An increasingly popular destination to call home—particularly for newcomers from states like California, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico—the state of Texas ranked first on U-Haul’s list of top growth states in 20221 as measured by the number of one-way truck rentals headed for Texas (its second consecutive year at the top of the list).
If you're among those considering a move to the Lone Star State, we’ve put together a rundown on what many consider to be the 4 best places to live in Texas.
So, Where Should You Live in Texas?
They say that everything is bigger in Texas, so it’s no surprise that the state is home to four of the largest cities in the country: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Each metro area offers its own unique personality and distinctive traits. Let’s dive in.
Austin
Why is Austin a great place to live?
Austin, the eclectic state capital of Texas, has been called many things, perhaps most famously the Live Music Capital of the World®—but also Waterloo (its original name), Bat City, and the City of the Violet Crown. Boasting a rich history and abundant natural beauty, Austin also prides itself on possessing an artistic and idiosyncratic flair, going so far as to adopt the phrase: “Keep Austin weird.”
Here are a few more things we love about Austin:
- The University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em Horns!)
- A dynamic entertainment, arts and cultural scene
- A thriving economy (home to companies like Tesla and Oracle)
- Incredible cuisine (be sure to try the authentic Texas BBQ)
- Recreation hotspots, such as Lake Travis and Barton Springs Pool
- The surrounding Texas Hill Country
- The largest urban colony of bats in the world (at Congress Avenue Bridge) from spring to fall 🦇
Where should you live in Austin?
There are numerous wonderful places to live in Austin. Some of the top suburbs in Austin we recommend include Buda, Elgin, Jarrell and Round Rock.
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Dallas-Fort Worth
Why is Dallas-Fort Worth a great place to live?
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area is an economic powerhouse. If the region were its own state, it’d rank 13th in GDP, and as a country it’d rank 23rd in the world (according to research by the North Texas Commission2). The area is also undergoing a cultural renaissance with an ongoing revitalization campaign for downtown Dallas that’s brought new life into the city’s architecture, arts scene, restaurants and shopping.
Here are a few more things we love about Dallas-Fort Worth:
- A thriving job market with prominent employers (home to companies like AT&T, Texas Instruments, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Southwest Airlines)
- Beautiful neighborhoods with tree-lined streets
- A premier healthcare system with world-class hospitals
- Numerous recreational opportunities at destinations like White Rock Lake
- A strong education system with well-known universities, such as Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Texas Christian University (TCU)
Where should you live in Dallas-Fort Worth?
While there are many amazing places to live in Dallas-Fort Worth, some of the top suburbs include Ferris, Forney and Royse City.
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Houston
Why is Houston a great place to live?
As the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Greater Houston is considered one of the best places to live in the country, offering no shortage of entertainment and fun, along with a strong economy, rich culture, close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, and a killer restaurant scene with everything from authentic Louisiana Creole to Vietnamese pho, Tex-Mex, BBQ and more.
Here are a few more things we love about Houston:
- Its standing as the “Energy Capital of the World”
- Numerous attractions, including Space Center Houston, the Houston Theater District, the Houston Museum District, and the Houston Zoo
- Several hundred parks and green spaces, plus over 100 miles of trails
- Home to the Texas Medical Center campus—the largest medical center in the world—home to prestigious facilities like the MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Premier educational institutions, including Rice University and the University of Houston
- A flourishing sports scene, with passionate fan bases for teams like the Houston Astros (MLB), the Houston Texans (NFL), and the Houston Rockets (NBA)
Where should you live in Houston?
From the city proper to the metro's many attractive suburbs, there's no shortage of great places to live in Houston. Some of our top locations include Conroe, Brookshire, Katy, Porter, and Tomball.
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San Antonio
Why is San Antonio a great place to live?
A colorful city with deep history, San Antonio is well-known for many things—including the Alamo, the River Walk and the scenic Hill Country surrounding the city. Newcomers continue to be attracted to the area for its culture, economy, education, military bases and endless array of attractions.
Here are a few more things we love about San Antonio:
- Home to Brooke Army Medical Center and Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), which includes Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston
- The iconic River Walk, offering 15 miles of sightseeing, river tours, along with a rich assortment of dining, shopping and entertainment options
- Renowned academic institutions, including the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- Eight different theme parks—such as the 750-foot Tower of the Americas in Hemisfair Park—the San Antonio Zoo, the McNay Art Museum, and AT&T Center (home court of the San Antonio Spurs NBA team)
- Year-round festivals and events
- An incredible food scene (the birthplace of Tex-Mex)
Where should you live in San Antonio?
Some of the best locations to live in the San Antonio area include neighborhoods of San Antonio proper like the city's Southside and Northwest neighborhoods. However, the metro area also features attractive suburbs, like Cibolo, New Braunfels, Seguin, and St. Hedwig.
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Find your Texas dream home
As one of the top new home builders in Texas, Century Communities is excited to offer beautiful new construction homes for sale across the state. Explore inspired new homes in some of the best locations across Texas and start your dream home journey today!