Relocating to Dallas – House Hack with Family (Seeking Area/School Input)

[Jermain Onye]

I’m relocating from Raleigh, NC to Dallas for work and looking to line up my next house hack. Hoping to get feedback from folks who know the Dallas market well.

Situation & Goals:

• Family: Me, wife, and 3 elementary aged kids

• Work Location: Irving/Coppell area — prefer to stay within ~30 min commute

• Strategy: Buy a property to live in for 1–2 years, then rent it out and repeat the process

• Numbers:

  • OK if property just breaks even once we move out (cash flow neutral)

  • Strong home appreciation is more important than short-term cash flow

• Features I’m targeting:

  • Good school districts (important for both family and long-term demand)

  • House hack potential — ADUs, in-law suites, small multifamily, rentable layouts, or something that transitions smoothly to a rental after we move out

Ask:
Which neighborhoods or school districts in/around Dallas should I be looking at that balance family needs + investment upside, all while keeping commute reasonable?

If you’ve house hacked in Dallas or turned a primary residence into a rental, I’d love to hear what worked well for you.

Thanks in advance!

Jay