Bank of America (Dallas, Plano, Richardson: new home, employment, transfer to)

[grumpy31700]

Moved to Dallas 5 months ago and my company already closed the division and laid off a few hundred of us. I have not purchased a home yet and really do not know the areas very well. Well I think I will get an offer from Bank of America tomorrow and they are downtown Dallas. I was wondering how I can keep my commute short and own a home (around 250k) with good schools.

So where would you live if you had to commute downtown.

[DaveG99]

this is one of the few things I dont like about Dallas. If you work downtown there really arent any places that are within a short distance (under 10 miles), have good schools, and are affordable (around $200k)

Your going to have to move to the suburbs and drive 30-60 minutes depending on when you leave for work. In my case its OK because I leave for work at no later than 6:30am and head home at 4pm so I beat most the traffic.

[codytravers]

don't tell grumpy that, or he will live up to his name even more. yuk yuk

[Jenny1981]

There's also two other BOA locations that I know of that you might check into if you have a choice. There's a BOA in West Plano and then another location in Richardson. These are main corporate offices, not branches. If you work at either of those, you'll have easier time finding a neighborhood close by with good schools,etc and it will shorten your commute time.

[Dallas native]

Given your criteria (good schools, $250k, easy commute), I would suggest buying in the Richardson school district. Parts of NE Dallas are actually in that district as well (Lake Highlands). Either way, you could take the DART train downtown to work and leave your car at one of the stations on the Red Line.

DART.org - DART Rail System Map

[TurtleCreek80]

Lake Highlands, hands down! Zip 75238. Many homes under $250k (mostly ranch style 1 floor homes built in the 1950's and recently updated). Very close to White Rock Lake and lots of parks and green space. Great schools (Richardson ISD, zoned into Lake Highlands HS). Great family community!

Lake Highlands is about 5 miles north of downtown, straight up 75, exit at Northwest Hwy or Walnut Hill and head east 0-3 miles, depending on which exact neighborhood.

No need to head to the suburbs and a hellish commute unless you're hell-bent on having a new home.

[loves2read]

Richardson ISD might be in older suburban area but it is a quality school district--so the LH and Richardson area were going to be my suggestion--

you might also check the DART website as to where new construction is going--there is some active outreach efforts there to get trains into some locations in far suburbs--
you might sacrifice one year of driving in bad commute if you were going to be in area with rail service

Dallas ISD has some great elementary schools, few good middle schools, and some good magnet schools--high schools in general I am much more iffy about although Lakewooder has his favorite...

but if you were interested in DART travel--it just depends on easy of getting to your office--you don't want to make several changes...

and consider that during your employment you could transfer to other locations and or jobs--so what you do at this juncture might not be the best decision in 3 or 5 yrs from now

[DaveG99]

richardson isnt what I consider a short commute. When I think short I think Highland park. But I guess "short" is different to everyone.

[Grainraiser]

I worked at BofA downtown and would suggest you find a home close to a Dart Rail Station. I will really shorten your commute time and save wear and tear on your car. Like stated you will need to go with a surburb and 40 minutes from door to office is going to be the norm. Nice areas with great schools close to downtown is going to cost you more than 250k.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by DaveG99

richardson isnt what I consider a short commute. When I think short I think Highland park. But I guess "short" is different to everyone.

Yes, HP would be a great short commute, but they won't find a home in their price range there.