Strictly from an elementary school quality standpoint, is Southlake worth the premium over Flower Mound? (Lewisville: apartment complex, townhomes)

[getmeoutofhere]

Originally Posted by loves2read

Southlake won't get multifamily housing--I don't think any person would sell land to a developer for that--

In this real estate market? They'd sell to anybody with cash to spend.



Regardless, it's not really a factor. Flower Mound schools are excellent, and will continue to be so. Flower Mound is pretty large, so you don't have to live near an apartment complex, although the existing ones are actually pretty nice.

Southlake and Flower Mound are both excellent schools, though I think Southlake gets more credit for being a "good" school simply because of the football team and not because of academics.

Money will go a lot further in Flower Mound, and FM lacks that snobby, materialistic vibe for the most part.

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by mSooner

Except for the mobile home park (which is truly out of sight in the middle of nowhere), I've personally seen both complexes and they aren't anything anyone would object to. They are luxury by most standards. Seriously--look at the map. Look REALLY hard for the tiny orange spots. Those are the multi-family housing zoning areas.





I believe the lawsuit is still pending. The fact that they are fighting it tooth and nail should tell you something (though I don't know if I am necessarily "proud" of that). Besides...you don't think Southlake wouldn't be next? If Flower Mound loses, there is no reason to believe Southlake (or any other highly sought after area except Highland Park) would be able to fight it.

Oh I agree, that's why I said I dont know how Southlake has been able to avoid the lawsuits thus far. From my limited understanding of it, it's pretty much a losing proposition for most cities to fight. You say no to MF housing, you stand the risk of being accused of being discriminatory. That was why Frisco caved in so quickly (and incurred the wrath of its residents). Highland Park has been able to avoid it because a)it's pretty much built out at this stage b)They have more wealth/connections which serve to "disuade" any activists from getting too excited about the lack of MF housing in HP.
I hope FM can fight it and win, I personally dont think anyone is owed a house/apt in an affluent part of town. You have to work for it like everyone else. I currently live in a 2 bedroom apartment with my wife and 2 kids in Garland. Now I would LOVE to be given a nice place in Frisco, FM and so on, but I know I'll just have to keep working and saving like I'm doing so that I can achieve that goal. Wish more people had that mindset.

[mSooner]

HPISD actually has quite a bit of MF housing. There are apartments within a few blocks of the high school that are $500-600/mo. The valedictorian last year was a Vietnamese immigrant whose family lived in a HP or UP apartment.

True...I was referring to what the PP just stated...that HP is probably too built out for any new complexes.

[adixyz]

Originally Posted by loves2read

from what I have seen NO depending on the specific neighborhoods--

but you need to understand that in Southlake the city council is much more restrictive regarding issues that can effect property values--
for example--unlike most neighboring towns--
when builder submits plans/request for building permit--ALL design items have to be present--so that the finished design, sq ft, landscaping platte--they all have to be done--
which is not the case for neighboring towns--
and once those plans are approved the builder is pretty much locked in to those specifics--
unlike other cities where there is more waffle room as the process goes along
that means that Southlake approves/disapproves based on what the finished design will be and the builder is held to those standards--
known quantities--
m ore expensive for builder to do that as well becuase ALL planning options have to be done BEFORE the yea-nea is given
so keeps some builders from building there if they do not have the initial capital to commit

Also--NO apts in Southlake and never will be--people are too involved in monitoring the types of buildings going in--builders had difficult time getting some zero lot homes approved because some people thought they would be negative for property values in area--

Flower Mound does not have those stringent standards from what I know--
there ARE apt complexes in Flower Mound==no matter how great they might start out--as time goes by most apt complexes deteriorate in appearance and the types of renters--most management companies won't spend the time/money it takes to keep them "looking like new"
and apts are usually a downer for schools in general for variety of reasons

once you know that about the two communities--you can decide if you are risking that much by buying in Flower Mound vs Southlake--
there are some great neighborhoods in Flower Mound with stable property values and good schools--
but most people would say that Southlake offers more consistent property values/infrastructure...

the "bling" effect is geared to the neighborhood as well--there are many people in Southlake that there by the skin of their teeth because they value the security that Southlake has provided regarding property values and top-quality schools--they are willing to sacrifice to have those safeguards--when they might have been able to buy less-expensive home in good neighborhoods of Flower Mound or Keller or other areas and have more disposable income...
and Southlake covers a wide area of price ranges--while the lower end of the spectrum is the 400K home which is high compared to other area towns--you are not that likely to park next to Aston Martin unless it is parking lot of Southlake Town Center unless you yourself can afford the garage/house that goes with an Aston Martin

FM has only 1 operating Apartment complex Vs a Town Home in Southlake and a similar SUP process like Southlake.Various department in the Town also reviews the application before it is put out for public participation and council vote. Last year 1 apartment complex as part of mixed use development was rejected by the Town Council the 2nd time it was presented with some major changes. The Town council wasn't convinced on the mixed use development.
Southlake has a huge retail presence compared to FM which has discouraged bulk retail/commercial development. Its relatively easier to get a retail approval in Southlake Vs FM. The current FM Town council favors mixed use development and I expect to see selective retail approval in the next few years and more business/corporates after the DFW Connector project is completed.
With higher property prices and taxes (2.51%) in Southlake compared to FM (2.15%), there is more upside for property prices in FM. Southlake has to do a fine balance of not increasing their taxes and yet maintain the same amenities and tax base. Both have excellent public schools, highly involved parents,but in terms of ordinances and residents involvement in running the Town, FM have an edge over Southlake.

[getmeoutofhere]

There's more than 1 apartment complex in Flower Mound.

[DoubleFly]

A few apartment complex es aren't going to kill the neighborhood. Pretty sure that as your kids grow up in life, they are going to meet all kinds of people... rich / poor, whatever. I think having a little diversity is good for a school.

After seeing a few houses tho, we chose Double Oak over Flower Mound because there seemed to be a substantial amount of airplane noise in FM. Test score-wise, Highland Village isn't as good as FM, but it's pretty good. And it'll be *that* much easier for my kid to be the valedictorian. :-)

[BigDGeek]

Unless you plan on sticking around long-term, I'd save my pennies and live in Flower Mound.

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by DoubleFly

A few apartment complex es aren't going to kill the neighborhood. Pretty sure that as your kids grow up in life, they are going to meet all kinds of people... rich / poor, whatever. I think having a little diversity is good for a school.

After seeing a few houses tho, we chose Double Oak over Flower Mound because there seemed to be a substantial amount of airplane noise in FM. Test score-wise, Highland Village isn't as good as FM, but it's pretty good. And it'll be *that* much easier for my kid to be the valedictorian. :-)

What schools are you zoned for? I thought Highland Village fed into Flower Mound schools.

[DoubleFly]

it goes to Marcus High school (which isn't bad). Is that considered Flower Mound?

[FarNorthDallas]

Yes, that's Flower Mound. They have 2 high schools in Flower Mound - Flower Mound High and Marcus High.