Where Plano is
Plano sits north of Dallas and Richardson, with Frisco and Allen to the north. It is its own city, with its own government, permits and rules, even though many people think of it as part of Dallas. Most of Plano is in Collin County. A small part on the west side is in Denton County, so county and appraisal records depend on the address.
Downtown Plano, along 15th Street near the rail line, is the oldest part of the city. Legacy and Legacy West in the northwest hold large office campuses, shops and restaurants. Shopping and offices also line the Dallas North Tollway and US 75.
Homes and lots
Much of Plano was built from the 1970s through the 1990s, so most homes are single-family houses in planned subdivisions, many with a homeowners association. You find one-story and two-story traditional houses, newer homes and townhomes toward the west and north, and some older houses near downtown. My sales here include homes on London Drive, Cobre Valle Lane and Regal Road.
Buyers often compare Plano with Preston Hollow. Preston Hollow is inside the City of Dallas, with older homes, larger lots and many rebuilt houses. Plano usually offers newer houses on smaller subdivision lots, often with an HOA. Neither is better in general. It depends on the commute, the school district you want, the age of house you like and the lot size you need.
If you want a one-story home, Plano has many of them, and newer subdivisions often have a main-floor primary suite. Read the HOA resale certificate and any deed restrictions before you plan changes.
Schools and taxes
Most of Plano is in Plano ISD, but not all of it. Some addresses, mostly on the north and west edges, are in Frisco ISD or Lewisville ISD, and a few are in Allen ISD. School lines follow addresses, not city limits, so look up the exact address on the district's own boundary tool.
Homes in the Collin County part are appraised by the Collin Central Appraisal District, and homes in the Denton County part by the Denton Central Appraisal District. The property record lists every taxing unit for the address, such as the city, the county and the school district. Each one sets its own rate every year, so check the current rates and the past tax bills for the house. If you will live in it, apply for the homestead exemption with the appraisal district.
Getting around
Central Expressway, US 75, runs north and south through east Plano, and the Dallas North Tollway runs along the west side. The President George Bush Turnpike crosses the south part of the city, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway, SH 121, runs along the north. Preston Road, Coit Road, Independence Parkway and Alma Drive are main north-south streets.
DART light rail runs along US 75 with stations in Plano. DART's Silver Line, a commuter rail line that opened in 2025, also has stations in Plano and runs west to DFW Airport. Drive your real commute at rush hour before you choose a street.
