Your North Texas Moving Resource
Everything you need to know before making your move to North Texas, including Collin, Dallas, Rockwall and surrounding DFW communities. Local real estate expertise, practical relocation information and resources to help you plan your move.
Moving to North Texas
CWR Realty helps home buyers explore communities and navigate the home-buying process throughout North Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Whether you're relocating from another state or moving within Texas, understanding housing, taxes, transportation and the differences between communities can help you make a more informed home-buying decision.
Employment & Business Centers
North Texas includes major employment and business centers throughout Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Richardson and surrounding communities.
No Individual State Income Tax
Texas does not impose an individual state income tax. Relocating buyers should also consider property taxes, insurance and other homeownership costs when comparing locations.
Wide Range of Housing
Buyers can explore established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, new construction, townhomes, condominiums, acreage and other residential property types.
Regional Transportation
Major highways and tollways connect communities throughout DFW, while DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field provide regional and national air travel.
Lakes & Recreation
North Texas includes parks, trails and outdoor recreation near destinations such as Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard.
Growing Communities
Residential and commercial development continues across many parts of North Texas, creating a mix of established areas and newer communities.
North Texas at a Glance
Texas individual state income tax.
School district residence homestead exemption for qualifying primary residences.
General annual appraisal cap for qualifying residence homesteads, subject to Texas eligibility rules.
DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field serve the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
US-75, Dallas North Tollway, SH-121, PGBT, I-30 and I-35E connect communities across North Texas.
Texas real estate sale prices are generally not publicly disclosed like they are in many states, making local MLS data especially useful for market comparisons.
Tax and exemption information is general and subject to change. Eligibility, exemptions and property-specific tax treatment vary. Verify current information with the applicable county appraisal district and the Texas Comptroller.
Explore North Texas Communities
North Texas includes established cities, growing suburbs and communities near major employment centers, lakes and transportation corridors. Explore several of the areas CWR Realty serves below.
Wylie, TX
Wylie is located northeast of Dallas with access to Lake Lavon, a historic downtown, established neighborhoods and newer residential development.
Explore Wylie Real Estate →Rockwall, TX
Rockwall sits along Lake Ray Hubbard east of Dallas and offers established neighborhoods, newer development, waterfront recreation and access to I-30.
Explore Rockwall Real Estate →Plano, TX
Plano is an established North Texas city with major employment centers, shopping and dining, plus access to US-75, Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike.
Explore Plano Real Estate →Allen, TX
Allen is located along the US-75 corridor between Plano and McKinney and includes established neighborhoods, newer residential development, retail and recreation.
Explore Allen Real Estate →McKinney, TX
McKinney combines established neighborhoods and newer development with a historic downtown and access to the broader Collin County transportation and employment network.
Explore McKinney Real Estate →Frisco, TX
Frisco is a major North Texas employment, entertainment and residential growth center with access to Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway.
Explore Frisco Real Estate →Sachse, TX
Sachse spans portions of Dallas and Collin counties and provides residential access to nearby Garland, Richardson, Plano and the President George Bush Turnpike.
Explore Sachse Real Estate →Dallas, TX
Dallas offers a broad range of neighborhoods, housing types, employment centers, cultural destinations, dining and transportation options.
Explore Dallas Real Estate →Richardson, TX
Richardson is located north of Dallas along the US-75 corridor with established neighborhoods and access to major employment centers in Richardson and Plano.
Explore Richardson Real Estate →Compare North Texas Cities
Use this quick comparison as a starting point when deciding which North Texas communities to explore.
| City | County | Primary School District(s) | Major Access | Area Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wylie | Primarily Collin | Wylie ISD | SH-78, PGBT access | Lake Lavon, historic downtown, newer subdivisions |
| Sachse | Dallas & Collin | Garland ISD, Wylie ISD | PGBT, SH-78 | Residential development and regional access |
| Plano | Collin & Denton | Plano ISD; some areas may differ | US-75, DNT, PGBT | Legacy area, corporate centers, established neighborhoods |
| Allen | Collin | Allen ISD | US-75, SH-121 access | Retail, recreation and established residential areas |
| McKinney | Collin | McKinney ISD; some addresses may differ | US-75, SH-121 | Historic downtown, established neighborhoods and new development |
| Frisco | Collin & Denton | Frisco ISD; assignments vary by address | DNT, SH-121 | The Star, PGA area, employment centers and newer development |
| Rockwall | Rockwall | Rockwall ISD | I-30 | Lake Ray Hubbard, waterfront destinations and residential development |
What It Costs to Own a Home in North Texas
The purchase price is only one part of your housing cost. Property taxes, insurance, HOA assessments and property-specific expenses can affect the total cost of owning a home.
Property Taxes
Texas property taxes are assessed locally. Rates and taxable values vary by property and taxing jurisdiction, so review the actual tax information for each home you're considering.
Residence Homestead Exemption
Qualifying homeowners using a property as their principal residence may be eligible for residence homestead exemptions. Applications are handled through the county appraisal district.
MUD & PID Assessments
Some communities may include Municipal Utility District or Public Improvement District taxes or assessments. Review property-specific notices and costs before purchasing.
Homeowners Insurance
Insurance premiums and deductibles vary by property, coverage and insurer. Obtain property-specific insurance quotes when evaluating your total housing expenses.
HOA Costs
Some properties are located within homeowners associations. Review HOA dues, documents and restrictions for the property you're considering.
Utilities
Electricity, water, sewer, natural gas, trash and internet costs vary by property and provider. Utility availability and providers may also differ by community.
Researching North Texas Schools
Public school district boundaries frequently cross city limits in North Texas, and school assignments can change as communities grow. Verify the assigned schools for a specific property before making a housing decision.
Verify the Property Address
Use the applicable school district's official boundary or school assignment tool to verify the campuses assigned to a specific property.
Use Official Resources
The Texas Education Agency and individual school districts provide official information about public school districts, campuses and educational programs.
Compare Your Priorities
Programs, transportation, campus locations and other educational considerations vary. Research the factors that matter to your household directly through official sources.
Getting Around North Texas
North Texas covers a large geographic area. Where you work and which transportation corridors you use can be just as important as mileage when comparing communities.
US-75
A major north-south route connecting Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Allen and McKinney.
Dallas North Tollway
Connects Dallas with west Plano, Frisco and communities farther north.
Sam Rayburn Tollway / SH-121
An important regional corridor serving Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney and surrounding employment centers.
President George Bush Turnpike
Provides regional access through Garland, Sachse, Richardson, Plano and other DFW communities.
SH-78 & I-30
Important corridors for Wylie, Sachse, Rockwall and communities east and northeast of Dallas.
Test Your Actual Commute
Travel times vary by origin, destination, construction, traffic and time of day. Test the commute from any property you're considering during the times you expect to travel.
Things to Do Around North Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth offers entertainment districts, downtown destinations, parks, lakes, shopping and cultural attractions throughout the region.
The Star in Frisco
The Dallas Cowboys' headquarters and practice facility anchors an entertainment district with restaurants, retail and events.
Legacy West in Plano
A mixed-use Plano destination with restaurants, shopping, offices and residential development.
Historic Downtown McKinney
Downtown McKinney features historic architecture, local shops, restaurants and community events.
Lake Lavon
Lake Lavon offers boating, fishing, camping and outdoor recreation near Wylie, Lavon and surrounding communities.
Lake Ray Hubbard
Lake Ray Hubbard provides waterfront recreation, marinas and dining near Rockwall and communities east of Dallas.
Dallas Arts District
Central Dallas offers museums, performance venues and other cultural destinations.
New Texas Resident Checklist
Moving from another state? Add these items to your relocation checklist and confirm current requirements directly with the appropriate Texas agency.
Texas Driver License
Review current Texas Department of Public Safety requirements for transferring an out-of-state driver license after establishing Texas residency.
Vehicle Registration
Review current Texas and county requirements for registering vehicles after establishing residency.
Residence Homestead Exemption
If you qualify, file your residence homestead exemption with the appraisal district for the county where the property is located.
Set Up Utilities
Determine which electric, water, internet and other utility providers serve your new address and arrange service before move-in.
Update Your Address
Update your address with relevant government agencies, financial institutions, insurance providers and other accounts after your move.
Government requirements and deadlines can change. Verify current driver license, vehicle registration, tax and other requirements directly with the appropriate Texas or local government agency.
How CWR Realty Helps Relocating Buyers
Moving to North Texas from another city or state adds another layer to the home-buying process. CWR Realty can help you research, search and navigate your purchase from wherever you're starting.
Personalized Home Search
Narrow your search using your preferred locations, price range, property type, commute considerations and must-have features.
Local Market Information
Get property and neighborhood-level market information, including MLS data that can help you understand current North Texas housing conditions.
Virtual Home Tours
If you're not yet in North Texas, virtual showings can help you evaluate properties and narrow your options before traveling.
Property-Specific Research
Review available information about taxes, HOA requirements, MUD or PID considerations and other property-specific factors relevant to your purchase.
Offer & Contract Guidance
Get assistance navigating offers, contract deadlines, inspections and the Texas real estate transaction process.
Relocation Coordination
Coordinate the home-buying process around your move, travel schedule and expected North Texas arrival.
Your North Texas Real Estate Resource
I'm Cheryll Willeford, Broker/Owner of CWR Realty. I've been licensed in Texas since 2009 and help buyers navigate residential real estate throughout North Texas, including Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties and surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth communities.
If you're relocating from outside the area, I can help you compare communities, search current MLS inventory, review property-specific information, coordinate virtual showings and navigate the Texas home-buying process from your initial search through closing.
Moving to North Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know before moving to North Texas?
Consider housing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, commute routes, toll roads, HOA fees where applicable, school boundaries when relevant, utilities and proximity to the places you expect to visit regularly. North Texas covers a large area, so comparing communities based on your individual priorities can help narrow your home search.
Which North Texas cities should I consider?
The answer depends on your budget, commute, preferred property type and other priorities. CWR Realty serves buyers throughout North Texas, including Wylie, Rockwall, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Sachse, Richardson, Dallas, Lavon, Little Elm, Princeton, Carrollton and surrounding DFW communities.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
Texas does not impose an individual state income tax. Buyers should still consider property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA assessments where applicable and other homeownership costs when comparing locations.
How do property taxes work in North Texas?
Property taxes are assessed by local taxing jurisdictions and vary by property and location. Review property-specific tax information rather than assuming one tax rate applies throughout a city or county.
What is a MUD or PID?
Municipal Utility Districts and Public Improvement Districts may help fund infrastructure and can create additional property-specific taxes or assessments. Review applicable notices and costs when considering a property.
Why are Texas home sale prices difficult to find in public records?
Texas is a non-disclosure state, meaning real estate sale prices generally are not publicly disclosed in the same way they are in many other states. Local MLS data can therefore be particularly useful when analyzing comparable sales and market activity.
How should I research schools in North Texas?
Verify school assignments for the specific property with the applicable school district. District boundaries can cross city limits and assignments can change as communities grow. Official Texas Education Agency resources can also provide district and campus information.
Is new construction available in North Texas?
New residential construction is available in many North Texas communities, but inventory changes over time. Buyers should evaluate builder contracts, incentives, taxes, HOA requirements, MUD or PID considerations and other property-specific factors.
Can CWR Realty help me buy a North Texas home if I live out of state?
Yes. CWR Realty works with relocating buyers and can assist with property searches, virtual showings, offers and the transaction process while coordinating around an out-of-area move.
Where can I search current North Texas homes for sale?
Browse CWR Realty's current North Texas property search to view available MLS listings in the communities you're considering. Search North Texas homes for sale →
Ready to Make Your Move to North Texas?
Explore current homes for sale throughout North Texas or contact CWR Realty to discuss your relocation, preferred communities and home-buying goals.