Ourgirls, if you are still looking at different areas in the Metroplex, take a look at Frisco, McKinney, or Prosper. I live in McKinney, teach in Prosper, and spend lots of time in Frisco and McKinney (shopping and parks). All three have good school districts, and all three are quite conservative. I would say that the Frisco schools are better (IMHO) than McKinney, and I really like Prosper schools because we are still smaller and more personalized. The homes in Prosper are still reasonably priced but will continue to appreciate due to the growth. Just my two cents.

Thank you all so very much for your input! I am totally amazed that total stangers would take the time to help someone they don't even know. While we are still nervous I feel confident that we are going into it with open eyes. We are planning another trip and will take another look at Colleyville and also the Frisco Proper area as well. Thanks again so much!

One BIG consideration will be where your husband's employer will be located. You certainly don't want to set him up for a horribly long daily commute by moving too far away from his work.

that's funny because I started a post about relocating to So. Cal from Dallas. I'm actually going to the OC in 3 days. I have lived in Houston, Austin, Dallas and then north of Dallas. Houston housing is very affordable. Humidity is is bad there. HISD schools are terrible, but Cy fair and others aren't that bad. Austin is a liberal city. OC/LA area is not any more liberal than Austin. If you are talking liberal, San Fran is the city. Austin is probably the most beautiful "big city" in Texas. Grapevine... Just be careful where you buy your house. The DFW airport is a big airport and is one of the busiest in the nation. It surrounds alot of the smaller cities and it's gets noisy especially in the grapevine area. Everywhere you go in Texas the heat will be there. 100 deg. is very common in the summer. We can't live without air condition. That's why I take a vacation once a month to Cali, Canada or somewhere beautiful with a nice weather just to escape Texas. Property tax is about 3% average and sales tax is side by side with Cali. No income tax is a big plus. Texas in itself is part of the "Bible belt." Texas is more pro-business as opposed to Cali. and is alot more afforable. $350-$400k will get you a nice house here. I suggest you visit Dallas during the summer because your high temperature near the beach is our low here in the summer.

Thanks Ditto...I hear you on the weather..we visited in July to get a feel for what we are up against. Let me know if you need any info on california OC...I know the areas very well as well as the business enviornments.