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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Plano, TX

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The city of Plano, located in north Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, has the distinction of being recognized three separate times by CNN Money magazine, in 2005, 2006 and 2011, as the best place to live in the Western United States. Plano also ranked 11th on the 2006 list of best places to live in the entire country. This ideal city was named by Forbes 2011 as one of the safest cities in America, and as the wealthiest city in America by CNN Money and the United States Census Bureau in 2008. To add to that, Plano's schools routinely rank among the top schools in the nation. With its location being only a short distance from Dallas, the city has something to offer just about anyone. Visitors can also enjoy Texas' largest Hot Air Balloon Festival.

This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Plano. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Plano Climate

Plano's climate is primarily categorized as a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cool winter weather. Temperatures can often reach the triple digits during the hottest parts of the summer in July and August. However, during the winter, the weather is much milder, with temperatures usually staying in the 50s and 60s during the day and dropping into the 30s and 40s at night.

The city's location in north Texas means that it's often susceptible to strong thunderstorms during the spring. The maximum average precipitation during the course of the year usually occurs in May, when the city typically receives the most rainfall. Although snow is rare during the winter, it does happen occasionally.

Plano Geography and Neighborhoods

The city of Plano has a total area of 71.6 square miles. Although its name evokes images of flat, expansive plains that are characteristic of much of Texas, the city does have quite a few parks with abundant trees. The city also has a number of distinct and culturally diverse neighborhoods. Some of the neighboring towns and cities include Frisco to the north and Richardson to the south. The city of Dallas is located to the southwest of Plano, and Plano is considered a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Plano is the ninth most populous city in the state of Texas.

Living Costs in the City

Plano is located in an excellent location within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and its proximity to the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth contribute to the cost of living in the city, as does the quality of education and other amenities that can be found in the city, routinely ranked as one of the wealthiest in the nation. The costs of living in Plano are high when compared to other similar cities throughout the region, and the price of rent is higher than average throughout most of Plano, as are the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities.

The median family income in Plano is $110,799, which is almost double the national average for median family income. The median home price for an average home in Plano is around $202,181, also well above the national average, but on par with similar real estate prices that exist in other major cities throughout the country.

Registering Your Car

The first few weeks can be a busy time for anyone who is new to Texas. One must make sure to register their vehicle as soon as they can. In order to do that one can find a local car service provider who will inspect your vehicle. There are also vehicle inspection stations available where one must show detailed proof of adequate insurance and your driver's license.

Upon moving to Texas, one must also apply for a Texas Driver's license. One must go to a driver's license division office of the Texas Department of Public safety. Unless you are a student or a military member you must submit any existing license and apply for a new license here. One has 90 days upon arrival to have a Texas driver's license. You must also make sure to learn about the Texas point system as getting a ticket in Texas can be very expensive.

Plano Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Plano, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Texas. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Plano Schools

With over 53 percent of Plano residents having a bachelor's degree or higher, Plano is consistently recognized as having one of the best education systems in the country. A major part of that can be attributed to the Plano Independent School District, which is comprised of 70 public elementary, middle and high schools, and 16 private schools. In addition, Plano is also home to campuses of several different colleges and universities which include Collin College, Southern Methodist University, and the University of North Texas, while the University of Texas at Dallas is also located nearby.

Plano Employment

Plano was recently ranked as the Best City to Build Personal Wealth by Salary.com and is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies. Also, due to its proximity to Dallas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the city experiences a high annual influx of business travelers, with almost 80 percent of the people who visit Plano doing so for business-related reasons. Plano's proximity to Dallas is also one of the main reasons why so many corporations are headquartered in the city.

The current unemployment rate is right around 5.5 percent as of April 2013, lower than the national unemployment rate, and the job growth rate is soaring at 28.33 percent. Some of the city's top employers include J.C. Penney, Frito-Lay, Texas Instruments, Capital One, EDS, and St. Jude Medical. The city is also home to many corporate headquarters such as Alliance Data, Cinemark Theatres, Dell Services, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Ericsson, Frito-Lay, HP Enterprise Services, Huawei, J. C. Penney, Pizza Hut, Rent-A-Center, Traxxas, and Siemens PLM Software.

Public Transportation

The public transportation system in Plano is regulated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. Previously, Plano was only served by bus service within the city, but recently light rail service was also added, which serves most of the commuters.

The closest major airport is the Fort Worth International Airport which is located between the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas and is the eighth busiest airport in the world based on passenger traffic. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and features flights to over 200 destinations around the world, including domestic and international.

Culture and Contemporary Life

The city of Plano has a little something to offer everyone, and its location within one of the largest metropolitan areas in the state of Texas and the country means that residents of Plano have relatively easy access to the thrills and entertainment options offered by nearby Dallas, as well as the unique experiences that can be found in Plano. The city's most popular cultural events include the hugely successful Plano Balloon Festival and the Plano International Festival, which are Plano's premiere cultural events. In addition, the city boasts of a number of parks with huge trees providing much needed shade to help you escape the hot Texas sun and enjoy the great outdoors.

Moving to Plano

Whatever your reasons for moving to Plano, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Plano is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.

Robert Moreschi  Posted by Robert Moreschi on July 8, 2013

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