Why People LOVE Living in Frisco, Texas
Frisco, Texas, has become one of the most talked-about suburbs in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. From its prime location just 25 miles north of Downtown Dallas, to its top-rated school system, world-class shopping, thriving new construction communities, entertainment venues, and the arrival of major sports organizations such as the PGA headquarters—there’s a whole lot going on in this city. In fact, many residents see Frisco as its own vibrant hub within North Texas, loaded with amenities, opportunity, and some of the most desirable real estate in the region.
In this article, we’ll explore every angle of Frisco living. Whether you’re dreaming of a spacious home for your family, a lock-and-leave condo near the center of the action, or a multimillion-dollar estate backing onto a golf course, you’ll find options in Frisco. But more importantly, you’ll find a dynamic community—home to countless corporate relocations, entertainment districts, and neighbors who quickly become friends.
Below, you will find the ultimate guide to Frisco, laid out under major headings that mirror the topics covered in our in-depth video on the same subject. We’ll dive into Frisco’s unique vibe, cover essential stats such as location, population growth, housing costs, major new developments (including The Fields and its sub-communities), top-rated schools, plus insights into traffic and commuting. By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of why so many people are choosing to call Frisco, Texas, home—and whether it might be the perfect fit for you as well.
Introduction
Why Frisco, Texas Is on Everyone’s Radar
Frisco’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. Although it was once a modest railroad town nestled in the farmland north of Dallas, it has gradually transformed into a major suburban destination. The city has captured countless “fastest-growing” and “best place to live” accolades over the years, and it’s not just Texans noticing: Frisco consistently shows up on national lists ranking growth, affordability, and overall quality of life.
Key Reasons Frisco Is So Popular
Economic Growth: Job opportunities abound thanks to corporate relocations and the arrival of large franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters (The Star), the PGA headquarters, and a forthcoming Universal-themed kids’ park just minutes away (in neighboring areas).
Education: Frisco ISD is well-known across Texas (and even nationwide) for smaller class sizes, new facilities, and high academic performance.
Amenities & Lifestyle: Residents praise the local shopping, dining, sports, and entertainment offerings—from Stonebriar Centre to boutique shops, endless local restaurants, minor and major league sports, and a broad range of recreational outlets.
Location: Being positioned along major highways—Dallas North Tollway and State Highway 121—means you can access Dallas, Fort Worth, multiple airports, and other suburbs in a snap (traffic permitting, of course).
Housing Diversity: There truly is something for everyone. Townhomes under $300,000 exist alongside sprawling multimillion-dollar custom homes, with plenty in between for families, singles, and retirees.
It’s these fundamentals—plus a sense of community pride and continuous investment by city leaders—that make Frisco a magnet for people moving from within the DFW area, as well as from across the country (and even the world).
Frisco’s Prime Location
Proximity to Downtown Dallas and Major Airports
One of Frisco’s strongest selling points is its convenient location within North Texas. If you draw a line directly north from downtown Dallas, you’ll land on Frisco. It is roughly:
25 miles north of Dallas’s Central Business District
About 24 miles to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Roughly the same distance (20–25 miles) to Love Field Airport in Dallas
On good traffic days, you can be in the heart of downtown Dallas in about 30 minutes. That proximity is a considerable draw for professionals wanting suburban living while maintaining relatively easy access to the city’s central hub and major employment centers in Dallas or even beyond. Additionally, it places you near major sports arenas, cultural attractions, and nightlife in the downtown area—if that’s part of your lifestyle.
Surrounding Suburbs and Nearby Cities
Frisco is bordered by several other noteworthy suburban cities, each with its own identity and unique benefits:
Plano: Immediately south of Frisco, Plano is known for its own corporate epicenter (including the Legacy West area) and robust local economy.
The Colony: Also south, The Colony is close to Lake Lewisville and is home to top-tier shopping destinations like Grandscape.
McKinney: Positioned east of Frisco, McKinney has an award-winning historic downtown, charming neighborhoods, and a rapidly growing population.
Prosper: North of Frisco, Prosper offers a more rural or exurban vibe, larger home lots, and is also experiencing a massive growth spurt.
Little Elm: A lakeside community west of Frisco, Little Elm features significant waterfront real estate along Lake Lewisville.
Frisco’s location is so central to these other high-growth areas that some people joke it’s becoming “Dallas–Fort Worth–Frisco”—pointing out that the city has grown so large it almost operates as a central hub of its own.
Rapid Growth and Community Vibe
From Railroad Town to Thriving Metro
Frisco’s origin story begins with the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway line, from which the city takes its name (originally “Frisco City,” shortened to “Frisco”). In its early days, Frisco was little more than farmland bisected by the railroad. Throughout most of the 20th century, it remained a modest agricultural community, overshadowed by nearby cities like Plano and McKinney.
However, as the greater Dallas area began booming in the 1980s and 1990s, suburbs north of Dallas started attracting both families and businesses looking for space, modern infrastructure, and a slower pace of life without abandoning big-city conveniences. Frisco seized that opportunity, investing heavily in infrastructure, roads, schools, parks, and business-friendly policies that encouraged commercial development.
Population Boom and Future Outlook
The most telling measure of Frisco’s success is its population explosion. According to the 2010 census, there were just around 116,000 residents. Since then, the city has nearly doubled in population, surpassing 200,000 people by the mid-2020s. Current estimates put it at around 230,000 and growing, making it one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States.
What’s Driving This Boom?
Ongoing Corporate Relocations: Dallas–Fort Worth is a hub for finance, technology, healthcare, logistics, and more. Many companies find Frisco an ideal place to set up, given its brand-new office spaces, proximity to thoroughfares, and access to an educated workforce.
Quality of Life: High-caliber schools, ample parks, and a family-friendly environment—plus endless entertainment—are strong magnets for growth.
Mixed-Use Developments: Projects like The Fields and others bring in housing, retail, and office space, accelerating the local real estate cycle.
City planners fully expect Frisco’s growth to continue, with new residential developments popping up on all sides of town. This means homebuyers can still find new construction, while the resale market for older, established homes remains robust. The city’s ultimate population capacity is projected to be much higher, so there’s no indication that development will slow anytime soon.
Traffic and Accessibility
Main Highways and Commuting Factors
With rapid growth comes increased demand on roads. Frisco has several major arteries:
Dallas North Tollway (DNT): Running north-south, the DNT connects Frisco to downtown Dallas. It’s a key commuter route.
State Highway 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway): Another major east-west corridor, linking Frisco to McKinney, Plano, The Colony, and beyond.
US Highway 380: Marks much of Frisco’s northern boundary, leading out toward Prosper, Celina, and Denton County to the west.
For many residents, the ease of hopping onto either the Tollway or Highway 121 is a primary reason to choose Frisco. However, the city’s roads get extremely busy, especially during peak rush-hour times (7:00–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m.), and even outside those windows you’ll find certain intersections bustling.
Navigating Busy Streets and Peak Times
Locals frequently comment on how traffic in Frisco seems to be constant—even midday. Part of this is due to the city’s suburban design. Numerous commercial plazas, restaurants, big-box stores, and schools all feed into a limited network of major roads. While the city continues to widen roads, upgrade traffic lights, and create new thoroughfares, the pace of growth sometimes feels faster than the pace of infrastructure improvement.
Tips for Navigating Frisco Traffic:
Use Alternate Routes: Learn the neighborhoods and side streets to avoid the main traffic arteries, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times.
Check Rush-Hour Patterns: If you’re commuting to Dallas, leaving before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m. can drastically reduce your drive time.
Embrace Remote or Flex Work: Many Frisco residents try to minimize daily commuting by working from home part of the week or choosing local co-working spaces near home.
Despite the congestion, Frisco’s location and road network remain a selling point, especially compared to even further-flung suburbs. Road expansions will continue, but if you prefer a quieter, slower vibe, you can also explore some of the surrounding areas or the more northern reaches of the city, where development is still catching up.
Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment
Stonebriar Centre and Major Retail Areas
For those who love having retail therapy and dining options right at their doorstep, Frisco is hard to beat. At the heart of the city’s commercial corridor is Stonebriar Centre, one of North Texas’s premier shopping malls, featuring:
Major department stores like Nordstrom, Dillard’s, and Macy’s
A wide range of specialty retailers, from fashion to electronics
An AMC movie theater
Family-friendly features such as a children’s play area
Stonebriar Centre, located near the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and SH-121, is surrounded by additional retail, including Ikea, Best Buy, Target, and specialty strip malls with diverse dining. One of the joys of living in Frisco is that you rarely have to drive more than 15 minutes to find a new restaurant, grocery store, or specialized service.
Boutique Shops, Strip Malls, and Future Retail
Beyond the big-box stores, Frisco has an ever-growing selection of boutique shops and locally owned businesses. Venture toward historic Main Street to explore local retailers offering handcrafted goods, unique clothing, antiques, and more. Newer lifestyle centers also combine residential space with ground-level shops and eateries, creating walkable pockets in an otherwise car-centric suburb.
Notable Retail & Dining Districts:
Frisco Square: The civic heart of Frisco, near City Hall, the public library, and some dining/boutique options.
The Star: The Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters, which includes shops, restaurants, and a public event space.
Future Development: The Fields will ultimately incorporate high-end retail, restaurants, and entertainment, adding to the city’s robust array of options.
Other Upcoming Developments Driving Growth
The Fields is perhaps the largest development on everyone’s radar (we’ll discuss it in more depth in the Housing section), but it’s far from the only one. Frisco’s city planners have encouraged mixed-use projects across the city, blending commercial, retail, and residential spaces. The result is that each section of Frisco increasingly has its own cluster of shops and dining, allowing residents to meet most of their needs without traveling to the city center or big malls.
Key Growth Areas:
Along the Dallas North Tollway corridor, where major office campuses and corporate relocations continue to break ground.
West Frisco, near Teel Parkway and FM 423, which is transitioning from farmland to neighborhoods, shops, and schools.
The North Platinum Corridor around US 380, bridging Frisco and Prosper.
All these new developments mean more restaurants, new entertainment venues, and ongoing opportunities for small businesses to set up shop. As a future resident, you’ll find that even if you move to a “less built-out” part of Frisco, it likely won’t stay that way for long.
Housing Options in Frisco
One of the biggest draws to Frisco is the abundance of housing choices spanning every style, size, and price point. Whether you’re looking for a cozy townhouse, a mid-range single-family property in an established neighborhood, or a gated estate in a high-end subdivision, Frisco has you covered. Let’s break down these options one by one.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR MAIN FRISCO TEXAS PAGE WITH HOMES FOR SALE AND MARKET TRENDS!
Entry-Level and Mid-Range Properties
Townhomes and Condos Under $300K
Believe it or not, Frisco still has some entry-level price points. Although it’s becoming rarer due to escalating land values and high demand, you can occasionally find a small condo or a townhouse:
Starting around $290K to $300K
Usually 1,000–1,500 square feet
Often in established complexes or smaller developments near the southern edge of Frisco
These units are ideal for singles, young couples, or investors looking for rental opportunities. Expect a townhome to have one to three bedrooms, often two stories, and possibly a small yard or patio area. Condos typically feature shared amenities like pools, gyms, and common maintenance. Because Frisco is a high-demand market, any property in this range tends to move quickly, so be prepared to act fast if you see one you love.
Older, Established Neighborhoods ($500K–$800K Range)
Frisco isn’t just new construction. There are also established communities built in the 1990s and early 2000s, featuring:
Brick exteriors and traditional Texan architectural styles
Rear-entry garages in many cases, which preserve the street-facing facade but reduce backyard space
Mature trees, giving these areas a well-landscaped feel compared to brand-new developments
Neighborhoods built 10–20+ years ago often have more expansive lot sizes, with tall trees providing shade—particularly welcome during Frisco’s hot summers. You might find:
3–5 bedroom homes, typically 2,000–4,000 square feet
A range of price points from the high $400Ks up to $800K, depending on updates and location
Established HOAs offering amenities like pools, walking trails, and neighborhood parks
For families who prefer a sense of “community maturity,” these older developments hold strong appeal. The yards are often bigger, and you don’t have the constant construction noise that can sometimes accompany newly developing areas.
The Fields
If you’ve done any research on Frisco, you’ve almost certainly heard mention of The Fields. This master-planned development is immense, promising to transform a huge swath of land into an ambitious, mixed-use environment with homes, retail, offices, parks, trail systems, and more. Think of it as a future city-within-a-city.
Brookside
Brookside is the first main residential section within The Fields to open. Its developers envisioned a resort-style, amenity-rich community, featuring:
State-of-the-art amenity center with a pool, fitness area, and various event spaces
Walking trails, including those that pass through scenic terrain (some with gentle rolling hills—a rarity in North Texas)
A range of home prices (from mid-$700Ks for smaller floorplans to multi-million-dollar estate lots)
Homes in Brookside often feature modern, open-concept designs with high-end finishes. Builders in the area include some of the region’s most well-respected names, ensuring that design, quality, and style remain top-notch. Although the lots in some sections might be modest, Brookside places a premium on shared green spaces and walkability, making it attractive to families and retirees alike.
The Preserve
Positioned on the northwest side of The Fields is The Preserve, the ultra-luxury zone for those seeking custom estate homes and a truly exclusive address. Highlights include:
Guard-gated entrances for privacy and security
Golf course frontage for select homes backing up to the new PGA golf courses
Price tags easily reaching several million dollars
The Preserve is anticipated to attract high-profile buyers, including professional athletes, local celebrities, and executives seeking a showpiece property. While lot sizes may still be smaller than you’d expect in rural areas, you’re paying for the prestige and exclusivity of living near a top-tier golf resort, plus the best of what The Fields development will eventually offer: world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and direct connectivity via golf cart or footpaths to the rest of Frisco.
Amenities and Lifestyle at The Fields
Golf-cart-friendly roads and underpasses that allow you to traverse the community without going on major streets
Extensive walking and biking trails, including tunnels under major roads for safe commuting by foot or bike
Retail and dining integrated into the community, plus an ongoing plan for more shops, office space, and possibly hotels or other recreational opportunities
Overall, The Fields is one of the largest and most ambitious developments in Frisco’s history. With its mix of residential sections, from Brookside to The Preserve, it offers something for a wide range of budgets—though it notably leans more upscale, reflecting the premium placed on new land in Frisco.
Lexington
Another master-planned community on the east side of Frisco is Lexington, covering about 950 acres and slated to include over 2,000 homes once fully built out. Lexington offers:
Multiple lot sizes (37-foot, 40-foot, 55-foot, 73-foot, etc.)
Builders such as Landon Homes and Toll Brothers, each known for higher-end finishes and flexible floor plans
Pricing starting around $700K and stretching to $1 million+, especially for premium lots or larger footprints
Lexington’s amenity center is a major selling point. Residents enjoy:
A resort-style pool with a sun deck, seating, and scenic views
An event clubhouse hosting neighborhood gatherings, holiday parties, and fitness classes
Green spaces integrated throughout the community, along with walking trails and playgrounds
Because of its location near Coit Road and other significant thoroughfares, Lexington allows quicker access to the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121) if you need to get to Plano, Allen, or McKinney. For families with children, multiple Frisco ISD schools are nearby, and the entire area is replete with shopping centers and restaurants—ensuring daily conveniences are just a few minutes away.
Villages on Main
Positioned near the heart of Frisco, the Villages on Main is a mixed-use development that merges urban-style living with suburban convenience. This community offers several different product types:
Townhomes starting in the mid-$400K range
40-foot single-family lots
55-foot single-family lots
The townhomes often overlook a central green space, providing a park-like view right outside the front door. Meanwhile, the 40-foot and 55-foot homes are arranged throughout the perimeter. The Villages on Main is designed to feel walkable and neighborhood-focused, with sidewalks, trails, and possibly future commercial or retail components within close range.
For buyers seeking new construction under $500K, these townhomes represent a rare opportunity, especially in a city where many new builds start well over $600K. Keep an eye out for builder incentives—it’s not uncommon to see closing cost contributions, interest rate buydowns, or design center upgrades offered to sweeten the deal.
Luxury Estates and Custom Builds
Finally, it wouldn’t be Frisco without mentioning the ultra-luxury sector. Some neighborhoods cater specifically to those wanting:
Estate-sized lots with room for pools, outdoor kitchens, and sprawling gardens
Custom architectural styles (Tuscan, Modern Farmhouse, Contemporary, Mediterranean, etc.)
High-end finishes such as marble floors, custom cabinetry, and top-of-the-line appliances
Exclusive gated communities in Frisco often sell for $1 million and up, with many homes surpassing $2–$3 million, especially those built recently or boasting prime golf course views. These enclaves sometimes include private amenities for residents, such as:
Guard or gatehouses
Private lakes or water features
Memberships to on-site golf clubs
Concierge services for community events
For affluent buyers, Frisco offers a prestige address with excellent connectivity, top-tier schools (if they have a family), and a short distance to everything Dallas has to offer. That combination keeps demand high for these properties, even as real estate cycles wax and wane.
PGA Headquarters and Omni Hotel
Frisco’s Emergence as a Sports Hub
One of Frisco’s defining characteristics is its investment in sports. The city is already home to:
The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and practice facility
Toyota Stadium, hosting FC Dallas soccer matches
Riders Field, home of the Frisco RoughRiders (a minor league baseball team)
However, the PGA of America relocating its headquarters to Frisco is a game-changer. Anchored by the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort, this 600-acre complex features:
Two championship golf courses (the East Course and the West Course)
A state-of-the-art PGA coaching center
A 500-room Omni hotel with multiple restaurants, pools, and event spaces
For golf enthusiasts, this means major tournaments—possibly including the PGA Championship—will come to Frisco. It creates jobs, boosts tourism, and cements Frisco’s reputation as a national sports destination. Having the headquarters of the PGA in your backyard also means local residents might spot golf pros or participate in special clinics, events, and experiences throughout the year.
Local Economic and Entertainment Impacts
Beyond just golf, the presence of the Omni PGA Frisco Resort means big things for the local economy:
Job Creation: Hospitality, management, golf course staffing, retail, and other support services.
Increased Tourism: Visitors attending tournaments, conventions, or simply wanting a golf vacation in North Texas.
Spillover Effects: More restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options springing up around the PGA District to cater to tourists and locals.
The PGA District includes a mini-golf-style entertainment zone, reminiscent of Topgolf, but integrated with advanced simulators, teaching labs, dining areas, and social lounges. All of this is designed to be family-friendly and easily accessible—even if you’re not a hardcore golfer.
Residents can expect some traffic spikes around major events, similar to how The Star area gets busy on game days. However, many see it as a welcome trade-off for being part of such an exciting, high-profile project that puts Frisco on the map globally.
Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Living
Limestone Quarry Park and Other Hidden Gems
Frisco does an excellent job of providing outdoor recreational areas amidst its rapid urbanization. One of the best examples is Limestone Quarry Park, located on the southeast side of the city. Key highlights:
Playground near an elementary school, perfect for family outings
Over 3 miles of running or walking trails, weaving through scenic spots
A shallow creek and waterfall area where families can cool off in summer
The hidden waterfall area is especially popular when Texas temperatures soar. Parents bring little ones to splash around, skip rocks, and enjoy a more natural environment than a crowded public pool. Limestone Quarry Park is just one of 60+ parks that Frisco maintains, ranging from small neighborhood playgrounds to expansive community parks with ball fields and sports facilities.
Extensive Trails and Recreation Facilities
In addition to numerous parks, Frisco also offers over 90 miles of hike-and-bike trails (and counting). The city’s Parks & Recreation department continually expands and connects these trails, enabling you to:
Commute or run errands by bike if you live nearby
Walk dogs, jog, or take leisurely strolls away from busy streets
Explore wooded areas, open prairies, and greenbelts that break up the suburban sprawl
For organized sports and recreation, Frisco has:
Warren Sports Complex: Featuring lighted baseball and softball fields, soccer pitches, and fishing ponds.
Frisco Athletic Center: A large city-run facility with indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, a fitness area, and group classes.
Frisco Commons Park: A well-known community hub with a stocked fishing pond, amphitheater, playground, and large pavilion spaces for events.
Outdoor living is a big part of Frisco’s lifestyle, which surprises some newcomers who might assume it’s just highways and suburbs. The city invests considerably in green spaces to ensure families, retirees, and young professionals can all maintain an active, healthy lifestyle close to home.
Frisco ISD and Top-Rated Schools
Frisco ISD School Ratings from Niche.com
School Sizes, Campuses, and Standout Features
If you ask any Frisco real estate agent why so many families move here, Frisco ISD inevitably tops the list. The district is lauded for keeping campuses relatively small despite high enrollment numbers overall. Instead of building mega-high schools with 5,000 students, they prefer more manageable enrollments, ensuring more individualized attention.
Current stats:
12 high schools (with more on the way as population increases)
17 middle schools
43 elementary schools
While these numbers are large, they’re distributed so that each school has a more intimate feel. Parents frequently comment that teachers, coaches, and counselors seem very accessible. School facilities are also modern and well-equipped, as many campuses have been built or refurbished within the last 10–15 years.
Academics and Extracurriculars:
High performance on state testing and college readiness metrics
Robust extracurriculars such as athletics, band, theater, and STEM clubs
Many schools partner with local businesses or the city for internship opportunities, specialized academies, and community involvement
Future School Expansion Plans
Because Frisco’s population continues to grow, the district regularly evaluates the need for new campuses. Each master-planned community, like The Fields or Lexington, usually carves out land for future elementary or middle schools within its boundaries. This close collaboration between developers and the district ensures that new residents won’t overwhelm existing facilities.
Families moving to Frisco can check Frisco ISD’s zoning maps online or speak to the local schools to confirm the assigned campus. As new schools open, attendance boundaries sometimes shift—although the district tries to minimize disruption. Overall, Frisco ISD’s approach to scaled-out growth is a major incentive for families wanting a consistent, high-quality education for their children.
Conclusion
Why Frisco Continues to Shine as a Top Dallas Suburb
Putting it all together:
Location: Quick access to major highways, airports, and surrounding cities means convenience for commuters and weekend adventurers alike.
Rapid Development: Frisco’s forward-thinking approach to mixed-use projects, sports, and commercial hubs keeps creating jobs and recreational outlets.
Diverse Housing: From under-$300K townhomes to multi-million-dollar golf course estates, home options exist for practically every budget and taste.
Top-Rated Schools: Frisco ISD’s commitment to smaller schools, modern facilities, and academic excellence draws in families from all over.
Lifestyle & Amenities: Parks, trails, extensive dining and shopping, plus sports and entertainment galore ensure you’ll never be bored in Frisco.
Residents enjoy a sense of pride in their city—there’s a collective energy here that’s hard to replicate. Local leaders and developers consistently invest in infrastructure, ensuring Frisco remains not just a suburban offshoot of Dallas, but rather a well-rounded city in its own right.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps for Moving to Frisco
If you’re considering Frisco, the next steps might include:
Exploring neighborhoods in person or scheduling virtual tours, especially if you’re relocating from out-of-state.
Researching Frisco ISD to see how the schools might align with your children’s needs—or looking into private or charter schools nearby if preferred.
Working with a local real estate expert who can guide you through new construction incentives, builder reputations, and resale market trends in different parts of the city.
Weighing commute times and proximity to the amenities most important to you (e.g., shopping, dining, parks, or a specific workplace).
Frisco has changed dramatically over the past decade, and it’s on pace to keep expanding. Whether you’re drawn by the economic opportunity, the family-focused neighborhoods, the exceptional school system, or the endless entertainment options, you’ll find a place to belong here.
Ultimately, there’s no shortage of reasons why people love living in Frisco, Texas—and they’re not shy about saying so. If you’re ready to explore your own move, don’t hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable real estate professional who can help you pinpoint the perfect location and make the process as seamless as possible.
Thank you for reading this extensive guide! We hope it offers valuable insights into life in Frisco and helps you determine whether it’s the right city for you and your family. If you have any further questions or want personalized advice regarding a move to Frisco, don’t hesitate to get in touch!