Small-town Quinlan offers retail amenities, lakefront housing
Quinlan, a rural community about an hour’s drive from Dallas, offers surprising amenities for a city its size. This East Texas destination of about 1,600 is one of the few small cities in the region home to both a Walmart Supercenter and a Brookshire’s grocery store. The city’s public schools serve students throughout southern Hunt County, and homes with a Quinlan address can be found well east of the city limits, offering attractive properties along Lake Tawakoni. “That’s the biggest draw, as far as people moving from the Dallas area,” says Jody Crocker of 1st Choice Realty, who lives nearby and sells homes throughout the area. “Quinlan and other communities like West Tawakoni and East Tawakoni all kind of merge together, so people are attracted by a small-town atmosphere near the water.”
Midcentury ranches, newer homes stand out among non-waterfront options
Housing options closer to the heart of town include midcentury ranch-style homes on spacious lots and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages. Some of the older homes feature modern renovations. Manufactured homes are another alternative. “In Quinlan specifically, it’s been slow growth as far as new builds, but the market is up-and-coming,” Crocker says. Most homes occupy quiet, narrow streets with plenty of mature trees.
Prices typically range from about $120,000 to about $350,000, but a handful of high-end waterfront properties sell for around $700,000 and up. About 70 percent of residents own their homes, and residents enjoy a safe, quiet setting. The city’s Cap Index Crime Score of 2-out-of-10 is lower than the national average. Residents should be aware that East Texas can be very hot and windy, a combination that contributes to the region’s high risk of fire.
The rare small town with a Walmart and a Brookshire's
Walmart and Brookshire’s anchor the Texas State Highway 34 corridor, around which the city’s development is centered. The big-box retailers provide a solid base for the economy in Quinlan, which has become a retail hub for the area. The center of commercial activity shifted from downtown long ago, as State Highway 276 allowed access to surrounding cities without going through town. “When they put the bypass in, it eliminated a lot of the traffic in the downtown area,” Crocker says. “However, they are trying to rebuild it, and I hope the little businesses that have opened can sustain.” Residents still access city services along Main Street. Dining options can also be found along Texas 34. “Hey, there’s a Starbucks coming to Quinlan!” Crocker says. “That kind of tells you about the growth.” The coffee shop will be next to McDonald’s along the highway, which leads to additional shopping and dining in Greenville, about 15 miles north.
Local school district consists of four schools
The community is served by the Quinlan Independent School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Cannon Elementary, which earns a B, is the highest rated of the district’s four schools. Butler Intermediate School is rated C. Thompson Middle School is rated B-minus. Ford High School is rated C-plus. The district website highlights its commitment to the visual and performing arts. Classes and programs begin at the elementary level. Students can apply for transfers into and out of Quinlan ISD, with the requirement that parents provide transportation.
Nearby Lake Tawakoni, community park are popular gathering places
Residents enjoy proximity to Lake Tawakoni, a 38,000-acre reservoir that is a haven for boaters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. West Tawakoni City Park and Deer Run Golf Club are lakefront destinations about 7 miles away. Quinlan Community Park is the center of community activity. It features children’s playscapes, a seasonal splash pad, lighted basketball courts and a 9-hole disc golf course. The park is the result of collaboration between the city, Quinlan ISD and the Quinlan Economic Development Corporation, which was formed in 1996. The park hosts holiday celebrations and signature community events such as Quinfest, an annual fall gathering that features live music and a Halloween costume contest.
Highways provide access to Greenville, Rockwall and Dallas
Hunt Regional Healthcare recently closed Quinlan’s stand-alone emergency care center, but Texas 34 provides direct access to Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville. Residents of this car-dependent community can hop on Texas State Highway 276 for travel into the DFW Metroplex. The highway connects to Interstate 30 about 20 miles west in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall. From there, it’s about 25 more miles.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
