Richardson

Outdoor activities abound in Breckinridge Big homes over big city noise describes Breckinridge, a small inner Dallas suburb of Richardson just 15 miles from Dallas and 40 miles from Fort Worth. Breckinridge is best known for its community park, which unfolds as the largest greenspace in the city. “Everyone in the area loves biking, walking, running and fishing. My husband and I have even kayaked in the creek that runs through the park,” says Joyce Lynn Chandler, a Realtor with Keller Williams Central. Home to highly rated schools and with a convenient commute to surrounding cities for work, Breckinridge offers a slice of suburbia not too far from the city. Suburban living close to schools Amid manufacturing and commercial districts, Breckinridge’s homes satellite Breckinridge Park. Most homes span well over 2,5000 square feet and range from smaller new traditional brick homes to more luxurious mansions incorporating brick and stone exteriors and adding features like turrets and large front windows. Though at first glance, it may not look like there’s any place to park the car, Breckinridge’s homes have attached garages in the back, along with wooden fenced-in yards. Big, shady trees are peppered in front yards, and most homes currently on the market are five-bedroom houses in the $700,000 to $900,000 range. Breckinridge Park is Richardson's largest greenspace Residents are lucky to have over 400 acres of undeveloped greenery in the neighborhood. Rowlett Creeks runs right through the massive Breckinridge Park, which has a playground and a bunch of fields for soccer and baseball, bringing much little league activity. A big lake in the middle has a waterside gazebo encircled by a paved trail. Breckinridge is within 2 miles of Firewheel Golf Park, Pecan Hollow Golf Course and Timbers Nature Preserve. The Richardson Farmer’s Market is every Saturday Grocery store trips, last-minute errands and eating out with loved ones are pretty close in Breckinridge. The Richardson Farmer’s Market is on Saturdays at Dal Rich Towne Square for a taste of local flavors. Walmart and 24-Hour Fitness are located on the corner at Murphy Marketplace. Additionally, Breckinridge is within 5 miles of Cityline, a mixed-use open-air shopping district and Firewheel Town Center to its south, with dozens of big-box retailers. Though there are giant heaps of chain restaurants, just like much of Texas, small businesses are where the food scene thrives. “Venezia’s has great pizza and Italian food, along with great service and prices,” says Chandler. Also close to home is Haraz Coffee House, pouring up Yemeni-style brews and Casa Mama for piled-high plates of authentic Mexican food on its outdoor patio. Plano Independent School District is rated with an A-plus Though residing in Richardson, students in this suburb may be a part of the highly-rated Plano Independent School District. The neighborhood is home to several elementary schools, including Stinson Elementary, which feeds into Otto Middle School and Plano East Senior High, all well-regarded with an A or above, according to Niche. Students at the elementary level begin STEM-centered instruction early on through the Lego Robotics team, while high schoolers continue this focus through Plano East Senior High’s Health Sciences Academy. The city is also home to The University of Texas at Dallas on West Campbell Road for easy commutes to class. The creative scene in Breckinridge thrives Artsy activities for the whole family are always going on in Richardson. The Wildflower Arts & Music Festival in May, and the Huffhines Art Trails come alive with local artisans in October. In Breckinridge, the kids stay entertained at Play Street Museum, an interactive exhibit for both learning and fun. Telecom Corridor is home to major tech companies The neighborhood is convenient to State Highway 190 and US Highway 75, and the city has over 15 miles of bike lanes and bus stops operated by DART throughout the city. Richardson is the site of the Telecom Corridor, booming with tech companies such as Verizon and AT&T, serving as a major employer along with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and the healthcare industries. Breckinridge is 30 miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and less than 1 mile from Methodist Richardson Medical Center.

Anchored by the award-winning Sherrill Park Golf Course, the namesake neighborhood of Sherrill Park is a true blend of different atmospheres. From the mixed-use retail and residential area of CityLine to the sprawling natural areas and neatly arcing cul-de-sacs of residential streets, it's hard to believe one neighborhood embodies so many looks. However, Sherrill Park does it and does it well, and it has the benefit of being less than 10 minutes south of downtown Plano. It's a unique feel for a technically urban area, bringing together the excitement of close, lively community and city events with the opportunity for residential privacy and space. Sherrill Park is somehow both bustling and peaceful in that it all depends on location within the neighborhood, managing to encapsulate both an urban and suburban feel. The apartments and condos of the mixed-use CityLine area are strikingly modern, and the subdivisions at the center of the neighborhood feature large contemporary single-family homes. "Like most Richardson neighborhoods, homes here are sought-after and sell well," says Tricia Nixon, a Realtor and real estate investor with Huggins Realty and Texan native. "The schools are sought after, it's well-established – it's very appealing." Townhouses start selling at around $510,000, while single-family properties spike to over $600,000. The average home square footage is just over 3,100 – over 1,000 more than the national average. Public institutions are served by the Plano Independent School District, and they can begin education at Forman Elementary, which is graded with a B-plus on Niche and maintains a small student-teacher ratio of 11-1. Students move on to Armstrong Middle, rated with a B, before finishing education at Plano East Senior High. With an impressive A-plus on Niche, Plano East comes in at the No.2 spot for best high schools in Collin County. The school has garnered much praise from educational reviewers and has been awarded the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The Spring Creek Nature Area spans over 100 acres, with a range of maintained trails. This nature area provides preserved natural space, a walking bridge over the creek and paths linked to Galatyn Woodland Preserve and Foxboro Park. Meanwhile, Crowley Park features a playground and sports field, walkable from many of the subdivisions. "Many neighborhoods will hold community events in their parks," Nixon points out. The northern area where East Renner Road meets North Plano Road is a prime mixed-used commercial site, with the CityLine shopping areas providing both big-name essentials and locally owned businesses. Residents can bike or quickly drive to any of the many errand stops, such as Whole Foods Market and CVS. Tucked amongst the apartments and offices are some of Sherrill Park's best cuisine spots, from the flavorful broth of Oni Ramen to the modern Thai dishes at Thai's Thumbz Urban Kitchen. CityLine is a huge gathering point for the community; its public plaza is the site of night markets with live music and free outdoor yoga classes. Brass Tap hosts karaoke nights, Ace's Sports Hangar hosts live DJs and trivia events – there's always something for residents to do right in their own backyard. The CityLine-Bush station picks up just above the park for light rail travel, and DART also provides bus service with stops along the primary roads in Sherrill Park. President George Bush Turnpike and Route 75 border the neighborhood for easy connection to major thoroughfares, and downtown Plano is less than 10 minutes away.

The soccer fields and science labs of Dallas College's Richland Campus anchor the southern side of Richardson’s Buckingham neighborhood, but the area to the north has plenty to offer both long-term residents and college students alike. Whether locals are looking for a unique new restaurant, an accessibly priced home or an easy, quick route into Dallas, they are likely to find it in Buckingham. The community benefits from the many perks of the surrounding city. Richardson offers employment opportunities at companies like State Farm and Raytheon, weekly concerts and shows at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and annual community events like the Cottonwood Art Festival and Wildflower Music Festival. Multiple past housing booms have led to various home styles along Buckingham’s streets. Homes built in the 1970s are mainly ranch-style properties, while homes constructed in the 2000s lean closer to neo-eclecticism with brick walls, colorful paint and tiered gable roofs. Most single-family homes in Buckingham range between $400,000 to $600,000, but the area also has many condos that cost around $100,000. Residents of Buckingham are served by the highly-rated Richardson Independent School District. “The schools are a big draw here,” says Anne Westphal, a Realtor with Ebby Halliday Real Estate who has lived in Richardson for nearly 40 years. “We see a lot of people that move out of Dallas proper because as soon as people have kids, they want to move to a place where there are highly-rated schools. Richland Elementary scores a B on Niche, while Liberty Junior High School ranks a B-minus and Richardson High School scores an A rating. The high school is one of the oldest schools in the school district and has a specialized curriculum in science, law, and the arts. Dallas College Richland Campus is a prominent part of the neighborhood's southern border and is known for its programs in healthcare, engineering and manufacturing. Buckingham has plenty of after-school recreation options for its young residents. The 7-acre Richland Park is directly next to Richland Elementary School on Park Bend Drive and offers a playground, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court and a baseball diamond. The Buckingham neighborhood also has two local sports facilities for young athletes. Sting Dallas Complex on Buckingham Road hosts soccer fields where their “little stingers” can train, while Richardson Stars Center, an ice hockey rink on Centennial Boulevard, offers youth lessons. Commuters have nearby access to major thoroughfares like Highway 75, Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway and Interstate 635, which can all be used to travel the 15 miles into Dallas. Multiple Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus stops exist on major roads like Buckingham Road, Abram Road and West Spring Valley Road. Two daily train routes leave Spring Valley Station on Centennial Boulevard and head right into the heart of the city. “Most people commute into Dallas for work and we have the farthest north stop on the DART rail. Most of my friends that work downtown will get on the DART instead of grueling, nail-biting traffic for an hour,” Westphal says. Buckingham Road itself has many run-down shops and storage unit facilities, so most residents have to go to other sections of the neighborhood for everyday needs. The Kroger on Centennial Boulevard in the northeastern corridor of the neighborhood offers an easy errand run, but locals looking for more gourmet groceries can stop by Sara’s Market and Bakery on Sherman Street. This market offers the typical grocery fare, such as fresh produce, in addition to specialty goods like halal meat and house-baked pita bread. South Plano Road has a large selection of shopping for everything that can’t be found at the grocery store, from clothing to home goods. Residents who find themselves on the north side of town can stop by Another Time & Place Grille on Abrams Road for Mediterranean cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients or Arwa Yemeni Coffee on Greenville Avenue for unique coffee, tea, and pastries. Across town, Bistro B on Walnut Avenue offers an extensive menu of nearly 500 Vietnamese favorites, from pho and spring rolls to milk tea and all-day breakfast.

Centered around the country club that shares its name, Canyon Creek brings modern amenities to the suburban setting of Richardson, Texas. “A lot of people don’t want to leave Dallas, because they want to be close to shopping and things to do, but also want higher rated schools and more of a suburban lifestyle,” says Brielle Oakley, a Realtor with the Nina Bhanot Group who has been selling in the area for three years. “Richardson is a perfect blend of both.” The voluntary homeowner’s association keeps the community close by organizing yearly events. “All of the homes in Canyon Creek are very well manicured,” says Chris Shortino, a real estate advisor with Engel & Völkers. “People take care of the neighborhood in order to have a community that people want to live in.” However, it doesn’t have the exclusivity that sometimes can be associated with a country club neighborhood, because there is a wide variety of home types at multiple price points. As an established neighborhood, there are many original homes from the 1960s and '70s, although some have been torn down and replaced with new construction. “Some homes are being remodeled or added to,” Shortino says. “There’s quite a bit of that happening in the neighborhood.” There are a lot of different styles, including smaller ranch-styles, larger contemporary houses and Spanish-style homes with red tile roofs. There is also some multi-family housing near the golf course, including townhouses. Single-family homes range from the low $400,000s to the high millions, depending on size, style and how recently the home was built or renovated. Homes closer to the country club and Prairie Creek tend to have a higher price. Condos and townhouses run from the low $200,000s to the mid $500,000s. Lookout Drive splits the neighborhood; on the northern side, homes are zoned to Plano Independent School District and on the southern border, they are zoned to Richardson Independent School District. “Plano and Richardson are both highly sought-after school districts,” says Oakley. Plano schools include Aldridge Elementary, scoring an A on Niche; Wilson Middle, A-minus; Vines High School, B-plus; or Plano Senior High School, A. Richardson students go to Canyon Creek Elementary, rated A on Niche; Richardson North Junior High, A-minus; and Pearce High, A. According to Oakley, Canyon Creek is one of the top elementary schools in the area and is a reason people want to move to the neighborhood. Canyon Creek Country Club features an 18-hole golf course with rolling hills, mature trees and a small creek running through it. “A lot of people have golf carts in the neighborhood,” Shortino says. “They’ll drive them over to the golf course.” In addition to golf, members can enjoy a game of pickleball or tennis, swim in one of the three pools, or dine at the Press 63 restaurant. Over at Prairie Creek Park, there’s no membership needed to enjoy the natural recreational setting. Its forested hiking trails run parallel to the namesake creek, with multiple bridges throughout the park crisscrossing the water. A waterfall at the northern end of the greenbelt offers a great place to rest and enjoy the scenery from the manufactured rock overlook. There’s also a handful of smaller parks, including Canyon Creek Park, Point North Park and Custer Park. The neighborhood has its own small retail center, with spots like Eiland Coffee, a popular café with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. A few doors down is The Fifth: Fireside Patio and Bar with a large outdoor patio and stone fireplace. Here, locals especially enjoy the short ribs and the shrimp and grits. The center also has a boutique, salons and a beauty bar. Groceries are available at the local chain Tom Thumb, a sister chain to Albertsons. Richardson Plaza sits just outside the neighborhood with a trampoline park, furniture store and a few chain restaurants like McDonald's and Torchy's Tacos. There are also service providers, including a spa, salon and dance center. The President George Bush Turnpike and the Central Expressway are nearby, making it easy for Canyon Creek residents to get around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Downtown Dallas is about 15 to 25 miles away, and the trip will take 20 to 30 minutes. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about the same distance from Canyon Creek. Sidewalks throughout the neighborhood connect the neatly manicured lawns and provide walkability. Some homes are within walking distance of The University of Texas at Dallas. For public transportation, there are Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus stops around the neighborhood. The voluntary yet active Canyon Creek Homeowners Association hosts annual events and social gatherings. "Every year, they throw a Fourth of July parade,” Oakley says. “All the neighbors get involved and put their little flags out in the yard. If you drive through the neighborhood in June or July, you can see them.” Canyon Creek has a CAP Index crime score of 3, lower than the national average of 4.

The Reservation is a mix of suburbia and city all in one. It is situated right outside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, so residents have both the calm of a small-town neighborhood and the opportunities of a big city. Local Realtor Mike Ray with Compass Realty, who has over 30 years of experience, says The Reservation fits residents' lifestyle. "People are being pulled back to that area because it's centrally located. If you work in Dallas and don't want to commute, it's a really attractive area." In addition to its small-town atmosphere and central location, The Reservation offers some of Richardson's highest-rated schools and an abundance of amenities. Many of the homes that buyers will find here are midcentury ranch-style houses. A three-bedroom ranch-style home can cost anywhere from $450,000 to $550,000. Four-bedroom homes are often listed for more than $600,000. Homes are usually set back from the streets and have spacious front yards where residents set up chairs and patio furniture to sit and enjoy the quiet evenings. "It's a really special neighborhood. You'll see a lot of people sitting outside of their homes. You'll see children playing outside. It's pretty tight knit," says Tracy Cavazos, a Realtor with Compass Realty, who has over 10 years of experience. Sidewalks line the streets, and mature trees cast shade over the homes. Most homes have rear-entry garages that give an added layer of privacy. Some parts of the neighborhood have larger houses, often modern farmhouses with expansive front porches and aluminum siding. The newer, larger homes in the area are listed for over $1 million. Ray says the local schools are a significant reason people move to The Reservation. Students will likely attend Mohawk Elementary School, Richardson North Junior High School and Pearce High School. Mohawk Elementary is rated an A overall by Niche, and Ray says it is one of the highest-rated schools in the area. Richardson North Junior High School has an overall A-minus rating. Pearce High School is also rated an A overall. Students can enroll in the Mustang Collegiate Academy, which allows them to earn up to 60 college credits in high school. Residents can get outdoors at Mimosa Park, popular for its neighborhood sports. It has two lighted tennis courts and a lighted baseball field. There is also a walking path and a playground. The Greenwood Hills Community Center is a popular place to cool off during the summer. This social club has a swimming pool and sand volleyball courts. Memberships are available to residents of Dallas and Collin counties. Unlike city-owned pools, members of this club are allowed to bring in their own food and drinks as they spend time by the water. The Reservation is close to various retail and dining hubs, making it easy to run errands. With the neighborhood's central location, Ray says residents are just 15 minutes from anything they need. There is a Walmart Supercenter across Coit Road and a Target north of the neighborhood. Other popular stores nearby include HomeGoods, Marshalls and Ulta Beauty. For groceries, residents can choose from Sprouts Farmers Market or Tom Thumb, each located on Campbell Road. For a bite to eat, residents can stop in Café Gecko for American bar food like pizzas, burgers and tacos. Locals enjoy meeting up with friends for a meal and drinks on the expansive patio at this locally owned restaurant. There are also plenty of chain restaurants like Whataburger, Starbucks and Raising Cane's. The community has a convenient location within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It's close to the TEXpress and Highway 75, connecting to larger interstates and the surrounding areas. Residents are about 15 miles from downtown Dallas, 22 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and 42 miles from Fort Worth. The local highways make it easy to get around the entire metroplex. Offering a central location, excellent schools and a peaceful residential area, The Reservation provides suburban solace and urban convenience.

Convenience and community are at the heart of Richardson’s Greenwood Hills neighborhood. “Greenwood Hills is a tight-knit community in sought-after west Richardson,” says Realtor Angela Green of the GK Team at Keller Williams Central, adding that a number of modern-day amenities are close at hand. “University of Texas at Dallas, shopping and dining are all nearby,” she says. “The neighborhood even has a community club that has been a popular hangout for many years.” This, plus easy access to neighborhood parks and great schools in Richardson, makes Greenwood Hills a balanced suburban oasis in the Dallas Metroplex. Mature trees line the quiet neighborhood streets, casting shade down over the spacious front lawns and ranch homes, many of which were built in the 60s and feature mid-century or traditional styling. Many properties also have either front-facing or rear-entry built-in garages, allowing for off-street parking. With an average square footage of 1,711, home sizes range from three to five bedrooms, with prices starting at $230,000 and going up to $640,000. Greenwood Hills students are zoned to attend Richardson Independent School District, with schools including A-rated Mohawk Elementary and Northrich Elementary, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. Kids attend A-minus-rated Richardson Junior High School for seventh and eighth grade and advance to JJ Pearce High School. This A-rated school offers a collegiate academy that prepares students for college or entry-level careers in industries such as architecture, engineering, business and manufacturing. The neighborhood is also across the road from The University of Texas at Dallas campus. Situated next to Greenwood Hills Elementary School, Woodland Park is a small neighborhood green space that gives residents the opportunity to practice their throws at the lighted baseball field or engage in a pick-up soccer game at its soccer fields. The park has a short walking trail for some exercise and a playground for kids to explore. While Woodland Park’s amenities allow residents to get outside, the Greenwood Hills Community Club provides a respite from the hot Texas sun at its private swimming pool. Located on Waterview Drive, the social club offers memberships available to Dallas and Collin County residents, granting them access to the seasonally open pool, sand volleyball courts and the club’s many community events. Avid swimmers may also head south across Arapaho Road to the Heights Family Aquatic Center, a city-owned pool that also offers season passes or daily admissions. Pool-goers relax in the leisure pool, get exercise in the lap pool or enjoy thrills on the slides. Greenwood Hills’ convenient location gives residents the proximity to shopping centers along West Campbell Road and North Colt Road, such as Pavilion East Shopping Center and Lennox Center. The crossroad is home to grocery stores like Tom Thumb and Sprouts Farmers Market and national retailers such as Marshall’s, Target and Home Depot. Just south of Greenwood Hills, at Arapaho Village Shopping Center, residents can get a taste of the local community at neighborhood staples like Bella Flan Bakery and Café, which serves Cuban-style pastries. Realtor Green says Sueño across the street is a fan-favorite: "Sueño Modern Tex-Mex is a popular spot that has a great atmosphere, awesome food and amazing cocktails," she says. The brightly lit chic restaurant serves up signature dishes like birria tacos and enchiladas. For those looking to satiate their sweet tooth, local Realtor Brian Langus of Van Poole Properties has a recommendation: “Just down the street on Arapaho, you’ve got a place called Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream, which is a great locally owned ice cream shop.” Langus says the convenience and central location of Greenwood Hills is a draw for residents, with proximity to major thoroughfares like U.S. Route 75 and President George Bush Turnpike. “It’s easy to get anywhere you need to go in the Metroplex,” he says. “If you need to go to Plano, it’s 10 minutes up the road. If you’re looking to go downtown into Dallas, you can go on the tollway or 75.” Residents also get to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in less than 30 minutes.