T
exas keeps pulling in new residents every day, thanks to its warm climate, no state income tax, and lower cost of living. While Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio stay vibrant, the state’s smaller towns and suburbs offer a relaxed pace, excellent schools, cultural venues, dining, and plenty of green space. New master‑planned communities are popping up everywhere, giving families, couples, and retirees a wide array of housing options.

    **Fort Worth** – The fourth‑largest city in Texas, just 30 minutes west of Dallas, blends Western heritage with a strong job market and affordability. It boasts world‑class museums, rodeos, live music, and festivals, while its highly rated schools and walkable neighborhoods attract families and young professionals. Ongoing development of master‑planned communities and historic districts provides both modern and characterful homes, and its proximity to highways makes commuting easy.

    **Pflugerville** – Located about 20 miles northeast of Austin, Pflugerville celebrates its German roots each year at the Deutschen Pfest. The city enjoys low crime, top‑ranked schools, and is dubbed the Trail Capital of Texas with over 56 miles of trails. Outdoor recreation, Typhoon Texas, and Stone Hill Town Center draw families, retirees, and commuters seeking affordable housing near the capital.

    **Frisco** – Home to the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters, PGA Frisco, Toyota Stadium, and the soon‑to‑open Universal Kids Resort, Frisco is a booming suburb with highly rated schools and a growing IT, finance, and healthcare job market. It offers a mix of single‑family homes, luxury golf‑course properties, townhomes, and 55‑plus communities, appealing to singles, families, and retirees alike.

    **Sugar Land** – Southwest of Houston, Sugar Land provides a commuter‑friendly environment with outdoor amenities such as a pump track, golf courses, and Minor League Baseball. Planned and gated communities like Riverstone, along with condos in Sugar Land Town Square, cater to families. Its proximity to Houston’s Energy Corridor and ample shopping and dining options make it a popular choice.

    **Round Rock** – Just north of Austin, Round Rock is known as the Sports Capital of Texas, hosting Dell Diamond, a multi‑use complex, and the Round Rock Sports Center. The presence of Dell and other global firms fuels a growing economy that attracts families and young professionals. The city offers highly acclaimed schools, parks, extensive trails, and affordable housing, with master‑planned developments expanding as demand rises.

    **Plano** – Twenty miles north of Dallas, Plano earned the nickname Hot Air Balloon Capital for its annual Plano Balloon Festival. It has a robust local job market, excellent public schools, top hospitals, and diverse housing from luxury apartments to large family homes. Restaurants, parks, bike trails, and DART transit options make it attractive for commuters and residents alike.

    **The Woodlands** – North of Houston, The Woodlands is a master‑planned community featuring over 200 miles of trails, 150 parks, and abundant green space. Market Street offers upscale shopping, while numerous restaurants, pools, and golf courses serve families, retirees, and couples. Employers such as ExxonMobil, Chevron‑Phillips, and local hospitals add to its appeal as a desirable suburb.

    **San Antonio** – As Texas’s second‑largest city, San Antonio blends 300 years of history with modern attractions. Museums, missions, Fiesta Noche del Rio, the River Walk, Spurs games, Six Flags, and the DoSeum keep residents and visitors busy. A wide range of housing—from condos and starter homes to elegant estates—cater to diverse demographics.

    **McAllen** – On the Texas‑Mexico border, McAllen celebrates its bicultural heritage and attracts winter Texans and Mexican shoppers. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Town Lake, and birding hotspots appeals to retirees and families. Strong medical facilities, retail options, and a vibrant Mexican‑American community make it a lively, affordable place to live.

    **Flower Mound** – Situated north of Dallas and Fort Worth, Flower Mound is a commuter hub just 10 miles from DFW Airport. It consistently ranks as one of Texas’s safest cities, with low crime and lower taxes. The area offers townhomes, subdivisions, and luxury acreage, with easy access to major highways and a mix of housing for first‑time buyers and high‑end buyers.