Do you live in Highland Village? (Dallas, Plano: for sale, 2010, foreclosure)

[tcptx]

Our family is relocating back to the Dallas area in early 2010. We have previously lived in Las Colinas (pre-kids) and Alllen. Highland Village peeks our interest from what we've seen online but we're not at all familiar with the area. We would like more information from current or recent residents of HV, preferably those with kids. Here's what we'd like to know:

1. What's the commute time from Highland Village to West Plano (DNT & Park)? Which is the better route on an average day: 121 East to DNTS? Or, 35S to 190E?

2. What's the general "attitude" of HV? We are looking for a 'small-ish" community with laid-back, family-friendly, generally conservative feel (no haters, please). We want to be around hard workers, not people working hard to keep up with the Joneses. Please give me an honest assessment of where the majority of HV falls on the pretentiousness scale (remember, we've lived in Dallas before!).

3. There seems to be a good mix of high-end and affordable homes in HV. Is there a "divide" in the community (either geographic or socially)? Like, East Allen vs. West Allen, or East Plano vs. West Plano?

4. We are looking at some of the older neighborhoods (70s-80s), primarily for the larger lots (.3 to .5 acre or so- room for pool and play). We prefer a friendly neighborhood with young kids. Also, we are shooting for a 10 or 15 year note, so we're looking in the range of $175K-$210K. Are there specific neighborhoods you would recommend? Or warn against? In general, are the older areas in HV being maintained, or are they deteriorating?

5. The schools appear to be outstanding from the numbers...has your experience been in line?

Sorry for the long post, but we've moved around enough to know what we want! Thanks for helping us in this journey...

[Jay Myers]

Hello tcptx,

I do live in Highland Village, and also a REALTOR, so I think I can answer these questions pretty good for you.

1. Commute time to West Plano would still be a bear, I would expect30-40 minutes with regular traffic. I usually find it better to take 121 business because I find 35E is the biggest mess right there around George Bush (190E)

2. The social atmosphere of Highland Village. Well, since I live here I can tell you I find a bit a LOT LESS pretentious than say some communities in Flower Mound. I volunteer with the H.V. Police Dept as a Volunteer in Patrol, so I get to get out and interact a lot with the people who live here at events and while patrolling the streets.
Naturally it is mostly a bed and breakfast community, meaning most everyone travels to Dallas County, city of Denton, or Collin County to work.

3. Yes there is a good mix of folks here, we have our $750K homes and our $120K homes, and all the kids go to the same schools and I never hear of issues. I hear more more snobby attitudes just about Highland Shores subdivision, some agents and residents will says is it "poor side or shore side" meaning the division line of Highland Shores Blvd from the lake to the smaller homes near Briarhill. Of course there is always a few like that. I am not one of them of course, I find it a huge bonus just to live in Highland Village anywhere. Afterall we have been the Safest City in Texas for 2 years
and safest city in North Texas for over 7.

4. Your home search - You will be able to find a really nice home in that $190K range, but keep in mind the competition is pretty steep here too, things when priced right do not stay on the market long. You can use my site to search for all homes in Denton County.

5. The schools have it, both of our elementary schools have exemplary ratings (the highest rating) people will move from adjacent cities of Lewisville and Flower Mound just to let their kids go here. The high school Marcus is also highly rated and a sought after school.

I hope this helps, and if there are any other honest answers you need please feel free to call me anytime, or post another question.

Sorry for the long post but I like to speak my mind

[Cupcake77]

I know a has been 70's rock star that lives there and is crazy, he tries to sue everyone in the area for silly things and tried to make his neighbours lives miserable. I wouldn't move there just because of him.

[MurphyPl1]

Cupcake,

you'd seriously rule out an entire city because of one crazy guy? Surely not. You seem far more rational than that. :-)

[getmeoutofhere]

Another vote for Highland Village. I live just down the road in Lantana, and HV is great. The biggest drawback is traffic / commute. To get anywhere, you basically need to add 30 minutes to a normal commute time. It can be very tough to get to I-35, especially between 7:30 - 8:30 in the morning.

Aside from that, people are great. Schools are excellent, nice houses, nice restaurants, decent shopping is close so you don't need to venture out to malls much.

The are is fairly affluent, but it's quiet affluence. I don't see much "keep up with the Joneses". Everyone just seems to get along fine.

The Shops At Highland Village is pretty cool, lots of kids and families hanging out on weekends.



Also, I might be moving out of state next year, so my house might be up for sale...

[DaveG99]

no

[getmeoutofhere]

Yes.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by tcptx

Our family is relocating back to the Dallas area in early 2010. We have previously lived in Las Colinas (pre-kids) and Alllen. Highland Village peeks our interest from what we've seen online but we're not at all familiar with the area. We would like more information from current or recent residents of HV, preferably those with kids. Here's what we'd like to know:

1. What's the commute time from Highland Village to West Plano (DNT & Park)? Which is the better route on an average day: 121 East to DNTS? Or, 35S to 190E?

2. What's the general "attitude" of HV? We are looking for a 'small-ish" community with laid-back, family-friendly, generally conservative feel (no haters, please). We want to be around hard workers, not people working hard to keep up with the Joneses. Please give me an honest assessment of where the majority of HV falls on the pretentiousness scale (remember, we've lived in Dallas before!).

3. There seems to be a good mix of high-end and affordable homes in HV. Is there a "divide" in the community (either geographic or socially)? Like, East Allen vs. West Allen, or East Plano vs. West Plano?

4. We are looking at some of the older neighborhoods (70s-80s), primarily for the larger lots (.3 to .5 acre or so- room for pool and play). We prefer a friendly neighborhood with young kids. Also, we are shooting for a 10 or 15 year note, so we're looking in the range of $175K-$210K. Are there specific neighborhoods you would recommend? Or warn against? In general, are the older areas in HV being maintained, or are they deteriorating?

5. The schools appear to be outstanding from the numbers...has your experience been in line?

Sorry for the long post, but we've moved around enough to know what we want! Thanks for helping us in this journey...

I can only answer a few of your questions, but I do know a little about the area. Our daughter and family built their house in 1988. It is on the larger lot as you mentioned, but probably worth a little more than you are talking about. I think the east side of Highland Shores blvd (or highland village blvd) is less expensive and still has nice sized lots. The area is extremely family friendly with great schools and kids activities. I haven't seen anything in the area that has deteriorated. If I were moving back to the DFW area, it would be my first choice of locations. Of course, there are always a few homes that could stand TLC, but that can be said about any area. and don't pay any attention to someone who says they wouldn't live in an area because of one person.

Nita

[Jay Myers]

You will not find homes in Highland Shores Sub for less than $225K, unless they are short-sale and foreclosure are in need of repair (foundation, roof, etc). But there are many other subs in Highland Village other than Highland Shores. In fact to get the bigger lots without paying an inflated premium buying in the Subs built in the 80's and early 90's are the best bang for the buck, those were the areas I was referring to when talking about the $190K range.