Plano, Texas

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas / Fort Worth, but you still want that straight shot commute into the city, the suburb of Plano might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Located in the north east corner of the Dallas metro area, Plano has grown to be quite a large city in its own right, with a population estimated at around 222,000. When you combine Plano with the local metro area, you’re living in an amazing city with over 5 million people!

One of the biggest reasons Plano has grown to be the city that it is is because of high paying, enjoyable jobs. Such major corporations as JC Penney, UGS, Cinemark Theaters, Frito-Lay, EDS and Perot Systems all have corporate headquarters there. For a good number of Plano residents, a commute into Dallas or Fort Worth is completely unnecessary because there are just so many high paying careers right here in Plano!

But as the saying goes, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. There is plenty to see and do in Plano without having to make the trip into Dallas / Fort Worth. Plano may be best known for its extensive network of parks and bike trails. There are acres and acres of green spaces that are ready to be enjoyed in Plano, and many of these parks come with playgrounds, which make them perfect for families that have small children. The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a fun, and free way to spend a quiet Saturday afternoon communing with nature. The preserve is easily accessed by a series of biking and walking trails and you can bet that you’ll see many native animals enjoying their protected natural habitat.

For many outsiders, the Plano school district may need some getting use to. Due to the fact that Plano has become one of the Dallas Metroplex’s business centers over the past few decades, the population has risen dramatically. To help ease the influx of kids into the Plano school district, the high school is divided into one school for 9 th and 10 th graders, and another for 11 th and 12 th graders. That way, each child attends smaller classes and gets more individual attention. It is no wonder then that the Plano school district is being used as a model for other rapidly growing cities both in Texas and across the country!

Of course no cool fall Friday evening in Plano is complete without a trip down to the local ball field for an exciting high school football matchup. The only thing residents of Plano love more than watching the nearby Dallas Cowboys is watching a matchup between one of Plano’s finest teams and a nearby school. You’ll want to get there early, though, seats fill up fast!

Plano is essentially a city within a city. With a growing population, more high paying jobs than you can shake a stick at and plenty of things to do for fun, many residents of Plano don’t feel the need to escape to Dallas for fun or work. Plano really does have it all!