Accepting a job in Addison, where to move my family? (Houston: renting, how much)

[cormorant2128]

Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for any replies. Reading through posts here over the past hour or so I've already learned a lot, and appreciate the time of all who take the it to help answer questions about the area.

I am accepting a job in Addison, Texas, and will be moving from a nice suburb in Northwest Houston together with my wife and our two children, 9 and 7. While we weren't looking forward to a move necessarily, we are approaching it with an open mind and are looking forward to getting to know the DFW area. We really aren't unhappy with our situation in Houston. That is to say, we like suburban living with the modern amenities (we live in a community with a lake, swimming areas, shopping, etc) and child-friendly bike-trails features, etc. We are, right now, about a 15-20 minute drive from a plethora of ethnically diverse and wonderful food choices, or nightlife, and we don't mind Ubering into town on the few occasions a month we get to take a break from parenting. Primarily, we want a family friendly community with good schools where the things we are focused on most (raising kids) are easiest and best supported. I don't mind a commute into Addison if that's not the area, but would prefer the commute not exceed 45 minutes (I can live with an hour but would prefer less). The shorter the commute the better.

Our housing budget max right now is $450,000. My wife is from Vancouver, CA, and didn't grow up driving. She can do it, but doesn't like to, so any community that offered walkable/bike friendly amenities is a plus but not essential.

Again, thanks for replies in advance! All ideas are welcome.

[TurtleCreek80]

I would look in Richardson, specifically to homes ultimately zoned to Pearce or Richardson high schools. This area is just to the east of Addison, roughly bordered by Preston, 635, 75, and 190. Your commute will be in the 10-20 minute range, schools are excellent. Richardson has a great public parks & trails system and well-managed city and schools. Richardson is diverse- Chinatown is off 75 & Beltline east of 75, and there are many family-owned Middle Eastern and Asian restaurants there, as well as close access to Beltline & Dallas Tollroad area which has everything from major chains to fancy steakhouses. $450k is a "sweet spot" budget for Richardson, but beware the city was built in the 1950-70's so it's not McMansion-ville. If you could find a home walking distance to Coit & Campbell, your wife would not have to drive for most daily shopping needs.

If you want a bigger/newer home, Plano is the next closest suburb. Also has fantastic public schools and is diverse, but mainly built in the 1980-1990's. There is some brand new construction in central Plano; not sure if $450k is enough to buy into it. Most relos are into new construction which is why I mention.

Addison itself is not zoned to great schools and is more suited for singles and empty nesters than families. Not a ton of SFH options there.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

I would look in Richardson, specifically to homes ultimately zoned to Pearce or Richardson high schools. This area is just to the east of Addison, roughly bordered by Preston, 635, 75, and 190. Your commute will be in the 10-20 minute range, schools are excellent. Richardson has a great public parks & trails system and well-managed city and schools. Richardson is diverse- Chinatown is off 75 & Beltline east of 75, and there are many family-owned Middle Eastern and Asian restaurants there, as well as close access to Beltline & Dallas Tollroad area which has everything from major chains to fancy steakhouses. $450k is a "sweet spot" budget for Richardson, but beware the city was built in the 1950-70's so it's not McMansion-ville. If you could find a home walking distance to Coit & Campbell, your wife would not have to drive for most daily shopping needs.

If you want a bigger/newer home, Plano is the next closest suburb. Also has fantastic public schools and is diverse, but mainly built in the 1980-1990's. There is some brand new construction in central Plano; not sure if $450k is enough to buy into it. Most relos are into new construction which is why I mention.

Addison itself is not zoned to great schools and is more suited for singles and empty nesters than families. Not a ton of SFH options there.

We live in Richardson and can ride our bikes to countless stores & restaurants within a 2.5 mile radius of the house (including the Coit & Campbell intersection).

How many errands you can run on a bicycle largely depends on how much you can carry on your bicycle, not how far away most things are. Richardson is also very bike-friendly, though I myself avoid cycling on main roads because I don't like cars whizzing past me. There is almost always another way to go that doesn't involve a major road.

[UnfairPark]

Welcome to West Plano!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Welcome to West Plano!

OP wants a short commute and a bike-friendly area. Richardson is it.

Plus...no toll roads getting to Addison from Richardson. Another plus.

[UnfairPark]

Addison is minutes away from far west Plano, you can just take Midway or Marsh. Parts of Richardson work as good but rest of Plano/Richardson are in similar boat. I dropped my friend at Trinity Christian Academy in Adisson after an event at Prestonwood Baptist Church and it took me less than 10 minutes.

[ea0337]

Originally Posted by cormorant2128

Our housing budget max right now is $450,000.

As some other poster mentioned, Central Plano would suit your budget along with a reasonable commute to Addison, schools, amenities etc. Houses here were built in 80s & 90s, so relatively newer than Richardson. Although older remodeled houses (in Richardson) are just as good, IMO, but don't know if they'll fall in your budget.

[J800]

As others have said, my first thought was Richardson.

[mSooner]

When you say NW Houston, do you mean within the loop or the Spring/Klein/Tomball/Cypress area?

[Treasurevalley92]

I would say say Richardson. Probably the most bike friendly Dallas suburb, and lots of good places to eat.