With tree-lined streets and classic, well-built houses straight out of a storybook, McKinney, Texas is a place to live a storybook-like existence. Having already received accolades from many publications such as Forbes and CNNMoney, McKinney was recently voted the Number ONE Best Place to Live in the United States by Money Magazine. The town’s motto is “Unique by Nature,” and this suits the town to a T, for the wholesome, almost surreal quality of life offered in the small yet utterly vibrant locale.

McKinney is a town with something for everyone. Starting with a very hip historical district with farm-to-market and other delicious eateries, antique shops, boutiques and great bars and pubs, surrounded by historic homes. Other housing options ranging from townhouses, to traditional subdivisions and some beautiful master-planned communities loaded with amenities! from the   are and the general Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area and is a stone’s throw away from the beat of big business and world-class culture. For families seeking a way to access all that but maintain practical, clean living and a slower pace, McKinney has everything to offer.

McKinney takes its motto seriously – as the fringe city of the Metroplex, the outer side of the city is country farm and ranch land. The other side brings you closer to full time action, so you have the best of both worlds – a true harmony of old-fashioned values with modern convenience.

McKinney is subtle – it’s the type of place where people enjoy higher than average incomes but focus on a simpler lifestyle. The city has a young median age of 33, with 63% married households and 43% of household including a member under age eighteen. Median household income is just north of $100,000 and the median home price is roughly $320,000. One of the greatest benefits of living in the city is the low crime rate, a main factor in its being chosen as a great place to live.

For this city of approximately 180,000 people, there are plenty of activities, but they don’t try to compete with the nearby hustle and bustle of large city life. There are many sporting options for recreational enthusiasts, including baseball and soccer fields as well as tennis and volleyball courts. There is the Oak Hollow Golf Course, a classic course laid on verdant grounds that also houses a swing room and a grill bar.

For all of its 58 miles, McKinney has a whopping 42 parks, many of which have extra amenities. The Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex has no less than five soccer fields, lacrosse, cricket and football fields, hike and bike trails, a splash pad (pool,) amphitheater and concession stands. Although it’s one of the biggest, most of the parks are laid out on large plots of lush land and have several amenities including some sports fields, bike paths and perhaps a splash pad; and of course, there’s tons of play equipment for kids.

The town of McKinney takes pride in its people and its community. One of the social initiatives is the arts commission, which gives grants to local artists. The community also supports a performing arts center, so you don’t always have to travel in to Dallas for culture. There are two fully stocked libraries for education, and a historic downtown district with eclectic boutiques and art galleries for pleasure. A hostpial recently opened, and an event complex is under development. The townspeople, though, like it without all the hoopla and are wont to leave it to the bigger cities nearby.

Schools in McKinney are excellent, with a large network of schools to fit all students. Housing is very affordable. There are no large shopping centers or malls in McKinney, which contributes to the small town feel and lack of congestion, but there are so many options in neighboring towns that are only minutes away.

For the ideal balance between natural living and access to everything a big city can provide, McKinney is a better way of life