moving to TX (Dallas, Plano, Garland: townhouse, transfer, neighborhood)

[ladyburke_2003]

my husband was offered a job offer in Dallas. This would be the second time we will transfer in 6 mos., but Dallas intrigues me. First, we are a young multi racial couple. I am black and white and he is whit. We have a 10 yr old son that is mixed(obviously). We orginate from PA and currently reside in Columbus, GA. Georgia is a little too slow for me, I like the hustle and bustle of the city. I have just a few questions:

First- is there any racial issues for interracial couples? Or issues with mixed children?
Second- We want decent schools for him. He is a honor roll student in advanced classes and I want to make sure that he doesn't have to sacrifice his education.
Third- I am looking for an area that has a mixed racial background, and is fair in pricing. We currently pay about $1000 for a 3 bdrm. We will buy once we make sure we won't be packing up again anytime soon!

I am sure that there are a million other questions, but for now all the help I could get would be appreciated.

[cityconvo]

A few things to consider:

Dallas is huge. Do you know where is his job will be located? What type of commute is he willing to tolerate?

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by ladyburke_2003

my husband was offered a job offer in Dallas. This would be the second time we will transfer in 6 mos., but Dallas intrigues me. First, we are a young multi racial couple. I am black and white and he is whit. We have a 10 yr old son that is mixed(obviously). We orginate from PA and currently reside in Columbus, GA. Georgia is a little too slow for me, I like the hustle and bustle of the city. I have just a few questions:

First- is there any racial issues for interracial couples? Or issues with mixed children?
Second- We want decent schools for him. He is a honor roll student in advanced classes and I want to make sure that he doesn't have to sacrifice his education.
Third- I am looking for an area that has a mixed racial background, and is fair in pricing. We currently pay about $1000 for a 3 bdrm. We will buy once we make sure we won't be packing up again anytime soon!

I am sure that there are a million other questions, but for now all the help I could get would be appreciated.

Dalla shas lots of areas that would fit your needs. I am not part of an interracial couple, nor do I have mixed children, so I freely admit I may be oblivious to problems; however, mixed race couples and mixed race children are so common here, I cannot imagine it being much of an issue. When I think of my son's four best friends two are biracial, one is the child of a same sex couple, so Dallas is pretty diverse.
As for what area would be best it depends greatly on where you work. A lot of East Dallas would fit your needs, but that doesn't matter if you work near Lewisville

[MurphyPl1]

I'm in Murphy (SE Collin Co) and in my particular neighborhood there are several interracial couples, with and without kids. We've got a few great elementary schools and a great middle school. The 9/10 HS is a bit overcrowded at the moment but they'll be a new school added in a few years.

But it would definitely help to know what part of town y'all will be working in to know if Murphy would be a good commute.

[comptown]

I do not believe you should have any problems with the mixed race marriage. I am asian, my wife is as white as they come and our daughter is obviously mixed. We have not had any issues with anyone. We live in McKinney, but if I was to choose an area based solely on schools, then I would without a doubt have my kid in a Plano ISD school. All of the school districts in Texas have an Advanced Placement of Gifted and Talented program. That being said, I would still try to get my kid in Plano ISD. Their curriculum seems to be college prep based and better than any surrounding school district that I know of. DO NOT, under any circumstances, put your kid in a Dallas ISD school. they are horrible and I actually have a friend who works as a math teacher for DISD and he will tell you the same thing. Housing would be the only question mark. I have no doubt you could find a 3 BR apt or townhouse for 1000 bucks a month, a house may be a different story. Another thing to consider is where your husband will be working in Dallas. Is it actually in the city of Dallas or is it somewhere in the DFW metroplex?

[momof2dfw]

As others have said w/o knowing where your husband will be commuting to for his job it is hard to give you some suggestions on areas to concentrate.

When it comes to mixed race couples and kids - NO BIG DEAL! I'm not in a mixed race relationship but we have plenty of friends that are. They are no different than us at all. What we have in common is the morals and values we instill in our kids. We all value education, families, etc. We are great friends and our kids all get along great and their kids have not had any issues at all in the schools.

As for your child and the education. Not ALL ISD's in this area have gifted and talented programs. Some have a classroom in one school set aside. Some do a pull out as time allows and a few have a "true" gifted & talented magnet program. The Dallas ISD is one of them and the two high schools are usually tops in the nation. A good friend teaches there and LOVES it (she is white and her husband black). She wants me to send my daughter there. There are kids out in the burbs that get accepted there and GO! It is a great honor to get accepted there. As for a suburban school w/ a true G&T program the Garland ISD has magnets. My daughter has been in the program since kindergarten and is now finishing up middle school. There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between the G&T program and their enriched honors classes and the honors classes at a normal school. For high school she can attend any HS in the district and take all AP courses or go to Garland HS and be in the IB program. Not many high schools offer the IB program.

But before you decide on ANYWHERE knowing where the job is can make a HUGE difference.

[Grainraiser]

Without knowing what part of Dallas your husband will be working it's hard to give advice as to were to live. My street consist of 18 houses and we have two bi-racial couples on the street. Strangely they are the oldest and youngest couples on the street. I have seen so many bi-racial couples in Mesquite that it hardly garners a second look. I just can't see it being a problem anywhere in the DFW area.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by comptown

DO NOT, under any circumstances, put your kid in a Dallas ISD school. they are horrible

Nearly half of all DISD schools will be ranked exemplary or recognized this fall. Five Dallas ISD high schools made the Newsweek Best in America list. Three beat any school in Plano and all beat any school in McKinney.

America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com

[FarNorthDallas]

I think you are going to have trouble finding a 3 bedroom anything for $1000. Maybe $1200.

[rosscountry]

Cedar Hill/Grand Prairie are pretty diverse.
Schools are good. Close proximity to family activities- theme parks, lake, state park, shopping and 20-30 minute drive to downtown.

where is the job?