Lakewood Hills by Pulte-Lewisville or Twin Creeks-MI Homes in Allen (Dallas: rental, crimes)

[InqurngMind]

We're looking for a safe neighborhood with good access to local shopping, places of interest and a not too awful commute to places like Uptown or Dallas, for things to do once in a while.

Work is mostly remote, but Legacy West is where the office is, if I need to go in, maybe once or twice a week.

No school-age children, and we're not really the outdoorsy types. We like quaint walkable downtowns, farmers markets and museums for things to do.

We're trying to avoid airplane noise, as much as possible.

We like the single level plans by Pulte, but is the Hebron/Lewisville area safe? What is traffic like in that area? Google maps makes it look a little desolate, but surrounding areas look pretty built up. What are property taxes like?

We like the Allen area, but are concerned that it might be a bit remote. We understand the Plano area has fairly heavy traffic during rush hour, which could impact our ability to drive south. Also, we understand that property taxes are higher in Allen.

So, we're interested in hearing opinions about Allen vs Lewisville/Hebron and also Pulte vs MI Homes.

Thanks!

[stephwin]

My personal preference between those two is the Hebron area. I've never been an Allen fan, and the Hebron area is closer to your office. Both areas are very safe though. If you leave your cars outside, just remember to lock the doors and don't leave valuables in plain sight. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity.

[DFWUser1]

Originally Posted by stephwin

My personal preference between those two is the Hebron area. I've never been an Allen fan, and the Hebron area is closer to your office. Both areas are very safe though. If you leave your cars outside, just remember to lock the doors and don't leave valuables in plain sight. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity.

Of course - you seem to be in Frisco, so your response inline with expectations. I thought not to post on this forum - but some comments seem to be insane, spreading wrong information and biased. So, keeping quiet is not the right thing to do and responding as appropriate.

Here are the responses to OP, point by point, specific to Allen.

(1) We're looking for a safe neighborhood with good access to local shopping, places of interest and a not too awful commute to places like Uptown or Dallas, for things to do once in a while.

All of Allen is very safe, West more expensive and new.

East of 75, still safe, neat and clean, lots of parks and shopping but old and less expensive.

So, you can choose based on your budget and preferences.

Once in a while commute to Dallas via 75 is straight forward, convenient especially weekends and non peak hours and it is free.

Shopping: Tons of shopping - Upscale Watters Creek, Village at Allen & Fairview, Allen Outlet mall, Stone briar mall is close from west Allen as well.


(2) Work is mostly remote, but Legacy West is where the office is, if I need to go in, maybe once or twice a week.

very close to Legacy west- depending on where in Allen and time of travel, hardly around 15 min via 121 (toll) or via inner roads (no toll)

(3) No school-age children, and we're not really the outdoorsy types. We like quaint walkable downtowns, farmers markets and museums for things to do.

No major downtown in Allen itself, but McKinney historic downtown and Farmers market are very close.
Other museums/attractions in Dallas are accessible via 75 as mentioned above.

(4) We're trying to avoid airplane noise, as much as possible.

No air plane noise at all.

(5) We like the single level plans by Pulte, but is the Hebron/Lewisville area safe? What is traffic like in that area? Google maps makes it look a little desolate, but surrounding areas look pretty built up. What are property taxes like?

Property taxes are around 2.5% of property value, more or less same across DFW, little more or less depending on city. Not sure about Hebron.


(6) We like the Allen area, but are concerned that it might be a bit remote. We understand the Plano area has fairly heavy traffic during rush hour, which could impact our ability to drive south. Also, we understand that property taxes are higher in Allen.

Considering you work from home and occasional travel to Legacy, shouldn't be a bit remote and you have everything you need - parks, shopping, recreation, entertainment, restaurants, hospital within 5-10 minutes drive based on where you live.

Tour all the developments and compare yourself on above before you take a decision.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Hebron area is much closer to all the downtown cultural attractions.

[keribeth818]

I'm not familiar with Hebron but live in Twin Creeks in Allen and can give you an idea about the location. We love it because it is so convenient to everything. I can be in West Legacy in less than 15 minutes (in rush hour), less at other times. I can get to all the shopping and restaurants along DNT and Preston from George Bush to Main street in Frisco in 15-20 minutes. Going the other way I can get to quaint downtown Mckinney in a little over 15 and hop on 75 to downtown Plano in 20 mins. Less than 10 mins to the Village at Fairview, Watters Creek, etc. We are often driving into Dallas to go to the zoo, museums, and arboretum, typically around 40 minutes. Same for DFW airport except during rush hour.

Its true there is plenty of traffic in Plano driving south. I drive my kids to the Legacy area for school every day via surface roads. It takes me about 20 minutes with all the school zones.

[InqurngMind]

Thanks everyone! We've decided to include Craig Ranch in Mckinney as a third option. Ashton Woods is the builder we are considering. We've heard lots of good things about the area, and yes, still a bit concerned about being remote. Any input?

We're making a decision by the end of the weekend.

Thanks again for any insights, opinions and comments!

[UnfairPark]

If your jobs are long term and secure than add Allen and McKinney, otherwise Hebron area is a great location for commute to Dallas attractions, most DFW employment hubs and airports. Traffic is getting worse not better so keep that in mind.

[HP48G]

From that new development in Josey Ln your have the easiest and fastest commute to Legacy. That area is slowly filling in with residential development while all commercial stuff is near on 121 and the DNT.

[DFWUser1]

Originally Posted by InqurngMind

Thanks everyone! We've decided to include Craig Ranch in Mckinney as a third option. Ashton Woods is the builder we are considering. We've heard lots of good things about the area, and yes, still a bit concerned about being remote. Any input?

We're making a decision by the end of the weekend.

Thanks again for any insights, opinions and comments!

In addition to Village at Twin creeks, You can also take a look at "Montgomery Ridge" by Ashton woods and compare. There is also another development there Angel Field West Montgomery Farm by Southgate homes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlCc...ature=youtu.be
I suggest to visit the neighborhoods, explore surroundings, look around Montgomery farms area and it's nice - it's also right next to Watters Creek, upscale shopping and close to Allen event center, village at Allen & Fairview and all other amenities. Right next to US 75. And easy access to Legacy west via McDermott Dr. Or Hedgecox Dr / Legacy Dr. You can look at map for these routes.

Market Street Allen USA Celebration is a well attend popular music and family event held annually. Some links for more information.
Market Street Allen USA Celebration
https://www.facebook.com/events/641643076030121/

Lots of new developments (One Bethany) https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...ar-us-75-allen

Other developments (https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...ter-hotel-us75) happening nearby.

Adding the above details clearly, just in case if you haven't explored. You have to do all the research before you buy!

Just look around all aspects one more time among your shortlists. All the best.

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by DFWUser1

Of course - you seem to be in Frisco, so your response inline with expectations. I thought not to post on this forum - but some comments seem to be insane, spreading wrong information and biased. So, keeping quiet is not the right thing to do and responding as appropriate.

Here are the responses to OP, point by point, specific to Allen.

(1) We're looking for a safe neighborhood with good access to local shopping, places of interest and a not too awful commute to places like Uptown or Dallas, for things to do once in a while.

All of Allen is very safe, West more expensive and new.

East of 75, still safe, neat and clean, lots of parks and shopping but old and less expensive.

So, you can choose based on your budget and preferences.

Once in a while commute to Dallas via 75 is straight forward, convenient especially weekends and non peak hours and it is free.

Shopping: Tons of shopping - Upscale Watters Creek, Village at Allen & Fairview, Allen Outlet mall, Stone briar mall is close from west Allen as well.


(2) Work is mostly remote, but Legacy West is where the office is, if I need to go in, maybe once or twice a week.

very close to Legacy west- depending on where in Allen and time of travel, hardly around 15 min via 121 (toll) or via inner roads (no toll)

(3) No school-age children, and we're not really the outdoorsy types. We like quaint walkable downtowns, farmers markets and museums for things to do.

No major downtown in Allen itself, but McKinney historic downtown and Farmers market are very close.
Other museums/attractions in Dallas are accessible via 75 as mentioned above.

(4) We're trying to avoid airplane noise, as much as possible.

No air plane noise at all.

(5) We like the single level plans by Pulte, but is the Hebron/Lewisville area safe? What is traffic like in that area? Google maps makes it look a little desolate, but surrounding areas look pretty built up. What are property taxes like?

Property taxes are around 2.5% of property value, more or less same across DFW, little more or less depending on city. Not sure about Hebron.


(6) We like the Allen area, but are concerned that it might be a bit remote. We understand the Plano area has fairly heavy traffic during rush hour, which could impact our ability to drive south. Also, we understand that property taxes are higher in Allen.

Considering you work from home and occasional travel to Legacy, shouldn't be a bit remote and you have everything you need - parks, shopping, recreation, entertainment, restaurants, hospital within 5-10 minutes drive based on where you live.

Tour all the developments and compare yourself on above before you take a decision.

Why not buy a townhome in Shops at Legacy area. You’ll have no commute and plenty of things to do. We recently lived there for two weeks as our rental was unoccupied, it was so much fun to be able to walk to restaurants, shopping, theater, gym etc that we are thinking of making a switch of renting out our house and moving in our rental once we retire and don’t want to maintain a full size house.