All-American Town
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10/18/2008
I am not a native Texan- and have lived all over the US, but have never found a place quite as nice to raise a family as Plano, TX. The area is relatively new, with the nicest areas now located in West Plano.
The entire city is VERY clean, well kept, and has both wonderful public schools and a wealth of parks, shopping, and activities. Probably not the kind of "night club' wonderland that a single person might be looking for, but if you are into the "WASP" dream of suburbia, with all the extras, this will be the right place.
Excellent churches, manicured lawns, award winning schools that are filled with nice kids with good manners and high expectations in life.... sure, there are some problems... the taxes are quite high here (I pay almost as much in property tax as I do on my mortgage), but in return, you get a top notch no-nonsense police department ("rif-raf beware - you are being watched!), well designed neighborhoods, and manicured public grounds.
Plano was recently rated by USAToday newspaper as the "richest zipcode" in America. Houses range in the 3000-6000 sq. foot size range, although yards are rather small and the houses tend to be close together. Prices typically run in the $450K - 800K range in West Plano, although prices drop the further east you go.
If you are looking for a relatively crime free place to raise your kids, see that they are safe, well educated, and have a lot of social opportunities, then Plano is the place to be!
Keith | Plano, TX