In a recent analysis of U.S. cities that qualify as “boomtowns” Denton finished number 2 among 500 different cities ranked. Based on positive trends in employment, new business, population growth and household income, Denton kind of has it all in a reasonably sized package. A college town, with a smashing music scene, it also has affordable housing with outsized average incomes and falling unemployment rates. 


Here's a local's point of view on living here: 
*I moved here in 2008 for college and stayed after graduation. I really didn't experience the city until I graduated and started actually seeing what the town had to offer. In college I stuck to going to chain restaurants and the square was not the place to be 8-10 years ago.*

*Since 2012, I've come to feel like part of a community that cares for the city we live in. Its big enough that there's plenty to do, see, and enjoy but not too small that it is boring or lack of new things popping up. It took some time to get situated and really feel like Denton was my home, but it's really worth it.I like being a part of the arts community in town as well. It's so cool to see thriving and interesting artists around town and see those people making an impact in the community. Denton is great for grassroots things and community engagement.*

It’s Booming

Best Part About Denton? 

Denton is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and if someone tells you that doesn’t carry any headaches with it we’d say they’re crooked as a barrel of fish hooks (Texas saying). Traffic here can be brutal and the roads are under heavy construction it seems all the time so just be prepared to have to navigate that whole scene. The pandemic reduced much of this but Texas went back to work in person more than most places and traffic seems to be picking back up where it left off pre-2020.

Here's a local's pov on the growth: 
*I would say its getting expensive as the growth happens (just like anywhere else), Construction, and road rage seems to be much worse. We are in an apartment for the time being, 2 bedroom 975 sq ft for $1600. It's going to get much uglier when they start the 380 expansion on the east side of Loop 288.*


Worst Part About Denton? 

Denton is an active college town and a jumping downtown serves both the college kids and young professionals. It has been rated near the top of “America’s Most Underrated Party Towns”. With two Universities inside the city limits things can get a bit nuts near the town’s square where the majority of the bars and restaurants sit. All that said Denton also has plenty of suburban neighborhoods where you can steer clear of the revelry and raise your little ones in peace and quiet. Denton also hopes a large Arts and Jazz Festival and has a growing music scene so if you want to hang in the more “burb-style” neighborhoods most of the time, but some downtown for an occasional night out, Denton has you covered. 

If you're interested in details on all the happenings check out the Denton calendar of events: https://www.discoverdenton.com/events/calendar/?view=list&sort=date


Lifestyle In Denton

Any city with as big a college presence will have a sizable portion of its local economy driven by jobs and revenue from the universities. University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University have combined populations of 57,000, and actually grew during the pandemic, so they have an outsized influence on the fortunes of Denton. Combine that with a robust economic development program and beyond education you also get: Retail, Sally Beauty calls Denton home, Manufacturing; Tetra Pak, Mayday, ESAB Victor and many others are headquartered in Denton. Finally, Peterbilt Motors is here along with lots of Healthcare that round out the growing economy. If you’re looking for work you could hardly do better than Denton. 

Workstyle of Denton

We love the energy that comes from a combination of education and economic prosperity in an affordable package. So, move here for the social scene and savings, or move here for the jumping employment, high wages and good schools, or perhaps most importantly now: move here for what is undoubtedly a newly identified zoomtown.

One final note: while we stay out of politics we do hear from people who want, “progressive cities in Texas”. Or “conservative cities in California”. Denton isn’t quite Austin, but the heavy university influence and more diverse population gives it a purple-ish presence for those seeking more balance in their communities. 


Education, Economy and Social 

Why You Should Move Here Now?

We’ve been talking incessantly about the college culture of Denton and if you’re in school here there are tons of off-campus housing options in the “U” or downtown square areas. Additionally these neighborhoods are serviced by a stellar bus service that can deliver you to UNT or Texas Women’s College. Oh, and just in case it’s your kind of thing, in these neighborhoods you’re surrounded by bars, restaurants and places to hear music. 
- Denton Square
- Fry St. 
- Pecan


College Students

Denton Square

Not shockingly the same neighborhoods that work for kids at school are loaded with condos or apartments for young professionals that either work downtown or who want to be within walking distance of their local nightlife options. And Denton has lots of options for this crew. While they may not want to socialize directly with the 57,000 students, the kind of bars, restaurants, and music spots that attract the more mature students cross-over quite nicely to the professional set. 
- Downtown
- Denton Square
- North Locust


Young Professionals

Denton

Cities that are booming like Denton are busy building new inexpensive homes for and supporting young families with new inexpensive homes, and historic neighborhoods with smaller solid wooden homes with great school districts.  
- Rayzor Ranch
- Carter


Young Families

Rayzor Ranch

One key ingredient for established families are excellent high schools. John H. Guyer high school is an excellent school on the south side of Denton. The neighborhoods surrounding that school, that benefit from proximity to Lewisville Lake,  are great examples of the kind of beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, and plenty of parks and recreation that pull in families. 
- Ponder
- Robinson Rd
- Hickory Creek Rd
- State School Rd


Established Families

Ponder

**Great Neighborhoods in Denton?**

I used to live in Ballard and the U District. The area in Denton that has a dense walkable vibe is pretty small. I work at Ryan HS and it seems pretty good(I don't have kids so I don't keep track of education commentary). My friend subs around the district so she would have better knowledge of the district as a whole.

My breakdown of the neighborhoods:

Best - Contains the Square and the area where you don't have to cross a major road. Much of Denton's boutique business is here.

2nd Best - Nicer houses, fewer businesses. People say the folk around Quakertown Park are sketch but they got nothing on what I've seen in Seattle.

3rd Best - All housing. I'm going to guess you don't want the Fry St college vibe if you go further west.

(asterisk) - If you like speculating, this neighborhood might gentrify and new business could leap Bell Ave in 3-10 yrs. But if you are suspicious of poor people stay away.

And that's it. If you want other 'active and vibrant' places you'll be pretty close to Dallas or Ft. Worth. But I'd say there are lots of quiet places for that family life.

**What’s it like living in Denton and NOT being in college or a recent grad?**

I moved here in 2008 for college and stayed after graduation. I really didn't experience the city until I graduated and started actually seeing what the town had to offer. In college I stuck to going to chain restaurants and the square was not the place to be 8-10 years ago.

Since 2012, I've come to feel like part of a community that cares for the city we live in. Its big enough that there's plenty to do, see, and enjoy but not too small that it is boring or lack of new things popping up. It took some time to get situated and really feel like Denton was my home, but it's really worth it.

I like being a part of the arts community in town as well. Its so cool to see thriving and interesting artists around town and see those people making an impact in the community. Denton is great for grassroots things and community engagement.

Denton doesn't get boring for me at all. There's always an event, new restaurant, live music, and general entertainment to keep me satisfied.

One of my gripes with Denton is the housing market. Buying or searching for housing is crazy. Decent starter homes sell in days if not hours. There aren't enough homes on the market for potential buyers and its only getting worse.

Lastly, high paying job market is not great either. Tons of low level paying gigs, great for entry level or service work, but little in the way of experienced professionals and career goals. I hate having to commute to Dallas for work and would kill for something similar in town.

**What’s it like living in Denton and NOT being in college or a recent grad?**

It’s a great place to live and NOT be a college student! Tons of music, arts, good food, and community organizations to be involved in. People here are usually welcoming and have pride in their town.

Wanna run and drink beer? Wednesday nights at Oak Street.

Wanna hear world-class musician on tour? Check out Dan’s.

Interested in volunteering? Food bank, homeless shelters, Friends of the Family, etc.

Games at comic book shops. Sick-ass used book store (Recycled). Square to just hang out. It’s a great place to be a non-student.

Sorry to gush, I just love it here. (Non-college student resident for 15+ years).

What is it like to live in Denton, TX?

I moved t o Denton TX from Houston TX a year ago. I wake up every day and pat myself on the back for being a genius. Sometimes it takes a certain amount of suffering before one can enjoy the simple things. I have traveled 6 continents and more. Denton is a clean and friendly town. I don’t worry about my safety and I have never seen discrimination against minorities like I have in Houston.

Denton, Texas

The Home of Happiness

Looklyloo Score: 81