We have found the Promised Land and it is McKinney, TX

I think we have decided to settle in McKinney. After getting a feel for the metroplex, the place we like the most is McKinney. It's gorgeous: green, hilly, far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of DFW to feel like a small town, but close enough to great shopping and wonderful restaurants.

City-data.com on McKinney

Speaking of great shopping, IKEA is not more than 10 minutes down the road, and there is an AWESOME outlet mall in Allen (right next door to McKinney). Some of the tenants: Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Gap Kids, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nine West (!), Carter's, The Children's Place, Gymboree, OshKosh, Fossil, Bombay Outlet, Mikasa, LeCreuset. I was practically drooling when we went to check the mall out.

There's more to write, but we're preparing to go to Illinois tomorrow for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary!