west Allen or East plano, murphy, east allen. first time home buyer young couple on budget , please advise? (Carrollton: 2013, apartment complex)

[Gumballing]

With all these new subdivisions and apartment complexes that are popping in the town, Allen needs another high school for sure but our district revolves around football, not education.

OP, it would be an expensive and lengthy commute for you without any advantage. You should look in West Plano, Carrollton, Coppell or Castle Hills.

[bamaintex]

I agree, we needed a new high school about 2,000 students ago! I just don't think it will happen. I still have 5 years to decide if I want my oldest to attend that behemoth...I just can't relate to a school that size. It's almost a third of the size that U of A was when I was a student. Of course, I graduated with 24 students from a public high school, so all of the schools here seem huge :-)

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by bamaintex

I wouldn't expect another high school in Allen in my lifetime. (And my kids are in an Allen elementary school.) Maybe our new superintendent will change things, but I have heard no rumors of new schools except for elementary. The only thing I have seen being considered is expanding Allen High School and the Freshman Center. They don't want to dillute the football talent pool and with our stadium situation, I don't think that will change.

I can't imagine the voters falling for another bond fiasco in Allen. Sad, really.

[dannaflemons]

You've gotten a lot of good advice as far as the commute to Las Colinas from any community east of Central Expressway being more than 30 minutes in traffic and no way will you be able to stay with a $40-50 budget on tolls. Based on your desire to be within 30 min to Richardson and Las Colinas, but also needing a good school district I can offer up a couple other options you might not have thought of.

There are parts of Far North Dallas where you can live in the Plano ISD that you could look at. There are parts of Carrollton in the Lewisville ISD that would be a fit for you. If you go the Lewisville ISD route, stay in the neighborhoods zoned for Hebron High School. Castle Hills is definitely a great neighborhood with a great school district (it's in the Lewisville ISD) but may exceed your budget.

In my opinion these are your 2 very best options that meet all your criteria.

[Linzy]

You will have a very hard time finding new houses with that budget and within 30 minutes commute. But good luck in your search.

[Gumballing]

Originally Posted by bamaintex

I agree, we needed a new high school about 2,000 students ago! I just don't think it will happen. I still have 5 years to decide if I want my oldest to attend that behemoth...I just can't relate to a school that size. It's almost a third of the size that U of A was when I was a student. Of course, I graduated with 24 students from a public high school, so all of the schools here seem huge :-)

I did IT work for some districts with huge high schools, some of them are managing it well and producing great results. I was really impressed by Coppell and Plano. Their demographics aren't any better than ours but they are miles ahead of us. It's about having an academic focus and keeping class size in control. Frisco has small schools but they aren't taking advantage of that just overspending money and resources. All these bonds and loans have to be paid and at same time maintenance expenses will keep going up as buildings start to age and technology gets outdated.

[buwau]

Originally Posted by bamaintex

I wouldn't expect another high school in Allen in my lifetime. (And my kids are in an Allen elementary school.) Maybe our new superintendent will change things, but I have heard no rumors of new schools except for elementary. The only thing I have seen being considered is expanding Allen High School and the Freshman Center. They don't want to dillute the football talent pool and with our stadium situation, I don't think that will change.

Where did you hear about a new elementary school. Any idea of its possible location?

[bamaintex]

Originally Posted by buwau

Where did you hear about a new elementary school. Any idea of its possible location?

It was mentioned in the information for Project Kids 2014. Board of Trustees / Project Kids 2014

[buwau]

Originally Posted by bamaintex

It was mentioned in the information for Project Kids 2014. Board of Trustees / Project Kids 2014

Thanks. New elementary school means a possible rezoning!

[bamaintex]

Originally Posted by buwau

Thanks. New elementary school means a possible rezoning!

There are rumors out there that rezoning may happen before a new school. Enrollment at the 17th school (Lindsey) is up and there are other rumblings that it will be full next year. That may be before those section 8 apartments in McKinney (zoned to Allen ISD) are complete. People in my neighborhood have been speculating that they may start shifting folks from the west to schools in the east because their enrollment numbers are down. My street has been rezoned twice in the last 5 or 6 years. We were rezoned to Lindsey when it opened last year.