Max 30-min commute to DFW airport - charming, family (McMansion-free) neighborhood? (Dallas: limo, homes)

[aztodfw]

My husband and three kids and I are facing a possible relocation to the area in a few months. I've read many posts about the DFW area and I'm still a little confused. I've never visited and we don't plan to do so until late fall. Still, I'd like to get a jump on middle school and high school research for my kids. Also, my husband will travel weekly for work, so we'll need a home large enough to accommodate our family plus houseguests that is hopefully less than 30 min from DFW International. I'd love to hear all suggestions, regardless of price range.

We like homes and neighborhoods with pride of ownership and character -- independent mom & pop shops and cafes, good schools, hopefully down-to-earth, liberal-minded folks like ourselves. Access to retail chains and malls is not important to us, but access to parks, walking trails, open spaces and culture/character is. Is it possible to find a neighborhood with doctors and CEOs that also has a sense of charm (and is McMansion-free?)

Thanks so much for all advice!

[TurtleCreek80]

Budget?

Open to private schools, or just publics?

[aztodfw]

Budget... maybe up to 1.5.

Schools... private, public, or charter.

[MckinneyOwnr]

What do you define as a McMansion? You want to find a neighborhood with doctors and CEO's... well, around here, they are living in McMansions.

[BigDGeek]

Park Cities for the doctors and CEOs or Lakewood for the limo liberal set.

[aztodfw]

Hmmm... how do I define McMansion? This is a tricky question to answer, because in doing so, I realize I'll likely offend people on this forum who like these kinds of neighborhood. In the interest of just being direct, I'll answer thusly...

I suppose I would define a McMansion as a home that is built with a ridiculous amount of wasted space, insanely high ceilings and is basically designed to impress pseudo, status seekers. All image, little substance. It seems like there are newer neighborhoods in many suburbs around the country where the land is scraped, trees are leveled and new gargantuan homes are put in their place. I have also noticed that these areas lack character but are riddled with every kind of fast food and retail chain and big box store imaginable. I call those McMansions -- they have zero appeal to me.

Was that too harsh?

And "limo liberal" set... funny! I haven't heard that term before! ; )

[RonnieinDallas]

Highland Park and University Park.

There are mcmansions there, but most of the new construction tries to blend in with the original early 20th century architecture. There are still quite a few 1920's-30's Tudor bungalows preserved, and some larger family sized homes in your budget. There are very few national chains in the park cities and an emphasis on supporting home grown business. However, the people aren't really liberal-minded, and can get stuck in the park cities bubble, but great schools and the most family friendly cities in the entire Dallas metro.

East Dallas/Lakewood may also be a good option, but that may push you over the 30 minute limit to DFW International.

[TurtleCreek80]

North Oak Cliff sounds like a perfect fit for you! Zip code is 75208 and specific neighborhood names include Kessler Park, Stevens Park, Bishop Arts District. Do a search for former threads. You'd definitely need to go private for schools or apply for the elite DISD magnets.

Lakewood could be a good fit; you'd likely want to at least explore private schools since the middle & high school reviews are quite mixed and the results aren't there in terms of NMSF, AP pass rates, etc. There are some McMansions creeping in but plenty of charming historic 1920's Tudors and Spanish Eclectics mixed with sprawling 1950's ranch style homes. Definitely pushing the 30 min limit to DFW. Again, plenty of former threads to search for more info. Zip is 75214

There is basically no suburb that will work with your criteria. Sorry.

[aztodfw]

Hey TurtleCreek and RonnieinDallas, I really appreciate the specific details. Thank you!!

[synchronicity]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

There is basically no suburb that will work with your criteria. Sorry.

This. The overwhelming majority of Dallas 'burbs are new construction due to the huge growth of the area. In most areas a home built in the early 1990's is "old", and yes, it's all McMansions 'R Us.

That said, I'm not sure if the neighborhoods people are recommending are definitively sub 30 minute commutes to DFW airport. During rush hour I'd almost certainly allot more time to get from Park Cities to DFW.