GREAT School Districts

You didn't say how old your children are but we live in North Garland right on the border of Richardson. My son goes to an elementary school that has gotten very high marks(actually the highest possible) since he has attended there for three years. He goes to Walnut Glen Academy and is in the Gifted/Talented program. He, my husband and I are very pleased with every aspect of the school. The best of luck in finding the perfect school for your children.

Here's the Blue Ribbon skinny on RISD
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=7126

Not sure what "affordable" means to you, but Richardson and North Dallas have what I consider affordable... sometimes you just have to do a little searching.

You can't get much better than Plano... I researched all of the surrounding areas 2 years ago when we moved here from Dallas (M-streets area). PISD won hands-down against all others for these factors:
- overall quality K-12 education (all of the schools my kids attend/will attend are Exemplary and Blue Ribbon)
- Home prices (affordable now, move-up capability, stable home values)
- sense of community and PTA involvement

I think there may have been a few more points I measured for, like proximity to highways, etc. and we picked a Plano neighborhood right in the dead-center of Plano (North of Spring Creek at Independence). We really couldn't be happier with our choice.

Best of luck!
C.