Accepting of Liberal Atheists?! (Dallas, Plano: low crime, houses, neighborhood)

[MaimounaKande]

Can anyone direct me to some areas in/around Dallas which has older (pre-1940's) homes, are "green", good schools, low crime, and are either fairly liberal areas or at least tolerant of folks like us (white liberal atheist couple with black son (adopted obviously!).

I had been thinking Highland Park but apparently that is one of the most conservative areas in the state? (At least that's what I heard in another thread).

Looking to spend up to about $1million.

Also...the other "direction" I've been semi-seriously considering is going outisde Dallas a bit (commute is not a daily issue, but would need to be within about 45 min. of Plano), on a bit of land (5-10+ acres). In this case, again, would want to be an area tolerant of us, and also have good private schools nearby if the public schools aren't great (or if they are great, even better!).

Thanks for your help!!

[Lakewooder]

Lakewood/East Dallas. Swiss Avenue might be the place, but it's getting over the million to two million dollar mark - you will have to find a deal. Highland Park would not be a good idea, IMO.

[GoPadge]

Pre-1940's and "green" are almost mutually exclusive without quite a bit of renovation. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's kind of like my mother's ideals (environmentalist) and diningwear choices (pastic). It's not an obvious mix. Unless you're referring to other aspects of "green".

[MaryS80]

Anything with acerage is going to be in an area that is at least semi-rural. Unfortuantely a lot of times those types of areas live up to negative stereotypes. People will be very conservative, bible thumping, bigots. There are many nice large older homes in these areas. Dallas itself has some wonderful older homes in the Lake Highlands. The drawback there is its in close range of a bad area. Finding a green home in Dallas will probably be impossible. More then likely you will have to modify whatever home you buy.

[Guingirl]

Originally Posted by MaryS80

People will be very conservative, bible thumping, bigots.

Wow...okay...tell us how you really feel about people that live in the "country". Thats kinda stereotypical and ironic at the same time

[MaimounaKande]

Sorry, although I do love environmentally friendly buildings, in this case I actually meant green in the sense of old growth trees in the neighborhood and that sort of thing.

[GoPadge]

Ah, well then, there are plenty of areas with trees, though none really qualify as "Old Growth". The northern suburbs have a lot fewer trees, almost all of it was farmland 50 years ago. (Some of it still is.) There are some areas of Dallas proper and the suburbs that have mature trees, but I couldn't begin to name all of them. (I don't know most of them... )

Momof2DFW should be able to point you in the direction of both land and trees.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by GoPadge

Ah, well then, there are plenty of areas with trees, though none really qualify as "Old Growth". The northern suburbs have a lot fewer trees, almost all of it was farmland 50 years ago. (Some of it still is.) There are some areas of Dallas proper and the suburbs that have mature trees, but I couldn't begin to name all of them. (I don't know most of them... )

Momof2DFW should be able to point you in the direction of both land and trees.

Stay in the areas I suggested in the other thread of the OP's. They will find plenty of very nice pre-1940's housing on large lots w/ very mature trees and a more "open" attitude to those w/ a different lifestyle in their price range. There is one I posted that I'd LOVE to have, omygosh, it is AWESOME!


BTW, I'm taking my kids hiking soon thru the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, which we see EVERY SINGLE DAY and I can see the tops of the trees from the nearby target. http://www.springcreekforest.org/

[courtcheck]

I saw a documentary on kera called "Subdivided"
It focused on this neighborhood, It sounds like what you are looking for.
www.subdivided.net

As a fellow atheist in North Texas my advise is to keep a low profile.

[hamiltonpl]

Lakewood/East Dallas would be the best place for you. People are very accepting. Lots of tall trees. Pretty and old houses. 1M can buy you a nice house. There is even an area near white rock lake where you can get 1/5 acre - 1 acre lots. (Look off of Brennan's Place north of the lake). The schools are pretty good. Crime is low. The 75214 zip code is the main Lakewood zip. Stonewall Jackson and Lakewood Elementary are the best areas to stay in.

Highland Park is a nice clean town. Excellent schools, but the students are pretty conservative. I grew up there. However, this is how all conversations begin: (1) what's your name? (2) where do you go to church? People will be tolerant of your views. Despite what outsiders think, there are a few Highland Park liberals. But not many.