Been in Plano Almost A Year and Need Help ... Stressing.

[88txaggie]

OP, went back and read your original post re: schools, etc. I moved last year from zip 75023, border streets of Legacy, Spring Creek, Indep and Custer. This zip feeds to Carlisle Elem and Schimplfinig MS. Other than having to spell the MS name, these schools are highly rated. There are apts in the area, but I cannot speak to what they are like, as we had a house. But it is a great area, and highly diverse; in our neighborhood at the time we had British, Argentina, Romania, Slavia, China, Hong Kong, Middleeast, Netherlands, and India represented.

[tyanger]

If you do end up in a two story house - especially one with a big, open floor plan - one thing many people do wrong is set the upstairs thermostat to a cooler temp than the downstairs thermostat. The upper level should be set at least to the same temp as the downstairs, or better yet a degree or two warmer than the downstairs - this may mean you'll have to set the downstairs zone a degree cooler. It may sound counter-intuitive, but as long as both systems are working properly this setup is the most efficient.

[BigCanada]

First thing, when you find a complex that allows you to choose your provider you will find Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) a very helpful resource. I am currently with Champion Energy on 100% renewable fixed rate for 9.6 cents/KwH.
Second, certain area's in Plano seem to be bad for electricity bills. My fiancée lives in Brooks on Preston over top of 3 garages 1brm 865 sqft and in December she was not there for 2 weeks in the billing cycle and we are both very conscientious of our energy usage, her bill was $330! I live in a 1brm 750sqft second floor with vaulted ceilings in Grapevine and I have never had one above $80. It all depends upon the complex that you are living in (obviously).

Last, I agree with Brookside in that it may be prudent to look into a townhome. My mother recently purchased a brand new one for about $120k and her mortgage and HOA all together (they mow, landscape, and shovel snow, etc.) are about $200 more than my current rent. Her electricity bills for a two story, 2 car garage, 2000 sqft home are about $170/mo in Nebraska during the winter.
Unfortunatly, as I do not have kids, I cannot speak to the schools, diversification of area, etc. but was just putting in my 2 cents as to some considerations come 7/16.

Good luck to you and your kids and let us know if you need more help and how it goes!
BigCanada

[Lakewooder]

If you can find a place well-shaded by decidious trees that will really cut down on your electric bill - I hope that piece of advice is not wasting your time. And you can find something for less than $1300 in my area.

[nicolenh]

Originally Posted by ETex2

Wow - a new member with an attitude who thinks the thread is solely for her. When a topic is posted, the replies are for the benefit of anyone and everyone who read it, not just the OP. I for one, enjoyed the pics. And yes, it might open the eyes of a newcomer who thinks that the only place to live in the Dallas area, is Frisco. There are great alternatives, and no, posting the pics is not a waste of anyone's time. It probably took you at least a minute to think about what you were going to say in the above replay and type it out, versus the 15 seconds it took to look at the pics. You are wasting your own time, as well as ours, with such a rude reply.

ETex2, I may be a new member but I have been reading a lot of the posts on CD for quite some time. More than a year, the same amount of time it appears you have been a member. To post huge pictures with NO guidance or suggestions what so ever seemed rude and inappropriate to ME.

And yes this thread is SOLELY for me, I posted it and I expect genuine feedback. You should have KEPT IT MOVIN to the next thread since clearly you have no valuable feedback/guidance to give.

With that said THANK YOU either way for letting me know to take most of the posts with a grain of salt. This "new member" vs. "sr. member" crap is for the birds and yes a complete waste of time. And since you are calculating, it took me approximately 20.5 seconds to type this and hit send.

I'm sorry to everyone providing very valuable feedback, I digress and won't address this ridiculousness again.

[nicolenh]

BigCanada, thank you so much for your feedback. It is appreciated.

[nicolenh]

Lakewooder, thank you I notice lots of trees along the streets, but not necessarily throughout some of the nearby neighborhoods. I will put this on my list of things to consider when looking at more home options.

[nicolenh]

Can't thank all of you individually, but sincerely to everyone who has / is giving great feedback. THANK YOU. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to help a stranger out. I really am struggling here and I hope to be able to make a decision soon.

Thank you all!