Another "Help me pick an area to buy" thread..275-300k with good elem school desired (Dallas: homeowners association, custom home)

[MFFNike]

OK, gang, I've searched and read other threads, but these things are just so situation-specific (or so we like to think), and you guys are so helpful, that I decided to start a new thread....

The Deal:

My wife and I are looking to move. We're targeting the $275,000 to $300,000 price range, with $300k being the absolute max we're willing to spend at this point. We're open to a new build or a pre-owned home.

Priorities:

- good elementary school
- relative proximity to Rockwall (anything in Frisco and west of Tollway is out; Allen is in, but anything north of that is not)

Just to add another wrinkle to the mix...my wife does not like cookie cutter suburbia. Basically, her dream find would be a unique home like Lakewood/Canyon Creek/Prairie Creek (but updated or new), with a good school, decently renovated, for under $300k.

Is this possible? Are we crazy? Do we have too many demands? Thanks for reading and for your help!

[PlanoGirl]

Hmmm...well, the neighborhoods you mentioned will be tough for your budget...especially if you are looking for something updated. For older neighborhoods, I would look at some of the other nicer neighborhoods on the western side of Richardson...Heights Park and The Reservation come to mind, but I know there are a few more. Not quite as pricey as Canyon Creek/Prairie Creek, but have a very similar feel. For newer homes, you may want to look in the Firewheel area of Garland...lots of trees, and for a newer area, they did a pretty good job trying to stray from the cookie cutter feel. A little further north, I would recommend Watters Crossing in Allen...one of the better (read: less cookie cutter) newer developments in that area....plus walkable to many shops and restaurants and a fantastic trail system.

[stan4]

My brother and his wife tried to find something decent in Lakewood/M Streets for $500k for months. No luck. Wound up moving to Preston Hollow.

[nsumner]

The biggest issue from your short list of wants is that you are looking for the unique home. That isn't something easy to find in suburbia.

You can get a very nice home in the Rockwall area and the schools are very good. However, there aren't any homes like most of those in Lakewood such as craftsman, bungalow or older eras. You may want to consider Lake Highlands, it's zoned to Richardson school district and the homes are older but many of them are nicely updated.

Another area in North Dallas, close to Preston and Frankfort area is in the city of Dallas but zoned for Plano school district and there are several pockets with some contemporary homes and custom homes.

Naima

[BigDGeek]

You could find a great house in your price range in Heights Park, The Reservation, or Canyon Creek in Richardson; all have outstanding elementary schools, all are in the 75080 zip code.

[ChristieP]

Will you be commuting to Rockwall on a daily basis, or just occasionally visiting family there?

Rockwall itself is a really neat place and there are a lot of unique homes there. In the downtown area, there are even some cute, old Victorian-type homes. If you wanted to be on a couple of acres in the semi-rural countryside, you can find some really nice places in your budget.

[skids929]

Maybe a tad out of your price range, but I would say this qualifies as unique.

MLS: 11488393

[YouKnowWho]

Canyon Creek in Richardson (Collin County side) would be my recommendation. It's established, and most of the homes are in good condition due to renovation. Also, Bush Turnpike (locally known as 190 to some) provides easy access east and west, and in 2012 will be completed around to I-30 to get to Rockwall much faster than driving sidestreets through Garland and Rowlett...

I say Collin County side as opposed to Dallas County. I'm not a big fan of Dallas county, having been raised there.

Canyon Creek's HOA website: Canyon Creek Homeowners Association - Richardson, Texas

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by YouKnowWho

Canyon Creek in Richardson (Collin County side) would be my recommendation. It's established, and most of the homes are in good condition due to renovation. Also, Bush Turnpike (locally known as 190 to some) provides easy access east and west, and in 2012 will be completed around to I-30 to get to Rockwall much faster than driving sidestreets through Garland and Rowlett...

I say Collin County side as opposed to Dallas County. I'm not a big fan of Dallas county, having been raised there.

Canyon Creek's HOA website: Canyon Creek Homeowners Association - Richardson, Texas

Crossing the CoCo line puts them in Plano schools, though. Personally I think the RISD schools that CC is zoned to are superior to the PISD ones, but that's just my opinion.

[TurtleCreek80]

I'd look in Lake Highlands which is RISD schools. You still get to be close to White Rock Lake and all the pretty parks and trails north of the lake in LH. Houses are mostly 1950-1960's ranches and cottages- more charm/character than suburbia but less than Lakewood. And great access to 635 E to get to Rockwall. Probably about a 25 minute commute via 635 and I-30E. Should be against traffic, too.

You can probably find a home under $300k in Lakewood Elementary in the neighborhood just north of Mockingbird, east of Abrams. Or in Hollywood Heights (southeast of the Lakewod Country Club with great access to I-30E) which is also zoned to Lakewood Elemetary. If you're just needing elementary school and willing to move or do private schools after 5th grade, the neighborhoods on the east bank of White Rock zoned to Hexter Elementary are also worth a look. I'll pull some listings for you.