Plano

About Plano

The City of Plano began as a small rural farming community in the 1840s, and was connected to other major Texas cities by railway in the late 1800s. By the 1970s, it experienced a population boom, more than tripling the population in the span of 10 years. Plano has continued to grow in the past few decades, attracting a number of large corporations, like Frito-Lay and J.C. Penney. Today, it's an integral part of the Dallas-Plano-Irving metropolitan area and considered one of the top up-and-coming housing markets in the United States.

Plano is an affordable city and a great place to raise a family. The Plano Parks and Recreation Department has also been the recipient of several awards, and is lauded in Texas for the high number of parks and recreational opportunities it manages.

Living in Plano

Plano is a city of sunshine, averaging over 200 sunny days every year. Despite the high humidity, the weather is fairly mild, with warm summers and moderately cold winters that make it enjoyable to be outdoors year-round.

The city is best known for its exceptional parks, providing plenty of scenic green space to enjoy the Texas sun. Nearly 1,000 preserved acres are contained within the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve alone, home to native Texas plants and wildlife. Nearby, Bob Woodruff Park is home to the oldest tree in Plano, an oak that has survived for over five centuries. Bob Woodruff Park is connected to Oak Point Park via a network of trails, and together, the combined park spaces cover more acreage than the famous Central Park of New York City. Also counted among the parks and recreational spaces of Plano are several recreation centers and performing arts centers, giving Plano a generous dose of culture and entertainment along with its small-town sense of community.

Plano Neighborhoods

Here are a just a few of the neighborhoods you'll want to explore while you're in Plano:

Los Rios

Los Rios is one of Plano's more rural communities, with wide expanses of land and a slower, more relaxed way of living. However, its proximity to downtown Plano and local recreational spaces provides plenty of entertainment as well.

Pitman Creek Estates

As one of the older neighborhoods in Plano, Pitman Creek Estates has streets lined with towering oaks and renovated 1970s homes. The area earned its name from the creek that runs through it, and is also home to two large parks.

Kings Ridge

The Kings Ridge neighborhood is especially popular with families, partially due to its affordability and value. It's located near many of Plano's best shopping locations, which is why it's such a desirable place to live.

Cypress Point

Cypress Point is filled with large homes on generously sized lots, many of which have both lake and creek views. From this neighborhood, you're walking distance from the Arbor Hill Nature Preserve, where native wildlife, including coyotes, owls, bobcats and turtles, can be found.

Plano Schools

Most of the public schools in Plano are managed by the Plano Independent School District, including early childhood programs and academy-style programs. You also have the option of enrolling your child in a local private school, with both faith-based and secular options available.

There are a few post-secondary institutions in Plano if you're interested in pursuing a college degree. Collin College has two campuses in the city, and Southern Methodist University and Dallas Baptist University both have satellite campuses in Plano as well.

Tips for Moving to Plano

Here are a few handy resources to give you a head start on your move to Plano:

• Power: Oncor Electric Delivery supplies power services in Plano, but you have the freedom to choose who you'll ultimately purchase your power from. You can compare the rates of the major companies in the area, including Bounce Energy, North American Power and TriEagle, to find the best rate.
• Water: Water services are provided by the City of Plano Water Department.
• Garbage and Recycling: The City of Plano provides weekly curbside collection of both trash and recyclables, as well as monthly bulk waste pick-up.
• Transportation: Plano is connected to the city of Dallas via the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which can be especially helpful if you plan to commute for work.
• Pets: Plano requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be registered with the City of Plano Animal Services Division.
• Vehicles: The state of Texas requires every owner of a motor vehicle to register it with the tax assessor in their county.