We don’t mean to speak for how anyone living in Garland feels about the city, but the statistics indicate that Garland offers opportunities people don't find elsewhere. 

1. Millennials &/or first-time home buyers do very well in Garland. It is rated #1 in Texas and #8 in the entire country for first-time home buyers. This is in part about home prices being reasonable and in part about relatively high wages in the city. https://www.garlandtx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1955

2. Garland is incredibly diverse in population and opportunity. Garland is a majority-minority city that is rated one of the most diverse suburbs in the U.S. It boasts a high percentage of home ownership and income levels across all races/ethnicities. 

A good part of this opportunity comes from a large manufacturing base that creates a larger middle-class in Garland than in other cities whose economies are more service-based. 
Texas is a booming state and Garland feels like some of the best of what Texas has to offer. For those considering leaving a state like California that thinks Texas is going to be one-dimensional, Garland would like to have a word with you. 

Final note: lots of people move to suburban cities for a pure experience of big homes, big yards, and peace and quiet. And Garland has plenty of neighborhoods with that kind of vibe. But Garland is also a legit city all on its own with; manufacturing, industrial areas, and a mix of safe and not-so-safe neighborhoods. If you’re looking for pure quiet throughout your suburban city you won’t like the more city-like mix of Garland. 



Diverse Opportunities

LookyLOO Review of Garland

Garland's lifestyle is an interesting mix. There are quiet neighborhoods with parks for kiddos and doggos, trails for biking and walking, a growing downtown commercial district with bars and restaurants for going out for young professionals and family date-nighters, and big plans for expansion of the central downtown and arts district area. 

Perhaps most importantly for those looking for an active lifestyle, Garland borders Dallas. For many Garland residents, particularly those on the Southwest side,  Dallas lifestyle opportunities are just as close as those in Garland. As with many dense suburban cities that have a robust commercial district, it is often the case that people do “low-key” nights or days out in downtown Garland but then head into Dallas for bigger nights out or more cultural adventures. 

It isn’t necessary, though, as the Granville Arts Center in Garland is a beautiful facility with three theaters for live performances, including appearances by the Dallas Ballet, the local Symphony, concerts, movies, theater productions, and more. While Dallas is still the major draw for culture, Garland holds its own. Check out the [**calendar of events**](http://www.garlandarts.com/calendar.aspx?CID=25,42,32) for all that happens here.  


Lifestyle

Garland has an extremely diverse economy with, as has been noted, a large manufacturing base. The company base includes the categories of: electronics, steel fabrication, oil feed equipment manufacturing, hat production (yes, hats), dairy and food processing, and plenty of education and health employers. While there are certainly plenty of people in Garland that commute to Dallas, unlike other suburbs, it has a big middle class due to high-wage manufacturing and production jobs available in the city limits. 

If you end up commuting to Dallas it can be a bit painful, especially if you’re used to smaller town traffic, but most people are just 20-30 minutes away from work so overall pretty convenient.


Worklife

Garland has two big things going for it right now: 
1) if you’re out of work and looking, the local economy is strong - particularly for those looking for manufacturing/industrial-base employment. 
2) If you’re looking to buy a home in the Dallas area but find the rest of the metroplex beyond reach Garland is less expensive than most. It borders Dallas but particularly for young professionals or younger families this is a great path to ownership in the DFW area. 


Affordable Economic Opportunity

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**2much2often**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I live 2 blocks from South Garland High School. I was born in Garland then moved away at 7 and back again at 18. I've lived all over DFW over the past 23 years and just moved back to Garland in September. We absolutely love it. The lower cost for housing is also a plus. Garland Power and Light regulate electricity and water so as long as prices are high in the market, Garland Power and Light is cheaper but if market prices are low, you may end up paying more with GP&L so right now it's cheaper. We really like the schools too. We've lived in Plano ISD, Allen ISD and Keller ISD and Garland ISD so far has been better. To be fair, I may be wearing rose colored glasses since we just moved to Garland less than a year ago.

For more reviews of what living in Garland is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/garland/reviews).

It’s a City

Reviews of Garland from Locals

Garland is huge and that can be daunting in considering neighborhoods. One great feature that reduces some of that stress though is that the school district is structured so you can choose any school regardless of the neighborhood you’re in. Generally the newer neighborhoods are in the north, older neighborhoods in the central and south sides of the city. Newer neighborhoods are generally middle to upper price ranges and the older neighborhoods are a mix of inexpensive to historic high-end. 
https://www.areavibes.com/garland-tx/neighborhoods/


Neighborhoods

As with most cities in the suburbs of Dallas, there is a viable downtown commercial district in Garland that attracts the majority of young professionals. If you combine the existing condo/loft options with a massive new mixed use, residential and retail development coming on the west side of downtown, then you have a growing environment for young people looking for and active place to live. As with most cities, young professionals should start their search downtown. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Downtown

As was noted in the opportunity section this is a great city for young home buyers to get their start. The newer neighborhoods on the north side and along the turnpike are a good area for young families. Consider starting with The Enclave which has an amazing ratio of home cost to income and stay along the turnpike in your search. Nice homes, yards and services at affordable prices make this area your best bet. 
- The Enclave
- Meadowood
- Club Creek


Young Families

The Enclave

The nicest neighborhoods of Garland run along the north side of the city, bordering Plano and filled with parks and golf courses. As noted, the schools throughout the city are available to anyone who chooses to go to them so living in the north is no big deal whether you choose to go to the schools close to you (which are excellent) or those farther south in the center of the city. When starting your search if you’re looking for bigger homes, yards and a close by commercial district look first at the Firewheel area. All these neighborhoods: Hills of Firewheel, Firewheel Estates, Firewheel Farms etc. all surround the Park and Golf course and are wonderful for families looking for room to spread their wings. 
- Hills at Firewheel
- Firewheel Estates
- Spring Park
- Greens


Established Families

Hills at Firewheel

Garland

**2much2often**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I live 2 blocks from South Garland High School. I was born in Garland then moved away at 7 and back again at 18. I've lived all over DFW over the past 23 years and just moved back to Garland in September. We absolutely love it. The lower cost for housing is also a plus. Garland Power and Light regulate electricity and water so as long as prices are high in the market, Garland Power and Light is cheaper but if market prices are low, you may end up paying more with GP&L so right now it's cheaper. We really like the schools too. We've lived in Plano ISD, Allen ISD and Keller ISD and Garland ISD so far has been better. To be fair, I may be wearing rose colored glasses since we just moved to Garland less than a year ago.

**aurinterrupted**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Living in proximity to downtown garland is awesome! You’ve got a revitalized downtown, library, DART rail that will take you all over the metroplex (mostly) and there are a few grocery stores in each direction. Garland road will run all the way into Dallas without you having to get on the highway.

**donsanedrin**
2y ago
🦉🦉

If you are going to be in the neighborhood directly east or west of South Garland High School, those neighborhoods are fine. They're starting to look old, and maybe the pavement and the sidewalks are really starting to break up; but it definitely helps that there's alot of trees in that part to make it feel nicer and more greeny.

The neighborhood east of South Garland HS probably used to be the ritziest neighborhood back in the day. And sometimes I am surprised to see house listings there at prices that seem lower than what I would expect.

I think it could be a couple of reasons. That neighborhood probably has people who are getting up in age, and the house goes on sale whenever they have passed, therefore the house may not look very up to date.

And secondly, its really hilly on some of those streets, so I think about whether the houses there may eventually get foundation problems, or really bad streets.

Either way, for food and entertainment. You're probably going to need to drive to northern Garland for anything other than major chain fast-food.

**Over-Blacksmith-9439**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I also live in SE Garland and love it here. I grew up in Rowlett and lived all over DFW in my 20s before settling in Colorado for a few years. In 2020 we returned to be close to family and affordable home ownership. I appreciate this specific area because it is quiet, the highway and toll road is easily accessible, there is a variety of nearby grocery stores, and plenty of parks.

Garland, Texas

Taste The Flavor

Looklyloo Score: 83

Reviews

What's it like to live in Garland?