppell schools are some of the best in DFW--small district--fairly homogeneous student body--seems to be run fairly well and because there is not that much open land for development in Coppell the district is probably not going to need much new construction or have lot of new growth--which help with taxes...

[nsumner]

There is no bad area in Coppell. Also no particular area with foundation issues. Just get a good home inspection done.

I agree with 5stones about the lot sizes in Coppell. They tend to be very small. If you want a pool, expect it to take up the entire yard. That is if you can fit one on it.

No tornadoes to worry about. I moved from Chicago 15 years ago and have yet to see one. You hear about it on the news, that's about it.

Coppell is a bedroom community. Except for the occasional grocery store, you would have to go to Irving/Las Colinas for dining, shopping, entertainment etc. but that's not very far. On the opposite side to the north is the Lewisville Vista Ridge Mall also packed with things to do.

When shopping for a home in Coppell, make sure that it's in the Coppell school district. The Carrollton/Farmers Branch school district covers a good part of Coppell. School districts here overlap.

Naima

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by HouseHuntingAgain

We are almost decided on Coppell by hearing all good things about the area for schools and children. This is impt to us as we have two who are 5 and 2 yrs so good schools are impt. Our budget is around 350K and we like quite a few houses we have seen on the internet. We are currently in CT but we have visited Dallas twice on short visits (3-4 days). Below are our specific questions
1. What areas / subdivision in Coppell should we avoid.
2. Are there any specific areas subdivisions that houses have been known to have foundation / construction issues. This looks to be an issue with the Dallas Area.
3. We like to see people around the area, walking, jogging, playing, cycling is this common in Coppell. Some areas of dallas look deserted just big houses, I would understand when it gets too hot.
4. What activities if any can we expect in the area, we would be new and hence looking to make friends.
5. My wife is petrified on Hurricanes and tornadoes, how common are they specifically the tornadoes in the coppell area.

I would be hard pressed to find one negative about Coppell. Yes, you will see people biking, walking, neighbors with kids visiting and lots of family activities going on most of the time. It is a town, like a few others in the west part of Dallas proper that take a lot of pride in their community.

I don't know about builders or sub divisions to avoid, but others will be able to help you with that. Coppell isn't really directly in a tornado area, but it is NO Texas, so of course you could have a problem. Certainly it isn't anything to worry about, but the spring does have strong winds and often hail storms: as for hurricanes, never, if I dare use that word.

As mentioned, there is a small eastern area of Coppell that is Carrollton schools, do check this out. There is nothing wrong with Carrollton schools but they are not nearly rated as good as Coppell and are much more diversified.
Nita

[momof2dfw]

One bad thing about Coppell............. It isn't what it used to be

It used to be kind of "out there" and all trees and a great small country feel right by the city. It has grown a LOT and traffic on the major streets even on the weekends is an issue. My all time favorite area to live there is Northlake Woodlands. The original Northlake Woodlands with the HUGE lots w/ tons of tall mature trees on winding streets w/ all custom homes. The rest has turned into smaller lots w/ houses packed in on top of each other . The city should have kept the density levels down to help keep the larger lots and trees that once populated the area abundantly but the growth started back when clear cutting for developments was allowed with no regard for trees. The schools are highly regarded and the city does have an abundance of services. One reason being is that every single time a vote was put to the residents for a bond to provide new services or update it was ALWAYS approved. There was hardly any opposition or splitting of hairs. That in turn has created a city and school system that is ahead of the curve and not trying to play catch up. It still doesn't help now w/ the traffic issues w/ the wider streets and all of the development but at least they are there.

As for the houses and foundations. You will find some out there that do have issues. Avoid anything close to water retention or water runoff areas (mostly in concrete now). You will see developments w/ water irrigation "ditches" paved thru the area that had to be put in due to flooding. There are some low lying areas out there the closer you get to the east side where the creeks are and the Elm Fork / Trinity River go thru and on to McInnish Park and then south towards Valley Ranch. There are some really really low lying areas out that way as well as the old Farmers Branch Landfill (AVOID THAT AT ALL COSTS). Thankfully, right now no one is building on it except for parks and trails but I can see the day when someone does and people will buy and they will be flooded out . If you want to see just how bad that area floods just travel down 190 & 635 right there after a good rain and look that way....... YIKES!

[DesignerMommy]

Lots of wonderful things and activities to do. Especially if you have children. The summer camps are AWESOME!!!! It's a small town feel. They have HUGE homes for your price range. Try Ebby.com or just ride around the area to get a feel and look at homes that are currently for sale. Good luck!!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DesignerMommy

Lots of wonderful things and activities to do. Especially if you have children. The summer camps are AWESOME!!!! It's a small town feel. They have HUGE homes for your price range. Try Ebby.com or just ride around the area to get a feel and look at homes that are currently for sale. Good luck!!

good points: If I had to find any fault, it might be the cost of homes, but still finding any negatives would be hard.

Nita

[caligurltotx]

Only negative is traffic enforcement is high but crime is low! So consider it a good trade off.

Seriously, everyone I know that live in Coppell loves it! I love it too even as a visitor to the walking trails and farmers market!