Plano is unique among cities. More than just a suburb of Dallas, Plano has emerged as a major player on the world stage. Along with major corporations like Toyota North America, Liberty Mutual, and JP Morgan Chase, thousands of people are moving here for more than just work. Even though Plano boasts more than 286,000 people (and climbing everyday), residents say it feels more like a small town.

A Welcoming Community

Photo Courtesy of Plano Magazine

Plano is such an appealing place because everyone is welcome and newcomers find that everybody in Plano just seems to get along, not to mention how stress-free the city is. Grocery stores and restaurants reflect the dynamic heritage of the residents. But rather than being subdivided into enclaves, Plano is just one big town where everyone is excited to share their culture and background. 

Upscale Shopping

Photo Courtesy of The Shops at Legacy West

Plano makes sure people have lots of unique places to spend their money. With shopping centers like the Shops at Willow Bend, The Shops at Legacy, and the more established Collin Creek Mall, you can find nearly everything you want right in Plano. 

For whatever you can’t find, nearby suburbs are sure to so you’ll never have to go far. Between booming suburbs like Frisco and the nearby Galleria Mall in Dallas, all your wishes can be fulfilled. 

Recreation In Plano

Go Ape Treetop Adventure in Plano, TX / Photo Courtesy of Plano Profile

Plano definitely has a “work hard, play hard” ethic. The city provides a variety of options for fun and fitness through its well-funded parks and recreation department. Carpenter Park Recreation Center offers sporting fields, playgrounds, and fitness equipment. Russell Creek Park gives residents the opportunity to enjoy the lake, hiking trails, and soccer and baseball fields.

The Tom Muehlenbeck Center offers four water slides and indoor and outdoor pools—perfect for when you want to cool off from the Texas heat. Golf courses, community theater, and performing arts amphitheaters provide additional leisure activities.

New and Affordable Homes

Photo by Michael Barera / CC BY-SA

Visitors from pricier parts of the country are often surprised at what a great value Plano is. The housing stock in Plano is generally newer with the largest percentage of homes built in the 1990s. The median home price in Plano is well above the national median, but far below that of other bustling areas like San Francisco and Washington, DC. 

Commuting From Plano to Dallas

The DART / Photo by David Wilson / CC BY

Even though Plano is big and busy, it’s still not difficult to get to Downtown Dallas. State Highways 121 (also called the Sam Rayburn Tollway) and US 75 make it easy to commute to Dallas. If you don’t relish the thought of spending time commuting on these heavily trafficked roads, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail system has two stations in Plano. 

The Benefits of Dallas

Plano is a city unto itself and has all the amenities you need in your daily life. But when you need big-city options, Downtown Dallas is just 26 miles away. You can see national acts at the American Airlines Center, spend a lovely evening seeing the opera or ballet in the Arts District, or enjoy the nightlife at the clubs in Uptown. Plano is also 30 miles northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to make travel in and out of the area more accessible.

Many people want to live in a welcoming place that has all the amenities they want and need at a price they can afford. Such a place isn’t always easy to find. But you’ll definitely want to add Plano to on your list of cities to check out. Come see why it consistently ranks high on lists of best places to live.