Moving to Dallas area (looking for good/safe neighborhoods) (Plano: real estate market, rent)

[LBertrand]

Hello everyone,

Me and my fiancé will probably moving the Dallas area at the end of summer and I started looking for houses but having difficulty with finding which area are safe.

We are moving from Montreal and I will be working at UT southwestern medical center (Lovefield area). We are looking for a house or townhouse (200-250k$ budget) if possible within about a 30 min drive (closer the better).

We are looking for safe neighborhood, family oriented possible, somewhere where you are not afraid to walk at night.

We saw on forums that Plano was ok, but depending on who answer it seems the opinions are different ! Areas of Grand Prairie (new developments) also.

Thanks in advance for the help !

[Squirl]

rent first to get to know the area. What kind of place are you looking for? Very suburban? Trendy urban? Townhouse?

[LBertrand]

I'm looking for something mostly suburban. Townhouse does not displease me, but I'd be mostly going for suburban.

[Squirl]

West Plano, North Carrollton, Las Colinas, ....i wouldn't recommend Grand Prairie....the nicest areas of GP are further than 30 minute drive.

[ChristieP]

Are schools important in the foreseeable future?

[LBertrand]

Not for us, We are starting to plan having a kid. We will move before he/she goes to school. Either to a better house or a new city. (I'm on a 3 yr renewable contract)

[Squirl]

Don't buy a house in the Dallas area if your plan is to be able to move at the end of your contract. We have a traditionally flat real estate market. Our home prices didn't have the same wide berth bubble as other parts of the country and we also didn't have as drastic depreciation, either. So if you bought now, with all the other expenses of ownership and buying/selling you really might lose money and you definitely loose flexibility. Here are links to places in areas I would recommend. Link are just to give you a map fix:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=2

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=3

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=6

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by Squirl

Don't buy a house in the Dallas area if your plan is to be able to move at the end of your contract. We have a traditionally flat real estate market. Our home prices didn't have the same wide berth bubble as other parts of the country and we also didn't have as drastic depreciation, either. So if you bought now, with all the other expenses of ownership and buying/selling you really might lose money and you definitely loose flexibility. Here are links to places in areas I would recommend. Link are just to give you a map fix:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=2

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=3

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rental=1&row=6

Agreed. Between our historically flat prices (especially in suburbs) and high property taxes, the math just doesn't support buying a home if you will own it for less than 5 years.

I highly suggest renting during your stint in Dallas.

[Warnpeace]

If your company is paying for relocation and covers realtor's commission and closing costs than you can buy but stick to some established area with excellent schools and easy access to highways as resale are easier there. Here are some examples from area that can work for your commute if you opt to buy or rent.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...w=8&source=web

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/41...26664507_zpid/


As other posters say and if you look at monthly expenses after factoring in property tax, insurance, warranty, hoa, yard care etc than renting makes more sense for a limited time period.

[Terry1960]

Welcome to UT Southwestern!!!! If you will be coming for an early visit to do some new home shopping. [mod]no soliciting permitted[/mod]