Where to live in DFW with kids...please help! (Houston: townhomes, transfer)

[Cndexpat]

Good Morning! I was hoping that I could pick your brains for a bit of information. My family and I are Canadians who have been living in Brazil for the past 3 years. When our term is done here in another 3 years we may be transferred to the DFW area. We have 2 young children who when we move will be in kindergarten and the other in grade 4. We are looking for an area that has exceptional schools and an active community with young families. Very family friendly with a lot of activities for kids. My husband will be traveling at least twice a month and will need to go into Denton about 2 times a week. Aside from that he works from home. We would like to be close to everything and prefer newer developments. Our budget is fairly flexible ranging from 300k-650k for a home with at least 2500 square feet and preferrably a pool. This will hopefully be a permanent move for us. We are planning a 2 week trip to do some research but would like some feedback and some thoughts. The areas we have looked at are Grapevine, Southlake, Keller, Colleyville, Trophy Club, Flower Mound, Coppell. We would like to narrow that down to 2-3 before we head out. thank you for your time!!

[loves2read]

You can run a search on the FTW forum for each of those towns and see the threads that have information

I assume that you know if you come now that in 3 yrs there will have been changes/growth in any of these areas and what you liked about them might not be the case--

why are you trying to gather information now for a decision that might not happen for 3 yrs?
that seems awfully far in the future when you don't really know if this will be the area you are transferred to from how I read your post...

If you are coming anyway for business maybe then based on your criteria for good schools you need to check a map and see where the towns are located relative to where your husband's job will be--
some areas aren't an easy commute to other areas--
like Coppell to downtown FTW
or Southlake to west side of FTW--

[Cndexpat]

Thank you for your response. The decision for the transfer will ultimately be ours and DFW is one of the 3 locations we can choose from in North America. Since we have young children and really want our next move to be our last. We want to narrow down areas now so that we can visit a few times a year until we actually move. We completely understand that it is a few years out and things will change, we are just trying to get an idea of the areas to be able to make the most educated decisions for our kids possible.

[loves2read]

Then run the search and read the threads--
there are reasons why Southlake is probably a good fit if you can find a home--
in 3 yrs if the economy doesn't tank again, Southlake will have even fewer homes under 600K--
the city council has been very against allowing developments w/zero lot or townhomes--
just a few in specific areas have been approved...
most developments are going to require half acre or more lots when means homes will start over 800K probably...

There are good districts beside Southlake Carroll--
GCISD is good but there is good teaching going on in HEB ISD (definitely lower price point), Keller, Northwest (Trophy Club, north Keller area), Birdville ISD,
Lewisville ISD might also be worth considering...Coppell ISD would have been a suggestion but that district is going to have huge development which people think will effect the quality of the ISD going forward

check the map and see how they are laid out--
the knock on Flower Mound and Lewisville are that the access roads to larger roads/freeways are limited and high volume traffic is a pain...but that depends on your travel needs since there are plenty of amenities in the immediate areas

Denton itself has some strong schools and it is a growing area--the commute to DFW can be made in 30-40 min depending on the time you go and route you take...

Argyle is town in Denton area that has been developed with upper end homes in rural area and ISD is regarded as sound but homes are expensive and roads are less than stellar IMO since many of them are open-bar-ditch and just two lanes...

Each of these areas has +/- aspects depending on who is doing the checklist--

in addition you should consider the overall living style in TX with a very conservative, business-minded legislature which normally makes decisions based on agendas which are based on the needs of special interest groups and not the actual residents of Texas...

[synchronicity]

Originally Posted by loves2read

Then run the search and read the threads--
there are reasons why Southlake is probably a good fit if you can find a home--
in 3 yrs if the economy doesn't tank again, Southlake will have even fewer homes under 600K--
the city council has been very against allowing developments w/zero lot or townhomes--
just a few in specific areas have been approved...
most developments are going to require half acre or more lots when means homes will start over 800K probably...

There are good districts beside Southlake Carroll--
GCISD is good but there is good teaching going on in HEB ISD (definitely lower price point), Keller, Northwest (Trophy Club, north Keller area), Birdville ISD,
Lewisville ISD might also be worth considering...Coppell ISD would have been a suggestion but that district is going to have huge development which people think will effect the quality of the ISD going forward

check the map and see how they are laid out--
the knock on Flower Mound and Lewisville are that the access roads to larger roads/freeways are limited and high volume traffic is a pain...but that depends on your travel needs since there are plenty of amenities in the immediate areas

Denton itself has some strong schools and it is a growing area--the commute to DFW can be made in 30-40 min depending on the time you go and route you take...

Argyle is town in Denton area that has been developed with upper end homes in rural area and ISD is regarded as sound but homes are expensive and roads are less than stellar IMO since many of them are open-bar-ditch and just two lanes...

Each of these areas has +/- aspects depending on who is doing the checklist--

in addition you should consider the overall living style in TX with a very conservative, business-minded legislature which normally makes decisions based on agendas which are based on the needs of special interest groups and not the actual residents of Texas...

Adding on a bit - I'm less than impressed with Keller's school metrics given the underlying demographics there, but the possible straight shot north up 35W to Denton might make it attractive.

I'd probably recommend Flower Mound to the OP as a first choice, although Argyle might also work well. The road/traffic issues are there but the OP is indicating the commutes are limited. Southlake to Denton would be a PITA of a commute.

[nagrommm]

Can I ask what your other two North American choices might be?

[Cndexpat]

Minnesota and Washington state (both very rural areas). After 6 years in Brazil not sure we want the cold Winters again.

[Restrain]

Washington State is a cold, damp rain forest, and Minnesota is only one step above the Arctic. BRRRRRR.

If you have to go into Denton twice a week, here is a suggestion. There is now a bypass to DFW airport down 2499, across the west end of Lake Lewisville. You will REALLY REALLY want to avoid I35 as it is going to undergo a multi-year rebuild.

That being said, just ran the MLS actives: You can get a home in the 2500-3500 SF with a pool on an acre in the Argyle area (good schools) in the low to mid 400's (adjoins Denton), in the mid $300s in Highland Village (up 2499 to Denton), and from $280K to $450K in Flower Mound, just depending on location (again up 2499 to Denton).

All areas have good schools, good resale histories, good locations, and good access to shopping, etc.

2499 will access you straight into DFW airport.

[loves2read]

I have friend and her husband who sold their home in Houston a couple of years ago now and bought home in Washington state in the drier half in Spokane area
she was working for company with subsidiary there and took transfer for year or so before she retired---husband was already retired--so they could get acclimated and make friends before moving cold turkey so to speak
they have lived in Colorado and Alaska and he lived in Phoenix before Colorado--and she was from Shreveport LA before moving to Denver where they met--they went to Alaska for probably 5 yrs after Denver
then they moved to Houston for probably 10 yrs...
They loved Alaska but couldn't stand the thought of the winters again
they like the climate in eastern WA which is fairly mild in winter but gives them 4 seasons

[JackieB23]

Texas is going to be a culture shock for you. Not bad, just... different.

I'd look at Denton proper. Why not live close if you can? Denton's got a lot to offer.

Good luck!