Toyota Employee Relocating to Plano (Dallas, Garland: home, school district, living in)

[synchronicity]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I agree with this. Nobody ever asks me what church I go to. I don't "look Jewish" and my surname isn't a stereotypically Jewish one so people don't automatically think I'm Jewish. I can pass for a shiksa. But even so, nobody ever asks. Like....EVER.

Most people really DO. NOT. CARE. Which is how it should be.

Nobody's ever offered to "save" me either, or told me I'm going to hell because I don't accept Jesus as the Messiah. They may THINK that, but they have sense enough not to say it.

As I've noted, I HAVE been asked "what church I attend" or something similar...about 5 times or so since moving down here 3.5 years ago.

So, once or twice a year.

Now, granted, this is once or twice a year more than I was ever asked up north (or in the PNW), so yes, there is a difference. But I will agree that it's overblown. Once or twice a year is hardly all the time or anything close to it. Sure, there's more "religion" here than in some other parts of the country, but it ain't THAT bad.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by synchronicity

As I've noted, I HAVE been asked "what church I attend" or something similar...about 5 times or so since moving down here 3.5 years ago.

So, once or twice a year.

Now, granted, this is once or twice a year more than I was ever asked up north (or in the PNW), so yes, there is a difference. But I will agree that it's overblown. Once or twice a year is hardly all the time or anything close to it. Sure, there's more "religion" here than in some other parts of the country, but it ain't THAT bad.

It's that, "Anton LaVey for President" t-shirt you always wear that makes people ask.

[Transplanted99]

Originally Posted by synchronicity

As I've noted, I HAVE been asked "what church I attend" or something similar...about 5 times or so since moving down here 3.5 years ago.

So, once or twice a year.

Now, granted, this is once or twice a year more than I was ever asked up north (or in the PNW), so yes, there is a difference. But I will agree that it's overblown. Once or twice a year is hardly all the time or anything close to it. Sure, there's more "religion" here than in some other parts of the country, but it ain't THAT bad.

Interesting....this is almost our exact experience after moving around the same time and our observation too.

We've lived in different areas of the south (metropolitan areas). Also, having worked in many "northern" cities too, it sure looks like there are more (and bigger) churches in the south, in general. So, "religion" is a bigger part of the culture here.

Some may take offense at being asked. But that would be like all the PC offense that gets drummed up nowadays.

It is a bit over the line personal, like being asked how much you make, or any other hundreds of questions one gets in life, but in the end if we take offense at every minor issue like this what kind of life would we live?

[ToyotaReloKY]

I have some questions about cities my wife and I are debating for our possible relocation (if we go) to Plano, TX.

1. West Plano
2. Frisco
3. McKinney

Our priorities:
1. Great Schools (daughter is in 6th grade)
2. Proximity to Hospitals (wife is a NP)
3. Proximity to Toyota (notice wife proximity is higher priority than mine...lol)
4. Proximity to Catholic Church
5. Proximity to Shopping & Dining (wife does not like the country)

Our price range is $400-$500K.

Any advice on communities within these cities is greatly appreciated.

We are coming down next week (9/20-9/22) to check you your state.

Thank you!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Baylor has a newish hospital on Hwy 380 on the western edge of McKinney, there are smaller hospitals in Frisco and Plano as well as larger ones. Just google each city and hospital and you'll see more than you want. There's a big children's hosp. in Plano.

Plano has outstanding schools but they can be a bit competitive. Frisco's schools do not rank as high but the difference is not large. Not everyone wants their kid to go to Harvard, some "settle" for Tulane or Rice, etc. Note that Independent School Districts (ISDs) do NOT follow town or county lines. You have to be careful and check the address against the ISD's web site.

Catholic churches are everywhere, many Hispanics here. Plano and Frisco are shopping havens for shopaholics.

[synchronicity]

Originally Posted by Transplanted99

Interesting....this is almost our exact experience after moving around the same time and our observation too.

We've lived in different areas of the south (metropolitan areas). Also, having worked in many "northern" cities too, it sure looks like there are more (and bigger) churches in the south, in general. So, "religion" is a bigger part of the culture here.

Some may take offense at being asked. But that would be like all the PC offense that gets drummed up nowadays.

It is a bit over the line personal, like being asked how much you make, or any other hundreds of questions one gets in life, but in the end if we take offense at every minor issue like this what kind of life would we live?

Make it six times now. Happened again last weekend. So maybe twice a year?

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by ToyotaReloKY

I have some questions about cities my wife and I are debating for our possible relocation (if we go) to Plano, TX.

1. West Plano
2. Frisco
3. McKinney

Our priorities:
1. Great Schools (daughter is in 6th grade)
2. Proximity to Hospitals (wife is a NP)
3. Proximity to Toyota (notice wife proximity is higher priority than mine...lol)
4. Proximity to Catholic Church
5. Proximity to Shopping & Dining (wife does not like the country)

Our price range is $400-$500K.

Any advice on communities within these cities is greatly appreciated.

We are coming down next week (9/20-9/22) to check you your state.

Thank you!

West Plano is best- you can't beat the schools and there are several bigger hospitals in the are. Plano Presby is off the Dallas North Tollroad (about 5 minte drive south of Toyota) and there are some specialty hospitals like a big cardiac center (Baylor hospital system, I think) on George Bush Tollroad (about 10 min south of Toyota). Tons of shopping & dining, as well as Catholic Churches.

[taroberts]

Originally Posted by ToyotaReloKY

I have some questions about cities my wife and I are debating for our possible relocation (if we go) to Plano, TX.

1. West Plano
2. Frisco
3. McKinney

Our priorities:
1. Great Schools (daughter is in 6th grade)
2. Proximity to Hospitals (wife is a NP)
3. Proximity to Toyota (notice wife proximity is higher priority than mine...lol)
4. Proximity to Catholic Church
5. Proximity to Shopping & Dining (wife does not like the country)

Our price range is $400-$500K.

Any advice on communities within these cities is greatly appreciated.

We are coming down next week (9/20-9/22) to check you your state.

Thank you!

1. Great Schools ---> Frisco and W Plano
2. Proximity to Hospitals ---> All 3 have tons
3. Proximity to Toyota ----> W Plano is closest followed by Frisco then McKinney
4. Proximity to Catholic Church -- Sorry cant answer this
5. Proximity to Shopping & Dining ---> Frisco and W Plano

[PatriciaWas]

DFW has a good number of decent size hospitals. Plano may work better for your wife. Her commute to Frisco, Allen, Mckinney, Richardson, Dallas, Carrollton, Garland would be doable enough to consider jobs there. Frisco and McKinney doesn't offer this advantage.

[billydoc]

Originally Posted by ToyotaReloKY

I have some questions about cities my wife and I are debating for our possible relocation (if we go) to Plano, TX.

1. West Plano
2. Frisco
3. McKinney

Our priorities:
1. Great Schools (daughter is in 6th grade)
2. Proximity to Hospitals (wife is a NP)
3. Proximity to Toyota (notice wife proximity is higher priority than mine...lol)
4. Proximity to Catholic Church
5. Proximity to Shopping & Dining (wife does not like the country)

Our price range is $400-$500K.

Any advice on communities within these cities is greatly appreciated.

We are coming down next week (9/20-9/22) to check you your state.

Thank you!

It took me about 2 months to endorse my RN license here, even though I had multi-State licensure before. Your wife really needs to start this process "licensure by endorsement" for both RN and NP credentials. I mean it wasn't "bad" but a little longer than I'd expected. But no worries, shhe will be issued temp NP license within two weeks from initial application. TX is a compact State for licensure. The jobs are there, but it depends what setting she will be looking for and what area of practice for NP. As far as living here's +1 for Plano, just b/c I'm biased and live here . Allen, Frisco and McKinney are fine too. Your budget will get you a place quite comfortably in any of the above.

Good Luck on your move.