Community Recommendations for Upper Middle Class Black Family (Midway: homes, new construction)

[Katana49]

Originally Posted by kdogg817

Because it’s a Fort Worth suburb it’s considered off limits? HEB to downtown Dallas is 30 minutes compared to McKinney another place a person recommended being 50 minutes away from downtown Dallas.

I said McKinney because for an upper middle class suburb, it's very diverse. I also said that they needed to state where their job was, because the commute could be brutal.

HEB I would not define as upper middle class, maybe a few small pockets, but overall certainly not upper middle class. Bedford has the highest average household income of the three, and it's $60k. That's nowhere close to upper middle class.

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by kdogg817

Because it’s a Fort Worth suburb it’s considered off limits? HEB to downtown Dallas is 30 minutes compared to McKinney another place a person recommended being 50 minutes away from downtown Dallas.

Agree with you that McKinney is a long commute to downtown Dallas; I wouldn’t recommend it either.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

Agree with you that McKinney is a long commute to downtown Dallas; I wouldn’t recommend it either.

Yeah; PH, Park Cities, or NOC are all manageable commutes to downtown Dallas. McKinney? Please.

[Alewife]

Look at Lakewood.

[WorldKlas]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Yeah; PH, Park Cities, or NOC are all manageable commutes to downtown Dallas. McKinney? Please.

And I believe NOC and Las Colinas are about the same commute time — just opposite directions

[LadyT68]

First, thanks for all of the suggestions. I work from home. My husband works in downtown Dallas. Prior to moving here, we were set on M street or a condo downtown. Then we started thinking about a more traditional neighborhood and a home with space for our children. His coworkers suggested UP, HP, and PH. The reality is our kids are probably not coming back home to live for an extended period of time. So with just the two of us, we really don't need 4-6,000 sq ft. You have given so many great suggestions and food for thought. I think we are going to check out Lakewood, M Street, and Kessler Park. We will still look in PH, too. I guess in the end the most important factor is getting a return for our investment. Also, I should make it clear that I don't need to live around any one specific type of people. I just don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted. It's more important for me to live around interesting people who are open, accepting, and culturally diverse. If we can find other foodies who love to travel, than that would be even better.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

And I believe NOC and Las Colinas are about the same commute time — just opposite directions

I think you're right.

Originally Posted by LadyT68

First, thanks for all of the suggestions. I work from home. My husband works in downtown Dallas. Prior to moving here, we were set on M street or a condo downtown. Then we started thinking about a more traditional neighborhood and a home with space for our children. His coworkers suggested UP, HP, and PH. The reality is our kids are probably not coming back home to live for an extended period of time. So with just the two of us, we really don't need 4-6,000 sq ft. You have given so many great suggestions and food for thought. I think we are going to check out Lakewood, M Street, and Kessler Park. We will still look in PH, too. I guess in the end the most important factor is getting a return for our investment. Also, I should make it clear that I don't need to live around any one specific type of people. I just don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted. It's more important for me to live around interesting people who are open, accepting, and culturally diverse. If we can find other foodies who love to travel, than that would be even better.

You can still buy smaller homes in PH (2k-3k sq ft range); check out Melshire Estates. Word of warning, though; any affluent neighborhood in Dallas is a target for teardowns, meaning that the nice normal house next door may be torn down at any moment and a 6k sq ft ersatz Tuscan villa or imitation Frank Lloyd Wright box will spring up in its place. Any of the areas (PH, UP, HP, Lakewood, NOC) will give you a tidy ROI. Realtors here can chime in on what area is best for that.


Given what you've stated your preferences are, you might like Lakewood best. That's not to say you wouldn't be welcome in PH. PH is funny...if you can afford to live there, you're welcome. It's all about money there. Full disclosure: I'm a Preston Hollow native.

[Beardown91737]

As empty nesters, you will find that some guest space for relatives at holidays is useful. .

[Johnhw2]

W Plano is diverse. My side of the street one block is made up of two black families, two from Mexico City, one from Istanbul, two families from Texas. Across the street are 7 homes too with three asian families, one Indian family and mixed familes as well. We look out for each other and socialize some thanks to an older mixed family (Mexico City MD and Stock trader from Istanbul) who have a huge house and like to entertain...

I would not recommend the commute to DT however......just didnt want future readers to be mislead by some generic comments.

Welcome to DFW and hope you find the right spot for you

[Taynxtlvl]

I'm a black guy new to Dallas in last couple years and work in the booming legacy corridor. Richardson could also work for the OP. some really nice neighborhoods and plenty of amenities and very centrally located. Las Colinas is a good choice. Lakewood or Lake Highlands. Kessler Park. The Colony/Austin Ranch is nice as well but a bit far.

HEB is a nice area but is isolated as compared to McKinney which is also far but the development to McKinney is nearly constant. Allen is a juggernaut suburb also.

DFW is benefiting from being at the right place at the right time, and warm climate. And newbies from varying walks of life and cultures who are climbing the ladder and prosperous will help this area to become even more cosmopolitan and diverse.

*Sidenote* The Dallas city leaders are going to need to find a way to close the gaps on the southern side of the city. Decades of neglect are not going to help anyone in the long run. Can only build north into Oklahoma but for so long.