Thinking about relocating or moving to McKinney Texas and want to know what it is like living in McKinney Texas? Hit the streets with us on a full vlog tour of McKinney TX (below) so you can see for yourself what it is like living in McKinney. We’ll show you what the McKinney Texas homes and neighborhoods look like, we’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of living in McKinney, as well as some of the intricacies of living in McKinney Texas (I was born and raised here) that you might not hear about anywhere else…

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McKinney is one of the fastest growing cities in America, and for good reason as you’ll discover! McKinney has come a long way since starting out as one of Texas’ oldest small towns. It is now very much a booming city and is one of the best suburbs in Dallas. It is consistently ranked as one of the best areas to live in the country because of its affordable living, excellent schools, low crime, signature neighborhoods and much more. From a thriving economy to a rich history, an eclectic art scene, to a vibrant nightlife and warm community spirit, it’s no wonder why so many folks are attracted to this special place.

There is a lot of charm packed into this city. From the historic downtown square, to the historic homes that surround that square, all the way to its individual neighborhoods. It is a family friendly suburb with great schools across the board. It offers a unique blend of amenities and high quality of life that is sure to please. McKinney has also been named several times as one of the best cities to live in and work in the country.

You’ll definitely find some great homes for sale here in McKinney, but if you need help navigating the Dallas Texas real estate market, our team of professional advisors are very skilled at negotiating and have been winning deals on the first try, yes even in McKinney! So contact us right now and we’d be happy to help you make it a smooth experience when moving to the Dallas Fort Worth Texas metroplex.

historic downtown mckinney texas — Historic Downtown McKinney

PROS AND CONS OF McKINNEY TX

THE PROS

Rated one of the top places to live in America – for the following reasons:

Schools – #17 ranked school district in Dallas Fort Worth and an A+ rating by Niche. Parts of McKinney will feed into the highly desirable Frisco and Prosper ISD’s.

Location – Having Frisco, Plano, Prosper and Allen as your neighbors is a pretty good gig. This means you’re going to have a grocery store nearby, and a lot of options for things to do. It will be hard to be bored in McKinney. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for within a few minutes, it’s almost guaranteed to be in one of the neighboring suburbs mentioned.

Historic Downtown – Downtown McKinney is legit. It is a major hotspot that dates back to 1848 that hosts all sorts of shops, restaurants, antique stores, craft shops, art galleries, and is just a cool place to hang out.

Masterplanned Communities – With masterplanned communities that offer pools, clubhouses, on-site workout gyms, tennis courts and more – settling into one of McKinney’s neighborhoods can offer a high quality of life. When looking at real estate in McKinney, you have a variety of options to choose from. From condos to multi-bedroom homes – you will find an assortment of styles, colors and floor plans. In the event you don’t find what you’re looking for, there are highly recommended builders in the area who can create the dream home you want.

Safety – The crime rate is 54% lower than the national average. McKinney is known for quiet neighborhoods that are family friendly.

Job Market – Of course you have Frisco and Plano about 10 minutes away (depending on where you are in McKinney) which is projected to have more square footage of office space than downtown Dallas in the next 5 years. But McKinney stands on its own. With a thriving tech scene and a long history of manufacturing, not to mention a strong presence of healthcare, insurance and financial sectors – there are plenty of jobs in McKinney.

Variety Of Things To Do – Tons of golf courses (including where the Byron Nelson PGA Event is held at TPC Craig Ranch), parks, catch and release ponds, 60+ miles of biking and hiking trails (not the norm compared to other suburbs).

Warm Community – Even though the population is approaching 200k, there is still a quaint, small town vibe. McKinney truly is distinctive and one of the most special places to live in Texas.

Clean – Has a “new” feel. Street cleaners keep the streets clean, and reasonable HOAs translates to tidy yards.

Low Traffic – Traffic really isn’t that bad. It is mostly contained to the highways during rush hour and even then, Dallas traffic is nothing compared to the likes of LA, Chicago, New York, etc. (Especially when you know all the back roads like us 😉

THE CONS

Cost Of Living – McKinney is popular. Where there is demand, there is competition. Where there is competition, there are higher prices.

Developing – While it has largely been built up, there are still pockets of construction happening.

Location – While being close to Frisco, Prosper, Plano and Allen is nice – you’re still a good hike from Dallas if you want to go downtown. Same for the airport – 30 minutes isn’t exactly “close” in my book.

Lack Of Public Transportation – A few bus routes exist but if you’re depending on public transportation to get around, it will be a challenge. You really need a car in McKinney.

Lower Diversity – More than 76% of the population is white, followed by 12% black and 7% asian.

Dallas Weather – The summers are hot. But if you can get through July and August, you’ll be fine. You’ll actually probably end up loving it like the rest of us 🙂

HOMES FOR SALE IN McKINNEY TEXAS

Want to see all homes for sale in McKinney Texas? Head to SearchDallasProperties.com for the most up to date listings (required by state law to be current every 48 hours).

NEW HOMES IN McKINNEY TX

The landscape of new construction homes in McKinney is constantly changing. You’ll most likely need to get on a list. If you reach out to us, we have relationships with many builders so we may be able to work some magic for you. Tap on the “Book A Call” button in the header to schedule a time to chat with a local real estate expert advisor.

SCHOOLS IN McKINNEY TX

The city of McKinney is served primarily by McKinney ISD which is currently ranked the 17^th best public school district in Dallas Fort Worth Texas. You can see the full rankings of the best schools in DFW here. What you must understand about schools in Dallas Fort Worth is that we are stacked! Eight (8) of the top 10 school districts in the State of Texas are in the DFW metroplex.

HIGH SCHOOLS

SCHOOL NAME	RATING
Imagine International Academy of North Texas	9 – Charter K-12
McKinney North HS	8
McKinney Boyd HS	7
McKinney HS	6
Serenity HS	unranked
Cornerstone Christian Academy	Private K-12
North Texas Christian Academy	Private PK-12
McKinney Christian Academy	Private PK-12

*Ratings out of 10 from GreatSchools ~ Sorted by Rating, then Alphabetical

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

SCHOOL NAME	RATING
DR Jack Cockrill	9
Scoggins	8
Dowell	8
Leonard Evans Jr	7
Faubion	7
Scott Morgan Johnson	6

*Ratings out of 10 from GreatSchools ~ Sorted by Rating, then Alphabetical

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

SCHOOL NAME	RATING
Baker	9
Comstock	8
Glen Oaks	8
Hughes	8
Lindsey	8
Scott	8
Valley Creek	8
Wilmeth	8
Wolford	8
Bennett	7
Eddins	7
McClure	7
Mooneyham	7
Walker	7
McGowen	6
Ogle	6
Slaughter	6
Sonntag	6
Johnson	5
Minshew	5
Press	5
Vega	5
Webb	5
Elliott	4
Finch	4
McNeil	4
Burks	3
Caldwell	3
Malvern	3

*Ratings out of 10 from GreatSchools ~ Sorted by Rating, then Alphabetical

BEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN McKINNEY TX

· Adriatica Village

· Craig Ranch

· Isleworth

· Mallard Lakes

· Serenity

· Stonebridge Ranch

· Trinity Falls

· Tucker Hill

THINGS TO DO IN McKINNEY TX

McKinney may be considered a suburb of Dallas, but McKinney itself offers a wide variety of activities and attractions:

· Historic Downtown McKinney

· Dog Park at Bonnie Wenk

· Obstacle Warrior Kids

· Erwin Park Hike & Bike Trail

· Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

· Towne Lake Recreation Area

· Chestnut Square Historic Park

· Franconia Brewing Company

· Tupps Brewery

· Oak Hollow Golf Course

· TPC Craig Ranch Golf Course

· Saturday Farmers Market at Local Yocal

NEARBY SHOPPING IN McKINNEY TX

· Historic Downtown McKinney

· Allen Outlet Mall

· Fairview Town Center

· Stonebriar Mall

BEST RESTAURANTS IN McKINNEY TX

Hutchins BBQ & Catfish

-Recognized as one of the best barbecue joints in Texas, Hutchins is McKinney’s best option for a plate of brisket, ribs, and sausage. Looking to seriously induce a meat coma? Hit the all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet. At less than $20, it’s the city’s best smoked meat bargain.

Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen

-The Dallas outpost of Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen didn’t last long, but it’s still going strong in McKinney. Southern cuisine is the name of the game at this casual eatery, and the restaurant’s signature dish — a plate of smoked Berkshire pork belly in a sweet glaze — is extremely popular among locals.

Butcher Board

-Yet another stellar option for sandwiches in Downtown McKinney, Butcher Board serves up meats like whole hog and smoked roast beef that are cut to order. Salads, tacos, sides like cole slaw and potato salad are also on offer, along with a selection of freshly-baked desserts that make for a sweet finish.

Patina Green Home and Market

-After browsing the beautifully-curated decor, head to the back of this tiny Downtown McKinney shop for one of the finest meals in DFW. During lunch, score sandwiches made with locally-grown produce (like roasted cauliflower panini and jalapeno grilled cheese) and top-quality meats. If the “B.O.B.,” or brisket on a biscuit, is on the menu, order it immediately.

Rye

-Tucked into a historic building in the endlessly charming Downtown McKinney, Rye serves up an interesting menu of seasonal fare. Instead of boring crackers, pimento cheese dip is served with crispy, Nashville-style hot chicken skins, and plump scallops are dusted with fennel pollen before being seared to perfection. The true must on the menu, though, is the cauliflower gratin — here, the cruciferous veggie is doused in decadent mornay sauce and showered in shaved, cured duck egg yolk.

Eclair Bistro

-Outside of the classic steak and seafood on offer, Eclair Bistro offers a pretty unique dining experience thanks to its “projection mapping” tasting menu. While dinner is served, various images are projected from above onto the plates and tables, adding a fun theatrical element alongside the pretty presentation. Note, reservations at Eclair Bistro must be made 24 hours in advance.

Snug On The Square

-This cozy cafe is the perfect stop for a cup of coffee or quick sandwich while browsing Downtown McKinney’s charming shops. Open for both breakfast and lunch, the bacon-ranch potato salad and pimento cheese melt (served with even more bacon) are the definition of comfort food.

Rick’s Chophouse

-Get old-school fancy at this classic steakhouse, where decadent fare like beef carpaccio, jumbo lump crab cakes, and a porterhouse for two is actually reasonably priced.

Cookie’s Mexican

-This tiny, counter-service spot is a local favorite for tacos and Tex-Mex breakfast. Score a plate of chilaquiles, or scope out the menu of daily specials (chicken fried steak is served on Wednesdays!) for a killer lunch that will cost less than $10.

The Pantry

-Open since 1982, The Pantry is a McKinney institution. The breakfast here is legendary, and it’s served for lunch in case an 8 a.m. wake-up call just isn’t in the weekend forecast. At dinner, comforting fare like giant burgers and chicken fried chicken are on offer, along with The Pantry’s famous pies.

Harvest

-Local produce is the star of the show at this farm-obsessed eatery. Kick off dinner with crunchy fried green tomatoes served with pickled okra and chow chow, then move on to more substantial offerings, like a board of the restaurant’s freshly-made charcuterie or pork enchiladas served with seasonal succotash.

Emporium Pies

-There are two locations of this popular shop in Dallas proper, but the Downtown McKinney location is a great option for folks in the northerly ‘burbs. The Smooth Operator (French silk) and Drunken Nut (bourbon-pecan) are perennial favorites.

Cadillac Pizza Pub

-An equally good spot to enjoy live music, beer, and a solid pie, Cadillac Pizza Pub is the definition of a neighborhood joint. The wood-fired pies, topped with everything from goat cheese and fig to a classic supreme combo, are freshly-fired and priced under $20. Looking for cocktails? Score the fruity, potent Yum Rum Punch, mixed with tequila-infused coconut rum, peach, and orange juice.

SAFETY

Violent Crimes (annually per 100k residents)

-Assault = 84.5 (National = 282.7)

-Murder = 0.5 (National = 6.1)

-Rape = 28.3 (National = 40.7)

-Robbery = 21.1 (National = 135.5)

Property Crimes

-Burglary = 104.6 (National = 500.1)

-Theft = 729.1 (National = 2042.8)

-Motor Vehicle Theft = 102.2 (National = 284)

TRAFFIC / COMMUTING / TRANSPORTATION*

· Downtown Dallas = 20 minutes

· DFW Airport = 30 minutes

· Love Field Airport = 25 minutes

· Fort Worth = 50 minutes

· Cowboys/Rangers in Arlington = 40 minutes

· Dallas North Tollway, Bush Turnpike and 121 are all tollways so you will definitely need a tolltag and make sure to account for tolls in your monthly budget.

· DART Rail stations along 75 (Freeway) that go in to Downtown Dallas, DFW Airport and more

ECONOMY & JOB MARKET IN McKINNEY

Top 10 Employers / Major Companies

· Liberty Mutual

· Mario Sinacola Companies

· Medical City

· NTT Data (formerly Dell Services)

· Raytheon

· Torchmark

· Toyota

· Wistron GreenTech

· Emerson

· Encore Wire

CITIES NEAR McKINNEY TX

· Frisco

· Prosper

· Allen

· Fairview

· Melissa

· Anna

· Princeton

CITIES SIMILAR TO McKINNEY TX

· Frisco

· Plano

· Allen

· Flower Mound

· The Colony

· Keller (Ft Worth)

· Colleyville (Ft Worth)

· Mansfield (Ft Worth)

WEATHER

The weather in McKinney will be similar to the rest of DFW in that it will get toasty in the summer. So if you’re looking for ski slopes and snowmen… the good news is you can find a flight to Denver for under $100 if you really need to quench that thirst (I know from personal experience :). But on a serious note, if you can handle triple-digit weather in July and August, the rest of the year is really pretty pleasant all things considered. Being born and raised here, I will personally tell you that I would much rather have to deal with two months of a little extra sweating than an extended winter time where I’m shivering no matter how many layers I put on! I hope you’re ready to get your tan on… just remember to wear your sunscreen, kids.

While tornados are certainly a possibility, they aren’t as much of a threat as you might think. I have only seen 2 tornados in my life in the entire DFW metroplex. Heavy rain and hail are more common so just make sure you have good car insurance and you’ll be just fine.