Is Plano Texas a Good Place to Live? - Destination Scanner...

Plano is a city in Collin County and it is considered one of the best places to live in the state of Texas. With a population of more than 281,566 people, Plano exudes a suburban feel and most people living here own their homes. Moving to Plano may be a good decision as the city also has plenty of exemplary restaurants, cafes, parks and high-quality public schools.

Is Plano Texas a good place to live? According to Niche, the city of Plano ranks highly when it comes to the best USA cities to buy a house, live in and raise a family. This city boasts great neighborhoods, affordable living, strong education, iconic Texas cuisine, and many entertaining things to engage in.

Whether you are planning on moving to Texas to get a change of scenery or moving to Plano because of a new job opportunity, you have come to this post because you have some questions.

Does Plano have a reliable transport system?
Are the schools in the area good?
How much does a home cost?

In this article you will find out:

Is Plano a good place to Live? Prons & Cons.

Plano is undoubtedly one of the best places to live for everyone. There are many good neighborhoods in here such as Willow Bend, Whiffletree, Normandy Estates, Lakeside on Preston, Indian Creek, Gleneagles, Forest Creek Estates, El Ranchero Country Estates, Deerfield, and Avignon.

The less desirable Plano neighborhoods in terms of high unemployment levels, low incomes, and high poverty are Hutchins, Pilot Point, Balch Springs, Seagoville and Cockrell Hill. The crime index in Plano is 35, which means that the rate of crime is relatively high.

Schools in Plano are generally good. Top public schools include Liberty High School, Plano West Senior High School, Jasper High School, Mary Evans Elementary School and Vandeventer Middle School. Degree programs are offered at two Collin College campuses, a campus of Southern Methodist (SMU-in-Plano), and a branch of Dallas Baptist University (DBU North).

The main modes of transportation in Plano are air, roads, bus transit, light rail, freight rail and port access. DFW International Airport provides non-stop flights to almost 200 domestic and over 60 international destinations. Residents also have access to Love Field airport, Addison and McKinney National Airport.

Plano’s social scene is quite lively. The shops have a fun urban feel; there are many excellent restaurants and pubs to choose from and many entertainment venues. There are also many public parks and top notch amenities.

Is Plano a good place to Work?

Some of the biggest and most recognized companies in the USA have their headquarters in Plano e.g. Alliance Data, Cinemark Theatres, J.C. Penney, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Rent-A-Center, and Yum China Holdings.

The biggest employers in Plano are Capital Once Finance, DXC Technology, Bank of America Home Loans, Red Bee Media, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Frito-Lay, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., NTT Data Services, Texas Health Plano and Medical City Plano.

Plano enjoys a thriving economy. The main industries are retail trade, finance & insurance, real estate, education, healthcare, manufacturing, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and construction.

Many people living in Plano are able to get full-time employment easily. The unemployment rate in Plano is very low at 2.7% (April 2019), which is much lower than the countywide rate of 3.6%.

Wages in Plano, Texas are good. The average salary is $62,108 (as of June 2019). Bachelor of Science holders earns on average $76,347, Bachelor of Engineering degree holders earn an average salary of $93,835 while Bachelor of Technology graduates earn on average $99,622.

Is Plano a good place to buy a House?

For families seeking to purchase a house in Plano, TX, location is a major factor in determining the mean cost. Plano cannot be treated as just one city; residents have divided it into Central Plano, East Plano and West Plano. This divide is a price indicator for properties in the area.

The East and West end offer the most luxury houses in the city’s market whereas Central encompasses the most moderate housing prices. On average, West Plano offers the highest-end housing. East Plano holds the largest gap in the real estate market with choices ranging from the most affordable properties to ranch-style estates costing millions of dollars.

Nevertheless, the median home price in Plano is $330,000. The property prices are higher than the average for the whole of Texas. A 5-bed home for sale can cost $470,000; a three bedroom property can go for $350,000 while a home with one bedroom can sell for 144,900.

The median rent in Plano is $1,196. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,164, a 3-bedroom home can rent for $2,245 per month and a 5-bed home can rent for $2,695 a month.

Homeowners living in Texas pay $1,945 in home insurance costs which is significantly more expensive than the United States average of $1,288. The interest rate for a 20-year fixed mortgage is 4.44% for anyone looking to purchase a home on credit.

Is Plano a good place to Retire?

Retirees living in Texas enjoy a comfortable climate and access to many outdoor activities. Plano is among the best retirement spots in Texas State. The city’s lively culture and excellent education centers make it an ideal place for retirees who would like to enjoy their retirement days and remain close to their families.

Any senior looking to have an exciting way of life during retirement, the city of Plano is a perfect choice. Its convenient location near Dallas, an abundance of recreational activities and the great offering of retirement homes make it a city that is worth considering. On average, assisted living in a city costs $3,632 per month, which is higher than the countrywide average of $3,360.

Is Plano a good place to Visit?

Plano is the ninth most populous city in Texas and it continuous to lure settlers who are looking to lead a slower pace of life than what is available in Dallas. This, however, does not mean that there is nothing to do in this city.

Plano offers all sorts of recreational opportunities from the tantalizing Texan smokehouses and barbeque joints to exciting heritage museums that showcase the history of the railroad and agricultural systems.

Add to that an array of beautiful parks, multicultural medley of restaurants that offer crusty Italian pizzas and local brews, some wonderful art house cinemas, designated walking trails and world-class shopping facilities, and it is clear to see how Plano is worth the visit.

Heritage Farmstead Museum details the rich history of Texan agriculture. The site displays everything to do with wheat farming and sheep rearing on the backcountry prairies in the Texas state from 1890 to 1930.

The Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop offers visitors a chance to engage in a high energy action activity. Visitors can climb the series of swinging vines, rope ladders, soaring zip lines, and other adrenaline-pumping attractions like Fisherman’s Trap and Pirate’s Crossing.

The Angelika Film Center Plano is home to at least five independent silver screens. This repertoire is popular due to its medley of exceptional art house pieces and provision of thought-provoking worldwide cinema, attracting everybody from critics, families to hipsters. There is also a fantastic café and eatery at the venue offering bubbling champagne, grilled cheese sarnies, great coffee and ubiquitous buckets of popcorn.

Arbor Hills Nature Reserve encompasses beautiful wildflower meadows, swaying grass planes, scenic buckthorn trees and some poison ivy thickets. This wonderful nature reserve is the ideal venue to sample the naturally occurring and less-disturbed corners in Northern Texas.

The Shops at Legacy offer a wonderful opportunity for engaging in retail therapy. This premier shopping district features a collection of high-street boutiques, child-friendly restaurants, coffee shops and amazing cinemas. The Dallas Vintage Shop is also a nice venue for buying clothes.

Plano is also worth visiting as the area offers a good selection of accommodation places such as Magnuson Hotel Park Suites, Urban lights at Legacy West, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Plano East, Baymont by Wyndham Plano, La Quinta by Wyndham Plano Legacy Frisco, Sandman Signature Plano Frisco Hotel, Hilton Dallas Plano Granite Park and Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Plano, Texas?

The cost of living in this city is more expensive than the national average. A meal in an inexpensive Plano restaurant costs $10.75, the price of 1 liter of regular milk is $0.64, a loaf of bread costs $2.20, 1kg of apples is priced at $3.88 and 1 liter of gasoline costs $0.61. The monthly cost of basic utilities is $144.82 and the monthly fee for a gym membership is $36.50 for one adult.

Is Plano a good place to invest in property?

The housing market in Plano is worth investing in as the area has a growing economy and an increasing population. Real estate investment properties do not come cheap, but they are worth buying as they go up in value over time.

Is Plano a good place to raise a family?

Plano is a good place for people who have or are planning to get children, because of the great schools and a strong economy. Major companies are also located in this city, which means job opportunities are many. However, the weather tends to change dramatically, so functional air conditioning is a must.