Northlake

Northlake was once little more than a handful of ranches and a lot of open space. But these days, instead of mud-covered boots tromping the land, bailing hay and herding cattle, you'll find brand-new Nikes strolling wide sidewalks, walking dogs and pushing baby strollers in a series of master-planned communities. "I like to call it 'distant suburban' because you feel like you're in the country, but it's close to a lot of things like Alliance Town Center, the Amazon warehouses and downtown Denton," says Bianca Callahan of RJ Williams & Company RE LLC., a Realtor who was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and sells consistently in the Northlake community. “It’s really peaceful.”

Life in this community offers a wide array of amenities, depending on your address. In Pecan Square, neighbors enjoy resort-style living with covered tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center, while over in the "agrihood" of Harvest, amateur gardeners get their hands dirty working in private and community plots. The houses in these neighborhoods vary, but most are contemporary homes with multi-car garages, cozy front porches and big bay windows. While front lawns can be small, there's plenty of room for landscaping. Meanwhile, backyards are roomy enough for patios and pools. Prices range from $325,000 for 1,200 square feet to $1.7 million for 4,700 square feet.

Northlake is also home to Ponder and Dish, two small towns that offer a mix of housing styles, ranging from petite manufactured homes and brick ramblers to large, stately contemporary builds. Homes sit on acre lots with expansive yards, allowing for room to breathe. Prices range from $293,000 for 1,600 square feet to $600,000 for 4,000 square feet.

Kids in Northlake are served by five school districts: Argyle, Denton, Northwest, Krum and Ponder. They can start their education at Ponder Elementary before heading to Ponder Junior High and finishing at Ponder High School, which serves about 500 students. Ponder Elementary and Ponder High have B-plus ratings on Niche, while Ponder Junior High scores an A-minus. In 2015, the school district implemented a new digital technology initiative where students were given access to devices like iPads and Chromebooks to enhance classroom learning.

There is no shortage of recreational opportunities in Northlake. Each community offers small parks with manicured green space and playgrounds for kids, outdoor pools and indoor fitness centers. Additionally, Robson Ranch offers its residents access to Wildhorse Golf Club, which features three nine-hole courses. Harvest has an 11-acre artificial lake where you can cast a line and hide out until the sun sets. In Ponder, you can take advantage of the basketball court, large playground and green space at Remington Park off Saratoga Drive, and residents in Dish often head to Dish City Park, a pocket park off Tim Donald Drive for its playground.

For shopping, head to nearby Denton. Pick up your weekly groceries at WinCo Foods or Albertsons, both on West University Drive. You’ll also find Walmart along West University Drive, where you can stock up on everyday essentials. When you want to dine out, you’ll have your pick from national and local favorites. Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant is a Texas chain that has been serving the area for more than 11 years and is a go-to for Tex-Mex dishes. Or treat yourself to a Double-Double Animal Style at In-n-Out.

For your commute, Interstate 35 West and Texas State Route 380 are conveniently close, which will take you east into Denton or south to Fort Worth, about 30 miles away. Or, if you're traveling further, the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is about 35 miles south and will take you anywhere you want to go.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Debbie Giesbrecht