By any measure, including land area, population, wealth, and personality, Texas is big. Because of the size of the Lone Star State, it offers a lot of variety. This is good news for you if you are planning to move there because you can choose the city that best suits your tastes. With so much variety throughout the state, Texas offers something for everyone. If you are planning to move to Texas but still unsure where to live, here are some of the communities consistently ranking as the best.
Austin
As the capital city of Texas, Austin is centrally located and forward thinking. It is different from the rest of the state, and the commonly cited slogan “Keep Austin Weird” communicates that the residents take great pride in their diversity and difference. However, there is a lot more to Austin than political and social concerns. Summers are hot while winters are mild, but custom pool builders in Austin help keep everyone comfortable all year round. The University of Texas football program and the live music scene are both famous around the country, as are the quality and variety of eating establishments in Austin. With hiking opportunities in Zilker Park or the Greenbelt and multiple man-made lakes for aquatic sports, it is great for people who want the experience of city living combined with outdoor activities.
Plano
Technically, Plano is a suburb of Dallas rather than a city in itself. With short commute times, low crime rates, and high median incomes, Plano is a top-ranking Texas community for overall quality of life. Because of the extensive park system, most residents of Plano are within a 10-minute walk of a green space. A number of top corporations, such as Pizza Hut, Cinemark Theatres, and Frito-Lay, have their headquarters in Plano, so there are plenty of jobs available. Commuting to work in Dallas is fairly easy from Plano as well.
Frisco
Sports are big in Frisco, Texas. It is the home of the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility and hosts national competitions for college and youth sports. Top employers in Frisco include Amerisource, Oracle, IKEA, and T-Mobile. Frisco is a prosperous city with a low crime rate, which may account for it being the fastest-growing city in all of Texas.
Fort Worth
In terms of national attention, Fort Worth is often overshadowed by its sister city of Dallas. Nevertheless, Fort Worth has certain advantages, being more affordable than Dallas and safer in terms of violent crime. Fort Worth is home to Texas Christian University, one of the premier educational institutions in the state in terms of academics and football. It was the first city to ever host a rodeo indoors, an event that is still the largest of its kind in the entire country.
Brownsville
Brownsville is located right in the southern tip of Texas, serving as an important military post during the Texas Revolution. It is also the first stop on the Chisholm Trail. However, although Brownsville is rooted in the past, it is also looking forward to the future. It is the site of SpaceX’s commercial launch site, which has brought a lot of development to the area in recent years. In terms of cost of living, it is one of the most affordable cities in Texas.
Laredo
Located right on the Mexican border, Laredo is one of the largest ports of entry in the United States. In addition to being a major trade hub, it is renowned for good food, including a whole array of authentic Mexican cuisine, and is an affordable city in which to live. In 1840, it was the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande, which only lasted a few months. You can learn all about it at the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum in Laredo.
Everything seems to be bigger in Texas, including the hearts of the people. Southern hospitality is an important part of the culture, and Texans generally welcome newcomers with open arms.