Located approximately 20 miles north of Dallas on US 75, Plano, which is mostly in Collin County, has more than 274,000 residents. A suburb of Dallas, the city has earned numerous accolades from the community in recent years and is considered a prime location for singles or families moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
In 2006, CNN’s Money magazine named Plano the 11th best place to live in the United States after citing it in 2005 as the best place to live in the western US In 2008, Forbes selected the city, along with with Highland Park and University Park as “Best Suburbs to Live Well” in DFW.
Exceptional ease of access to the Greater Metroplex
Because Plano is a member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, commuting to the city is made so much easier. The DART system operates light rail, commuter rail and buses and maintains high occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs. With 45 miles of track, DART is the largest light rail operator in Texas and has an average daily ridership of 57,000.
Plano also has major highways: US Highway 75 to the east, the Dallas North Tollway to the west, the President George Bush Turnpike to the south, and SH 121 (a toll road) to the south. North. Preston Road (State Highway 289) also runs through Plano.
Stable local economy with strong corporate presence
Many companies have located their corporate headquarters in the city, including HP Enterprise Services, Frito-Lay, Dr. Pepper, JCPenney, Cinemark Theaters, Ericsson Inc., Siemens PLM Software, and Rent-A-Center. An estimated 80% of Plano’s visitors are there for business purposes and the city owns and operates a medium-sized convention center.
Thanks to a specific effort on the part of the city, a significant amount of retail presence has been cultivated in the city center, anchored by the stores at Legacy at Legacy Town Center. The multi-use development includes shops, restaurants, apartments, a full-service hotel, and entertainment venues, all in a community setting.
Higher schools and access to higher education
The Plano ISD includes 70 campuses with an enrollment of 55,193, making the location especially attractive to families. The Collin County Community College district has two campuses and there are 16 private schools available locally. Southern Methodist University maintains a campus in Plano with academic programs in business, engineering, education, and computer training (as well as a list of continuing education courses).
In the broader Metroplex region, graduates may choose to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Dallas at Irving, and a number of smaller institutions and specialized.
Climate conducive to outdoor activity most of the year
North Texas has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by warm spring and fall seasons with extreme temperatures in July and August and again in January and February. A series of days of 100 degrees and above is common in August, with at least one ice storm visiting the area in late January or early February. The rainiest month of the year is May.
Plano has four full-time recreation centers: Carpenter, Liberty, Oak Point, and Tom Muehlenbeck. All offer weight rooms, walking trails, and gyms, as well as classrooms and meeting rooms. The city sponsors adult sports leagues for flag football, softball, and baseball. Year-round swimming is available at Oak Point, Tom Muehlenbeck, Plano Aquatic Center, and Rowlinson Natatorium.
The Plano Parks Foundation hosts events like its annual Arbor Day run, while the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve has facilities for biking, hiking, walking, jogging, and other outdoor activities. A play area and restrooms are available and there are three pavilions that can be reserved for meetings.
Complete package for a successful relocation
When the factors of:
– rental,
– local economic strength,
– a good educational base,
– Nice weather,
– and exceptional public facilities
… taken into account in the resilience with which North Texas has weathered both the economic downturn and the collapse of the housing market, Plano’s appeal as a place for singles and families to relocate can hardly be questioned.
A community that began in the 1840s with a sawmill, mill, store, and a few struggling settlers has grown into one of the most economically stable suburbs in Dallas. Careful local planning and prudent use of tax dollars and resources have allowed Plano to grow into a thriving small town where life is complemented, not dominated, by its larger urban neighbors. Few cities in North Texas offer so much in terms of amenities and opportunities; All in all, a solid and superior relocation option.
