Catholic schools North of Fort Worth? (Plano, Denton: affordable apartments, home search, neighborhoods) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

sarafinakate · 02-10-2011, 12:24 PM

We are moving to the Fort Worth area this summer. I'm looking for a good Catholic school and a home to purchase (budget 350k-450k) nearby. I don't want the school drive to be any more than 20 minutes. Immaculate Conception School in Denton seems like a nice school and is close to a few nice areas. What area should I focus on for our family? Denton? Corinth? Argyle? I'd also consider Lantana if the high tax rates justify the amenities. We work from home so commute time is not really an issue. Thanks!

expatChicagoan · 02-10-2011, 01:22 PM

I'm not familiar with that school or those areas, but I wanted to let you know of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton school in Keller. Good luck with your search!

Guingirl · 02-11-2011, 07:42 AM

Are you planning a visit? I would check with your diocese to see if they can give you any referrals on schools. On the housing front, you can find quite a bit for that amount so I would definitely not pin yourself down right away, or you will regret not having the opportunity to really see what you can get for your money.

Not sure what part of Northern California you are coming from, but we moved from Sacramento four years ago. The problem for us and we were very focused on our wants and needs list for an area and home, but there are so many choices that it becomes overwhelming.

I remember my ex-brother in law snidely commenting about how if we moved to Texas, we would never afford to be able to go back to California. Well the truth of the matter is that I would not want to move back there because I would never be able to enjoy the lifestyle that we have here. Hubby and I at night look up at this huge Texas sky and thank our lucky stars that we are able to bring our kids up here.

Edit: Sorry saw that you live in Norco not NorCal.

Had no idea where it was so looked it up!

sarafinakate · 02-11-2011, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the replies. My husband and I did visit the last weekend of January and stayed in Grapevine. We had a realtor take us to homes in Flower Mound, Argyle, Corinth, and Prosper. I think we spent about 8-10 hours total looking at 20 homes. I really liked a neighborhood in the argyle area. I was a little surprised about Prosper. I read good things on the board and saw nice homes online. When we got there it looked sort of abandoned and in the middle of nowhere

. It's also too far out from DFW. Since then, I have decided that I want my children to continue in a Catholic School. I found a newer school in Denton that seems nice but will consider St. Elizabeth Ann Setton in Keller as well. Is South Denton a nice place to go to school? I never went into the City Denton. I know Keller is considered a very safe city and good for families. I plan on visiting again next month but I still need a game plan on what areas to see. Yes, I live in Norco (AKA Horsetown USA). It's nice here but the schools and traffic are not so good.

Guingirl · 02-11-2011, 12:03 PM

Denton is home of the Mean Green of University of North Texas and Texas Women's University. Its a college town with mid-60s homes and lots of affordable apartments. I am sure it is a great place to go to school, but there aren't any new neighborhoods that I saw driving to the campuses.

You honestly can't see everything online. I researched a year and drove myself crazy from California putting together homes only to have a week visit and scratch everything off the list.

If the school/church is most important than find that first, but also keep in mind that you want to know what kind of ISP you will have available where you do find a home. (Edit: for working at home)

Just remembered that one of our neighbors did attend Nolan Catholic High School - Nolan Catholic High School

They ended up moving closer to the school because we are about 45 mins away from it. That is more east of Fort Worth, but you could easily add in MidCities (Hurst, Bedford, Euless) to your home search (Keller as well). So something to think about.

Also remember that property taxes vary depending upon the city where you purchase and they can change every year. While there is no income tax, the property taxes can range from 1.75% to 3.5%+. And you aren't exempt for the larger ISD portion because you want your kids to go to Catholic School. (Grrr.... no vouchers! but that is a different argument).

5stones · 02-11-2011, 12:53 PM

SEAS Catholic school in Keller only goes to 8th grade.
Most of the kids then move onto Nolan Catholic HS in Ft Worth. (It's the only Catholic HS over in Ft Worth)

But remember even from Keller, the drive to Nolan is no picknick! our neighbor has kids at both SEAS and Nolan and complains all the time about the drive to Nolan. HS kids get involved in a load of extra cirricular activites and rush hour driving back and forth can get tiresome!

sarafinakate · 02-11-2011, 04:35 PM

I wonder if there will be a new Catholic high school built in a few years? It seems that it's either Nolan or the new one in Plano. But, it's no different in my area. There's only one Catholic high School within an hour of my house.

Thanks for the advice - I will check out some more areas.

expatChicagoan · 02-12-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarafinakate

I wonder if there will be a new Catholic high school built in a few years?

It is my understanding that the Catholic church owns land in the Heritage master community, with the intention of building a high school there.

http://www.heritagelife.com/Portals/...HeritageSP.pdf

I'm not sure when it will be built - I don't know of any immediate plans to build one, but it's listed on the plan as "Future Private High School" (on North Beach, south of Heritage Trace)