1. Richardson, TX

Richardson is the closest Dallas suburb on our list. So if you want to move outside of Dallas without going too far out, this is a really good place to start.

If you’re going to be working in Plano or Frisco—where a lot of jobs have been making the move—Richardson puts you in a great position. It also has a pretty strong job market on its own. UT Dallas is located right here with more than 30,000 students. Plus, along US-75, you have the famous Telecom Corridor, which has been a major employment hub for decades with companies like AT&T, Ericsson, and Nokia. Today, there are tons of jobs in fintech, cybersecurity, cloud storage, and tech, meaning you might be able to work right near home.

If you commute into Dallas, you can take advantage of the DART Red Line. It takes you straight downtown, giving you a smooth alternative to driving every day.

• Food & Community Vibe: Richardson has one of the best international food scenes around Dallas. A huge hub for this is centered around HMart, surrounded by amazing Korean barbecue, Sichuan, Chinese, and Vietnamese spots. You also have CityLine, a 200-acre development with restaurants, plazas, green space, and live music on weekends, as well as historic Main Street for local coffee shops and smaller dining spots.
• Home Prices: You'll find lots of massive trees and brick ranch homes built in the '50s, '60s, and '70s, alongside newer builds and gated communities. Single-family homes generally run in the mid to high $400s. Townhomes sit in the mid to high $200s and $300s, while condos can be found in the $200s. Prices have been roughly flat to slightly down over the past year, with homes taking about a month to sell—giving you extra breathing room to shop around.
• Schools: Richardson ISD has a solid reputation, with Richardson High School being a standout. Parts of Richardson are also zoned to Plano ISD, which gives you access to Plano schools without paying Plano home prices.

2. Farmers Branch, TX

Farmers Branch is another close-in option with a smaller community feel of under 40,000 residents.

Parks are a massive part of living here. The town boasts over 30 parks and green spaces covering around 470 acres. A great example of its small-town character is the Farmers Branch Historical Park—27 acres along Farmers Branch Creek featuring preserved historical structures like an old farmhouse, a train depot, and a retro Texaco station.

• Parks & Location: For everyday outdoors, you can walk the trails at Rawhide Park, explore the Rose Gardens, or bring the kids to the Frog Pond Splash Park and over a dozen neighborhood playgrounds. Location-wise, you’re right off I-35E, super close to Dallas Love Field Airport and Galleria Dallas.
• Home Prices: You’re mostly looking at established single-family neighborhoods rather than huge master-planned communities. Prices usually run around the mid-$400s, and homes take a little over a month to sell.
• Schools: Served by Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, which holds a B rating from the state, with nearly 70% of its campuses earning an A or B rating.

3. Duncanville, TX

Heading south of Dallas, Duncanville offers a smaller, quieter footprint with around 38,000 people.

Weekends here center around city parks, local school events, and high school football. It’s ideal for folks who want a quiet, tight-knit neighborhood to come home to. You have over 225 acres of parkland across 17 city parks, and you’re right next door to Cedar Ridge Preserve, which has some of my personal favorite hiking trails in North Texas.

• Home Prices: Housing costs are Duncanville’s biggest advantage. Most homes are in the low to mid-$300s (compared to mid-$400s in Richardson or Farmers Branch). Older neighborhoods closer to the highway still have options in the $200k range, while properties near Cedar Ridge with bigger lots can reach into the $400s and $500s.
• Things to Keep in Mind: Duncanville is very car-dependent, so you’ll drive for most errands. Also, Duncanville ISD holds a C rating from the state, so if school ratings are high on your wishlist, you’ll want to check the specific ratings tied to any home address you consider.

4. Grand Prairie, TX

Grand Prairie is much bigger than Duncanville and sits right between Dallas and Fort Worth, making it super central if you need easy access to both sides of the metroplex.

• Entertainment Hub: You’ll hear a lot about EpicCentral, which features waterfront dining and the Aluvia light/water show projection over the lake. Next door is Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark—an 80,000-square-foot facility with a retractable roof and Texas’s longest indoor lazy river.
• Local Attractions: You can watch live horse racing at Lone Star Park or visit Trader’s Village, a massive flea market. (Fun fact: back when I got my very first car in high school—a Ford Tempo—the first thing my friends and I did was drive out to Trader’s Village to buy chrome wheels for it!). For lake days, Joe Pool Lake offers swimming at Lynn Creek Park and camping or kayaking at Lloyd Park.
• Home Prices: Single-family home prices hover affordably in the mid-$300s, staying fairly flat compared to last year. Homes take around 5 to 6 weeks to sell, giving you time to look and negotiate.
• Schools: Most addresses fall under Grand Prairie ISD, which holds a B- rating from the state.

5. Carrollton, TX

Carrollton is one of the more built-up towns on this list, giving you great walkability, transit options, and quick access to major highways.

• Downtown & Lifestyle: Historic Downtown Carrollton is a great spot to park, walk around, and eat. You’ve got local staples like Babe’s Chicken, a huge HMart shopping center packed with Korean dining, and Pocket Sandwich Theatre—a unique live theater where you can literally toss popcorn at the actors during the show!
• Transit & Commute: The DART Green Line runs right through Carrollton into Downtown Dallas, letting you bypass I-35E traffic altogether. You’re also right by the Dallas North Tollway for quick trips to major job hubs.
• Home Prices: Homes are generally in the low to mid-$400s. You’ll find classic 1970s brick ranch homes, newly renovated houses, and modern construction around downtown.
• Schools: Zoned to Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, where Creekview High School recently earned an A rating from the state.

Which Town Fits Your Move?

All five of these towns offer distinct advantages. Some stretch your budget to give you lower price points, while others keep you closer to Dallas with walkable entertainment and shorter commutes. It all comes down to what you want your day-to-day life to look like!

Ready to grab your piece of North Dallas? Schedule a Zoom meeting with our team here or give us a call at 214-761-8876 and let's make your smoothest move yet! 📅✨