Parts of Lewisville are quite nice to live in, but honestly I'd check in a couple other places first. Flower Mound, The Colony, and Frisco all have great things going for them. If you're looking for a home these would probably be your best bet based on locale and affordability. Coming from CA I am confident you'll be pleasantly surprised how much further your dollar goes here!
Frisco use to be a one street town, now it's a huge city. Frisco lays claim to an IKEA, a fact that most people from there wear like a badge of accomplishment. Just next door to IKEA you'll find Stonebriar Mall. This mall is big. And I mean BIG. Any and all shopping you, your wife, or your kids will ever need is within a 1-2 mile radius. Oddly enough, Frisco has always been affordable, at least by neighboring Plano’s standards. I was born in Dallas and Grew up in Plano. My parents still have the same house in Plano that they bought in 1978ish.
Plano isn't a bad option, but the money there is getting older, thus making the area more...snobbish. Plano use to be new money, entrepreneurs, ideas, growth, and wealth. Now it's settled down, stopped expanding, and has become what it is today. Not all of Plano is super expensive, but it is rather pricey even in the older areas with homes built 20+ years ago. If you can find a good deal there I'd say go for it. PISD is amongst the best schools not just in TX, but the US. You working for Microsoft, you can appreciate that there is a guy from Plano who now works for Infinity Ward, who's creating one of the most anticipated games of all time, in their art department. Also another girl from the same class year is a host of a show on G4 Network.
Both Flower Mound and The Colony boast well as far as prices go. I'm not too sure how well their school districts are, but I've not heard bad things from friends of mine who live there and have kids going to school there. They are in closer proximity to Lewisville and are a little more “quiet” if that's what you're looking for. Not my cup of tea, personally, but it may fit what you're looking for.
As for entertainment, you won't find a whole lot to do in those areas with the exception of annual city events. Lewisville has Main Event, which is a bowling alley, arcade, laser tag, and pool hall aimed at families and large groups. It can be fun, but rather expensive. You'll find quite a few Cinemark movie theatres around. Most of them are quite nice. Other than that, for more adult aged fun there is Addison which is just a straight shot south of Frisco down the Dallas North Tollway. There you'll find Beltline Rd, otherwise known as Restaurant Row in Addison since there is just about anything you could image to eat there. My personal favorite is Fogo de Chao, a Brazillian Churruscaria where they cook meat on large metal skewers over open flame and serve them tableside. Dinner for two will set you back at least $90, but it is so worth the trip every once in a while!
On a completely unrelated note, I am very jealous you get to work on the Natal Project! I say that like I actually have a skill I could bring to that table, but I don't. I'm a gamer who loves his Xbox and the Natal Project is a very exciting leap into the future of the industry! If you happen to ever go online for Xbox Live look me up, I'm SvgHenry, real name Patrick.
Have a safe trip down here! You'll love being around more Conservatives, I'm sure!
After one meal at the Fogo de Chao in Houston, I will never eat at another steak house. Best salad bar, but skip it so you can get you fill on the 15 or so fabulous cuts of meat; and all you can eat.
Every meat lover needs to do it at least once. Lunch menu is the exact same for about 60 % of the price of dinner.
Thanks for all of that information, it is VERY useful! If you’re ever in the area, I’ll see if I can arrange a studio tour to show you some of the stuff that’s been worked on that’s safe to show off ;)
I haven’t had a chance to jump on XBOX Live in a loooong time (though Microsoft keeps charging me for my Gold membership) due to the three kids... and they play Wii.