Jun 19, 2023

The Complete Tour of Plano, Texas


They don’t call Plano the city of excellence for nothing. Located just north of Dallas, this Texan city is home to 282,000 residents, earning its rightful place as the 9th largest city in the Lone Star State. From its captivating downtown art district to its bustling corporate presence, Plano truly has something for everybody. 

Whether you’re interested in the arts or seeking opportunities in a thriving business environment, Plano’s diverse attractions cater to all interests. Join us as we delve into the vibrant tapestry of Plano, exploring its cultural wonders, commercial prowess, and recreational delights that make it an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.

Historic Downtown Arts District 

Plano’s Historic Downtown Arts District is a charming and vibrant area that is home to 

  • dozens of restaurants
  • multiple music and event venues
  • public art throughout
  • and boutiques and other shops. 

Located in East Plano, the district is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening exploring.

The district’s authentic brick-lined streets are lined with a variety of businesses, making it a great place to wander and discover new things. Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal, a fun night out, or a unique shopping experience, you’re sure to find it in the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District.

In addition to its many businesses, the district is also home to a number of public art installations. 

The Historic Downtown Plano Arts District is a great place to experience the best of what Plano has to offer. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to check it out.

Jobs & Economy

In addition to its charming downtown arts district, Plano is also home to a thriving corporate presence. With an average salary of $73,000 , Plano is a great place to find a well-paying job. 

There are over 33 companies in Plano with 500 or more employees , of which 15 have at least 1000 employees . These companies include some of the world’s largest and most successful businesses, such as: 

  • FedEx
  • Toyota
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Capital One. 

Plano is also home to the headquarters of several major brands, such as 

  • Frito-Lay
  • Pizza Hut
  • JCPenney
  • Cinemark

Schools

Plano Independent School District

Students that live in Plano will primarily be zoned for the Plano Independent School District. This school district consists of over 50,000 students and has an A+ rating from niche.com.

The district has a wide variety of schools to choose from, including 44 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 6 9-10 high schools, and 3 senior high schools . This means that there is sure to be a school that is a good fit for every student, no matter what their interests or needs are.

Students in Plano Independent School District (PISD) have more access to their teachers and can get more individualized attention, thanks to the district’s student-teacher ratio of 15:1 , which is lower than the national average of 17:1.

Plano Independent School District has also been recognized for its high test scores, and its students consistently outperform their peers on state and national assessments. For example, the average SAT score in PISD is 1280 , which is well above the national average of 1060. The average ACT score is 29 , which is also well above the national average of 20.

Plano West Senior High School

  • 2640 students
  • A+ Rating from niche.com
  • Top 2% of High Schools in the country (364 of 20,032)
  • 17:1 student to teacher ratio
  • Thirty-eight percent of the staff members at Plano West hold advanced degrees in education.
  • Short distance from Dallas North Tollway 
  • Close proximity to neighborhoods such as Willow Bend and Castlemere

Academic Profile

  • Over 4,000 AP Exams are administered at Plano West each year.
  • National Merit (NMSQT) (2022)
    • Finalists 43
    • Semifinalists 45
    • National Recognition Scholars 8
  • Average SAT -1310
  • Average ACT -30

Plano East Senior High School

Plano East Senior High School is a public high school in Plano, Texas, United States. It is part of the Plano Independent School District and serves grades 11 and 12 . The school has an enrollment of approximately 3,100 students and is ranked in the top 5% of public high schools in Texas.

Plano East Senior High School offers a wide range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual credit courses, and honors courses

Plano East Senior High School offers a variety of sports, including:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

In addition to athletics, Plano East also has dozens of clubs to choose from, including: 

  • A/V Club 
  • Band 
  • Computer Science Club 
  • DECA 
  • Fashion Club 
  • Physics Club
  • …And lots more! 

Legacy West 

Legacy West is a 415,000 square foot mixed-use development located in Plano, Texas. It is home to dozens of shops, restaurants, and a hotel. The development cost $2 billion to build and was completed in 2017 .

Legacy West is located at the intersection of State Highway 121 and Preston Road . It is easily accessible by car, bus, and train. The development has three large parking lots with a total of 4,500 parking spaces .

Legacy West is home to a variety of shops, including luxury brands like 

  • Rolex
  • Gucci
  • Coach
  • Chanel
  • Tesla
  • Louis Vuitton

It also has a number of restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, and Yard House.

In addition to the shops and restaurants, Legacy West also has a number of other amenities, including a movie theater, a bowling alley, and a fitness center. The development also has a number of green spaces, including a park and a playground.

Legacy West is a great place to shop, dine, and relax. It is also a great place to work, with a number of office buildings located in the development.

Food

Legacy Food Hall

Legacy Food Hall is a 55,000 square foot food hall located in Legacy West. It features over 20 restaurants and bars , spread over three floors. The food hall offers a variety of cuisines, including burgers, pizza, barbecue, Indian food, sushi, vegan restaurants, and even an ice cream parlor.

In addition to the food, Legacy Food Hall also has a number of events throughout the year. The Lexus Box Garden , located on the third floor, often has live music, sporting events, dancing, movies, and more.

Legacy Food Hall is a great place to go for a casual meal with friends or family. It is also a great place to catch a live event or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Parks & Recreation

Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve

Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve is the largest park in Plano, Texas, with over 800 acres of land . The park features a 16-acre lake , which is popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. There are also miles of hiking and biking trails , as well as a playground, picnic areas, and a dog park

Neighborhoods

Lakeside on Preston

Lakeside on Preston is a master-planned community located on the west side of Plano, Texas. The community is home to over 1,000 homes and is surrounded by natural beauty, including Lakeside Lake, a 15-acre community park, and tree-lined streets.

  • Size: 400 acres
  • Price range: Mid $500s to $1 million
  • Amenities:
  • Community clubhouse with fitness center, pool, and playground
  • Neighborhood swimming pool
  • Private 15-acre community park
  • Lots of food options
  • Next to Plano West Senior High School
  • Stone bridges
  • Tree lined streets

Willow Bend

Willow Bend is a master-planned community also located in west Plano, Texas. The community is bordered by Gleneagles Country Club and features a gated entrance, neighborhood lakes and ponds, a neighborhood park, jogging and bike paths, and a median home price of $1.3 million.

  • Size: 1,200 acres
  • Price range: $1.3 million
  • Amenities:
  • Gated entrance
  • Neighborhood lakes and ponds
  • Neighborhood park
  • Jogging and bike paths
  • Gleneagles Country Club

King’s Ridge

King’s Ridge is the third neighborhood on our list and is also located on the west side of Plano. 

King’s Ridge offers a variety of amenities, including:

  • A community clubhouse with a fitness center, pool, and playground
  • A neighborhood swimming pool
  • A private 15-acre community park
  • Proximity to a number of restaurants, shops, and schools, including Plano West Senior High School
  • Price Range: mid $400s to over $1 million

Get Ready to Live in Plano, Texas 

If you are interested in moving to the Dallas area, then Plano is a great place to call home. It has something for everyone and an endless supply of entertainment. If you are interested in moving to Plano, Texas, make sure you reach out to the Living in Dallas Texas Team so we can help you secure your dream home.

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Connect with Living in Dallas Texas Team

Ready to take the next step?

Let's schedule a meeting! During this initial consultation, we'll learn more about your situation and what you're seeking in a home. We'll provide advice and address any concerns you may have in order to determine the best approach to achieving your goals. By the end of our conversation, we'll have a solid plan of action and next steps for moving forward.

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