Anything Besides North Dallas area (Arlington, Plano: apartment, to rent, townhome)

[AutumnRaq]

Hello,

I'm a single mother of two girls 13 & 7. I reside in Memphis, TN and looking for a change since I'm recently divorced. I've had several jobs contact me (Accountant/Auditor field) and one looks pretty promising, which is the AAFES located at 3911 S. Walton Walker Blvd. Of course my main concerns are schools...elementary and soon to be high school. I really like the 75287 and Plano area school district, but if I get this job that commute may be out of the question. What is a good area with great schools that may be close to the job. Or is that commute not that bad of an idea? I really want a diverse area .

Oh I'm looking for a 3/2 town home, house to rent, or even apartment for around 1400 a month.

Thanks,

[JenG1974]

I think your best bet would be to look in Las Colinas considering where the job is. North Dallas is too far away. There are some good choices I think in Irving too for schools. University Park is not that far away and great schools - but I don't think that a townhome for $1400 can be had there. But maybe! I would check those areas. Good luck!

[AutumnRaq]

University Park? Is there a zip code for this area? I've heard of Las Colinas area!

Thanks!

[WorldKlas]

Las Colinas/Valley Ranch in zip code 75063 has decent schools but pretty high rent; your commute would not be in the general flow of rush hour traffic for much of your drive, so that is good.

Arlington in zip 76017 has decent schools and workable rent. Both middle schools and all elementaries that feed into Martin high school are good. Martin is a good performing High School, too. Very diverse.

You might look into DeSoto, too. Its a nice area with reasonable rents; but I don't know about the schools. Mansfield is also something to consider because the schools are OK. there are sections of southwest Grand Prairie that are served by Mansfield schools that would also be very worth checking into.

Always verify with school districts that a place you're considering is served as described by landlords. There are several places that have a specific city address and are in the attendance zones of other districts.

[LookingInRichardson]

Driving from Plano ISD or any of the surrounding areas would a brutal 1hr+ one way excursion every day. University Park is out with your budget. I think Las Colinas might be a stretch for 3BR/$1400 as well. I would stick to Mansfield/S. Arlington (Martin area) if schools are your primary concern. Martin is more diverse than Mansfield. If schools weren't a concern DeSoto/Duncanville/Cedar Hill would be good places but their schools aren't high performing. It's a little further out and less diverse, but Midlothian might also be worth a look.

[AutumnRaq]

Ok. Thanks guys! This give me something to work with! I guess my main concerns first would be schools, commute, then budget. If I could put what's most important in order. But all this input is helpful and includes areas I haven't heard of.

[NoClueWho]

If your first concern is schools, then stay away from DeSoto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill...

[rantanamo]

Originally Posted by Mentallect

If your first concern is schools, then stay away from DeSoto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill...

kinda broad?

[NoClueWho]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

kinda broad?

No, it's not broad. It's only three communities and they are all in the same area. A lot of people like to point posters (especially black ones) in the direction of DeSoto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill because "you can get a lot of house for your money," but the schools are some of the worst in the Metroplex. People who have children and who are concerned about their schooling and education need to know that before they get deceived by the lower housing prices or by the proximity of that three town area to where they work.

[AutumnRaq]

Originally Posted by Mentallect

No, it's not broad. It's only three communities and they are all in the same area. A lot of people like to point posters (especially black ones) in the direction of DeSoto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill because "you can get a lot of house for your money," but the schools are some of the worst in the Metroplex. People who have children and who are concerned about their schooling and education need to know that before they get deceived by the lower housing prices or by the proximity of that three town area to where they work.

Thanks, I'm coming from an area where housing was lower and you get more for your money, but the schools were low performing within that district. So, I'm willing to have less house and pay more for my children to have better schooling.