Advice on Move up Home -375k budget (Dallas, Irving: real estate, homes)

[whj3773]

Curious to know what location/neighborhood you would recommend for us. husband wife baby and hoping for one more.

Budget 375k max, would like 4 bed 2.5 bath, 1900-2500 SF, good to at least moderate schools, safe neighborhood, SFR, close to trails and a community swimming pool would be ideal.

heres the catch i work in in university park area, wife works in las colinas. I really cherish a reasonable commute to work as i think that has a major impact on quality of life. with the being said, i wouldn't want more than a 30 minute commute for me or my wife.

Thanks!

[Rakin]

Valley Ranch area of Irving.

[numbersguy100]

With those two commutes, I'd probably pick something zoned for DeGolyer in northwest Dallas. I'm not sure where that leaves you for middle or high school.

You might be able to get away with living in Richardson if your wife takes the new express lanes on 635, but someone who uses those during rush hour would have to confirm whether that's still 30 minutes. I have to imagine that would be a pricey commute however.

[Hawekeye2011]

I take the 635 Express lanes sometimes. They are usually pretty empty even when regular 635 is backed up. I get on at Marsh and go till 75 exit. It can cost 6 bucks or more each time one way. So yea pretty pricey

[mSooner]

Valley Ranch or Coppell. Grapevine would be great, but might be a bit too far for you.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by numbersguy100

With those two commutes, I'd probably pick something zoned for DeGolyer in northwest Dallas. I'm not sure where that leaves you for middle or high school.

You might be able to get away with living in Richardson if your wife takes the new express lanes on 635, but someone who uses those during rush hour would have to confirm whether that's still 30 minutes. I have to imagine that would be a pricey commute however.

Richardson is an option if OP's wife wants to use Texpress, but you're right...it isn't cheap.

DeGolyer in NW Dallas ultimately attends W.T. White if memory serves. Not sure which middle school it feeds. Marsh, maybe?

[whj3773]

problem with any good Dallas elementary schools is you have to eventually deal with the middle schools and high schools right?

I have noticed some in Coppel but the homes in that price range are not much to be desired.

Valley Ranch is an ideal location, but from what i have heard, the Indian community has more or less taken it over, and while i would have no problem living somewhere diverse (although i guess by the prior sentence irving valley is not diverse)- i wouldnt want to live somewhere where my family may stick out.

[mSooner]

problem with any good Dallas elementary schools is you have to eventually deal with the middle schools and high schools right?

Yes. And it isn't going to be all that cheap either.

I have noticed some in Coppel but the homes in that price range are not much to be desired.

You're right...but you're dealing with the real estate version of Fast/Cheap/Good trifecta (Fast (commute), Cheap (housing), Good (schools). You can pick two in DFW--there is no way to get all three if you are commuting downtown. Pick your poison.

[Aggielina]

Far North Dallas zoned to RISD schools would have most of what you want, though it's getting harder to find nice homes in the $300s or below. Maybe the Brookhaven neighborhood in Farmers Branch? I have family there, and their children go to public schools and seem to be doing pretty well. The youngest one is in the dual Spanish language immersion program. And, they commute to Las Colinas for work and say it's not bad.

[whj3773]

Originally Posted by mSooner

Yes. And it isn't going to be all that cheap either.




You're right...but you're dealing with the real estate version of Fast/Cheap/Good trifecta (Fast (commute), Cheap (housing), Good (schools). You can pick two in DFW--there is no way to get all three if you are commuting downtown. Pick your poison.

this appears to be spot on...