Pros and Cons of Living in Fairview (Dallas, Plano: insurance, violent crime)

[citadelcadet]

Hi guys,

We are close to buying a home in Fairview and I wanted to see if you guys could help with a pros and cons list of living in Fairview. It looks like there are several people who live in that area. We have elementary age kids and work is in Plano (Legacy Dr.)

thanks,

[cyrece]

Anyone ever answer you on this, lol? Wondering the same thing : )

[MckinneyOwnr]

Fairview has quite a bit going for it, pretty good location overall, easy access to the Villages of Fairview/Allen area, close proximity to 75 and 121, nice homes on large lots, good school district.

I'd say the main negative point is that it's east of 75. There are many people who simply do not want to live east of 75 and it carries a bit of a stigma. East McKinney right north of there is the least affluent part of the city. East Allen/East Plano are the least affluent areas of those cities as well. Crime is a bit higher (though still nothing on the level of violent crime or anything) and most development being done is west of 75. All of those things could potentially affect pricing/resale. My parents, as an example, used to live in West or Central Plano depending on what line you want to use as the divider. Even though they could afford a home in Fairview, they absolutely refused to buy anything east of 75.

Unfortunately, Fairview kind of gets lumped together with those other areas, even though the Fairview area is very nice and there are some very expensive homes out there. It's a pretty small area.

[DitsyD]

Are the homes all still on septic? That would be a deal breaker for me.

Lovejoy schools. You either love them or you don't. There is no diversity.

Being on the east side of Central, there will be some traffic getting to work on the other side. Surface streets are crowded and will take a while with all of the traffic lights, and the tolls will add up if you take 121.

There is great shopping and restaurants nearby, with the Shops of Fairview and the Shops of Allen.

I know some great people that live there.

If you are a pilot, close drive to the McKinney Airport.

[TheOverdog]

Pros: if you are actually up the hill into Fairview, then giant lots and decent houses. Some friends who live up there have a solid acre front yard and probably just as much to the sides and back! If you are in the subdvision thing near the shops on Stacy, then it's just like anywhere else, but the shops + Top Golf + an entertainment complex makes it decently desirable. The pink castle thing on Stacy is kind of unique.

Cons: Poor proximity to downtown Dallas, the railroad track and Central Expressway form a wall that makes the shops on the east side a confusing mess to navigate during busy times.

[jpke67]

If you have kids, then you can't do any better than living in Fairview in the Lovejoy school district.

Pros:
Lovejoy ISD is one of the best in the state (and country)
2+ acre lots are available
McKinney airport is very close for your plane
Lake Lavon is very close for your boat
Shopping is very close for your wallet
It is one of the safest places in Texas
You might have horses or cows as your neighbors (you can have two per acre in your yard)
There are lots of doctors, lawyers, and business executives that live there
It is close to 121 and 75
It is quite pretty with hills, trees, and pastures

Cons:
It is expensive
The town has some silly ordinances
Your child may expect a new Porsche for her 16th birthday

[UnfairPark]

Fairview is served by McKinney ISD & Lovejoy ISD. It depends on what kind of schools do you prefer but both districts have their pros and cons. Overall, Lovejoy is better.

Newer homes are acre plus as that’s a requirement for septic system now. Maintainance of septic system can be an additional pain in life but town doesn’t have a sewer system so that’s not an option. I’m not sure about water supply companies there.

It’s not a diverse town if that’s what you are looking for. There are lots of shopping options next doors in Allen.

East of 75 isn’t as desirable in people’s eyes as there is more older and cheaper housing there but Fairview itself doesn’t have many.

As town doesn’t have any business base to shoulder taxes, property taxes can potentially go high. Lake Lavon is nearby so if you are into boating and stuff, it can be a plus. Unfortunately no lakeside homes as that land is owned by corps. Do check floodplains, Fairview is enrolled in FEMA’s Program so you can buy flood insurance.

If you work beyond Allen or Mckinney then commute to jobs can be a big issue.

I think 2 horses per acre are allowed so keeping horses is an option.

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Fairview is served by McKinney ISD & Lovejoy ISD. It depends on what kind of schools do you prefer but both districts have their pros and cons. Overall, Lovejoy is better.

Newer homes are acre plus as that’s a requirement for septic system now. Maintainance of septic system can be an additional pain in life but town doesn’t have a sewer system so that’s not an option. I’m not sure about water supply companies there.

It’s not a diverse town if that’s what you are looking for. There are lots of shopping options next doors in Allen.

East of 75 isn’t as desirable in people’s eyes as there is more older and cheaper housing there but Fairview itself doesn’t have many.

As town doesn’t have any business base to shoulder taxes, property taxes can potentially go high. Lake Lavon is nearby so if you are into boating and stuff, it can be a plus. Unfortunately no lakeside homes as that land is owned by corps. Do check floodplains, Fairview is enrolled in FEMA’s Program so you can buy flood insurance.

If you work beyond Allen or Mckinney then commute to jobs can be a big issue.

I think 2 horses per acre are allowed so keeping horses is an option.

First, this thread is 3-1/2 years old. The OP has probably already bought a home.

Second, Fairview Town Center is located in Fairview and has Whole Foods, Container Store, JC Penney, Dillard's, Macy's, Twisted Root, Cane Rosso, and Gloria's ~ just to name a few spots.
https://www.fairviewtowncenter.com

[UnfairPark]

Oh you are right on both counts, jpke67 replied so I assumed it’s a new one. I just assumed that shopping place is in Allen but duh, name says it all. Thank you for correcting me. OP probably has two kids by now. By the way jpke67 revived another Fairview thread as well. May be t-shirt business.

[NYfaninCowboyLand]

Any views on the Parkside at Fairview by Toll Brothers in Fairview? I heard that going forward, minimum lot size in Fairview is 2 acres. Is that really true?

I understand this thread is very old, but I didnt want to create a new thread :-)