Commute from Coppell to Baylor Medical Ctr DT Dallas (Mesquite: spring break, apartment)

[deenasue]

I have read various comments regarding commuting to Dallas from some of the outlying areas-most are scary, however some seem to be a bit dated. So forgive me in advance for repeating....

We will be moving to Dallas from the Gulf Coast area of Mississippi in June for a two year fellowship at Baylor Medical Center. I have a child who will be completing his last two years in high school and one who will be starting middle school. The band program and academics are tops on our list of school requirements. Also...affordable housing (must rent since it is short term) in a good family oriented area with places to walk, run, bike, etc. And a good soccer program for my middle schooler daughter. I looked at Rockwall - area looks great, but not sure about schools/band program. Coppell seems to have great high school with a great band program. I am very hesitant though about the commute (from either area). My husband will be travelling to work early in the am (prob before 6:30) but may get caught up in rush hour traffic coming home.

If there are any other areas that any of y'all may know about that meet my list of requirements, please advise.

Thanks

[ChristieP]

Define "affordable" housing, please...

Rockwall actually would work well. Your husband could drive to the Rowlett DART stop, then take the train in to the hospital. The green line stops right on campus!

You might look at Mesquite within the Poteet HS attendance zone. Their band program is one of the best in the state, and even though its a relatively new high school, they have won MANY state and regional marching contests!

[BigDGeek]

You should look into J J Pearce HS too (in Richardson); I hear they have an extremely good band program. I have seen their band perform a couple of times and they are truly spectacular.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

You should look into J J Pearce HS too (in Richardson); I hear they have an extremely good band program. I have seen their band perform a couple of times and they are truly spectacular.

YES!!! Pearce's band has been great for decades!

[mSooner]

Try the other places mentioned, but Coppell is not a bad option. We moved here hoping to stay for residency...the Dallas options are UTSW or Baylor like you guys. Coppell beats all of the other options as far as academics goes. I cant speak to the band. I'd also say Coppell will have the nicest "feel" except maybe for Rockwall (definitely more than Richardson and Mesquite). I cant speak for commute. Early morning from anywhere will be easy, but getting home will be the tricky part

[Lakewooder]

"good family oriented area with places to walk, run, bike, etc"

How about a 5-10 minute commute?

Lakewood, located between White Rock Lake and Baylor, fills those needs perfectly.

As far as girls soccer, the teams at Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High almost always win district and go into the playoffs.
http://www.jllong.com/sports.html
http://eastdallastimes.com/2011/03/2...teams-advance/
http://lakewood.advocatemag.com/2012...ccer-playoffs/

Band is different, it's not like the large suburban programs. There is stellar instruction however. A band director from Highland Park High left and came to Woodrow this year - he was previously at Lake Highlands.

Long and Woodrow offer International Baccaluareate as well as pre-AP, AP and dual credit classes.

Search 75214, 75206 and 75223.

[tripmom]

Check out rentals in University Park that feed into Highland Park school system. Best public school system in DFW and the commute would be easy.

[ChristieP]

Not to be tacky, but band/music isn't HPHS or WW's strong point at all.

Here are the best programs in Texas as of 2012:
http://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/state

[mSooner]

Oh man, I knew it was coming, but Lakewood/M Streets is probably NOT the ideal situation for this family. If this couple were childless or had 1-2 small children I would say go for it. We loved it when we lived there--the commute to Baylor is a breeze and it definitely fits the definition of walkable. It's a lovely area. I miss it. But the school and rent situation make it pretty much a no go here.

I'm extrapolating here based on the situation (OP correct me), but I'm guessing "affordable" means under $2k/month rent (or less--Fellows don't make that much!) and the ages of the children will mean a 3 bedroom house minimum (unless your middle schooler and high schooler are okay sharing a room...)

So maybe a miracle happens and they find a place, likely at the high end of their budget. Woodrow Wilson has some good opportunities, Lakewooder has proven that, but is it really the best place for a transferring high schooler? And the middle school? I think it's well documented here that the jury is still out on J.L. Long.

The Park Cities definitely fits all of your criteria, but good luck finding an affordable rental to fit your family there. And man--it is going to be HARD to be a transferring high schooler at Highland Park regardless of the situation, but I'd strongly consider the social factors at play there. (Excellent Academics, but very tightly knit, extremely wealthy community)

[deenasue]

Yes, MSooner is right on...affordable housing for us is up to about $1,800/mo for a 3-4 bedroom. We currently own a home in MS and have had renters for the past three years-but that could change about the time we move to TX. That's another worry...

My high schooler is a boy and my middle schooler is a girl. No sharing rooms for them. I considered an apartment or condo-I'm concerned about that environment, though. We downsized on our last move-we can do it again. And you are right-Fellows don't make as much as what we will later-but, student loans, etc will be the money sponge!

I did research bands and academics ( AP and IB offerings and test performance). Rockwall did not jump out in those areas but Coppell did.

We will be visiting during Spring Break in Mar/Apr. Will get a real feel for the area as opposed to the Internet tours. We will have only 4 days, so I want to have it mapped out to include time to visit schools, neighborhoods, and "experience" the traffic/commute possibilities.

So far, I have really enjoyed the comments - keep them coming. This is the best way to learn!

Thanks!