Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

Southlake, Colleyville 2, 3 in Best ’Burbs Poll

By Nicholas Sakelaris

Staff Writer

University Park has overtaken Southlake as the top suburb in the Metroplex, according to D Magazine’s ranking of the 62 Best Suburbs in Dallas.

But Southlake didn’t fall far, coming in at No. 2 in the biennial rankings.

Colleyville made up some ground, climbing from No. 6 in 2006 to No. 3 in this year’s rankings. Grapevine moved up from No. 25 to No. 24. Three neighboring cities also rounded out the top 10.

The rankings take into account crime statistics, schools, housing and ambience and air quality.

For Southlake, the article highlights the Carroll football team, Central Market, Southlake Town Square and the exemplary school system.

Carroll’s football team was ranked No. 1 in the nation from 2004 through the start of the 2007 season and the school district was the only 5A district in the state to have an exemplary rating.

"It’s a validation of all the excellent services that are provided to the citizens by the city of Southlake," city spokesperson Pilar Schank said. "We were pretty excited to see the ranking."

Southlake’s reputation for big lots, mansions and the absence of apartments also played a role. Plenty of people have been drawn here as the city’s population has gone up 263 percent since 1990. The average Southlake home sells for $610,684, up almost 19 percent from 2005 to 2007. And 87 percent of residents own their own homes.

"Lots of families live here, especially those with stay-at-home moms and traveling dads [DFW Airport is close by]," D Magazine says about Southlake. "Affluence is evident around every corner."

Newly elected Councilwoman Pamela Muller said the ranking is a tribute to the volunteers who have given time to city commissions, boards and the council as well as the Southlake Women’s Club and the Carroll Education Foundation. She also attributed it to city staff and the Carroll school district.

"A lot of people worked really hard and still are. We’ve got a little bit left to do," said Muller, who started her third term on the council this week. "It’s a real honor to be recognized that way."

Some Southlake residents complained about high taxes, though D Magazine points out that the property taxes there are lower than other Metroplex cities.

The city’s low crime rate was also important.

The article even mentions the $695 tiara with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals that was donated to the Carroll prom queen.

Trees and wealthy neighborhoods are some of the biggest draws for Colleyville, according to D Magazine.

"It’s a wealthy town with a heart," says D Magazine.

The article mentions the fact that Colleyville is close to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport without being in a flight path.

D Magazine cites the trend of new homeowners to come in and tear down old homes to build mansions.

The average price of a home in Colleyville has gone up nearly 26 percent in two years to $522,768. Comparatively, the article says Colleyville has more modestly priced homes than Southlake.

Hospitality and heritage continue to be the focus in Grapevine, according to D Magazine.

Decades ago Grapevine was mostly known for being an "airport city" near Grapevine Lake, the article says.

Now tourists are drawn to the city with events such as GrapeFest, Main Street Days, the New Vintage Wine Trail, Grapevine Mills Mall, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center and the Great Wolf Lodge. As the oldest settlement in Tarrant County, Grapevine proudly shows off its heritage with a working 1880s homestead at the Nash Farm, a bustling historical downtown and a working winery at the Delaney Vineyards.

Nearby Keller made big strides too, going from No. 21 in 2006 to No. 7 while Trophy Club climbed to No.4 from No. 7. Flower Mound came in at No. 10.

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