Is our Dallas wish list too much? (Plano, Garland: real estate, homes)

[mikestrong]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

So what you're saying, Mikestrong, is that you don't actually have the facts to show that Mesquite's crime is worse than other older burbs, that their resale values are worse, nor can you dispute the Texas Education Agency's recognized rating that they have given the school district. But the houses are older and smaller so it's run down and dangerous by your standards.


Nobody is recommending the OP move to Mesquite. Nobody has said that it is upscale or that you will find a selection of $400,000 homes there. But to suggest that it's somehow too rough and rundown to even shop in is absolutely ridiculous, absurd, and reeks of North Dallas elitism.

I didn't say to shop in. Where did I say that? I said to buy a home in Mesquite IMO is not as good of investment then other suburbs.
Crime. I wasnt comparing it to other "older"subrubs,just suburbs in general. FYI. I could pull up the facts, BUT truthfully I don't care enough to do it. I can say, FOR SURE, that Mesquite doesn't have the resale value of a northern suburb like Frisco. Thats just a plain fact. If you say it does compare to a Frisco or Allen then you arelying.

[Raelyn28]

Now with the information that you have received and the great suggestions from these fine Texans... go do some more research on your own. Ask people who work in the schools, the grocery stores, walking down the street, etc. I am certain that you will find a great place to live even if you have to sacrifice in a few areas. You will LOVE the people and enjoy the sunshine after the dreary weather of Seattle. I do have to warn you...you will miss the beauty of the PNW but every rose has its thorns.

We will be thinking about you. Let us know what you find.. Good luck.

Originally Posted by SeattletoDallas

Our family will be moving to the Dallas area in less than 45 days and we are at a complete loss on where to look for a home to purchase. It seems our "wish" list is impossible...maybe someone here can help??

We are looking for:

Home around $425,000
20 min commute to the Dallas Proper area
Small School system (less than 1,000 at the h.s level)
Excellent academics and funding in the schools
A home lot with at least an acre
A pool (per kids request, lol)

Any help would be greatly appreciated! We've checked out so far Sunnyvale and Frisco. We like the family type of community that Frisco has but do NOT want a planned community type house (with a .2 acre lot) and the schools are huge...Sunnyvale seems to be just a ghost town with no houses available.

Thanks again for any feedback you can offer!

[ClarenceBodiker]

Originally Posted by mikestrong

I didn't say to shop in. Where did I say that? I said to buy a home in Mesquite IMO is not as good of investment then other suburbs.
Crime. I wasnt comparing it to other "older"subrubs,just suburbs in general. FYI. I could pull up the facts, BUT truthfully I don't care enough to do it. I can say, FOR SURE, that Mesquite doesn't have the resale value of a northern suburb like Frisco. Thats just a plain fact. If you say it does compare to a Frisco or Allen then you arelying.

Seriously? The only person in this thread who brought up the OP purchasing inside of Mesquite is you. We were discussing Sunnyvale's proximity to Mesquite and nothing more.

And the biggest difference between Mesquite and Frisco/Allen is that Mesquite exploded about 40 years earlier. Stonebriar Mall is just Town East Mall in the 1970's. So you can keep moving every 15 years when you feel like your area starts to look old if you want. In the long run, Mesquite is in a much better location for resale than places like Frisco and Allen. When the shine wears off of Frisco, it will be an old looking suburb 30 miles from downtown Dallas. At least Mesquite is actually close to Dallas, and half of it is actually inside 635. So have fun chasing newness until you're in Oklahoma. And I hope you're not trying to suggest that Frisco is going to be better down the road than Sunnyvale for resale.

[mikestrong]

Originally Posted by ClarenceBodiker

Seriously? The only person in this thread who brought up the OP purchasing inside of Mesquite is you. We were discussing Sunnyvale's proximity to Mesquite and nothing more.

And the biggest difference between Mesquite and Frisco/Allen is that Mesquite exploded about 40 years earlier. Stonebriar Mall is just Town East Mall in the 1970's. So you can keep moving every 15 years when you feel like your area starts to look old if you want. In the long run, Mesquite is in a much better location for resale than places like Frisco and Allen. When the shine wears off of Frisco, it will be an old looking suburb 30 miles from downtown Dallas. At least Mesquite is actually close to Dallas, and half of it is actually inside 635. So have fun chasing newness until you're in Oklahoma. And I hope you're not trying to suggest that Frisco is going to be better down the road than Sunnyvale for resale.

Mesquite exploded all right.Like a freaking bomb. No one wants to move there unless they work there. FYI. Frisco is designed better so yes. It will look better down the road. You have alot more to do in Frisco then Mesquite. Mesquite looks like the hood. Just stating facts.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by mikestrong

Mesquite exploded all right.Like a freaking bomb. No one wants to move there unless they work there. FYI. Frisco is designed better so yes. It will look better down the road. You have alot more to do in Frisco then Mesquite. Mesquite looks like the hood. Just stating facts.

The "hood"...what the eff are you trying to infer? Mesquite, is a working class area, so please refrain from the derogatory innuendos.

[getmeoutofhere]

Someone looking to spend $400K can find much, much better areas than Mesquite.

[loves2read]

can you find a 400K house in Mesquite?
I am just saying -- in some areas you really can't find a house that price--Bedford where we lived--which is great town and has some very nice neighborhoods--does not really have any houses in that price range...

[mikestrong]

Originally Posted by numbskull

The "hood"...what the eff are you trying to infer? Mesquite, is a working class area, so please refrain from the derogatory innuendos.

Not innuendos. I am saying straight out that Mesquite doesn't compare to areas like Plano, Frisco, etc. This has just silly.

[ClarenceBodiker]

Originally Posted by mikestrong

Mesquite exploded all right.Like a freaking bomb. No one wants to move there unless they work there. FYI. Frisco is designed better so yes. It will look better down the road. You have alot more to do in Frisco then Mesquite. Mesquite looks like the hood. Just stating facts.

You seem to be quite confused about the difference between a "fact" and your "opinion," FYI.

How is Frisco planned any better than Mesquite? Trying to get around the Stonebriar area is a complete mess already and Frisco isn't even close to being built out. And what is there to do in Frisco exactly? Go to the mall? Ikea? Wendy's? Typical suburban experience, so don't flatter yourself. If you want real culture, it's a day trip to Dallas. The only thing unique Frisco has is a professional soccer team, and Mesquite can match that with a world-class Rodeo.

I don't even hate Frisco, I think it's a great place to live for families, but there's absolutely nothing special or unique about your Anywhere, USA suburb. (Which is exactly what Mesquite also is.) But I understand -- you think working and middle class people are hood and rough. Enjoy your freshly paved roads and your cheaply built McMansions while they last.

[Grainraiser]

Wow I see only one person comparing Mesquite to Plano/Frisco. No one else has ever tried making that comparison. We are talking about Sunnyvale not Mesquite. I'm guessing Mike's only experience with Mesquite is driving thru it. Folks throw out opinions and try to convince others they are facts. Sunnyvale is the only burb that meets the criteria for the OP. She can move north if she is willing to deal with a longer commute time or a smaller lot pure and simple. I would be nice if people actually read the original post and tried to stay on topic. Trying to compare a 50 year old burb to a 10 year old burb (Frisco) is pretty silly.