Schools in Southlake (Plano, Bedford, Grapevine: best cities, spring break, real estate)

[Lovelygreen]

Hi Everyone,

We are planning to buy a house in Southlake, which comes under Carroll ISD. But we have few doubts, that we are unable to clear out:

1) We know that the schools are very good. Now my question is :: Are the schools are good at academics or other activities?( we prefer academics).

2) Will they(TEACHERS and STUDENTS) in public school show any discrimination according to financial status? It shouldn't impact my kids.My kids are 5 to 7 years of age group.

3) Is it write time to buy house in Southlake? Will the price go up in future?(price range $400k to $500k)

Please help us to decide, and give us fair and frank opinion.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Keep Our Nation GREEN!!!

[ChristieP]

My husband and I live in Grapevine, so our experience with Southlake schools is anecdotal from friends and aquaintances.

1. Athletics is emphasized over academics.
2. Yes from the students. Many kids there are from extremely high-income families, so they will be driving new cars, wearing designer clothes, going to Europe for spring break, etc. I have heard from MANY people that "keeping up with the Joneses" in Southlake is difficult if you do not have th eincome to back it up.
3. You're not going to find a home in Southlake in that price range unless it is a foreclosure or a fixer-upper. Colleyville, yes, and maybe even in Grapevine or Bedford.

[TXGator]

That's quite depressing.

Originally Posted by ChristieP

My husband and I live in Grapevine, so our experience with Southlake schools is anecdotal from friends and aquaintances.

1. Athletics is emphasized over academics.
2. Yes from the students. Many kids there are from extremely high-income families, so they will be driving new cars, wearing designer clothes, going to Europe for spring break, etc. I have heard from MANY people that "keeping up with the Joneses" in Southlake is difficult if you do not have th eincome to back it up.
3. You're not going to find a home in Southlake in that price range unless it is a foreclosure or a fixer-upper. Colleyville, yes, and maybe even in Grapevine or Bedford.

[TamikaTurner]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

My husband and I live in Grapevine, so our experience with Southlake schools is anecdotal from friends and aquaintances.

1. Athletics is emphasized over academics.
2. Yes from the students. Many kids there are from extremely high-income families, so they will be driving new cars, wearing designer clothes, going to Europe for spring break, etc. I have heard from MANY people that "keeping up with the Joneses" in Southlake is difficult if you do not have th eincome to back it up.
3. You're not going to find a home in Southlake in that price range unless it is a foreclosure or a fixer-upper. Colleyville, yes, and maybe even in Grapevine or Bedford.

That isn't true Christie. There are brand new homes in Southlake under $500K, not a lot but there are some.

[loves2read]

new development is Watermere--for those over 55 town homes
tuscan ridge--garden homes--
southlake woods has some homes about 8 yrs old under 500

I would not say that athletics are emphasized over academics but they take academics for granted--
very homogeneous student population makes TAKS pretty much a slam dunk--but for the type of students they have Carroll should have more national merit scholars than it does IMO--and I know a couple of people who teach secondary level there--kids are not really committed to academics like they are in some schools--they know they can get in...
there are many homes in southlake in the 4-500K right now--market has stalled but people are not reducing their prices in a fire sale--and many of the homes have been on the market for 5 mo or more--price will go up if the market/economy improve--Southlake is home of middle-manager, professionals, self-employed--some of those groups are starting to be laid off and see their income reduced...there is not as much company transfer movement to gen the market either...

yes--there is competition about consumer products--that comes in ANY area of the metroplex--Grapevine; Colleyville, NRHills, Keller--it is not strictkly Southlake

[DFWAdvisor]

Southlake is routinely ranked as one of the best cities to live and it's schools are exemplary. These factors help Southlake homes maintain value and appreciate over time. There are homes in Southlake and now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are low and the housing market is slower than it's been. It is certainly starting to pick up steam now they we are heading into spring and financing is becoming more available.

[spookyoldtree]

As indicated, definitely sounds like an real estate agent. typical advertisement language.

Originally Posted by DFWAdvisor

Southlake is routinely ranked as one of the best cities to live and it's schools are exemplary. These factors help Southlake homes maintain value and appreciate over time. There are homes in Southlake and now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are low and the housing market is slower than it's been. It is certainly starting to pick up steam now they we are heading into spring and financing is becoming more available.

[padcrasher]

There are numerous neighborhoods in that price range that are not considered fixer uppers.

I have three kids in the District and we have not encountered any problems.

Everybody sort of assumes you have have money...some more than others...So what? If anything the "big money" parents have been most kind to our kids. We get invites to all the parties, etc.

I think SL is a great investment...I have eight rental properties scatterred all over the Metroplex and this area is getting more desirable by the day.

The small school district is the biggest plus. Yes I wish they would stress academics more....Coppell and Plano ISDs seem to to more with less of a demographic advantage.

[MissMee]

Fore someone very interested in academics, you have pretty poor grammar.... And I don't agree w/ ChristieP at all. Just check any real estate website, and you'll see a large majority of homes in this price range.

[AmberMarie]

Originally Posted by MissMee

Fore someone very interested in academics, you have pretty poor grammar.... And I don't agree w/ ChristieP at all. Just check any real estate website, and you'll see a large majority of homes in this price range.

?? why?