McKinney, TX

Mckinney is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. In the August 2012 issue of Money Magazine, McKinney ranked No. 2 on the Best Places to Live in America list. McKinney is the only Texas city in the top 10. Money editors and writers look at employment, schools, crime and safety and overall quality of life aspects to come up with the list. McKinney debuted on the Money Magazine list in 2008 at No. 14. In 2010, the city ranked as the No. 5 Best Place to Live in America. McKinney has been among the fastest-growing cities in the country since 2000.

McKinney is the county seat of Collin County and is located just 30 miles north of Dallas. The elements that have made McKinney unique in the past are the same things that attract new residents every day: beautiful tree-lined streets with historic homes, gently rolling hills and other natural wonders, a safe environment, outstanding educational and health-care options, a robust business climate, an appreciation for the arts, an abundance of shops and restaurants, a storybook historic downtown and a strong sense of community. McKinney truly is unique by nature.

Money Magazine editors looked at employment, schools, crime, safety and overall quality of life, and ranked McKinney No. 2 on its Best Places to Live in America list. McKinney is the only Texas city in the top 10. Beautiful natural parks and open spaces, affordable and diverse housing, plenty of jobs and a vibrant downtown that offers lots to do for residents helped McKinney earn its high honors. Historic Downtown McKinney offers a traditional downtown square with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants and home-base for many of McKinney’s annual events including Bike the Bricks, Scare on the Square, and Dickens Downtown Christmas.

Low taxes have lured companies with white-collar jobs in technology and energy, as well as the new $195 million Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. Most recently, First Flight, a fully licensed air ambulance company that provides around-the-clock medical air transport for emergency and nonemergency patients from rural area hospitals, has selected McKinney National Airport (TKI) as its new headquarters.

McKinney is home to some of the top master-planned communities in the entire region. In the Eldorado/ US-75 area (west), you will find small communities of custom built homes nestled in wooded lots. The collection of communities in this area draw many families due to Valley Creek Elementary’s National Blue Ribbon School ranking; McKinney ISD boasts four Blue Ribbon schools and many other state and national recognitions. Tucker Hill is a master-planned community of new homes located on the north side of U.S. 380 and served by the highly acclaimed Prosper Independent School District. Located on over 5,000 acres, with 1,200 acres preserved as open space, Stonebridge Ranch is the largest master planned community in North Texas. The population at build out is projected to be 30-35,000 residents within the community of 72 distinct villages. The community includes twelve parks, 830 acres of golf courses, lakes, ponds, sailing, fishing and 9,000+ single family homes, 1700 multifamily units, 280 acres of retail, and 270 acres of office space. Stonebridge Ranch is proud to be part of both the McKinney Independent School District and the Frisco Independent School District, where the low teacher to student ratio (14:1) provides students the opportunity to excel academically.