A growing suburban city with impressive parks and schools
Plano, a city that originated as a North Texas mill town, is not only home to companies like JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Bank of America, and Toyota but is also one of America’s fastest-growing cities. This urban center at the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has frequently been named by CNN Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in America due to its low crime rate, highly rated public schools and wealth of outdoor recreation. “We have so many trails and parks throughout Plano,” says Joanne Kozlowski, a Realtor with RE/MAX Town & Country and a resident of Plano for 31 years. “It’s amazing. A lot of people are walking their dogs on the trails, and they are great bike trails.” Over 289,000 people call Plano home, making it the fourth-largest city in the Metroplex. The population is up from just 128,713 in 1990, reflecting the city's continued growth.
Along with population growth, the city is undergoing a lot of development, including the $1 billion redevelopment of the Collin Creek Mall. The project will include the addition of 300,000 square feet of retail space, 40,000 square feet of restaurant space, 500 single-family homes, 2,300 multi-family homes and much more. “It’s going to be fancy,” Kozlowski says.
Plano shines with Capital One's headquarters, fostering financial innovation.
Bank of America in Plano drives impactful, community-focused initiatives.
1/2
Plano's competitive housing market
Plano was a primarily rural community until the 1970s, when the suburbanization of Dallas led to a proliferation of new housing to keep up with Plano’s population growth. From 1970 to 1980, Plano’s population increased by more than 50,000. Much of Plano’s older housing stock dates to the 1980s. Newer, more modern properties can be found on the west side of Plano in the Legacy and Willow Bend neighborhoods. Properties here have a median price north of $1 million. Overall, the market has grown increasingly competitive due to Plano’s popularity as a suburban alternative to Dallas. The median home price here is $520,000, significantly higher than the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area's median price of $399,000, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. “The market in Plano is quite strong,” Kozlowski says.
Old Shepard Place features lush, well-kept front lawns that reflect the neighborhood’s beauty.
Plano's modern houses emphasize natural light, with large windows and airy spaces.
1/2
Hiking, biking and ziplining at Plano’s parks
Plano is home to 85 parks and nearly 100 miles of trails. “You can be anywhere in Plano and be near a great park,” Kozlowski says. The 200-acre Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, located at the city's western edge, features 3 miles of nature trails through thick forests and scenic overlooks providing hikers with views of Arbor Hills’ three forest biomes. The 800-acre Oak Point Park, the largest in the city, includes 8.5 miles of trails along Rowlett Creek, popular for pedestrians and equestrians. This massive park is home to the annual Plano Balloon Festival, a well-attended fundraiser for nonprofits that features hot air balloon launches, live music and fireworks. Daredevils can get their thrills at the Go Ape ziplining and “Tarzan swing” experience. The Plano Community Garden is a volunteer-run garden that annually provides over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries. ArtCentre of Plano is a local event and exhibition center for local artists. There is a collection of other art galleries in Plano, including the LAST Art Gallery, Ten20 Art Gallery and Shreve Fine Art.
The scenic overlook at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve offers stunning views for relaxation.
Slide into the pond, at Oak Point Park, in your kayak for a refreshing day on the water.
1/2
Full schedule of community events
Plano keeps its community engaged and entertained through a dozen annual events that draw large crowds, many exploring different cultures, cuisines and crafts. Each year starts with the Dallas Area Train Show, a must-see for fans of model trains. In March, the Texas Music Revolution music festival features Americana, country and folk music played on two stages at Oak Point Park. The music festival has been going on for over two decades. Food fans and connoisseurs of brews and wines can sample local flavors at the Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival, the Downtown Plano Art & Wine Walk and the Plano Steinfest, an Oktoberfest-style celebration well-known for its Dachshund fashion shows and its many contests. The free Plano Artfest every April and the Plano International Festival in October showcase local culture and the cuisines and art of residents worldwide, with a flag parade to showcase Plano’s rich cultural diversity.
Plano’s Annual Fall Family Carnival offers excitement for all ages.
Plano residents visit Willow Bend Farmers Market for organic and handmade items.
1/2
Award-winning restaurants and retail
The Shops at Willow Bend is a shopping mall home to nearly 100 stores, including Macy’s and Dillard’s. This mall is projected to undergo a significant transformation by 2025 with more stores, a hotel, office building and apartments. Legacy West is an upscale outdoor shopping area in West Plano. “Legacy West is the premier place in Plano,” John Butcher, a Realtor with The Butcher Group, says. The center has over 400,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space, including stores like Chanel and Gucci and restaurants such as Fogo De Chao and Haywire. Haywire was awarded the 2023 Distinguished Restaurant of North America Award for its unique cultural experience consisting of a first-floor whiskey bar, a second-floor dining room serving New American options and a rooftop patio for serene dining. Historic Downtown Plano has local restaurants like BAR-Ranch Steak Company, boutique shops like Sutton Place Furniture and museums like the Interurban Railway Museum and the Plano African American Museum.
At Fogo De Chao in Plano, guests enjoy the finest cuts of meat and service.
Stoney Hollow's flavor seekers flock to Lockhart Smokehouse's doorstep.
1/2
A-graded Plano Independent School District
Students are assigned to the Plano Independent School District (PISD), which earns an A-plus grade from Niche and is the 14th-most diverse among the top 30 school districts in the state. As for private options, John Paul II High School serves 710 students and earns an A-plus grade from Niche. Higher education includes Collin College Spring Creek Campus, the largest of the public community college campuses in the county.
Jasper High School in Plano offers a diverse curriculum and a strong commitment to student success.
John Paul II High School is dedicated to empowering future leaders through a faith-based education in Plano.
1/2
Driving into Dallas
Plano is just 20 miles north of Dallas, with Highway 75 and the Dallas North Tollway providing direct access to Downtown Dallas. Likewise, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is 27 miles from Plano, using the Sam Rayburn Tollway. Medical City Plano and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital cover the southern and western parts of the city. For public transit, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides light rail and bus services to Plano residents.
Plano’s crime and weather conditions
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, Plano's violent and property crime rates are generally lower than Texas' and U.S. rates. Between 2022 and 2023, the Plano Police Department reported a nearly 11% drop in overall crime.
As with many North Texas cities, Plano is prone to extreme heat, droughts and tornados, especially during the summer months. Some homes are also at risk of flooding.
The Juli Black Team provides individualized attention in order to help each and every client attain complete satisfaction with their real estate needs. Juli specializes in luxury residential, residential-resale homes, along with new home construction in the Dallas area. Juli also helps clients with second lake homes and ranches in North Texas.
We are confident that we will find you a place you’ll be proud to call your new home. If you are considering selling, we have a proven track record of setting new sales records in neighborhoods across the Dallas area. Juli ensures your listing is seen by the best in the business. Juli has the inside track on private transactions and exclusive pocket listings to bring the buyer to you utilizing her membership in prestigious networking groups. Coupled with the leading real estate brand in Dallas, Juli maximizes opportunities by leveraging unparalleled marketing resources and a powerful brand network at Allie Beth Allman & Associates. We are #1 in luxury in Dallas, Highland Park and University Park.
There are many reasons Juli Black, who is focused on giving her clients a great experience, ranks in the top 1 percent of Dallas-area Realtors. In her real estate career, Black has earned key designations. As both a Broker Associate and as a Realtor, she is a Guild level member of the Institute for Luxury Home marketing and is a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. She has been named year after year a top producer by D Magazine and is ranked in the top 500 Real Producers in Dallas.
If you or someone you know is in the market to buy or sell a home, please give Juli a call today at 469-737-0852!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
