Moving to DFW area in 2008 Need help on school districts and safe diverse communities (Dallas: foreclosure, houses)

[loves2read]

while you are talking Dallas --if you want an ethnically diverse ISD you might consider HEB ISD in Hurst, Euless, Bedford--just west and little south of the DFW airport---
HEB has many AA, Asian, South Pacific, Hispanic, and just plain white students---
there might be some cliques and problems but the district has tried to do preventative measures regarding gangs moving in from FTW, Grand Prairie, Dallas areas
For the most part I think the schools are safe and students of color are accepted in all areas of activities--depending on thier choice---music, sports, academics, theater, art, student government and other organizations...Bell has a Step Team that has been fairly competitive in the short time since its start...don't know if Trinity does..
HEB ISD offers IB program where students in middle and high schools take specific classes to help them gain by their senior year enough college credits for the first two years of undergraduate school...This is a different educational strand than the AP classes or G/T classes that are also offered

There are two high schools (both offering the IB program) Trinity and Bell HS. Bell has one of the top music programs in the country, an excellent choir program, and good art teachers...its gymnastics program has been a state winner and national competitor for over 20 eyars...Trinity has had very successful football program in addition to other activities and there were 6 or 7 juniors from there who were National Merit Semi-finalists this year--almost as many as Carroll HS in Southlake...that is significant accomplishment...

HEB is an ethnically diverse district--but it is an aging district--about 20 yrs ago HEB was one of the top 10 districts in TX probably--but the new-construction housing market did not stay strong here--land was almost all developed--no expensive homes continued to be built in the area so people who wanted to move "up" had to move out of the neighborhoods---executives who transferred in from out of state with lots of home equity could not really afford to move into HEB area--they went to Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Dallas, Plano, or FTW...

There is much to like, though, in this area---it has a small town feel--active churches and other local organizations like small business assoc/arts/theater/youth sports....

it is possible to drive anywhere--even into downtown FTW w/o getting on the freeways...easy commute to DFW airport most of the time--about a 30 min drive into Las Colinas/Dallas depending on where yu start

there are good restaurants (local and chain), good hospitals and meidcal facilities--HEB and Baylor-Grapevine are excellent....movie theaters, parks, neighborhoods with mature trees and sidewalks--many, many kids walk to neighborhood schools...good libraries with programs that reach out to the community they serve...

while it is not crime-free, I think most people feel safe in their neighborhoods at least in the areas I live close to in Bedford--people jog or walk their dogs at night--

Some people will complain about high taxes but that is common complaint whether people are long-time residents or have moved from states like FL where taxes are relatively low...you just need to make sure you get an accurate idea of what taxes will be in addition to mortgage payment...

Many people who live in HEB work in Dallas, Irving, FTW, Arlington--so there is lot of traffic on freeways in morning---if you live in some areas taking the Trinity Rail Express into Dallas or FTW might be possible---more people are doing that since the increases in gas prices...I wish more companies would band together and for employees living fairly close together would sponsor van pools but apparently that is not attractive benefit...

Anyway--just something for yu to consider...

[unexpected]

moving2008,

just to make sure you know this about Dallas, it's been mentioned before, but Dallas public transportation system is god-awful. I don't know where you're moving from, but if, let's say, New York is a 10, DC is an 8, and Chicago is like a 6, then Dallas is a 1.

Light Rail only takes you into downtown, and speed-wise is comparable to driving (the trains moves at 35 mph, just no traffic lights). Once you're in downtown, you're on your own, and with a dart bus to take you wherever, you could easily add 45-60 minutes to your journey.

I tell you this because no long-term resident of Dallas has your mindset towards public transportation. You're of the "I have my own car, but public transportation would be really helpful variety." Most of us are of "wow, that Dart Train looks really cool. Maybe we should take it when we're bored and have nothing better to do one day." Basically we view it as a novelty (not even a luxury and definitely not a necessity).

That being said, I would get the jobs first and then get the place. If you worked in downtown, and wanted a good school system, your best bet is the Richardson/Lake Highlands area that you're talking about.

Most of the corporate areas are along 75 and/or the tollway or Las Colinas. If you end up getting a job along 75, you'd be set public transportation wise, but public transportation along the Tollway is awful and non-existent. If you're in Las Colinas, it'd be even worse.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by moving2008

So would it be safe to say that anything North of Plano will not have Dart lightrail?

Yes, that's the case.

DART is currently building another 25 miles of line, and will connect the northwestern suburbs and the ouutheastern part of Dallas to the center city. It will eventually have almost 100 miles of light rail. Bear in mind that the DART system is limited to specific municipalities, such as Dallas, Irving, Plano, etc. Not every municipality in the metro area has DART service.

You can research the extent of DART rail by looking at the DART website at DART.org - Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

As to the quality of the DART system, you need to determine for yourself whether it is bad or good. I think it's pretty good, myself, in view of the enormous area that it covers. The DART website has a page that will calculate a path for you when you enter a source location and destination. It will show any necessary transfers and also your travel time.

I'd disagree with Unexpected regarding the area's regard for and use of public transportation. His opinion is not the general public view. The DART rail and bus system has enormous political support in its service area. The last election that DART conducted had almost 70% votes in favor, in some suburbs. The rail system is heavily used, and when the new Green line starts service, DART rail should have about 100,000 rides per day on 70 miles of track. Currently, it has about 60,000 rides per day on 44 miles of track. Many of the stations have seen a boom in development of dense, pedestrian-oriented transit villages, for people who want to live and shop within walking distance of rail transit.

[Lakewooder]

We have very good bus service in East Dallas and Lakewood -- some of the routes are 50-60 years old and have their roots in streetcar lines. Also there is "DART on Demand".
You call in and a mini-bus picks you up -- sweet. Also you can get a taxi in just a few minutes around here - I usually call Cowboy Cab.

In a couple of years we will have three new DART stations near downtown in East Dallas. We already have the CityPlace/Haskell, Mockingbird, Lover's Lane, and White Rock Lake Stations.

[loves2read]

regarding the issue of Magnet schools--I think Magnet schools offer a viable alternative to the voucher program so many people advocate when what they really want is someone to subsidize religious schools for their children--that is not the purpose of tax money for education in this state or any state
Magnet schools usually are based on some form of testing for acceptance but (although I don't know for sure and my children did not attend one except once in another state) if if a magnet school is arts-based for instance, then I think part of the testing would include some demonstration of artistic talent--not just academics...Usually when students have a strong interest in a certain area they test better there anyway...

Magnet schools usually only have motivated students who are there because they want what the school has to offer vs a local school where all students are required to attend whether they want to be there or not...attitude is so important in overall tenor of school--teaching a willing child cuts down on so many discipline problems from the beginning...

[moving2008]

Thank you Loves2Read, I had heard about HEB but had not looked into. You provided a lot of information that I appreciate. It sounds like it might be something we'll consider. A crime free area would be ideal but surely its only a dream in many areas globally. I know with us wanting that ethnic mix we will have some spouts of crime, its just the way it is almost everywhere but as long as there are communities where my kids can safely play and we can come home and not wonder if someone is hiding in our house I think we'll be fine. Thanks again for all the info!!

[moving2008]

Thanks Aceplace. I have read many negative comments about Dallas lightrail in my research but if i move to an area with the access to light rail, I think i'd use it if i could take it to and from work, regardless of how slow it is. It all will depend on our jobs ultimately but having a blueprint to go on is what we are really looking for. I currently live in STL and I feel about the train here how many people feel about the train in Dallas (its useless). I'm not expecting a chicago because i use to live there too and their train system was an A+ in every aspect but its been around a very long time. So i'm just taking the information in to sort of weed places out based on what we are looking for. But I can't say enough how we appreciate everyone's input.

[unexpected]

just to point you at another thread, you can read about FarNorthDallas's experience on the Dart Train, and he/she is coming from the Arapaho station in Richardson.

Aceplace, I think in the context of things, 60,000 and even 100,000 riders is insignificant in terms of the population of the D/FW area.

D/FW area: 5 million people
Rides: 60-100,000 per day
Percentage of ridership: 1-2% in terms of population

NYC: 8 million people
Rides/Day: 5 million per day
Percentage: 62.5%

Chicago: 3 million people
Ride/Day: 650,000 per day
Percentage: 21%

Basically, DART Service is a blip in the area. You may have better luck with the service in Dallas, but very few people lying in the 'burbs depend on the DART train. The numbers show that out.

DART has a ton of potential, but they're trying to make it a commuter service, which dallas isn't designed to handle. If i were running dart, I would build an express train (70 mph+) to D/FW, and another Express train to Fort Worth. No one wants trains that take 2-3 times as long. What's the point then?

[lpepping]

yea DART is not optimal....its still in its infancy. It will take time.

[dallas76]

Here's my opinion. Take a trip here and check out the area that you are interested in. Then take the stats and figures that everyone has posted. Do not rule out Cedar Hill. This is one area where most of your young and old african american professionals are. And you get the divesity that you want racially and socio-economically. People tend to pin-point this area as a pollution haven, but the facts are the entire DFW area is a pollution nightmare as with any other major metropolitan area. Crime is also low. This will give you the best outlook on the area.

As an African American who lives in Cedar Hill. I am absolutely 100% you will like it. Good Luck

Check out Richardson, Plano, Lewisville and the Hurst, Euless, Bedford (HEB) also.