Moving from Princeton NJ to DFW neighborhood - safe cities? (Dallas: transplants, HOA)

[SaNaAr]

We are a family with 7 yr old boy moving from Princeton-NJ to DFW area. Looking for safe and friendly neighborhood with predominantly young families. Need to be around DFW area within maximum 30min commute to center city. Seeking lots of friendly neighbors and good/loyal friends for our son.
Friends have recommended - Plano, Irving, Coppell, Flower mound, Murphy, Richardson and Garland.
Welcoming suggestions and tips from NJ transplants or DFW locals. How do cities above compare to Princeton?

[momof2dfw]

The only one of those I might nix would be Irving unless I had to be on that side of town. The rest are all safe, great family areas w/ great schools. Just depends on where the job is going to be because your not going to want to live in Flower Mound and the job be to the east side of Dallas and your not going to want to live in Murphy and the job be down near Duncanville. Also depends on budget what might be a good fit and the type and size of home your looking for.

[FarNorthDallas]

Yes, rule out Irving unless your plan is to do private schools.

Up your commute time to downtown Dallas (if that's what you mean by city center) to 45 minutes and you will open up a lot more good choices. (That is unless you can afford the rich part of town - Highland Park school district.) Otherwise, Frisco, TX is a town almost exclusively made up of young families, most from other places.

[TurtleCreek80]

What is your budget? What kind of house are you looking for- new construction or charming older neighborhoods with 1920s Tudors and 1950s ranches? What size house? Mature trees? Master-planned subdivision with community pool, etc that you fund through HOA dues? HOA or no HOA?


All these will help give you better advice.