The Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex (DFW) is comprised of several wonderful suburbs to where many choose to live to raise their family. If you are new to the area, it can be difficult to choose just one of them to put down your roots and call home. Working with a local realtor will help you narrow down your location choices for the best places to raise a family and search for the perfect home.
House-Hunting Considerations
Searching for the Best Places to Raise a Family
The DFW suburbs come in all different shapes and sizes. From larger “megaburbs,” such as Plano and Carrollton, to the “miniburbs” of Murphy and Roanoke, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. However, choosing your neighborhood is a complex process. It’s not as simple as finding a home near where you work. You will need to consider other factors such as crime rates, the best schools, tax rates, and your commute.
Your budget is another consideration, as well. Are the houses in the area of your search bigger, smaller, new construction, custom-built, or existing homes? Housing that is located near parks and other kid-friendly amenities is also something to take into consideration.
The Top Ten
There are plenty more than ten of the best places in DFW to raise a family; however, let’s take a look at the top ten. Niche.com lists the best suburbs to raise a family based on public schools, crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities.
1). Coppell
Coppell’s neighborhoods offer the curb-appeal and tree-lined streets that many families enjoy. There are small lakes and parks nearby, which will provide plenty of the great outdoors for exploring. Coppell has a rich history, but the community has a “newer look”. It boasts a low crime rate and is the home to Kid Country, one of the nation’s largest community-built playgrounds.
2). Southlake
Known as one of the safest places to live in the country, Southlake was voted as the number one city in all of Texas for families! You can shop at Town Square, one of the most popular shopping centers in the Metroplex, or visit Bob Jones Nature Center.
3). University Park
Named for its main feature, Southern Methodist University, University Park is an affluent community. They have some of the lowest crime rates in the metroplex. The Highland Park Independent School District students consistently rank among the highest in the state for state testing, and 97% of students go on to college.
4). Flower Mound
The town of Flower Mound was likely named because of the fact that it rises 650 feet above sea level and 50 feet above the surrounding countryside. It is also known to have an unusual amount of wildflowers that grew on it. It’s known for its terrific neighborhoods, and tax rate in the bottom quartile of property tax rates in the Dallas area.
5). Frisco
Frisco is historically known for its pioneers who helped settle Texas in its beginnings. Today, there are many fun family-friendly places to visit, such as the National Videogame Museum, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, and Frisco Water Park!
6). Murphy
Murphy has the tenth lowest overall crime rate out of all Dallas suburbs. It has a rural feel with coffee shops and parks in abundance. The public schools are also highly rated.
7). Colleyville
Colleyville features the eighth lowest crime rate and some of the best public schools out of all of the Dallas suburbs.
8). Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale offers the small town feel, yet it’s an affluent community. This town also has an interesting history.
9). Plano
Plano got its start as a small, quiet farming community. Today, it’s one of the fastest growing cities in the country. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do and places to visit. It’s also the home of Southfork Ranch, the famous setting for the TV series, “Dallas”!
10). Highland Park
Often compared to nearby University Park, this town is another affluent community. It also has a low crime rate with active police patrol.
With so many choices, this list could go on for family-friendly communities. It may take some time for you to diligently do your research, but the good news is that you really can’t go wrong with any of the DFW and surrounding suburbs!
