Plano TX Ranked #1 in America’s 10 Safest Cities
Plano TX, in the heart of Collin County, is ranked #1 among America’s Safest Cities by Forbes Magazine. We always knew that Plano was a great place to live and raise a family – now Forbes confirms it.
Plano TX #1 of safest cities in US
Looking for safe cities in which to live? A recent study may help you.
Titled “America’s Safest Cities“, Forbes Magazine compiled data from more than 70 cities with populations of 250,000 or more, and ranked them by violent crime rate as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A “violent crime” is one that can be categorized as murder, robbery, and assault, among others. Then, for each metropolis, local traffic-fatality rates were added to the area’s violent crime rate, and averaged into the data.
Forbes presents the 10 safest large cities in America as :
- Plano, Texas
- Henderson, Nevada
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Santa Ana, California
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- San Jose, California
- Mesa. Arizona
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Aurora, Colorado
- New York, New York
Forbes is quick to note that “gridlocked” traffic patterns help keep cities safe; which may explain why cities like Honolulu and New York City made the Top 10. When cars are forced to move more slowly, the report states, traffic-related fatalities tend to plummet.
Don’t rush to make a home-buying decision based on Forbes data alone, however. Like everything else in real estate, data is local and city-wide statistics are too broad to be helpful to an everyday buyer.
For accurate, real-time, local crime data, call me to connect with a real estate professional to help you evaluate Plano, and other North Central Texas cities
Norma Wall, Broker 214-212-6770 – start your Home Search here.
Plano is home to 261,000 people and has long been recognized as a family-friendly community. High-ranking schools, excellent parks and recreation areas, outstanding employment and city planning, give Plano bragging rights as one of the premier North Texas cities. For more information and lifestyle profile, review our Focus on Plano.
Starcreek Community in Allen TX
Welcome to Starcreek – a newer community in Allen TX
Located in a prime spot just west of 75 Central and Stacy Road, near the new Shops of Allen/Fairview entertainment centers, Starcreek is perfectly positioned between 75 Central and Highway 121 for easy access to major highways.
Starcreek features a series of distinct residential villages set among a 529 acre natural backdrop of trees and open space. Hike and bike trails run through the neighborhood along the creek, which is in the center of the development, and creates a natural haven for residents.
The entrance to the community opens up to a relaxing pond with fountains, stone elevation Clubhouse, overlooking a resort style pool and cabana, kids water park, complete outdoor fire pit and barbecue grills, playground, tennis and basketball courts. All these amenities are for the use and pleasure of the Starcreek residents as part of the Home Owners Association.
When you’re in Starcreek, you’re never far away from great shopping venues. One mile to the north you’ll find Starcreek Retail Center featuring Lifetime Fitness, Cinemark, and more. Or immediately east you’ll find more intense shopping and entertainment:
- The Villages of Fairview, Villages of Allen, Allen Premium Outlet Mall at Stacy Road and 75 Central.
- Watters Creek at Bethany and Highway 75.
- Dozens of fine restaurants and recreational/entertainment opportunities.
- A number of golf courses are also within a short drive Starcreek.
Not to be overlooked, Starcreek is serviced by the outstanding Allen Independent School District. ASID is recognized as one of the top districts in Texas. It serves over 17,000 students on twenty campuses with ten rated Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency this past year.
The Montessori School at Starcreek is a new 35,000 square foot school that opened September and is open for children ages 6 weeks through 6th grade.
Home prices are $250,000 – $800,000 with a square foot range of 2100-6000.
Year built homes from 2005 with new construction available as well. Many homeowners enjoy views of the hike and bike trail and tree-lined creek. Oversized lots and creek lots are available. Starcreek features homes carefully crafted by award-winning builders including Darling Homes, Highland Homes and Huntington Homes.
For a broader profile of Allen TX, click here.
Oktoberfest Celebration in McKinney TX
Oktoberfest will be celebrated at McKinney Main Street in Historic Downtown McKinney TX on Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to participate in the celebration.
Oktoberfest family-friendly fun includes a petting zoo, Weenie Dog and want-to-be Weenie Races, Oktoberfest arts & crafts and the Main Street Magic & Fun Company’s German Train. Live entertainment will be provided on two stages throughout the event.
The highlight of Oktoberfest celebration is authentic German beer and food. German Beer will be provided by McKinney’s own Franconia Brewery and also from Warsteiner Beer. Wine, food and non-alcoholic beverage throughout will be provided by many vendors.
Festivities start at 4 p.m. on Friday with the traditional Oktoberfest March, followed by the Tapping of the Keg at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Stage. The official tap of the first keg of Franconia will be done by hammering a bronze spout into a 200 year-old keg with a wooden mallet.
Admission is free to the event and free parking is available in the public lots surrounding downtown.
Plano Balloon Festival….Up, Up & Away!
For family fun it’s hard to beat the annual Plano Balloon Festival, it’s one of the city’s largest celebrations for children and families – complete with fireworks, balloon rides, fun and excitement.
As the largest balloon event in Texas, the Plano Balloon Festival has also evolved into an important fundraiser for local non-profit organizations, with 42 non-profit and corporate.
Specific festival events vary from year to year but typically include five hot air balloon launches, a large Kids Fun Zone, two stages showcasing local community talent, live bands, sky divers, fireworks, food and nighttime balloon glows. A balloon glow occurs after dusk when the many balloon pilots conduct synchronized firings of their balloon’s burners.
This year is the 32nd year for the event, and is expected to attract over 90,000 people during the three day weekend.
Plano Balloon Festival
September 16, 17 & 18, 2011
Oak Point Park
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074
For more details visit the Plano Balloon Festival official website: http://www.planoballoonfest.org/
When you’re looking for the right real estate broker to help you with your next move,
contact Norma Wall 214-212-6770 norma@come2dallas.com
School Ratings for McKinney TX 2011
School ratings for McKinney Tx 2011 have just been released and once again the McKinney Independent School District earned a RECOGNIZED Rating under the 2011 Texas Education Agency accountability rating system. Congratulations McKinney ISD.
Ten individual McKinney ISD campuses were rated Exemplary, six were Recognized and fifteen were rated Acceptable. See individual school ratings below.
EXEMPLARY
- Bennett Elementary
- Eddins Elementary
- Glen Oaks Elementary
- Johnson Elementary
- McClure Elementary
- McGowen Elementary
- Valley Creek Elementary
- Walker Elementary
- Wilmeth Elementary
- Wolford Elementary
RECOGNIZED
- Burks Elementary
- McNeil Elementary
- Minshew Elementary
- Slaughter Elementary
- Webb Elementary
- Johnson Middle School
ACCEPTABLE
- Caldwell Elementary
- Finch Elementary
- Luisa Elementary
- Malvern Elementary
- Press Elementary
- Cockrill Middle School
- Dowell Middle School
- Evans Middle School
- Faubion Middle School
- McKinney Boyd H S
- McKinney High School
- McKinney North H S
- Serenity High School
- County Residential Center
- The LINC Center
HOW RATINGS ARE DETERMINED
The ratings are based on high school completion rates, dropout rates and passing rates on the state test, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Increasing standards and the elimination of the Texas Projection Measure (TPM) resulted in fewer schools and districts earning an Exemplary accountability rating in 2011.
EXEMPLARY: 90% passing in each TAKS subject with a high school completion rate of 95%.
RECOGNIZED: 80% passing in each TAKS subject with a high school completion rate of 85%.
ACCEPTABLE: 70% passing in reading, writing and social studies; 65% in math and 60% in sciencewith a high school completion rate of 75%.
This is the last year of the TAKS-based accountability system, and there are a number of changes that have increased its impacted ratings in preparation for the new rating system that will begin in 2013, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Money Magazine ranked McKinney #5 on their list of the Best Places to Live in the country in August 2010. It is the county seat of Collin County and is located 30 miles north of Dallas and has a population of 133,500.
For more information about the School Ratings for McKinney TX 2011,
or the districts high academic standards, contact McKinney real estate professional
Marian Porter 214-577-7766 marian@come2dallas.com
