List News

Plano makes top 5 on list of best cities in the U.S. to raise a family

Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center plano texas

Plano's family-friendly Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center.

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A study proves what Plano residents already know: that the Collin County city is one of the best places to raise a family.

The list of "2023’s Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family," done by personal financial website WalletHub, ranks Plano in the top five cities, as follows:

1. Fremont, California
2. Overland Park, Kansas
3. Irvine, California
4. Plano, Texas
5. South Burlington, Vermont

WalletHub compared 182 cities across the U.S., using five criteria: Family Fun, Health & Safety, Education & Child Care, Affordability, and Socio-economics.

Plano earned high marks for its socioeconomics (factors like divorce rate, unemployment, and home foreclosures), health & safety (factors such as air quality, number of pediatricians, and access to healthy food), and affordability.

The results of this latest 2023 survey are similar to one conducted in 2022, with four of the five top cities, including Plano, returning to make the list again this year.

WalletHub is not alone in its admiration of Plano; a similar study by StorageCafe in 2022 ranked Plano the No. 1 city in the U.S. to raise a family, with excellent public schools, reasonable cost of living, fantastic parks system, and safe and clean environment being cited as factors.

Plano is the highest ranking city Texas on the WalletHub list, but 15 other Texas cities also get a mention, including six other DFW-area cities: Grand Prairie (No. 51), Irving (No. 85), Fort Worth (No. 90), Arlington (97), Garland (98), and Dallas (138).

plano texas reports wallethub

Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

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