Couple, no kids, lots of dogs, relocating to NE Dallas area (Plano: renting, low crime)

[MJF38]

I am currently doing the research for our possible relocation. The time frame is 1-3 months. We would need to sell our current home in VA before purchasing. I would like to look in the 300k and under range. The job that my husband will have is located on S. Jupiter Rd, Dallas TX - I am looking for something within 30 minute commute. So far I have been looking at the northeast dallas area, richardson, garland, sachse, and rowlett. Of course I am open to other suggestions. Our requirements are at least 3BR, 2.5 BA and at least 2,000 sq. foot. I require a large yard for our dogs (3xlarge). Would like to be close to parks and rec areas for the dogs. No kids so school district is not an issue but obviously I do not want to live in a low-income/high crime area.

Other wants would be located close to restaurants and convenient shopping, recreation opportunities and arts and entertainment venues. (I know, not asking for much, right?) We are a late 30's early 40's interracial couple with no children so I would like opportunities to get out and socialize, meet new people. (we do not know anyone in the area) Husband is in graphic design and I am attorney. I am also active in dog training so again any areas that are especially dog friendly (i.e. restaurants, parks, etc.) would be a plus.

I have thought about renting vs. buying at first but with the 3 dogs I think that may be a problem. Ideally I would like to narrow my search to specific areas and then neighborhoods within those areas so that I may do an abbreviated home search within a couple of visits. So, have at it, what are the expert recommendations?

[TurtleCreek80]

Since you are dog lovers, I recommend focusing your search around White Rock Lake in East Dallas. White Rock has a 9 mile jogging trail as well as the city's best dog park- one for small dogs and another for large dogs. They are on Mockingbird Lane almost to Buckner Blvd.

I would get on a realtor.com site and look in zip code 75218. This includes the neighborhoods east of the lake called Old Lake Highlands, Lochwood, and Lake Park Estates. This is your best bet to get almost everything you want in an area that has huge (for Dallas) lots, tons of trees, parks, creeks, etc.

I looked quickly and found a listing at 9934 Galway for $249k- a 3/2 built in 1951 but completely remodeled recently on a 100x161 lot in Lake Park Estates. It is walking distance to White Rock Lake and a few shops and restaurants at Garland & Buckner. FYI, 60-80x 100-130 is a the "standard" range for lot size in Dallas. In many suburbs (Plano, Frisco) it's even smaller.

Another listing is 11217 Yorkmont Circle in Lochwood. It's a 3/2 listed at $272k, built in 1958 with completely remodeled kitchen & bath on a big lot with huge old trees.

These are just to give you an idea of what your money will get you in the area.

Your husband's commute would be under 15 minutes depending on where on Jupiter his office is. No highways, just streets! FYI, Northwest "Highway" isn't really a highway, just a 6-lane major road.

You said you are a lawyer. If you are looking for a job in Dallas, too, many law firms are downtown. Your commute would be around 20 minutes with no highways.

This area is great- families as well as empty nesters and a handful of original 1950s owners. You are close to shops & restaurants in Lakewood (west of the lake), NorthPark Mall area (Northwest Hwy and 75), Casa Linda (Buckner & Garland), and a 20 minute drive to downtown Dallas and it's museums, restaurants, and world-class performing arts center which opens next week with a new opera house and theater to complement the existing symphony hall.

The area is also more liberal leaning, so no one would blink an eye at an interracial couple.

[MJF38]

Thanks for the recommendations. I have recently been looking at the northeast suburbs, but I find myself drawn back to the area northeast of white rock lake. They have some beautiful mid-century houses as well as older homes that have been fully remodeled. Can anyone give more info about the Lake Highlands area? Crime? Taxes compared to the suburbs? Activities, recreation? Thanks!

[UTDGraduate]

I definitely recommend Oakridge Country Club community ( Diamond Oaks Dr. and Big Oaks Dr.) in Garland. Houses in these communities are upscale(from 200K 1/2MIL) surrounded by golf course, park and creeks and very low crime. Also visit the new home community on Buckingham Rd at Shiloh Rd and Creekside Village near North Garland High School. These are great communities to live in.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by MJF38

Thanks for the recommendations. I have recently been looking at the northeast suburbs, but I find myself drawn back to the area northeast of white rock lake. They have some beautiful mid-century houses as well as older homes that have been fully remodeled. Can anyone give more info about the Lake Highlands area? Crime? Taxes compared to the suburbs? Activities, recreation? Thanks!

That is a nice area with large lots so your dogs can have some room to roam. It sure is within the 30 minute commute that you are looking for, the school district is Richardson (highly regarded) and even though it may not be important to you, it is still good to have for resale value. The zipcode is 75218 and 75238.

Naima

[MJF38]

Originally Posted by nsumner

That is a nice area with large lots so your dogs can have some room to roam. It sure is within the 30 minute commute that you are looking for, the school district is Richardson (highly regarded) and even though it may not be important to you, it is still good to have for resale value. The zipcode is 75218 and 75238.

Naima

Thanks, those are the areas I'm looking at now. There are so many options, I'm narrowing down my requirements for a home and the neighborhoods. Safety is paramount and from everything I've read on here so far, Lake Highlands sounds like the place to be for the type of house we want and activities, etc.

[Grainraiser]

Lake Highlands really is a nice area. Older well maintained homes that sit on larger lots which would be nice for the dogs. Plenty of nice areas to walk the dogs. I really like the White Rock area also but it is a older area and most of the homes tend to be on the smaller side. I will say nothing beats walking the lake. It truly is paradise within the city limits. I would give Lake Highlands the nod but one visit to the White Rock lake area could sway your decision in a heartbeat.

[MJF38]

Originally Posted by Grainraiser

Lake Highlands really is a nice area. Older well maintained homes that sit on larger lots which would be nice for the dogs. Plenty of nice areas to walk the dogs. I really like the White Rock area also but it is a older area and most of the homes tend to be on the smaller side. I will say nothing beats walking the lake. It truly is paradise within the city limits. I would give Lake Highlands the nod but one visit to the White Rock lake area could sway your decision in a heartbeat.

Thanks! I think all signs are pointing to this area. I was left cold by the suburban houses, once I started looking at Lake Highlands and around the lake, I got all warm and fuzzy. Now we just need the job offer to make this move happen!

[Lakewooder]

Also try 75214 Lakewood and 75206 M-Streets/Lower Greenville/VickeryPlace/Henderson. They are a bit more expensive but have great potential for appreciation in the future because of the schools, intown location, access to DART, new Katy Trail expansion and Santa Fe Trail, lots of restaurants, theaters, cool shops, etc. Truly DOG CENTRAL. This is one event we have: Lakewood Service League | Our Events - Walk Wag and Run

Warm and fuzzy, that's us.