Tell me about having little kids in Lakewood/Mstreets/WRE area! (Dallas: neighborhood, new construction)

[PISDstudent]

OP - just given the things you listed as being important, it seems that Plano really wouldn't be a bad fit for you. Many move here specifically for the schools, so they demand many of things you mentioned (parks, libraries with great programs for kids, etc...) for their family. I'm sure you would also love Lakewood. Any chance you can drive around the areas before you buy a house?

On the politics though, I have to caution you- when you say "I have a single republican friend who we all think is funny. Seriously", you sound just a bit intolerant (probably not on purpose I'm sure). Realize that this is Texas, and whether you're in Lakewood, Plano, or any other area you may end up in, you will find conservatives. I'm not sure if this is a great attitude to have towards them. Of course, there will be liberals in any of those places too, but bear this in mind. Just my 2 cents.

[robmab]

Originally Posted by PISDstudent

I take issue with quite a few things that have been said on this thread, but this is what really got me. Plano ISD is about 40% white, and 28% economically disadvantaged. The majority of my friends learned another language besides english first; 25% of the city's population is made up of immigrants.

I didn't say that Plano was all white OR all upper class. I just wanted the OP to be aware that there will be a lot of diversity in a Dallas public school. Comparing to your Plano statistics, Woodrow Wilson HS is around 20% white, 67% hispanic, 10% african american, with 17% Limited English Proficient and 55% eligible for free/reduced lunch.

[PISDstudent]

Originally Posted by robmab

I didn't say that Plano was all white OR all upper class. I just wanted the OP to be aware that there will be a lot of diversity in a Dallas public school. Comparing to your Plano statistics, Woodrow Wilson HS is around 20% white, 67% hispanic, 10% african american, with 17% Limited English Proficient and 55% eligible for free/reduced lunch.

What concerned me was this:

Originally Posted by robmab

so if you're expecting all of your child's classmates to be middle class and have English as their first language, you should stick with Plano

Thanks for the clarification- I'm glad you didn't mean to imply that- your point on Woodrow's diversity is definitely valid.

[CGGirl]

If the OP grew up in NY and went to college in L.A., I'm sure it's not a culture shock that many people here in Dallas did not speak English as their first language. English was not my first language either. I grew up in NYC and went to a top 20 college and a top 5 grad school. I went to a specialized high school and was given a full academic scholarship to a private high school that I turned down (twice). Why do people here in TX equate being poor or non-white with being stupid? It's kind of offensive when you really think about it. My daughter is a almost 2 years old and I surely hope that she will end up growing up with people of all different backgrounds.

[Lakewooder]

Yes within that amorphous 'hispanic' appellation, there are rich, poor, whiter, darker, non-English speaking, non-Spanish speaking,different national backgrounds from Cuba to Mexico to South America etc..etc..some of my friends like to call themselves "Tex-Mex".

[robmab]

Originally Posted by CGGirl

Why do people here in TX equate being poor or non-white with being stupid?

No one said that anywhere in this thread. In fact, no one in this thread has said that ethnic or socioeconomic diversity is a bad thing. Only that it exists. Not exactly breaking news.

[Lakewooder]

Advocate Magazine Woodrow golfer takes gold » Advocate Magazine

“I’m extremely lucky to live in this neighborhood and know people who’ve watched me, even people I don’t know, people who just live here,” she says. “It’s really special to know, because when I play well, it’s not only for myself; it’s for my neighborhood.”




State Golf Champion Grace Choi with Woodrow's second Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Brown, at the Tim Brown Woodrow Wilson Golf Tournament.

[CGGirl]

Originally Posted by robmab

No one said that anywhere in this thread. In fact, no one in this thread has said that ethnic or socioeconomic diversity is a bad thing. Only that it exists. Not exactly breaking news.

Why would you mention that it exists then, if it was not intended to be some kind of secret warning to those who post? I've never seen anyone mention that Caucasian kids exist. Hmmm.

[robmab]

Originally Posted by CGGirl

Why would you mention that it exists then, if it was not intended to be some kind of secret warning to those who post? I've never seen anyone mention that Caucasian kids exist. Hmmm.

Because it's a difference between West Plano and East Dallas: schools have more diversity. That was the point of this thread...to offer input on the differences between the neighborhoods he/she is considering.

[CGGirl]

I reread the OP's original post and didn't see anything where racial or economic diversity was mentioned though.