Frisco

The entire family will be happy in East Frisco, which offers A-plus-rated schools, easy commutes and upscale homes. "East Frisco is arguably less congested than the west part of town," says James Fomby, a 32-year Frisco resident and broker-owner of Stonebriar Realty Group. "The population density is lower in East Frisco – there's only one zip code instead of three like on the west side – so there's not as much of a load on the infrastructure. And with Preston Road and Highway 121 nearby, it's easier to get in and out of Frisco from the east side." In addition to its well-connectedness, the school system is another major draw for buyers. The community is also close to the amenities of downtown Frisco, making it an increasingly popular place to buy in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Buyers will find various home styles and prices here. There are recently constructed contemporary townhouses costing between $485,000 and $635,000. There are also French-inspired contemporary homes, new traditional mansions with stone exteriors and Mediterranean styles with stucco walls and terracotta roofs. These homes typically cost anywhere from $650,000 to $2.5 million. "East Frisco has a good mix," Fomby says. "While it resembles the west side with some more expensive new construction, the east side has a larger inventory in the pre-owned market, so there's a bigger supply of less expensive homes." Many area kids attend schools in the highly desirable Frisco Independent School District, rated an A-plus by Niche, including McSpedden Elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade. The school earned an overall A on Niche. Students then attend Lawler Middle for grades six through eight and spend ninth through 12th grade at Centennial High School. Both schools received an A-plus rating from Niche. "One of the cool things about Frisco ISD is that we don't really have any bad schools," Fomby says. "East Frisco is a good area for schools." When residents want fresh air, Harold Bacchus Community Park offers numerous baseball fields, batting cages, a playground with sunshades, a pond, and walking and biking trails. Skaters can check out the expansive skate park in Northeast Community Park for more rad fun. Residents can also visit Northeast Park for its other features, including a playground, fishing pond, athletic fields and walking trails. The intersection of Custer Road and Eldorado Parkway offers a variety of shops and restaurants. A local favorite in the area is Rosa's Cafe, which serves classic Mexican fare like tostadas and tacos. Hutchins Barbecue is a go-to for smoked brisket and Texas Twinkies--bacon-wrapped, stuffed jalapenos. Along nearby Preston Road is the Frisco Mercantile, which offers over 200 vendors selling everything from antiques to clothing to art. For groceries and other necessities, residents can head to the local Walmart or drive down to the Stonebriar Centre, which has chain retailers and big box stores like IKEA and Target. For entertainment, the downtown Frisco area offers unique amenities like the National Videogame Museum and The Star in Frisco, the headquarters and training field of the Dallas Cowboys. Whether residents are running errands or running late for work, East Frisco's easy access to highways and minimal congestion make any commute worth the trip. Custer Road connects to the Sam Rayburn Tollway, which connects residents around the Metroplex. Via the tollway, Fort Worth is about 45 miles away, and the Dallas Fort Worth Airport is about 30 miles away. When residents need to get into Dallas, the Dallas North Tollway connects them to downtown. Offering both easy access to the surrounding areas and local amenities, East Frisco is a suburb that won't leave residents feeling disconnected.

Trendy businesses, vibrant restaurants and renovated bungalows have rejuvenated Frisco's once-forgotten Rail District. "The Rail District is an eclectic, cool, walkable neighborhood that you just don't find anywhere else in Frisco," says Matt Calloway, broker-owner of Calloway Real Estate. "It's a real downtown now, and every town needs a downtown, needs that character." Calloway is also a proud Rail District resident and community advisory board member. He explains that there was little interest in the area until about 10 years ago, when folks like him, seeking a more urban lifestyle, began to look at that part of Frisco in a different light. "It used to be just an old, ugly part of town, and nobody knew what to do with it. But I felt there was a market for people to live here," Calloway says. "Nobody would have ever dreamed that it would be like it is today. People are starting to value the downtown, and it's now one of the more expensive parts of Frisco." Buyers will find a mix of housing styles that reflect the community's long-standing presence. There are early 20th-century Craftsman-style bungalows alongside ranch-style homes from the 1950s, typically costing between $400,000 and $500,000. Buyers will also find custom new traditional brick home communities throughout the neighborhood, costing around $700,000 and contemporary farmhouse estates with acreage costing between $1 million and $6 million. Townhouse communities are an option for those seeking budget-friendly housing near the Rail District, costing around $250,000. According to Calloway, many homebuyers move to the Rail District for the walkable urban lifestyle, and that lifestyle also makes the district a prime location for short-term rentals. "Like me, many homeowners have renovated or built guest houses on their properties for short-term rentals," Calloway says. "The short-term rental market is really strong here because people want to stay in a characterful, walkable area." Most residents are within walking distance from Main Street, where they can browse the district's shops, like the Apple Boulevard Boutique, which features women's apparel. Another favorite is Storied Roots, which offers handcrafted furniture. Didi's Downtown restaurant is a go-to for comfort food and live music on the patio. "Didi's is a staple of the Rail District, and it's always packed," Calloway says. "They're crushing it. It's a great success story." Residents can also get their caffeine fix at Summer Moon Coffee or grab a pastry from La Finca. Eldorado Parkway has a Market Street, Costco and Target for groceries and other daily necessities. For retail shopping, the Stonebriar Centre is 4 miles away, and Legacy West is 6 miles away. Students attending the highly rated school district will start at Rogers Elementary before filtering into Stanley Middle. Older students will spend grades nine through 12 at Memorial High. All three schools in the neighborhood's pipeline earned an A-minus grade on Niche. Memorial High School offers over 30 extracurricular clubs that look great on college applications, including the Young Investor's Club, Future Farmers of America and International Thespian Society. Residents don't have to travel far in the Rail District for outdoor fun. This 63-acre city park has many features, including a fishing pond, a bike trail and an amphitheater that screens free movies in July. The park is especially popular with families, offering a splash pad, playground and a tot lot for younger kids. Residents will also enjoy Warren Sports Complex, which has a variety of athletic fields and sports courts along with a walking path, picnic areas and a fishing pond. Sports enthusiasts are just minutes from various outdoor sports venues, like Rider Field, home to the Rough Riders minor league baseball team. The Star in Frisco is also nearby. This venue is home to the world headquarters, training field and entertainment center of the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas North Tollway is 2 miles from the neighborhood, offering an easy commute to downtown Dallas, about 30 miles away. Commuters can also take the tollway or Preston Road to the Sam Rayburn Tollway. This highway connects to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, about 25 miles away, and downtown Fort Worth, about 45 miles away. In addition to the community's convenience to surrounding areas in the Metroplex, the Rail District's multitude of amenities are no match for the character it offers. Reflecting on his beloved neighborhood, Matt Calloway sums up the Rail District in three simple words: "It's got soul."