relocating to Dallas
 

I know this is not a relocation web-site, but the Fodor's demographic IS us. It's been right on when advising on travel, so thought I would try. We're moving to Dallas this summer, husband will be working at Tollway and Quorum, by the Galleria. We're looking at Plano and Frisco (particularly Stonebriar gated community there). Any thoughts on these areas as to sense of community, commute to Dallas? We're in early 50's, children are grown- we are in the lock and leave phase of our lives. I will be looking for a part-time job with a school district; we like to travel, read, jog, play tennis, go to movies.

I lived in Northwood Hills (just S of Spring Valley and Meandering Way) not far from the Galleria for 25 years.
The Tollway would be the way to go from Plano/Frisco, but I suggest you find a short term rental before a final committment.
Be sure to check local property taxes as the school systems are money pits.
M

The commute south on the Dallas North Tollway is gridlock most days, and even worse when it rains or there is a wreck. Honestly, if you could avoid it, I'd highly advise against it.

Look at some of the communities in far North Dallas, Addison, and Carrollton. There are many that are similar to Stonebriar without the hellish commute.

You will find a true divide in opinions: north or south of 635 (LBJ). We live south, and almost everyone we socialize with does. Without kids, school district doesn't have to be a consideration. Older homes, trees, but higher prices.
Better prices as far north as you are, but the traffic is pretty awful. New houses up in Frisco are great value. A lot of new restaurants and shopping up there.
Plano has very active newcomers groups with lots of activities.
Check out tennis facilities in different areas, that may also sway you. TBar M is a tennis only club, Brookhaven Country Club has 50 courts, including some in a/c. Fritz Park at Hillcrest and Belt Line has a strong tennis program in public courts.

Check out this relocation website:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/dallas/

My former partners' houses S of LBJ are currently appraised for tax purposes at $890,700. - $3,456,200.
M

After having been to Dallas to see the JFK museum,Dealey Plaza etc I believe that there is a museum in DC that has things like the Zapruder camera etc,can anyone advise me if it is worth visiting from the UK to see this museum and are the articles on general display??

Sorry,posted this on wrong state!!

Good luck with the move. I would suggest staying out of Frisco and Plano if you don't want to spend hours in Trafic and money on the tollway. Here is a great site for looking for a home and to get an idea of neighborhoods. I suggest searching by the map view and it will give you an idea of what real estate prices are like in neighborhoods. Just click on an area that looks good to you. http://ebby1.mapmuse.com/re1/map_ebb...ayer=EBBY&

Also check out www.DMagazine.com and http://dallasneighborhoodguide.com/

I don't know where you are moving from, but the whole DFW is an interesting mix. There are neighborhoods that have tin foil in the windows and cars on blocks one block away from million dollar houses in several areas of Dallas.

Good luck! A short term rental would be my suggestion as well, so that you can know the neighborhoods.

Actually, it's worth going to Dealy plaza to see the museum!

Needless to say, the very best decision we ever made was to get out of Dallas (after 25 years in the same house).
M

LOYL...We live in Plano close to the tollway. My husband commuted downtown for 6 years with not really many complaints. From my home to the tollway and quoram it is 10 minutes w/o traffic.

We are moving back to Canada and our home is on the market. Beautiful mature neighborhood, west Plano, 3100 sq ft,with pool $420,000. I don't know where you are coming from but homes are very affordable here.

Hope that helps,
Lisa

If you look in Stonebriar and get a copy of their Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, that was my handiwork, oh so many years ago.

LOYL....www.hotonhomes.com......I am considering looking into Castle Hills, west of Plano,south of The Colony and north and east and may be within the boundaries of Carrollton.Though not gated, several builders offer great homesites.There are several townhome communities I might be intersted in as well.Castle Hills would be about 15 miles to the Tollway/Quorum.

Castle Hills is an odd place, from a legal point of view. Make sure you read all legal notices, survey, title commitment, etc. very carefully before you buy there.

missypie..Just curious, what makes it "odd"? I dont want to get saddled with a large HOA dues, or "maintenance fee". I have spotted a development slightly east of there that is definitely eye candy.But I'm usually on the fly and have not yet done any investigation.If it matters, I will maintain my "official" residnec in California.I spend so much time in Dallas it makes sense for me to buy.That area is close enought to NTU that I would not have any problem getting quality tenants.A ton of students form NTU work in the restaurants that line the I35 E corridor there in Lewisville.Thanks.

BeachBoi - I've heard interesting things about Castle Hills too.

Loyl - If you do move up to Plano/Frisco, I suggest you have close access to the Tollway if your husband's commute is during regular hours.

IMHO, Aleta's post is right on the money.

I grew up in Plano, and my Dad and his wife (both in early 60's) live in Frisco. That said, I don't see the benefits of either city if you don't have kids. For some reason, you seem the south of 635 type to me. Yes, some homes are millions of dollars, but there are some nice neighborhoods with tons of charm where you can find something great in the 250-500 range.

Check out neighborhoods just west of Midway (near NW Hwy, Royal, Forest) which runs parallel to the tollway and would be an easy commute.

If you do stay north, there is one neighborhood in Addison surrounding Celestial park that I've always really liked, but I don't know the pricing. It would literally be 5 minutes from Tollway/Quorom, though, and you'd be near Richardson ISD which has some good schools.

Good luck and let us know if you have more questions!

In the 25 years I lived in the RISD (1980-2005), the quality declined and the demands on the teachers increased exponentially.
The RISD administration bureacracy and expenses increased in direct proportion to the declines.
FD: none of my three (now 38; 36 and 30) attended RISD schools.
M

Thanks for all the good insights. We lived in Ennis, Texas from 1979-1994, so we're a little familiar with Dallas.

missypie-
I'm impressed you wrote the covenants for Stonebriar. How was it as a place to live? Would you recommend it now?