Mariela Lovo OlREALTOR® Español
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Collin and Denton counties · TX

Pros and cons of moving to Plano

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The pros and cons of moving to Plano, TX come down to an established, built-out city with rail and big job centers. Here is a balanced look before you tour.

Pro: Does Plano have rail transit?

Yes. DART's Red and Orange lines stop at Downtown Plano and Parker Road stations. The Silver Line runs from Shiloh Road Station to DFW Airport Terminal B. In 2026 the City signed a new deal with DART and canceled a vote on leaving the system.

Pro: Are there major job centers nearby?

The Legacy area along the Dallas North Tollway holds large employers and Legacy West. The City's Legacy Circulator shuttle serves it. US 75, the tollway and two other toll roads frame the city.

Pro: What parks and preserves does Plano have?

Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve covers 800 acres with about 13 miles of trails. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve adds 200 acres with an observation tower. The City also runs recreation centers and five library branches.

Pro: What homestead relief does Plano offer?

The City gives a 20% homestead exemption. Owners 65 and older or disabled get $40,000 more. Owners 65 and older also get a city tax freeze.

Pro: What arts and events does Plano offer?

Downtown's arts district has the Courtyard Theater and outdoor stages. The Dickens in Downtown Plano festival fills the streets each December. Oak Point Park hosted the Plano Balloon Festival in September 2026.

Pro: Is medical care close by?

Texas Health Plano and Medical City Plano are both in the city, so hospital care is a short drive for most addresses. Confirm which facilities are in your insurance network.

Con: Are most Plano homes older?

Plano is largely built out. It grew only about 3% from 2020 to July 2025. Most homes for sale are resales. Budget for roof, HVAC and plumbing updates, and review foundation records.

Con: How much road work is there?

Highway and arterial projects are common, such as the Parker Road bridge replacement near US 75. Check the City's construction updates and drive your commute at rush hour.

Sign up for City construction updates so closures near your route do not surprise you.

Con: Do new homes carry PIDs?

Yes. New construction at Collin Creek and Haggard Farm sits in PIDs, and Downtown Plano has its own PID. That adds an assessment in addition to regular taxes.

Before you compare a new home with a resale, ask for the PID notice. Also ask for the yearly installment and the payoff amount.

Con: What weather and utility quirks should I know?

Spring storms bring hail and tornado warnings. The City has 43 outdoor warning sirens. Some addresses are in CoServ Electric territory, where you cannot pick a retail electricity provider.

Compare the cost of living in Plano, read the Plano community guide or weigh the pros and cons of Frisco.

Common questions

What are the downsides of living in Plano?

Buyers often weigh an older resale housing stock, frequent road work, PID assessments on new homes and hail risk. Some addresses also cannot choose an electricity provider because CoServ serves them.

Is Plano connected to DFW Airport by train?

Yes. DART's Silver Line runs from Shiloh Road Station in Plano to DFW Airport Terminal B. You transfer at 12th Street Station near downtown.

Is Plano still growing?

Slowly. The Census Bureau estimates Plano grew about 3% from 2020 to July 2025, because little open land is left. New homes come mainly from redevelopment.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Plano city, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Plano, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Taxes and Fees (2025 local tax rates and general homestead exemptions), City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Property Tax Information for Seniors, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  5. New Student Online Enrollment and Annual Registration, Plano ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  6. SchoolFinder, Plano ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Academy Programs of Plano, Plano ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  8. School Locator, Lewisville ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Attendance Zones, Frisco ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Allen ISD home page (Find Your School), Allen ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Highway Construction Updates, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Downtown Plano Station, DART (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Parker Road Station, DART (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Silver Line, DART (read 2026-09-24)
  15. DART Transit Agreement, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Legacy West Circulator, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Plano Water Resources, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Residential Trash and Recycling Services, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Utilities Frequently Asked Questions, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Emergency Warnings, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Historic Downtown Plano, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Public Improvement Districts, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Live - Collin Creek, Collin Creek (Centurion American) (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Haggard Farm PID Service and Assessment Plan, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Haggard Farm, Haggard Farm (developer site) (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Floodplain Information, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  32. NTTA home page (TollTag and ZipCash), North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Texas Public Schools (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Why Texas, Office of the Texas Governor, Economic Development and Tourism (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Valuing Property (homestead 10 percent limit; circuit breaker limitation), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026 (city rates), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Swimming Pool Safety & Inspections, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 – Pool Yard Enclosures, Texas Legislature (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Deep Soil Mixing Technology for Mitigation of Pavement Roughness (Report 0-5179-1), Texas Department of Transportation / Texas A&M Transportation Institute (read 2026-09-24)
  43. Windrose Tower Residences at Legacy West, Windrose Tower (developer site) (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Property Code Section 82.157 – Resales of Units (condominium resale certificate), Texas Legislature (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  45. Property Code Section 207.003 – Delivery of Subdivision Information (HOA resale certificate), Texas Legislature (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  46. Plano ISD accountability overview, Texas Education Agency (TXschools.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  47. Lewisville ISD accountability overview, Texas Education Agency (TXschools.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Frisco ISD accountability overview, Texas Education Agency (TXschools.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  49. Allen ISD accountability overview, Texas Education Agency (TXschools.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  50. Sign Up for Plano City Call, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  51. Dickens in Downtown Plano, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  52. Arts & Events Venues, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  53. Texas Health Plano, Texas Health Resources (read 2026-09-24)
  54. Medical City Plano, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  55. Legacy Trail, City of Plano (read 2026-09-24)
  56. Hours & Directions, Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.