Relocating to Dallas, Texas Area

Wylie/Sachse/Allen are nice areas, but may be a bit of a drive. My in-laws live in Corinth and love it. DH works in N. Dallas and we live in Keller - commute is 45 min - 1 hr each way; they are doing construction on the freeways from Dallas to Keller area and traffic is a nightmare, construction will be ongoing for a couple years.

If you haven't found this website yet I highly recommend www.dallasareamoms.com - you can get a TON of info from moms in the metroplex, plus it's just a great site to connect with people.

i live in Oklahoma and go to the Dallas area often and i know north Dallas well.
McKinney and Plano are our favorite places to frequent. great restaurants and shopping and easier to get around than inner city Dallas.
Frisco and Addison are also nice.
i don't know first hand about schools, other than driving by them. but they look nice in that area!
deffinatly recomend NORTH dallas.

Well I would suggest going North. I would really avoid going South at all unless you go over an hour away. Coppell, Keller and Flowermound are good choices. Not sure about your price range and whether or not your looking to rent or buy.
C.

I agree with the previous posters about checking out the North Dallas suburbs. We live in Allen and love it! McKinney is also a nice area. Good luck with your decision!

Flower Mound is a small town that has it's own government, not a suburb of a bigger town. City offices and maybe it's own Police Department. It is a nice small town within driving distance from the greater Dallas area. I think it's a lovely town. My husbands aunt has lived there for years.

coppell, flower mound, plano, frisco, allen and mckinney have good reputations around here. South dallas has a reputation for crime while north dallas is known to be safer. Personally I hate going any where in dallas because of the traffic. If your husband doesn't mind a commute, you could come as far as Lake Dallas, Corinth, Hickory Creek, Shady Shores or Denton. You get a lot more for your money the further north you go-- especially past Lake Lewisville on I35.

I have family in Rockwall & Flower Mound...both are very, very nice areas (maybe a bit pricey) in excellent school districts. Good luck with your move!

FRISCO FRISCO FRISCO!!!!
Excellent schools
Lots of house for the money (Seriously - LOTS)
Lots to do for young kids!! (I can't get around to it all, there's so much)
Super family-friendly
You can live in a "bubble" & never have to leave - I like that, some don't.
Incredible entertainment for parents (for date nights, etc.) without having to go far.
Is situated on the Dallas North Tollway, which is a direct shot to downtown.

I happen to work in Coppell - It's lovely. However the taxes are OUTRAGEOUS. The schools are AMAZING, but we found that we could basically pay for private tuition (if we wanted to) by the time we paid the taxes & such. Also, you get MUCH MUCH MUCH less house for the dollar because of the exclusivity of the city.
It's got a super-small-town feeling. You can know everyone (if you want) by going to the First Baptist Church and out to dinner at the local Mexican Restaurant. :) lol
I liked that a ton, but still couldn't justify the $$.

Good luck to you & let me know if you have any questions!!! I can point you .
- C.

I live in Rockwall (about 20 miles east of Dallas) and LOVE it! It was on Family Circle's 'Top 10 Places to raise a family in the U.S.' list last year. It's clean, safe, friendly, lots of new stores, restaurants, etc. and the school system is fantastic (from what I hear and read...my kiddos are too young). My oldest is 3 and attends a preschool program at Lakepointe Church here in Rockwall and loves it. Check it out...http://www.rockwall.com/

Best of luck to you and your family where ever you land!

Agree that the best idea is temporary housing until you find the fit best for your family.

If you're okay with a 30 - 45 min commute each way, try Southlake/Keller. Dallas is okay, but a very stressful/fast-paced "feeling" you can see in how people behave and drive. The closer you get to Fort Worth, the more relaxed and less-stressed.

Just stay out of the south Dallas area.

Welcome!

North Dallas would be my suggestion. Coppell, is really great. They have great schools. Plano, Allen, McKinney, Flower Mound...all are nice ares and great schools.

I think you are wise to get a temporary place until you figure out what and where you wnat to be in the DFW area.

We've been in the Plano/Allen area for 20 yrs. We have an Allen Address (LOVE IT) and Plano Schools (LOVE THEM). One reason we settled here was specifically the schools. Both Allen and Plano have great schools. We are North 75 off the ethany exit. Watters Creek is great shopping and dining and Market Street is my favorite grocery!

Its easy access, less than 1 hr to Love Field, DFW airport, Downtown Dallas and many things to do.

I hope everything works out well for you and your move!

We are south- about 30 miles outside of Dallas- so I don't know if you'd be interested in that far of a commute for your hubbie. We are in a small town- Midlothian- it has top rated schools and it is really a quiet town. Lots of parks and soccer is really big out here. I love the elementary school my kids attend! They do a great job at teaching these kids how to excel and the teachers are great!
Try to avoid the Dallas school districts- they are really bad. And I do agree that North Dallas is better than South Dallas for the most part- we are just a little further south and in a nice area.
Great idea to rent while you are getting to know the area though!
~C.