Moving to Dallas. Working in Arlington, Irving, Plano. Where do I live? Top Schools a MUST. Southlake vs Highland Park? (Austin: transferring to, universities)

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by LeagleEagleDFW

Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.

I wish I could rep you for that!

[tcualum]

Before you commit to Southlake I would do the commute to Dallas. The traffic getting out of Southlake is often very unpleasant. We were faced with your problem and we chose to buy a high end home in a more affordable area and send our kids to private school. Private school has a reputation for snobbery but I've found the parents at the one our kids attend to much more down to earth than the ones in Southlake and HP. I have not desire to buy my kids luxury cars when they turn 16 just so they feel on par with their friends. I had to earn mine so I think they should too. They are also attending smaller classes and are given options such as skipping grades in individual subjects that even excellent public schools often can't offer. Not all private schools offer the lack of snobbery our's does though. Some are even more elitist than UP and Southlake.

As for summer camp, my kids go to Camp El Tesoro. It's much cheaper, well regarded, and the kids love it. The camp has been run by Camp Fire since the 1930s. I also like the fact that it's a nonprofit camp.

[TeamLynn]

I think Turtle Creek 80...pretty much got it right.
My first thought is Southlake is probably a good fit.
Maybe depends on how much hunting, fishing, outdoors stuff you do.
Flower Mound or Coppell might be options for you too.
Park Cities is older money and $1mil gets you started in Park Cities.
at $1mil in Southlake you'll have a lot of choices.
You'll be at the upper end of things in Coppell and Flower Mound.
I think at $1mil in Colleyville you'll get a different kind of neighborhood and house.
maybe 2-3 acres, but you may not like the schools as much.

You've got a lot of choices on great public schools. There are also FREE charter schools that you might consider.
There are probably a limited amount of private schools you want to consider.

[aggie972]

Originally Posted by Rakin

It's not that hot in DFW. It hardly ever gets above 105.

Originally Posted by LeagleEagleDFW

Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.

Man, no kidding. 105 is miserable. I don't want to be outside unless I'm in a pool. It doesn't help me to know that it's 115 in Phoenix, it's still hot enough that I want to stay indoors.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by aggie972

Man, no kidding. 105 is miserable. I don't want to be outside unless I'm in a pool. It doesn't help me to know that it's 115 in Phoenix, it's still hot enough that I want to stay indoors.

I agree, this weather is THE SUCK.

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I agree, this weather is THE SUCK.

We've been looking for a new place to live for a while now. Affordablility and convenience are big factors. Unless its San Diego or along the Mediterranean in Spain or Italy, one will have either 3 months of very cold or 3 months of very hot. Life ain't perfect.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

We've been looking for a new place to live for a while now. Affordablility and convenience are big factors. Unless its San Diego or along the Mediterranean in Spain or Italy, one will have either 3 months of very cold or 3 months of very hot. Life ain't perfect.

No, but it can be better than it is here.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I agree, this weather is THE SUCK.

I lived in Missouri and Iowa and was getting tired of the long, cold winters.

But now that I've lived in North Texas, I realize that I much prefer the cold. At least I could function outside in the winter.

I'm still looking for a Utopia that has fall/spring weather all year long.

[bankingdom]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I agree, this weather is THE SUCK.

I guess you guys don't come up north much in the winter?????

I guess weather is personal, but we are moving to Dallas FOR the weather! I rather take 105 deg and jump in the pool than 5 months of -30 deg (yes, minus 30, not windchill) and snow. I guess grass is always greener... I probably will wish I'm in Minnesota on those 105 deg days though....

Thanks all for the great info!

I think we will head down there before we move and check out the places, but since schools are our #1 priority I think Southlake is our top choice! #2 school district in Dallas (from what I've been reading) but still "affordable" compared to Park Cities. I think its a good compromise.

The only thing I have now been hearing is that only the top 10% of each school gets to go to UT public school for free or something?

Maybe it's better to be a somewhat smart kid in a crappy school, than a not quite smart enough kid in a top school? Hmmmm...... Is this true? If your 89th percent rank at a great school and your grades and SAT's are top notch, UT will rather take a 91% rank person with lower grades from a lower quality school?

[Aceraceae]

We had weeks and weeks of 60s 70s and 80s this year. I don't care for the 100s though.