Plano TX

Photo Courtesy of Visit Plano

UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.

#5. Plano, TX

Plano is just 20 miles north of downtown Dallas, but ask anyone who lives there and you’ll learn that this Texas city has a personality all its own. Its 280,000 residents are diverse and highly educated, with more than half having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, so you’ll definitely find yourself in good company if you move there in retirement.

Plano’s historic downtown is undergoing a renaissance of sorts and offers all sorts of unique community events for you to be a part of — there are farmers’ and holiday markets, art and wine walks, dining events, open mic nights and more. In addition, you can catch inspiring performances by the Plano Symphony Orchestra and at the many arts venues managed by the city under the umbrella of Plano Stages.

Grandkids coming to town? Be sure to take them to the Crayola Experience, a 60,000-square-foot space with 22 interactive areas meant to inspire creativity. Plano is also home to Legacy Food Hall, a trendy venue with food stalls, bars, a brewery, a donut shop and even a gourmet popsicle stand.

And you’ll have plenty of access to fresh air in Plano with sites like the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, a 200-acre park with hiking, walking and cycling trails, as well as an observation tower that offers incredible views

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