How is Living in Princeton Texas? (Houston, Dallas: to rent, crime, mortgage)

[llmsem]

Thinking of re-locating to Texas from California. Tired of California's liberal politics and high cost of living. Looking for a place I can purchase a home and not have a mortgage. Princeton is very affordable. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[ChristieP]

Highly recommend you do a search in the Dallas forum. Princeton has been discussed at length in that forum...and there are good reasons why it's so cheap to live there...

[llmsem]

Thank you for the response ChristineP. I have read the other postings but they are old. Many said that Princeton will be better in 10 years. Those posts are 4 or 5 years old. Am wondering if Princeton has seen any improvement since then. What do you think?

[CptnRn]

You can find the latest detailed demographics and data for Princeton, TX here. //www.city-data.com/city/Princeton-Texas.html

Looks like it has low unemployment, low cost of living, cost of housing seems low, very low poverty rate, median household incomes are average for Texas, crime is very low, rent looks high to me which could indicate it is a desirable place to live and/or there are very few places available to rent.

[TX75007]

Its in the middle of no where and you will have to spend a lot in gas to get around.

You can pay the same for a house much closer in.

[Pooua]

I live in East Plano, and I've looked at Princeton. I thought of buying a home out there, but it would have required a half-hour commute just to get to Richardson. Princeton is, in my opinion, "out in the sticks."

Murphy or Wylie are closer to civilization and still country-ish.

[Scitnor]

Hello, ...From Princeton, TX.

You mentioned not wanting a mortgage payment, (maybe you're rich). In any case, depending on what scale of home you're after, in July 2008 we paid $132K for a new 1 story 2/3, 2000sq-ft, 2-car garage, brick home. Our note is $1230. mo., $475. of that note is property tax (per month). No State income tax here. Of course, there're many scales of homes in neighborhoods.

Very "conservative" here. That's very obvious when election days are held. With everyone waiting in line to vote at the Republican tables, and MAYBE a handful at the democRATs tables. Add to that, our fine ex-President George W. lives not far from Princeton. Also, Chuck Norris is just down the road.

The "main drag" is a 4 lane (2 each way) semi-highway 380. Moves pretty fast at a 60mph speed limit. Booko restaurants and grocery stores abound just 6 miles from Princeton. Or for a more cozy country feel, there're are a couple of small grocery stores in Princeton.

BiG D (that's Dallas) starts as soon as you get on I-75, just 6 miles from from Princeton. I-75 is lined with malls, restaurants, stores, strip-centers...you name it, all the way into downtown Dallas.

Before you come here, make VERY sure your car's air conditioner is in TOP shape. You'll NEED it!!!

I'm a native of Houston and had relatives in Dallas many decades ago.

Best, ... Lee.

[llmsem]

Lee,
Thank you so much for such a great reply. We too are very conservative. We are living in California and it is one of the main reasons we would like to re-locate. We are one of the few voters at the polls voting Republican here. We are not rich however we own our home in California and have enough equity to sell it and pay for a modest home in Princeton. Real-estate prices in CA are very high. Thank you for the great insight. Best response yet! Please feel free to add anything else. We have teenage children. We are in our mid 40's.
Thank you,
llmsem

[llmsem]

Lee,
I must mention that I am a little bit nervous about living in Tornado Alley. Earthquakes don't bother me so much.
Thank you,
llmsem

[Scitnor]

Llmsen - I hear ya on the "tornados", ...however I'd hate to think of what's in store for CA during the next BIG ONE. Never-the-less, in the 3 years we've lived here, we haven't seen any tornados. That's not to say they won't come in the future. The "Tornado Alley" area is mainly far north of us in OK., MO., KS. Where're y'all at now, San Diego?