North Plano vs McKinney (Stonebridge) (Allen, Frisco: 2015, apartments, houses)

[aljka]

We found 2 beautiful houses, one in Plano with FISD and another in McKinney (Stonebridge). McKinney house doesn't have pool, but it's a gorgeous house we love. Can you please recommend what may be a better choice, we need schools for next 10-15 years, will have work in Plano, but McKinney doesn't seem to be too far. Should we go with more upgraded house or stay closer to everything in Plano? Trying to find common sense and better value for future resale.

[Katana49]

One of the main reasons people move to Plano is for their school district... which is a non factor here, because the house is zoned to Frisco ISD. Personally, I'd be a bit wary as to how Frisco's ISD is going to cope with their current budgetary woes considering the population is still exploding there.


Just based on what you've said, I'd choose the Stonebridge house, as that is a great area with good schools and not very far from Plano (I used to commute from that area to central Plano, not bad at all.) If the house is within the Stonebridge Ranch HOA, you will have a community pool and have access to their beach club, which is a very nice facility. Most homes in that area have their own community pool if not part of SBR.

[turf3]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Honestly, the range of exurban experience between a new or nearly new subdivision in a "good school area" of McKinney vs. that of north Plano will run the full gamut from A to B.

Whose vanilla ice cream do you prefer? Wonder Bread or Rainbo? Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?

[Katana49]

Originally Posted by turf3

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Honestly, the range of exurban experience between a new or nearly new subdivision in a "good school area" of McKinney vs. that of north Plano will run the full gamut from A to B.

Whose vanilla ice cream do you prefer? Wonder Bread or Rainbo? Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?

Maybe to you.


We chose McKinney ultimately because we got more bang for our buck with housing, as well as having to deal with a lot less traffic. Schools at that point were a lesser factor. That situation hasn't changed.

[Beardown91737]

If you work in Plano, you can count on your commute getting longer as more infill housing is built in Frisco and McKinney. When I moved into McKinney in 2015, the Craig Ranch development was very quiet and very little new building was going on. Then demand picked up and there are several hundred more homes in Craig Ranch alone, plus lots of new apartments in that area. Also new apartments along the Sam Rayburn Tollway in McKinney. I work in Plano so all of that new development has added time to my commute.

[UnfairPark]

Economics 101. Market dictates price according to demand and supply. Less people want it, less it costs. If house is new and gorgeous, commute short and schools good then why demand didn’t raise its value?

[Katana49]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Economics 101. Market dictates price according to demand and supply. Less people want it, less it costs. If house is new and gorgeous, commute short and schools good then why demand didn’t raise its value?

So you think McKinney housing values haven't gone up over the last several years?

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by Katana49

So you think McKinney housing values haven't gone up over the last several years?

No. I’m asking why two areas he is looking at aren’t similarly priced and why he is getting “more for the buck” at one place.

[calgirlinnc]

Originally Posted by aljka

We found 2 beautiful houses, one in Plano with FISD and another in McKinney (Stonebridge). McKinney house doesn't have pool, but it's a gorgeous house we love. Can you please recommend what may be a better choice, we need schools for next 10-15 years, will have work in Plano, but McKinney doesn't seem to be too far. Should we go with more upgraded house or stay closer to everything in Plano? Trying to find common sense and better value for future resale.

May-September, we use our pool every day unless it's storming. We wouldn't use our backyard at all if it weren't for the pool. YMMV.

[DFWUser1]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

No. I’m asking why two areas he is looking at aren’t similarly priced and why he is getting “more for the buck” at one place.

What's the point you are trying to make? Obviously West Plano is expensive compared to other towns, Frisco or Allen or McKinney - everyone knows that - similarly - why a home in West Plano is priced less than in say HP or Southlake? There will be reasons for that - people have different priorities - not everyone likes or thinks the same - Those who want a newer home or "more for the buck" but not compromise too much on location or schools or commute will look at other options available nearby. And those who cannot afford those also, will go even further to other places. It's all personal choices.