Best Middle-Class Suburbs of Dallas??

[MckinneyOwnr]

I would recommend... Plano.

Before everyone shouts that the OP wants to avoid snobby areas, I'd just say that he seems to place a good deal of emphasis on schooling, and Plano schools are going to beat every single city he can afford to look in. Also, as someone who grew up in Plano... yes there's parts of West Plano where money and keeping up with the Joneses is all important. But, with a budget of 275k, there are a lot of houses available in neighborhoods that are nice, but not pretentious, and for myself and my parents, growing up in a house that was ~250k back then, we weren't surrounded by snobs and while some kids got their cars handed to them, it was far more the norm to see kids have to work for at least a portion of a vehicle for their first car, and it was usually something about 10 years old or so.

OP, if you haven't already, check out Plano. The commute for you, schools, and overall benefits of Plano are hard to beat.

[Pemberly283]

Plano for sure, the snobby factor has moved onwards to frisco. It's a much more vibrant diverse city now and relaxed, minus a few enclaves around tollway, Preston, but all lends to a mixed bag of greatness IMO! I was there this weekend and loved it, also went to frisco and was pretty stunned at obvious displays of wealth ( pretend wealth) louis Vuitton boots and bag , but the one that has huge large LOUIS VUITTON written down entire side of bag and on boots. I just think people of a certai type flock to frisco, minus exceptions. Plano has a great vibe and awesome places to eat!