Questions for those of you who live in Dallas/FW area (or a little north, also)

[Karie]

We live in Colorado and love it here. Dh is being recruited for a job that would be tremendous for his career, but they prefer we live in Dallas/FW area or a little north. There is a chance he could get the position and he could stay in Colorado, too.

Needless to say, after living in CO for 8 years, I'm a little upset about the prospects of moving to Texas. I'm curious about homeschooling there.

1) Are there a lot of homeschoolers in the area and is there a good support system with local HS groups?

2)How is the library system? Ours is fantastic, and can't imagine living in a place with a poor library system.

3)How's the weather, what is there to do there? After spending all our Saturdays in the mountains in the summer hiking, camping, etc, it seems to me that we would be bored to tears.

Now, I'm not knocking those of you who live there, it's just that I LOVE Colorado and am afraid of living in what I perceive as a hot, humid, place. You can probably tell from my post that I'm not overly thrilled to move. If you could answer my questions and add anything that might give me a positive outlook, I'd be grateful!
Thanks!

[Peek a Boo]

1) Are there a lot of homeschoolers in the area and is there a good support system with local HS groups?
Oh gal!! There are some GREAT homeschool groups in the Plano/Richardson area. At least, that's what I hear, lol. Do you want something Christian or secular?

2)How is the library system? Ours is fantastic, and can't imagine living in a place with a poor library system.
Don't know about the Dallas system --I'm south, in Ellis County. Ours pretty much bombs bigtime :(

3)How's the weather, what is there to do there? After spending all our Saturdays in the mountains in the summer hiking, camping, etc, it seems to me that we would be bored to tears.
I really really really miss San Antonio. We moved to the DFW area a couple years ago. You will definitely miss the mountains. Lots of other stuff to do, i just never quite get around to doing it --we bought as acre and a half w/ lotsa trees and a cool creek specifically SO I wouldn't hafta drag 5 kids too far to do fun stuff, lol.

For me, anything under 80 degrees is cold. If you hate heat, you'll hate Texas. DFW isan't as hot as San Antonio was tho. I kinda hate that part -- i feel like it's been cold a long time!!! better than NY tho, lol.

I'm not too much help, but good luck!

[Chris in VA]

Hi,
We lived in Dallas 6 six years ago while dh was attending SMU for his doctorate. We were there 8 years, but we didn't homeschool then.
Weather--not humid, just the opposite. Hot, hot, hot--so hot in the summer that you can't walk outside on the sidewalk barefoot (my nieces didn't believe this until they visited from Ohio one summer!).
Plano is expensive, but nice. Flower Mound is up and coming, and sort of flat and nothing-looking.
We lived by White Rock Lake, about 10 minutes from the Dallas Arboretum (which puts the Nat'l Arboretum to shame, as far as beauty goes!). Too much further east, and it's cruddy (do not live by the fairgrounds). North is more expensive. Do not even attempt Highland Park (where SMU is) unless you are extremely well off.
What to do--some outside stuff, but not much hiking. Several good museums, Fair Park has an aquarium and Natural History Museum that's fun, and of course, the Texas State Fair is fabulous--kids get a fair day off in October. Las Colinas is fun to visit, with a River Walk-type area, water taxis to ride, and the Las Colinas Movie Studios to visit. The rodeo is great fun (in Ft. Worth, about 40 ? minutes away) and a good value. There's a great art museum in Ft. Worth, too. Both downtowns are actually nice, but don't go at night.

There are the same suburban things to do as in any place--malls are good, movies, etc. There are a couple of video game places where you can play old video games for nickles. There are really good restaurants all over Dallas, and of course, sports are big. The children's theatre is great (downtown). The library system was awesome--one thing we miss is the summer reading program--although some disagree with rewarding reading, we loved it because each summer we earned free tickets to the kid's theatre, plus other goodies.

Can ya tell I miss Dallas? lol

[Amy loves Bud]

I'm in McKinney. There are a ton of homeschoolers here. Lots. I'm in the Frisco homeschool group which I think is excellent. But there are lots around here to choose from.

It is hot and you will miss the mountains, no doubt. But the people are nice and it's generally a pretty easy place to live. The cost of living is good compared to Colorado, and you could easily use that money for nice ski trips!

If you want to talk more specifically, you can shoot me an email. I can tell you about specific neighborhoods and such - we've lived in Allen, North Dallas, and Addison.

[Ferdie]

We moved here a year ago and had no trouble connecting with other homeschoolers. Lots of activities and support groups.

We live in Flower Mound and love it. It is close to the airport and beautiful. We have trees and walking paths in our neighborhood and a wooded area nearby that my kids play in. My sister went to SMU and when she visited over the holiday she said that we were so lucky because this was not the Texas she remembered.

It depends where your husband is going to work, but I would check out McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Flower Mound and Coppell. Our friends just bought a home in Coppell that backs to one of the canals. There backyard is so peaceful it is like being on vacation.

Our local library in Lewisville is fabulous. The children's is newly remodeled and has Wi-Fi, separate study room with a white board, and events room and a summer reading program. They have about 70% of the books on my SL/SOTW reading list. We also have a homeschool bookstore nearby that carries a lot of used curriculum.

Keep us posted with your move. You are going to be just fine in Dallas.

[theodwyn]

I'm in Carrollton. Lots of homeschool support. Home school laws are really good. I think the libraries are fair to good. Weather is hot. When I first moved here I thought it was really ugly--brown, flat, etc. But at times it grows on you. Spring is very pretty. No close mountains, often too hot to want to camp or hike except in spring or fall. So it's a mixed bag, but come join us!
Wendy

[Chris in VA]

Ferdie,
I didn't mean to diss Flower Mound! It was in the process of changing when we moved almost 7 years ago, and I see it's quite nice--sorry to have sounded negative! lol

[Amy loves Bud]

Oh, and I forgot to mentione, we are getting a brand new shiny library right down the street. It's schedule to open in early 2009!

[Tracey in TX]

I understand your reticence to leave beautiful Colorado. It would be a challenging change. There are places you can live in the DFW Metroplex which would still encourage outdoor lifestyles. I'm not from Texas, and was very concerned about moving to Dallas. We lived in Austin for awhile (phenomenal city!).

We live near Plano, in Collin County. Collin County was the fastest growing county in the nation; Frisco, TX was the fastest growing town in the nation. The golf course is across street, with hike and bike trails, gated sand park, etc. There is some fishing in our neighborhood (we've never eaten the fish, though). Boating is nearby. Lots of communities with young families which are VERY family friendly. Entire parks dedicated to specific sports: soccer, baseball, football, etc.

My recommendation is meet with several very successful realtors, even if by phone, and be explicit with the demographics you desire in a community. We were specific down to educational background, religious preferences, economics, PS ratings, etc. in order to find a town which we could both afford and feel comfortable upon arrival. Because cost of living is inexpensive compared to other parts of USA, you'll find a large portion of SAHMs. The more affluent the town, the better the library (usually). Lots of homeschool groups. It's a progressive state which honors the right for parents to educate their children.

Good luck with the relo!