Possible move for young family from Orange County, CA to the Dallas area (Houston: fit in)

[Karenrk08]

Hi! My husband and I and our four kids are looking to possibly relocate to Texas from Orange County, CA. As much as we love being near the beach and having great weather, we simply cannot afford to live here anymore. We lived in ARizona for two years and it was unbearably hot. We realized after that experience that we highly value decent weather and being able to do things outside. We especially love lakes, greenery, etc. Housing affordability is most important to us, obviously. We like the master planned community feel since our children are young. My husband is a CPA and in the accounting field, so he was pleased to see how many accounting jobs came up in the Dallas area. With that being said, where are the most family friendly suburbs in the Dallas area? Are there lakes, parks, etc for outdoor entertainment nearby? How hot are the summer months? How is the commute really from some of the desirable suburbs into the city? Church is also an important part of our life. I assume there are a plethera of good churches to choose from in Texas? I appreciate all your help..I don't even know where to start in our search!

[Mr. Solis]

There are not to many good lakes close to Dallas, not what I consider good anyways. Living close to the Austin/San Antonio area would be better for outdoor stuff like camping, river tubing, fishing, etc. The rush hour commutes close to Dallas are very slow and crowded, just like Houstons and San Antonios. Austin is a smaller city, which results in less traffic, but a little less.

Houston is close to the beach! Like Orange County. You'll love Texas. But I think anywhere in Texas, it will be a hot summer. But air conditioning is widely available, and heavily used.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Karenrk08

Hi! My husband and I and our four kids are looking to possibly relocate to Texas from Orange County, CA. As much as we love being near the beach and having great weather, we simply cannot afford to live here anymore. We lived in ARizona for two years and it was unbearably hot. We realized after that experience that we highly value decent weather and being able to do things outside. We especially love lakes, greenery, etc. Housing affordability is most important to us, obviously. We like the master planned community feel since our children are young. My husband is a CPA and in the accounting field, so he was pleased to see how many accounting jobs came up in the Dallas area. With that being said, where are the most family friendly suburbs in the Dallas area? Are there lakes, parks, etc for outdoor entertainment nearby? How hot are the summer months? How is the commute really from some of the desirable suburbs into the city? Church is also an important part of our life. I assume there are a plethera of good churches to choose from in Texas? I appreciate all your help..I don't even know where to start in our search!

wow, except for the humidity, it sounds like the metro plex is the perfect place for you and your family.

You will be able to find any religion you want in almost any town. I can think of many areas that will fit into your life style: Grapevine, Flower Mound, Highland VIllage, parts of Plano, maybe Frisco and McKinney. All have either planned communities or offer great family life activities. There are 2 man made lakes in the areas I suggested plus maybe more: Lewisville Lake and Grapevine. All of the areas offer good schools.

Another planned area that may be attractive to you, depending on where your hubby will be working is Trophy Club. Southlake is very popular but a little more pricey. A lot will depend on your housing budget.

I have only mentioned a few areas, there are many that would work for you, another is Coppell. Will it be important to you to be close to the airport? That too might make a difference...

Nita

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by Mr. Solis

There are not to many good lakes close to Dallas, not what I consider good anyways.

Really? Have you ever been east of Dallas at all? Or up to Texarkana?
But Texas is stinking hot in the summer. No way to get around that one. But October-May it's really very nice.

[LQQKOUT]

Ok, here it is if and when you come to Texas have a open mind and a bear with it attitude. Texas is HOT, Humid Hot. However I believe it is a great place to raise your kids. Just remember there is no beaches close by, no mountain ranges and no santa ana winds. Although Dallas is Green there is a lot more green south and south east.
Where are the most family friendly suburbs in the Dallas area? everywhere, depends on what your budget is.
Are there lakes, parks, etc for outdoor entertainment nearby? Yes, yes and yes, there is always something going on in the Metroplex.

How hot are the summer months? HOT and HUMID, love the AC

How is the commute really from some of the desirable suburbs into the city? Again depend on your budget and how much you want to spend and where you work.

Church is also an important part of our life. I assume there are a plethera of good churches to choose from in Texas? Oh, yes you have the Mega chruches and the small chruches and everything in between.

[artsyguy]

What type of church do you want to go too?

If you want to travel to the beach you can always take a week off and go to Galveston beach near Houston or Mustang Island/Port Aransas near Corpus.

If you love the beach move to Houston/Missouri city/The Woodlands.

[Mr. Solis]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Really? Have you ever been east of Dallas at all? Or up to Texarkana?
But Texas is stinking hot in the summer. No way to get around that one. But October-May it's really very nice.

I've been east of Dallas, north, west, and south. I dont like the lakes around Dallas one bit. I grew up going to Lake Texoma tons of times. People have there preferences. Have you been up to Tulsa, now they have some real lakes up there, beautiful, hilly backgrounds, cool clear water. I prefer the Hill Country in Texas now, as I mentioned, just got back from the Frio River.

How far is Texarkana from Dallas? I love East Texas though. I love Pine Cones.

I liked one lake at that state park over there by longview, but man there was so many snakes!!

[SharonL]

I'm originally from Corona, Ca myself. My husband and I flew out to Dallas last summer to check out the areas as we planned on moving this summer, but unfortunately won't be relocating till next summer. Anyway, we are currently in Virginia Beach. Certain areas of Dallas actually reminded me of California in many ways, surprisingly. I would suggest southern Flower Mound & Grapevine as the top two choices, then northern Plano, and possibly Keller. Coming from Virginia Beach, those areas reminded me of home, southern California (minus the mountains/beach) however there are lakes, hills, and trees. It isn't totally flat as I imagined it would be. We were there in mid July last year and it was 100 degrees, but a dry heat, loved it - Virginia can be very humid. It actually reminded me of Corona during July/August. I also lived in Corpus Christi for about 4 years, now that's humid !

Austin is beautiful. It reminds me of a San Francisco but with many more trees. But Dallas is much larger.