Plano or Mansfield? (Dallas, Arlington, Grand Prairie: homes, neighborhood, school districts)

[FutureTexan2010]

My husband and I and my 2 daughters are moving to Texas this spring from Pennsylvania. My youngest daughter will be starting high school and the oldest will be in college. We are looking for a $400-$500K home in a decent school district on a golf course with a 30-45 minute commute to south Dallas. Mansfield High School stats and test scores are a bit unnerving, but everyone I talk to says it is good. Hebron High School is the alternative if we move to Plano, but we are not sure we can find a decent sized home in Plano for $400-$500k. Has anyone else had to make this same decision lately and which school did you choose?

[nsumner]

You can find a very nice home in Plano in your price range. There are only a couple in the Chase Oaks community where homes were built in the 90s, Prestonwood & Indian Creek would have more to choose from also built in the 90s. Ridgeview Ranch is in Frisco ISD and has less than a handful on the market right now built in the late 90s.

In Mansfield, Walnut Estates is pretty much the only neighborhood to consider on Walnut Creek country club. There is another neighborhood that has some homes on the Mansfield National Golf Course which is owned mostly by the city so it's a public course.

Naima

[FarNorthDallas]

Hebron High is actually the Lewisville school district. That would be a not short commute to a job in south Dallas.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

What do you consider a good size?

[FutureTexan2010]

3500 sq ft since there are no basements in any of the homes

[ChristieP]

Plano/Lewisville is an AWFUL commute to South Dallas. Expect an hour each way since you have to go through downtown Dallas. I'd pick Mansfield...

[Acntx]

Mansfield

[sealey05]

We just moved to Mansfield and have seen a lot of what you are looking for. You might like the area near Country Club Dr. in Mansfield which is on the golf course and very nice - you should be able to get something very nice in your price range. Also, that puts you in Mansfield High school district which seems to be the best choice. I am not hearing nice things about Timberview. Mansfield is mostly residential but you have easy access to all the amentities that you need in Arlington and Grand Prairie. We have been researching alot as well. Hope this helps!

[momof2dfw]

Concerning your daughter that is in college. Where is she going to school? Will she be living at home and commuting? If you go with Mansfield your putting her over an hour away from most colleges/universities in the area. I'm sure there is a happy medium out there that is between the two, in the price range you are looking at for the size of home your wanting. That would be a decent commute for the working adult to South Dallas. And put your oldest daughter closer to schools that would be of her liking. What area of South Dallas as this can make a world of difference in the locations suggested for you to check out?

You need to seriously drive around these areas before deciding on them. Visit them for extended times to make sure your getting the right fit.

[Ferd]

You do NOT want to live north of I-635 and commute to South Dallas.

The problem is that most of the really good school districts are north of I-635.

I would look at Mansfield or even south of Seagoville to be out of town some. not sure of the school disricts down there though.