Young couple looking to buy our first home in M Streets/Lakewood or Preston Hollow

[Ramona72]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

I also don't know anyone who graduated from HP, went to college, and didn't graduate.

Yes- there are drugs at HPHS and ever single other high school in the US; public and private. That hasn't changed in the past 30 years.

I'm skeptical of hplindley's firearms claim.

I'm about 10 years older than you, and I know/knew of quite a few who flamed out in college and didn't graduate. Everyone starts out going to college, true, but that's different than the number who actually graduate, although it's not something their parents would talk about much.

I never saw guns there. The biggest problem, at least when I was there, was an incredibly huge, widespread and pervasive atmosphere of binge drinking. Drug use came in a far second.

But as you say, binge drinking and high-cost drugs are no different from any other affluent public or private school in America (although I will say in the Park Cities you get the weird combination of drinking and drug abuse along with the whole town fervently turning out for the prayer groups and Sunday services at the Baptists or Presbyterians, which you don't see as much of on the heathen coasts.)

[elan]

Originally Posted by thebears1982

Another question for you all. I understand some of the stereotypes for the Park Cities, but what are some of the stereotypes/characteristics for folks in the PH, M Streets, and Lakewood areas? Positives and negatives, please!

I like all three of those areas, not too many negatives. (The elementary schools are fine, but you need to have a plan in place for high school). The M Street homes are cute, apparently more affordable than I thought, but they are small. A lot of busy young families and couples (I don't know how to sterotype them). Old PH or the estate part (check the old maps) is pretty exclusive, so that falls into the snobby category I suppose. I feel that the rest of PH is pretty normal, lol. Lakewood has it's different areas too, even bohemian. Depending on the house, I could easily live in any of them (same goes for HP for that matter). One reason I mentioned that you might fit into the 75 > Midway to Forest > Northwest Highway area is because you said that you were conservative. Check this map out to see my reasoning: November 2, 2010 Elections | Dallas County | Texas Governor

[elan]

Well, this one made the news.

Highland Park Basketball Star Arrested For Alleged DWI | Park Cities People

[Dr. Jake Oil]

Originally Posted by elan

Well, this one made the news.

Highland Park Basketball Star Arrested For Alleged DWI | Park Cities People

Dang I wonder why UPPD didn't sweep it under the rug for him as per hplindley's policy.

[GreyDay]

I wonder if this 'snobbery' is real or imagined? I've been nearly mowed down by SAHM driving H1's in Plano and Southlake...and HP/UP to a certain extent, but the keeping uo with the Joneses seems to be a bigger issue outside the city.

[BellaO]

As a recent transplant to the area, we were in a similar situation as the op, except the 5 yr plan was more like whether or not we would stay in DFW longer than 5-10yrs...

We looked (to buy) in PH/N.Dallas, Lakewood, and the Park Cities. We ruled HP/UP out, because even with a budget of 800k, the price diferential to be in the Park Cities when we have one kid using the public schools (and another one who will always go private due to her learning differences) did not seem worth it. We settled on Lakewood as it felt a bit more laid back, more ecletic, and more community oriented than the neighborhoods in North Dallas where we were looking at houses.

Last summer when we were looking, I'd say we could have afforded similar houses in the PH area and Lakewood area. In general, the PH area afforded more land, and had more inventory, but more "fixers up" for the price point we were considering. Both areas were<500k less than similar size homes in UP. Most, but not all, the areas in North Dallas would have required private schools, where in Lakewood, the elementary school is excellent, the high school is getter better and better, and according to the "word on the street", Long is not really there yet, but looks like it could get better in the future, as parents and community seem so committed to improving the WW feeder pattern. We almost bought a house zoned to Lee elementary. The "official word" is that the school is getting stonger. The reputation ancedotedly talking with folks, was to go private.

It is turning out that most of my friends are being made in the Park Cities. I have found the women I'm with to be wonderful, sincere people, who look like they "think they are all that and a bag of chips" based on their outsides, but inside, are incredibly down to earth. This is not to say, of course, that the entitlement culture does not exist. From what I've seen at social situations, this definately does exist, and the bubble/exclusiveness mentality is alive and well in the Park Cities. This would not impact me socially, as I would not be a part of that group. Nor would it bother my 8yr. old at this point. But what does concern me are the pre-teen and teen years. Talking with moms with kids in that age group, there is a ton of pressure, yes, acadeically, but primarily it's the social pressure most troublesome. For girls, it's what you wear, and how thin you are....stuff that exists in every affluent area, but is amplified here because of the wealth. And as a mother of a teen, there are more drugs available than ever before, and the wealthier the school, the more there is among the "popular crowd". This just is.

I love living in Lakewood. Most afternoons there are kids out playing that my daughter can join in with. It is quiet and has a small town feel. I am not too crazy about my house, inventory was low when we were buying, and as my neighbor has said, the perfect house is hard to find. If we stay, i will put some $ into making the house my home. But I love my neighborhood and neighbors, and that is worth alot.

[jennifw]

Originally Posted by thebears1982

Another question for you all. I understand some of the stereotypes for the Park Cities, but what are some of the stereotypes/characteristics for folks in the PH, M Streets, and Lakewood areas? Positives and negatives, please!

I can only compare the M streets to Lakewood. The M streets are really cool - great architecture, lots of trees and a very cool vibe. The down side is that the houses tend to be small. Those that have been improved may have a choppy feel as the additions are done to try to keep the main look of the house intact. You may have funky rooms or weird passage-ways that work. The lots are also smaller. I think that area has a smaller "young couple / new family" vibe even though there are probably older people with large families. One thing to watch out for is how close you are to Greenville Ave. It is a great street with lots of restaurants and bars, BUT you have to buy knowing that you are just blocks away from a bunch of great restaurants and bars. Some people love it, some people hate it.

Lakewood lots are a little bigger. There are still some small lots, but also some huge (3acre) lots. The houses range from small cottages to mansions. Again, in the additions, you might get a choppy feel if the owner was trying to make the house larger without messing with the integrity of the architecture. More families live here with (what I see) as older kids (elementary to high school)

I think schools are fine at the elementary level and like BellaO said, there is a big movement to improve the feeder pattern to Woodrow Wilson HS. There is great progress being made towards that, but I feel there is still a a long way to go.

Good luck with your decision!

[thebears1982]

Thanks again, everyone for the information! If you have any other tips or helpful hints in our house hunting, feel free to private message me.

[thebears1982]

We bought a house in Lakewood and close in a month. Thanks to everyone who helped us with our search. We are excited to be a part of the Lakewood community!

[Lakewooder]

Welcome! I hope to see you around...