Here Are The 12 Best Places To Live In Texas...And Why
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Kristen Lawrence
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Did you know that more people move to Texas than any other state? And why wouldn’t they, with our diverse and breathtaking scenery, quaint small towns, countless job opportunities, booming economy, and of course, the friendly people! There’s so many great places to settle down in the Lone Star State, but these towns rank among the top locations to live in Texas. See if your city or town made the cut of the best places to live in Texas!
According to Money Magazine, this town near Dallas is the best place to live in America! Despite the projected 13.1% job growth, McKinney has that small town charm that everyone longs for. Complete with a historic downtown district, relatively low cost of living, chatty locals, technologically advanced schools and wonderful city parks, this is an ideal place to raise a family, start a business, and get a quality education.
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Another town in the Dallas Metroplex, Mansfield ranked #17 on Money magazine's best places to live in America in 2014. With a population of about 60,000, it isn't so big that you feel cramped, but it's big enough that you can find everything you need for a good quality of life. From superior rated schools to a growing business community to local waterparks and other recreational activities, Mansfield offers the luxuries of big city living in a relatively small, safe, and beautiful town.
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A suburb of Austin, this is another town that made Money magazine's best places to live, ranking at #20 on the list. It's only 16 miles from Austin, but you get to skip all the traffic and noise, plus enjoy water sports at Lake Pflugerville. Not to mention, the homes are quite affordable, the school system is top-notch, the people are welcoming, and there's plenty of festivals year-round in the historic downtown area. What's not to love?
This is a safe, upscale community near Dallas, with a population of about 100,000. It was listed as one of the top 100 places to live in America by Livability.com, and has plenty of walking trails and parks, countless wonderful schools to enroll your children, and a median home price of $187,400.
Ranked #2 on Livability's Best Places to Raise a Family in 2015, Plano has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country, plus plenty of places for children to play. Take them to the Plano Aquatic Center or the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve to give them some fresh air and room to run around, or bring them with you shopping in the downtown area. Plus, you have access to high-quality healthcare, and the diverse population will help children become exposed to new cultures.
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This town near Dallas came in at #84 on Livability's best places to live due to the active arts and music scene, low cost of living, and the lively college atmosphere. I've been here to visit a friend, and I must say, it still has a small town vibe despite the growing population, and there are lots of opportunities to enjoy nature. Plus, there's plenty of annual entertainment events like the North Texas State Fair & Rodeo.
Despite it being right on the Mexico border, it's actually the safest large city in America. Plus, the Franklin Mountains run right through the town, and the dry heat makes summers more bearable than you'd think. It's much less crowded than other large cities in the state, and there's sidewalks everywhere, making it a wonderful place to see the sights of the town on foot!
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With a population of only 40,000, this town is a great place for families due to the low crime rate, average annual temperature of 72 degrees, and plenty of recreational activities, including the Amistad National Recreation Area.
Ranked by Safewise.com as the safest city in Texas, this affluent town near Fort Worth boasts 11 award-winning parks and greenbelts, plus it's just 10 minutes from the DFW International Airport.
Located right between Houston and Galveston, this town makes a wonderful place to raise a family. It has a low crime rate, outstanding schools, high-paying job opportunities, and lots of entertainment options in town like local parks, museums, and movie theaters. And, you're only a short drive away from the beach!
This historic German town in Texas isn't just for tourism; it's a wonderful place to live for the low unemployment rate, low crime rate, and enjoyable year-round weather. Plus, the independent health care system ranks among the best in the nation, and the numerous historic museums and art centers, plus the unmatched nature getaways make this hill country town well-deserving of a spot on our list.
You might not think of this town as a place to raise a family, but it has one of the cheapest costs of living for a moderate sized city in the state, plus it's a leader in renewable energy with the many wind turbines in the city, opening up numerous job opportunities. The growing job market, relatively low cost of living, and the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon just outside the city definitely earn Amarillo a spot on our list!
With so many cities and towns in the state, it’s impossible to make a list including ALL of the ideal places to raise a family or start a new job. What other towns do you consider a great place to live?
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