In January 2004, CNN Money designated Plano its top place to live in the Western United States of cities with a population over 100,000. This is clearly substantiated by Plano’s citizens, who in a February 2004 survey, ranked Plano as “the best, or one of the best places to live in the Metroplex,” with a 72.7% approval rating.
Plano remains the only City in Texas to hold an “AAA” Bond Rating by three of the nation’s top bond rating companies, attesting to its strong tax base and financial management. Attracting and retaining some of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies and the best small businesses in the region has become the “norm.” A revitalized, award-winning downtown and cultural arts theatre has made the area a regional “destination”. With the influx of DART light rail, the commute to and from Dallas has improved, making it possible for people to easily live in the suburbs and work in the city.
Location
The largest city in Collin County, Plano is 20 miles north of Dallas. It is located within the Dallas–Plano–Irving metropolitan division of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area. There is a superior transportation system supported by four major arteries, DART rail and bus service, and easy access to four airports.
Terrain
The land area of Plano is 71.6 square miles, and the elevation is 674 feet. The climate is moderate with warm summers and mild winters. The average rainfall is 29 inches a year. There are several lakes in Plano including Willow Bend Lake 1 and 2, Shirley Phillips Mead Lake, and Quisenberry Lake.
Population
As of January 1st, 2004 the estimated population of Plano was 254,000 people.
Jobs
Plano has more than 6000 businesses, including global headquarters for many large companies including The Ross Perot founded EDS, Frito-Lay, Perot Systems, Ericsson, and J.C. Penney. AFLAC, Comsys, Raytheon are a short commute and they were hiring the day I wrote this.
Colleges/Universities
Collin County Community College has six campuses including two in Plano and one in Frisco.
Colleges near Plano: University of Texas at Dallas, six miles away in Richardson; Richland College, 10 miles away in Dallas; Brookhaven College, 11 miles away in Farmers Branch; Eastfield College, 18 miles in Mesquite; Devry Institute of Technology, 19 miles away in Irving; El Centro College, 20 miles away in Dallas.
Housing
The median price for a home in Plano is $162,300. Plano is the only city in Collin County offering its residents a 20% Homestead Exemption, and up to $40,000 Disability or Over 65 exemptions. In May 2004, the City Council approved a property tax freeze for homeowners over the age of 65, their spouses and the disabled. The City of Plano has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state of Texas. It is located in Collin County, the 5th fastest-growing county in the U.S.
Historic Buildings
A tour of some of the most historic buildings in Plano includes The Interurban Building that served as a station on the Texas Electric Railway from 1908 to 1948 (linking Denison and Dallas), and The Moore House/Masonic Lodge built in 1898. One of the oldest homes in Plano, built circa 1867, has detailed gingerbreading of the Queen Anne style. There are two other homes still in existence built in 1898 and 1901 with this same architecture. The tour also includes a two-story Prairie-style home, a Victorian era cottage and a two-story Victorian home.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Set out for fun and adventure in one of Plano’s more than 60 parks and trails. Feed the ducks, bike, walk, jog, rollerblade, or simply revel in the scenic natural surroundings.
Take time out to go to the ballgame! A collection of artifacts and memorabilia are on exhibit at the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum at the Ballpark in Arlington. See jerseys, bats, balls, equipment, trophies, and other items belonging to baseball’s legends --- Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx and others.
Tour the home of the National Football League world champions Dallas Cowboys and look behind-the-scenes at one of America’s favorite NFL teams. The tour includes a birds-eye view of the game from the prestigious private suites and press boxes. Then view the locker room, followed by a walk onto the playing field. The Cowboy’s playing season runs from August though January.
Plano offers golf enthusiasts three public courses, a semi-private course and three country club courses.
Chase Oaks Golf Club offers 27 holes of championship golf, a pro shop, practice range, and bar and grill. Annually ranked by PGA members in the Top 10 North Texas courses, Chase Oaks courses offer Tiff Eagle Bermuda greens, tiff fairways, trees, creeks, lakes and hills.
Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club opened in 1996, and, according to the Dallas Morning News in 2004, reported more aces (40) to "SportsDay" than any other course in the area. With creeks, woods and a par of 72, this course offers players 18 holes of golf, a driving range, a full-service bar and grill, pro shop and a special events pavilion.
Pecan Hollow Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole course with yardage from 6,700 to 5,800 on the par 72 course. The course offers a driving range, dressing rooms, a pro shop, and a concessions area.
Los Rios Country Club is a semi-private club with an 18-hole championship golf course offered for public play during off-peak times. Designed in 1974, the par-71 course of Bermuda greens offers trees, ponds and winding creeks. The private Gleneagles Country Club offers 36 holes of championship golf, with both Kings and Queens courses, bentgrass greens, water, a large driving range, a short game practice area, a golf shop and two immense putting greens.
At the Prestonwood Country Club, The Hills is an 18-hole championship course featuring rolling hills, waterscapes, and greenery.
Special Attractions/Events
The Dallas Center for the performing arts, when completed in 2009, will offer world-class settings for performances of opera, musical theater, classic and experimental theater, ballet, other forms of dance, and first-run Broadway productions. The Center’s five venues will also become the main stage production facilities for The Dallas Opera, the Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Texas Ballet Theater, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, and many of the other performing arts organizations that serve Dallas and surrounding areas.
Interesting Facts
Plano was featured in the book, “50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family”.
Plano is ranked ninth out of 101 cities in “Healthiest Cities for Men” by Men’s Health magazine.
In 2004 Plano was named “The Hottest Place to Live in the Western United States” by Money Magazine.
Plano is home to the Cockroach Hall of Fame, where visitors can find exhibits featuring dead cockroaches dressed as human celebrities.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
