Relocating to Dallas area. Please help! (Garland, Richardson: big house, landscaping, neighborhoods)

[Lleanne]

My husband and I will be relocating because of his company's relocation to Richardson. We have lived our whole lives in Central California (hot, hot, hot in the summer) and have never been to Texas. Hubby had 4 choices for relocation, but Texas feels like the best fit for us in every way (politically conservative, religious, love Texas gun laws). We are mid-50s, empty nesters, and want to be close to good, safe walking trails (we don’t mind a short drive to get there), be in a neighborhood where it is safe to take a walk after dark, and somewhere with a good sense of community, but a non-pretentious one, as we are jeans and tee shirts kind of people. We are currently looking to buy a house between $400-500,000 and are looking at Richardson, Murphy, and Allen, but are open to other suggestions. Our realtor has also suggested Rowlett, but the schools (for resale) don’t look as good. The hubby wants to live in McKinney, because it seems like it is more rural, but I don’t want to be a work widow so don’t want his commute to be more than 30 minutes. It also seems like most houses there are 2 story and I’m concerned about the cost for cooling a big house (my disabled mom will be living with us, so we need the space) in the summer. Since we will need to cool the house during the day, that could be a huge issue.

Although I’m new to the board I’ve been reading it a lot and you guys give awesome advice and am hoping you can help us. Where would be a good fit for us? Thank you in advance for your help!

[stephwin]

Richardson. It will be close to work, has good schools for resale, and I find it's more "laid back" than other areas. It's also safe and I like how a lot of the neighborhoods have larger, mature trees. Allen and McKinney will be a longer commute and he could get stuck in traffic on 75. You should be able to find an older but renovated home in Richardson for your budget.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Lleanne

My husband and I will be relocating because of his company's relocation to Richardson. We have lived our whole lives in Central California (hot, hot, hot in the summer) and have never been to Texas. Hubby had 4 choices for relocation, but Texas feels like the best fit for us in every way (politically conservative, religious, love Texas gun laws). We are mid-50s, empty nesters, and want to be close to good, safe walking trails (we don’t mind a short drive to get there), be in a neighborhood where it is safe to take a walk after dark, and somewhere with a good sense of community, but a non-pretentious one, as we are jeans and tee shirts kind of people. We are currently looking to buy a house between $400-500,000 and are looking at Richardson, Murphy, and Allen, but are open to other suggestions. Our realtor has also suggested Rowlett, but the schools (for resale) don’t look as good. The hubby wants to live in McKinney, because it seems like it is more rural, but I don’t want to be a work widow so don’t want his commute to be more than 30 minutes. It also seems like most houses there are 2 story and I’m concerned about the cost for cooling a big house (my disabled mom will be living with us, so we need the space) in the summer. Since we will need to cool the house during the day, that could be a huge issue.

Although I’m new to the board I’ve been reading it a lot and you guys give awesome advice and am hoping you can help us. Where would be a good fit for us? Thank you in advance for your help!

Richardson.

Short commute, great schools, safe, community-minded, etc. The city is always working on the parks & trails.

Richardson is definitely a jeans & t-shirt kind of place. Not a whole lot of pretentious people. The market's hot here too because of its location and the good schools.

[ChristieP]

Also look in the Firewheel area in northern Garland. This area is growing rapidly and would be an easy drive to most of Richardson.

[Lleanne]

Thank you so much. Richardson sounds like it would be a good fit for us.

As a comparison, how are Murphy and Allen different from Richardson?

[Lleanne]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

Also look in the Firewheel area in northern Garland. This area is growing rapidly and would be an easy drive to most of Richardson.

How do I find this on a map, or somewhere like realtor.com?

[jennifw]

Originally Posted by Lleanne

Thank you so much. Richardson sounds like it would be a good fit for us.

As a comparison, how are Murphy and Allen different from Richardson?

IMO, Richardson is older and more established. Mature landscaping, laid-back feeling and established infrastructure. Murphy and Allen are "all-new" or atleast in the past 10-15 years. You will find newer homes, but most likely 2-story with less mature landscaping, etc. Those areas are still growing so you are also fighting construction everywhere you go.

[Lleanne]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I really appreciate your help.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by Lleanne

How do I find this on a map, or somewhere like realtor.com?

Look on a map for Firewheel Town Center off the President George Bush Tollroad. Naaman Forest HS is another landmark.

[Lleanne]

Thanks!