Get to Know Your Neighbors in These Dallas-Fort Worth Master-Planned Communities
Master-planned communities are made for bringing neighbors together, and Dallas-Fort Worth offers an abundance of masterfully planned choices throughout the greater metro area and North Texas region. Unlike traditional new home subdivisions, a master-planned development is a large-scale community-within-a-community that contains multiple neighborhoods along with amenities designed to enrich lifestyles and engage neighbors. While the size and scope of master plans can differ significantly, the core of every plan is neighborhood and community spirit. Selecting a master-planned community to call home is two-fold: choosing your dream home and matching your family’s interests and lifestyle with available amenities. You can meet new neighbors in a variety of conventional ways, but amenities are the key for getting to know like-minded residents. Here’s a sampling of popular master-planned communities in North Texas along with amenities offered and suggestions for meeting and nurturing new friendships with neighbors.
Stonebridge Ranch
Located 35 miles northeast of Dallas in McKinney (which was No. 1 on Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live list in 2014), the sprawling 5,000-acre community contains 74 different neighborhoods and more than 9,200 single-family homes. Since the population ranges from young families and singles to empty nesters and retirees, you’ll have plenty of neighbors in your age group. Over 10 percent of the land mass is open space, making the 13 community parks and hiking and biking trails great places for nature lovers to meet. Ponds and lakes are the ticket for getting to know other outdoor enthusiasts, and two playgrounds at Stonebridge Plaza are ideal for bringing parents with young children together. Between country clubs, golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, gathering spaces, and a seemingly endless stream of other amenities, you’ll have no shortage of ways to meet and greet your new neighbors.
Devonshire
Located in Forney, just 15 minutes east of Mesquite and less than 30 minutes from Downtown Dallas, Devonshire has a neighborly vibe. While The Club at Devonshire is the community’s epicenter for socializing, its large adjoining swimming pool, splash pool, events lawn, and playground make meeting neighbors a family adventure. And a series of special events coordinated through the lifestyle program helps neighbors become friends.
Windsong Ranch
Located in the small town of Prosper near the Denton and Collin County lines, Windsong Ranch is a fusion of Texas hospitality and native beauty. Consequently, the 2,000-acre community is welcoming to newcomers and potential homebuyers. Whether you take advantage of all the community opportunities available or only pick and choose those that peak your interest most, you’ll likely be joining new friends soon at the Windsong Cafe. Windsong’s amenities are tailor-made for meeting and getting to know neighbors. In addition to the cafe and state-of-the-art fitness center in The Commons, amenities run the gamut from a resort-style pool, cabanas, lap pool, and children’s splash park to a disc golf course, four tennis courts, an event lawn, and amphitheater. A new crystal lagoon offers the look and feel of a beach, and 600 acres of open space includes a two-acre lake, parks, hiking and biking trail, and mountain bike course. The full-time onsite Community Lifestyle Director also brings neighbors together by offering classes, programs, and clubs as well as organizing a series of special events, including Windsong’s signature Wine and Music Festival, a 5K run and walk, barbeques, and holiday celebrations.
Viridian
Located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth in the large city of Arlington, Viridian is a 2,000-acre green master-planned community that’s inspired by nature and rooted in community. Between children’s play areas and the new Elements neighborhood for active adults 55 and older, Viridian is bringing neighbors of all ages together. The Viridian Lake Club is the community’s center of activity where you can meet and hang out with your new neighbors. Situated on a six-acre peninsula overlooking Lake Viridian, the expansive gathering area contains five separate swimming pools—including a 25-foot “conversation pool,” a lap pool, and a fenced toddler pool and play area—along with a pavilion, lounging space, and amphitheater. Since half of the community’s land mass encompasses major lakes, open space, rivers, streams, and wetlands, nature connects adventuresome neighbors who share a passion for the great outdoors, whether it’s exploring, kayaking, sailing, or traveling Viridian’s trail system to River Legacy Park and Living Science Center.