To read this guide in Español, please visit https://exprealty.com/guides/los-5-mejores-suburbios-de-dallas/
Located in North Central Texas, Dallas is the largest city in the entire DFW area with a population of 1.3 million people. Dallas and its surrounding suburbs have been flourishing for years now as people see the business opportunities, a thriving diversified culture, and the overall positive direction of the economy here. If you’re interested in owning a piece of Dallas real estate and are wondering what the best suburbs of Dallas are, keep reading to find out if one of these could be right for you.
Arlington
Best for: Living amongst the action + Proximity to Dallas
Centrally located between Fort Worth and Dallas, Arlington is the entertainment hub for all of DFW. It’s home to the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys, theme parks such as Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor, and has a population of over 400,000 people! Arlington is also one of the top places in DFW for hosting massive concerts. Ranked as one of the best places to buy a home by Forbes, it’s no wonder people consider Arlington when searching for Texas real estate.
Arlington’s list of accolades is worth noting. We’ve already mentioned it’s one of the best places to buy a home, but it’s also specifically one of the best cities for first time home buyers, for people under 35, and to raise a family! To top it off, Money Magazine named Arlington as one of the Best Big Cities in the South! What makes Arlington appealing to the masses is its proximity to everything, as those living here don’t have to travel far for work or to experience entertainment.
Unlike most big cities where condos and townhomes are popular, Arlington consists primarily of single-family detached homes with brick and siding exteriors. You will see a few townhomes, but not a lot. Most of Arlington real estate was established from 1970-2000, with most homes having three bedrooms, though one, two, and four bedrooms are common too.
Given Arlington’s proximity to the middle of DFW, the real estate market is competitive and the prices of Arlington real estate have risen over 28%, making the average home price around $359,000. Though the market is hot in Arlington, it’s still a relatively affordable city compared to other DFW suburbs.
Rockwall
Best for: Living close to the lake + Family-friendly + Quality of life
Sprawling from the eastern banks of Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall is located about 25 miles northeast of Dallas and is home to over 45,000 people. Whether it’s being out on the water and watching the sun set behind the Dallas skyline, the cozy and charming downtown square with boutique shops and eateries, or country clubs with a plethora of amenities, Rockwall attracts those seeking quality of life with endless things to do. Money Magazine even ranked Rockwall as one of the best places to live in the United States in 2020. Many people agree since this Dallas suburb has great schools, a high concentration of college graduates who are supportive of education, nearly 78% of residents owning their homes, low crime rates, and seemingly endless shopping and dining options.
Rockwall is the county seat for Rockwall County. It’s hard to differentiate between the county and city, though, since Rockwall County is Texas’ smallest county by landmass. They’re oftentimes referred to as one and the same and people have discovered just how great Rockwall and Rockwall County are. In fact, despite Rockwall County’s size, it’s the third-fastest growing county by population in the state of Texas, with around 101,000 residents and growing by nearly 8% in one year! Rockwall County is also the wealthiest county in Texas and has a median household income of over $100K!
Single-family detached homes dominate Rockwall real estate, though you’ll find a few townhomes and condos near the lake. Rockwall has a delightful well-to-do historical neighborhood, but that makes up only around 4% of Rockwall real estate. About 59% of homes for sale in Rockwall were established between the early 2000s and now, and about 38% of the homes were built from the ‘70s through the ‘90s. Rockwall real estate has an average listing price of $450K, though you can find condos around $290K, and several homes top out at over $1M or more.
Grapevine
Best for: Entertainment + Family-friendly + Young Professionals
Located about 23 miles northwest of Dallas is the popular city of Grapevine, with a population of around 55,000. Families and young professionals are attracted to Grapevine for being full of opportunity, quality schools, family-friendly entertainment, and nightlife scenery. For people who like spacious housing and being close to amenities, Grapevine offers the best of both worlds by keeping true to its small-town atmosphere and boasting many things to do.
Though we said Arlington was the entertainment hub for the DFW area, some could argue that Grapevine is just as entertaining. They’d present a convincing stance as Grapevine has become an entertainment hotspot in recent years, but with a flavor all of its own. Grapevine, named after the wild mustang grapes that once grew here, is known for its wineries, distinctive historical downtown scene, a vintage railroad, its hospitality through the Gaylord Texan and Great Wolf Lodge, a plethora of dining and shopping options like at Grapevine Mills Mall and Bass Pro Shops, and so much more! It’s also self-proclaimed as the Christmas Capital of Texas and completely transforms into a festive winter wonderland for the holidays.
Over 55% of Grapevine real estate consists of single-family homes and only a few townhomes and condos, while apartments make up about 33% of dwellings. As for the single-family houses, you’ll likely find neighborhoods with large front yards and homes set back from the streets and backyards with plenty of room to run around. Homes typically have a brick exterior and can be found with any number of bedrooms.
Though Grapevine has historical buildings dating back to the 1800s, nearly 93% of Grapevine real estate has been constructed since the 1970s. The median listing price of homes for sale in Grapevine is around $500K, but you might find a condo for under $100K and townhomes for around $375K.
Forney
Best for: Cultural Diversity + Family-friendly
Situated 21 miles east of Dallas is the suburban city of Forney, with a population of over 25,000 people. Some still call Forney a small town, but this city is experiencing unprecedented growth! What attracts people to Forney are the schools and the idea of owning a new construction home within close proximity to Dallas. Forney Independent School District, the fastest-growing district in Texas, strives for excellence in education, innovative technologies, and knows the value of family togetherness. They express this through their Forney Family initiative that spotlights different people making a difference in the community.
Not too long ago Forney used to be a rural, small town, but today it’s booming with people from all walks of life. One of the many perks of Forney’s growth is its food scene. With the new home developments come new restaurants and businesses opening up, which the locals love to explore. Forney also hosts several events throughout the year, whether it be street fairs, a good old fashion homecoming parade, or live performances and movies in the park at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater.
As we’ve mentioned, Forney is growing and it shows with nearly 72% of homes being constructed since 2000. Single-family detached homes predominantly make up Forney real estate by 84%, with the rest comprising new apartments. You’ll typically find homes with three or four bedrooms, with brick exteriors and siding accents. The median list price for Forney real estate is around $375K, with most homes selling over list price.
Plano
Best for: Business Opportunities + Quality of Life + Family-Friendly
About 20 miles north of Dallas is the All-American city of Plano, with a population of around 290,000. Known for its quality of life, business opportunities, some of the lowest crime rates in the country, high-rated schools, and being recognized as one of the happiest cities in the nation, people of all ages like what Plano has to offer.
What makes Plano a thriving city is its favorable business climate, which is why several major companies have planted themselves in Plano. Among the top Fortune 500 companies in Plano are Bank of America, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Electronic Data Systems, Frito Lay, Toyota, and many more. There are also over 10,000 other businesses located in Plano, which makes opportunities to succeed seemingly limitless.
Just like the other cities mentioned, the vast majority of Plano real estate is made up of single-family detached homes and about 30% of dwellings are apartments, with about 59% of residents owning their homes. Most of Plano developed from the 1970s to 2000, though about 23% were constructed from the early 2000s to now. Four-bedroom homes are the most common in Plano real estate, though homes of all sizes are common. The median home price of Plano real estate is about $517K.
If Dallas isn’t for you, head on to Pennsylvania’s largest city and check out the best suburbs around Philadelphia. Philly offers suburbs for young families, empty nesters, retirees, downsizers, and so much more. Contact your local real estate agent to help you get started on your home search.
