Where to live with kids: Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin (Houston: movies, best schools)

[victoriaklein]

We are thinking of moving to Texas from San Diego. We have three small children. We are looking at Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. Which is the best with kids?

[CMDallas]

Austin always hit me as a college town.
So right of the bat I would eliminate Austin, nothing is wrong with it, its just the place for young people not kids.
I would have to say Dallas, it has the best schools in the nation. DISD doesn't but out of the top 20 best schools according to Newsweek, Dallas county holds 4 of them almost 1/4th, not only so but they hold the number 1 and 2 spot as well as 15 and 16.
Dallas is probably a little more diverse, and more Cosmopolitan but San Antonio is not an inferior choice.
I would say Dallas.
what are you looking for in an area...

[houstoner]

It's a toss-up. Neither is best for kids; all three are just fine. What are your other criteria? That would help you narrow down your list; otherwise you will just get people in here recommending their city.

[love roses]

I don't know what's wrong with Austin. Tons of young families around here. Dallas and Houston either. I spent my teens and 20's in Houston and it was great. Lots of my cousins grew up in Dallas. All have good schools, just run a check. Each of those cities has a different feel, so a trip to visit may be in order. San Antonio has tons of history and lots of OLD buildings (1700's). Houston and Dallas have a newer vibe and have kept little of their original architecture intact. I know that has little to do with kids, but thought I'd try and give my impressions.

[Alatex]

How important are climate and terrain to you ?
Dallas is a little colder in winter and flatter than the other two, so more different from what you're used to in San Diego.

On the other hand, if having a major airport is important to you, that favors Dallas.

[love roses]

Or, I guess if proximity to ocean is important, then Houston would top the list. Of course, the other cities do have nice lakes.

[NOTAM]

you should look at some of the bedroom communities of Austin...dont know much about the area, but i have heard Plugerville, Round Rock, and Georgetown might be good places, and very close to Austin. i hear LOTS of good things about Georgetown.

[love roses]

Georgetown is really nice. It's just far enough away from Austin to be its own little entity, but not so far you can't get into Austin when you want to. It has a great downtown area with lots of cafes and boutiques, a market days event, Christmas Stroll, and festivals. San Gabriel Park is one of the best parks in the area. The schools are pretty good, but as far as being exemplary, couldn't tell you. Pflugerville is closest to Austin. From I35 it's hard to tell where Austin ends and it begins, but away from the freeway is where you'll get a better feel of the differences. It has an old downtown area as well, although a lot smaller. Schools are good. There's lots to do there as far as movies, some clubs, outdoor entertainment venues. (Georgetown also has movies and clubs). Round Rock is sort of a cross between Georgetown and Pflugerville. I think it's a little bigger maybe, has a wider variety of housing to choose from and it's old downtown is bigger than Pflugervilles. Not as good as Georgetowns however. I'm not a big fan of Cedar Park as it really isn't as old or established as these other towns, although it has good schools and its a little closer to the lake. Leander is nice, or further South like Dripping Springs. Buda as well. I'm in Hutto which is just East of RR and South of Georgetown. It's a quickly growing little town, with people that commute into Austin to work. More business is coming here, so being able to work here as well will be a plus. I work in town. School is good too and I imagine can only get better. It's rated acceptable now, but has been exemplary in the past. There is also Taylor, Coupland, Manor, Elgin, and Bastrop. Elgin doesn't have very good school, so something to consider. Bastrop is really pretty. Lots of pine trees.

[tgannaway89]

Northside ISD in San Antonio is a wealthy school district in North San Antonio than also ranks among the best in the state. Dallas and Austin both have highly ranked school districts. Both Dallas and San Antonio offer lots more for kids. Keep in mind though Austin is only an hour drive from San Antonio, and isn't too far from Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston either.

As far as safety goes:

- Austin ranks the 5th safest in the US.
- San Antonio ranks the 7th safest in the US.
- Dallas ranks the 6th most dangerous in the US.

http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#500,000+

[mimimomx3]

I would say San Antonio. It's a very manageable family friendly city.