Are you moving to the DFW Metro area, but you don’t know where you want to live?
You might consider moving to Plano, TX. Especially if you want more space and square footage for the price you pay, while still enjoying all of the big city perks as Plano is just 20 miles north of downtown Dallas.
Town and Country Magazine named Plano the #1 Best City to Buy a House in America for 2018 based on home values, property taxes, homeownership rates, housing costs, and real estate trends. In 2021, Niche ranked Plano #8 among the cities with the Best Public Schools in America based on state test results, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, and ratings from students and parents.
In addition to its great public schools, lower crime rates, low living costs, and family-friendly amenities, Plano ranked #3 for Best Cities to Raise a Family in America (Source: U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC).
Plano, Texas is home to more than 287,000 residents today and the population is expected to grow over the next few years and decades.
Should I move to Plano, TX?
If you plan to move to Plano, know that it has a diverse and welcoming community. This assessment is supported by a study by Niche.com, which gives Plano’s diversity an A+. In general, Niche ranks the community as the fifth-best place to live in the United States overall, with high scores in these categories:
- Cost of living: B
- Crime: A
- Public schools: A+
- Housing: A-
- Good for families: A+
- Jobs: A+
- Outdoor activities: B-
- Nightlife: A
- Diversity: A +
- Weather: B+
- Health and Fitness: A
- Commute: B
Things to Know Before Moving to Plano
1. Safety and Low Crime Rates
Plano, Texas scored well with an A for crime rates and is slightly below the national average. The crime rate of Plano is 28% below the U.S. average while the violent crime rate is 64% below the national median.
As a result of its low crime rates, Plano has consistently ranked among the safest places in the country since 2011. According to Plano inhabitants, their local police force is highly trained and proactive in the service. It is Plano’s policy to require all recruits to go through formal training for four years. This has allowed them to become some of the best officers across the country.
Additionally, the neighborhoods are very active in the community by organizing local events, volunteering, and outreach programs. There is a reputedly active police force in Plano, making it one of the safest places in the country.
2. The Population and Community
Currently, 287,677 people are living in Plano and the average household income in Plano is $95,602, which is higher than the national average of $68,703. Due to its high median income, Plano has been well regarded as a city in which you can prosper.
Plano’s citizens are civic-minded, dedicated to their city, and realizing that when they’re successful their community benefits. Moreover, Plano’s Chamber of Commerce is made up of leaders who work hard to create an environment conducive to small business success.
3. Lowest Tax Rate in Texas
Along with being consistently one of the safest cities to live in, Plano, TX has some of the lowest taxes in the area, making it the lowest tax rate in Texas. The city lies just less than 20 miles from central Dallas and has ranked in the top lists of most desirable places to live on different websites like Niche and AreaVibes, while WalletHub ranks it #2 for Best City for Jobs.
How is living in Plano?
Citizens and visitors love Plano for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Plano has a similar climate to California
Plano is surrounded by lush plains in northeast Texas. November, December, and January are the only times when it gets cold enough to wear a winter jacket. People in Plano enjoy abundant sunshine all year long. During the winter, the temperatures are mild and spring and fall are particularly pleasant, although summers can be very hot and muggy.
The climate in Plano, TX is much more pleasant than in many other parts of the country, and it is more appealing than most other states. Plano does however receive 41 inches of rain a year, which is 3 inches more than what is usual in the United States. Occasionally, Plano experiences some snow, but it rarely lasts long. Weather forecasting using the latest technology allows you to prepare for severe weather before it occurs.
2. The school district is excellent
The city of Plano is one of the best places to live and raise a family. Plano has a great education system, in fact, Plano ranks #12 out of the 1,000 schools in Texas according to Niche.com.
Most schools performing very well at both east and west, Plano district schools include:
- 45 elementary schools
- 13 middle schools with grades 6 through 8
- 6 high schools with grades 9 and 10
- 3 senior high schools with grades 11 and 12
3. Access and proximity to multiple downtowns
Thanks to Plano’s proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, you’ll be able to access two major metropolises as well as DFW Airport. Although Plano has a bustling downtown, the nearby metroplex opens doors to many employment opportunities.
Within a short distance, you can find an amazing group of neighboring metropolises. So, you can enjoy both worlds, the suburban feel of the Dallas area and the tranquility of a small town. There are a lot of fun things to do like strolling through art galleries, museums, and going to outdoor lakes and parks.
4. COVID-19 and the Job Market
Thousands of jobs have been generated in Plano, TX due to Fortune 1000 companies relocating their corporate headquarters there. Bank of America, Hewlett Packard, FedEx, JCPenney, and Pepsi are several names that have a home in Plano.
Plano has a host of initiatives for attracting business and investment. In 2018, WalletHub named Plano the second-best place to work in Texas.
The pandemic has hit not only the U.S. economy hard, but global economies as well. However, despite the pandemic, the job market in Plano has managed to thrive. In fact, Plano ranked #10 out of 182 U.S. cities in Wallethub’s list of the best places to find jobs in 2021. The study analyzed 32 indicators of employment market strength, such as employment growth, monthly average starting salaries, and work opportunities.
Plano’s economy has fared better than those across the state and nationally.
The results of the YCharts study showed that Plano’s unemployment rate in April 2020 was as high as 11.6%. But it bounced back to 6% as of November 2020.
According to areport from the Congressional Research Service, the national unemployment rate reached its highest at 14.8% in April. However, it has managed to recover as well. Last December 2020, the unemployment rate decreased to 6.7%.
Is it expensive to live in Plano, TX?
1. Cost of Living
Plano is one of the most affordable U.S. cities to live in. The cost of living in Plano, TX is 3.1% lower than the national average. Salary.com named it one of the best places to build wealth in 2013. Plano offers affordable houses with low property taxes.
The city of Plano also has a higher household income, affordable houses, and relatively low taxes. This means citizens can spend more money on activities around Plano like heading out for a meal, shopping, or taking a weekend getaway in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area.
2. Affordable housing
Plano has a divided residential market with 63% of residents owning property and 39% renting.
The median home value in Plano, TX is around $355,000. A 1-bedroom apartment has an average rent of $1,194 while a 2-bedroom will cost around $1,525. The high housing rate is balanced out with a high standard household income of $95,000.
During the 1970s to 1990s, suburban sprawl started to move over 100,000 residents from north of Dallas to the East Plano area. Today, Plano has been growing at a steady pace, with developers moving into West Plano.
East Plano neighborhoods built in the 1970s and 1980s are known for their smaller, more affordable homes. Prices start at around $200k and go up to $300k. The well-off West Plano neighborhood features newer housing estates with prices starting at $300,000 and up to $5 million. Generally, Central Plano consists of a mixture of both.
Downtown Plano does not offer single-family homes, but it does have a number of new apartment communities. Local restaurants, bars, and shops are just within walking distance and public transit in Downtown Plano is easily accessible.
3. Convenient Public Transportation
Plano Dart is a train line that goes straight into downtown Dallas and serves 13 cities with fares that are quite reasonable. You can also take the same train to the Dallas-Fort-Worth (DFW) airport which is the third-largest airport in the United States. It offers service to 260 destinations, including 67 international cities and 193 domestic ones.
4. Nightlife, shops, and the restaurant scene
A thriving culinary scene helped Yelp rank Plano fourth among its ‘Foodie Cities’. There are several famous spots such as Babes Chicken Food House, The Texas Lavendou, and Main Street Deli.
In addition to some fantastic wine bars and independent cinemas, Legacy Shops offers luxury dining and cinemas. Visit the East Side Art Gallery and attend a performance at the Courtyard Theater in the city center. Local Dallas cities such as Uptown Dallas and Deep Ellum also have a wide selection of popular nightclubs and lounges.
What it’s like to live in Plano, TX
There are award-winning restaurants, shopping, professional sports, and an impressive entertainment scene nearby Plano. Residents enjoy the suburban atmosphere of Texas City while enjoying the peace and safety of a smaller town with a high educational level and an abundance of employment opportunities.
Downtown Plano is located on the east side of the city and boasts of historic and memorable sights as well as major malls and shopping centers.
Additionally, there are other developed areas like the Shops at Willow Bend, Legacy West, and the Shops at Legacy. Among these stores, you’ll find apparel, accessories, office supplies, and home goods from your favorite brands.
Where should I live in Plano, Texas?
One of the most desirable cities to live in the country is Plano. In selecting a neighborhood, it is important to consider the school system and safety issues.
Best neighborhoods in Plano, TX
- Plano West
In West Plano, you will find popular neighborhoods like Russell Creek, Lakeside, and Deerfield. Another area in Plano that attracts new residents is Legacy West. The cultural and business district features a “live-work-play” community with multi-story homes priced between $800K and $1.4M.
- East and Central Plano
>In Timbercreek, Pitman Creek, and other nearby neighborhoods, a creek system runs throughout the neighborhoods, providing walking and running trails. Most of these homes were built in the 1970s and range in price from the high $200k to $300k.
- Near Oak Point Park And Nature Preserve
Oak Point Park is Plano’s largest forest park system, and many of the area’s neighborhoods are located close to it. There are some homes in Madison Estates that are in the mid $200k, and some in Ridgewood that are in the mid to low $200k. In addition to the 800-acre Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, there is a pond for kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as 8 miles of concrete trails along Rowlett Creek.
Affordable Apartment Complex and TownHomes
Plano, TX offers a wide range of apartment complexes and townhome options, from lofts to single or three-bedroom homes. Choosing an option depends on your budget as well. The following apartments have high ratings on Apartmentratings.com:
- Riachi At One21
- The Place at Harvestree
- Post Legacy
- Reserve at Pebble Creek Apartments
- Overture Plano Apartments
- Junction 15 Apartments
