Where to Live Around Dallas-Fort Worth, Besides These Two Cities
If you’re moving to Dallas-Fort Worth, welcome to the fourth largest and fastest growing metro area in the United States. You’ll find a world of live, work, and play options here and a countless collection of welcoming neighborhoods to choose from for your new hometown.
Based on Metropolitan Statistical Data compiled by the United States Office of Management and Budget, the 13-county North Texas region encompasses more than 100 cities, ranging from other big cities—like Arlington, Plano, Irving, and Garland—to mid-size suburbs and small bedroom communities.
Despite the vast chunk of geography that cities in Dallas-Fort Worth share, each community has its own distinctive personality, appeal, and affordability factors. Whether you’re relocating to D-FW to assume a new job or to retire near your kids and grandkids, the key to making the most successful move centers on aligning your personality, style, and home price concerns with your ideal neighborhood.
Not everyone is geared for the activity and higher costs of big city living, but that’s part of the beauty of living in North Texas. Most suburban cities are close enough to Dallas and Fort Worth to take advantage of the job opportunities, bright lights, and multiple entertainment offerings yet far enough away to live a more laid-back lifestyle.
Here’s a sampling of five D-FW cities that offer big lifestyles outside the big cities.
Richardson
View homes for sale in Richardson
Richardson is 23-square-miles of masterful planning where the corporate sector and residents share community spirit. The city’s more than 5,000 businesses—anchored by the Telecom Corridor technology hub, The University of Texas at Dallas, and insurance company headquarters—are vital components in Dallas-Fort Worth’s economy, yet Richardson’s residential side maintains a close-knit, neighborhood vibe.
Though homes range from classic, previously owned houses to upscale new construction, CityLine and other new mixed-use developments are adding high-rise residences and walkable urban living to the mix. The Wildflower Music Festival, seasonal art shows, and Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts are regional favorites which attract a broad swath of arts enthusiasts to Richardson.
Mesquite
View homes for sale in Mesquite
While the Downtown Dallas skyline is visible from 15-miles away, Mesquite is a mid-size city known for its small-town feel. Though it’s home to the world-famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo and Arena, the city’s diverse cultural appeal stretches from the cowboy sport to the state-of-the-art Mesquite Arts Center, which houses a thriving arts community. Between the sprawling Town East retail district and three restaurant rows, the city is an eastern Dallas County and East Texas destination for shopping and dining. Via its highway network—which includes Interstate 635, Interstate 30, Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80, Texas Highway 175, and the future extension to President George Bush Tollway—Mesquite is one of the most freeway accessible cities in North Texas. Aside from offering reasonably priced pre-owned homes, several new construction communities are in the works.
Grand Prairie
View homes for sale in Grand Prairie
Life is an adventure in Grand Prairie. Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grand Prairie is part of the Mid-Cities area. In addition to housing an abundance of major aeronautics manufacturers, the city is home to a broad range of entertainment venues, including Lone Star Park, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Verizon Theatre, the historic Uptown Theatre, Grand Prairie AirHogs minor league baseball and stadium, and Trader’s Village as well as Ripley's Believe It or Not with Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax. Residential real estate is a combination of previously owned houses as well as several new home and townhome communities under construction.
Lewisville
View homes for sale in Lewisville
According to Livability.com, Lewisville is the second most affordable place to live in the entire state of Texas. The city’s namesake—Lewisville Lake—is the “Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas” although anglers also land crappie and catfish. While fishing, swimming, water sports, hiking, camping, and picnicking are a big part of the Lewisville lifestyle, another part includes an eclectic blend of shopping, dining, nightlife, the arts, festivals, golf, disc golf, and even more entertainment options.
Flower Mound
View homes for sale in Flower Mound
Located on the shore of Grapevine Lake near DFW Airport, Flower Mound is a small town with a large reputation for great quality of life. Early this year, the city ranked among SmartAsset’s best cities to live in the U.S. and was SafeHome’s “Safest City in Texas” with more than 50,000 residents. Flower Mound is primarily a residential community characterized by high-end homes, townhomes, high-rise condos, and some median-priced houses. In addition to traditional neighborhoods, the town has four mixed-use developments under construction along the lake—and even more coming down the pipeline—which will balance the charm with additional walkable communities with more retail, restaurants, and businesses. The Point alone is expected to add 1,000 new jobs.