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Laid-back Dallas suburb named 5th best in U.S. by Travel + Leisure

Coppell is the No. 2 best suburb to live in Texas, and No. 5 nationwide.

City of Coppell, TX Municipal Government / Facebook

The Dallas-Fort Worth city of Coppell has new bragging rights: It was declared the No. 5 best American suburb to live in by a recent Travel + Leisure report.

The report analyzed feedback from Realtors and data from "recent livability rankings" to determine the 10 best U.S. suburbs with the most "affordable housing, top-rated schools, and excellent job opportunities."

Johns Creek, Georgia (located 30 miles outside Atlanta) claimed the title as the No. 1 best American suburb to live in. The Houston suburb of Cinco Ranch came in at No. 2.

Coppell was described in the report as a quieter alternative to the hustle and bustle of Dallas-Fort Worth, with average value of a home at more than $643,000 in July. The suburb's hot housing market means available homes go from on sale to pending in just six days, according to the Zillow Home Values Index.

Coppell's status as a commuter city, and its residents' laid-back lifestyles, are two of the main reasons families flock to the city over any others in Dallas-Fort Worth, the report said.

"[Coppell is] conveniently located within a short distance to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and makes a wonderful location for those who travel for business and pleasure," said Deb Borrell, executive vice president of relocation at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, in the report.

Coppell Arts Center is a great place to take the kids during the weekend. Photo courtesy of Coppell Arts Center

Families can also take advantage of the many high-ranking schools in Coppell Independent School District, which are some of the best public high schools in Texas, according to Niche.

"Today, half of all Americans live in suburbs of different densities, driven by rising costs in cities plus a desire for more space and a laid-back lifestyle," the report said. "Because of that shift, suburbs are now more racially diverse than ever, offering a wide range of amenities like excellent restaurants, shops, and entertainment, but also top-rated public schools, medical centers, and recreational facilities."

The city has an active arts and entertainment scene, thanks to the always-busy Coppell Arts Center and nearby Sound at Cypress Waters. NBA star Monta Ellis recently opened a new elite basketball academy in Coppell. And its dining and shopping scene is newly buzzy, with a new kind of ramen restaurant choosing Coppell for its local debut, and a Trader Joe's grocery store and Tim Horton's coffee-and-doughnut shop on the way.

Dallas suburbs have been on a roll in national surveys lately: Flower Mound recently ranked the No. 29 most livable small U.S. city; University Park and Southlake were listed among the wealthiest American suburbs; and McKinney was just ranked the No. 4 best city in the nation for renters.

The top 10 best suburbs to live in, according to Travel + Leisure, are:

No. 1 – Johns Creek, Georgia
No. 2 – Cinco Ranch, Texas
No. 3 – Okemos, Michigan
No. 4 – North Bethesda, Maryland
No. 5 – Coppell, Texas
No. 6 – Brookline, Massachusetts
No. 7 – Brentwood, Mississippi
No. 8 – Carmel, Indiana
No. 9 – Short Pump, Virginia
No. 10 – Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania

The full report can be found on travelandleisure.com.

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Love this listing

Extraordinary modern ranch in Grapevine trots onto market for $7.2 million

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

A stunning, 10-acre North Texas property that's fit for a modern cowboy has just hit the market for $7.2 million: Called the Willow Wood Horse Farm, the equestrian paradise is located on West Kimball Avenue in Grapevine, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Dallas.

The ranch is a combination of elegant and thoughtful modern design paired with all of the practicality required of a fully functioning farm.

According to the listing, which is held by Burgher-Ray Ranch Group and managed by David Burgher and Harlan Ray, the ranch includes several fenced pastures, an enclosed and insulated shop storage building with concrete flooring, and a seven-stall horse barn.

A covered and irrigated riding arena is attached to the barn, every stall has its own turnout, and six of the stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet wide, and the seventh is designated as a foaling stall. An additional turnout for grazing is located adjacent to the barn, as well as a training pen.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The horse barn has seven stalls with individual turnouts.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

But the focal point of the entire estate is the 4,353-square-foot, three-story primary residence that sits at the highest point of the gently sloped property. The home was custom-designed and completed in 2022, featuring an exterior made of metal cladding, concrete, durable ipe hardwood, and glass.

From the front door, guests will see views that lead through the home's living areas and into the 3,000-square-foot back deck, past the 80-foot-long saltwater swimming pool, and out toward the pastures.

The chef's kitchen is outfitted with luxurious Gaggenau appliances, such as a steam convection oven, a conventional convection oven, a coffee machine, stove, dishwasher, a separate paneled refrigerator and freezer, and a warming drawer. A half bathroom and full butler's pantry is located to the side of the kitchen, which is equipped with a prep space and a dishwasher.

Additional features of the home include:

Koi ponds located on either side of the main door that welcome guests to the home
An open concept living space that contains the living room, kitchen, and dining rooms
A primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom
Two additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
Soft opening/closing doors in all main bedrooms
Dynaudio speakers installed throughout the home
Geo-thermal heating/cooling system

A custom-built metal spiraling staircase connects all three levels of the home. The second floor includes a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the covered porch and rooftop deck. The lower level leads to an "acoustically balanced" underground home theater featuring eight-foot concert walls, Dynaudio speakers, an Ember Audio sound system, a 250-bottle wine cooler, and a powder bathroom. The listing notes that this area could be converted into a storm cellar.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The underground home theater has an impressive Ember Audio sound system with Dynaudio speakers.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

A detached three-car garage is located next to the home, and has one EV charging station and two additional outlets for charging. Discreetly designed solar panels are hidden on top of the garage, which are capable of powering the entire residence.

The horse barn, irrigation system, and stock pond all run off of a water well located on the property, while the primary residence uses city water with a filtration system.

"Situated in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, just minutes from Lake Grapevine, Southlake, and an easy commute to DFW International Airport, this property affords someone the ability to have all the comforts of the city, while living just slightly removed from it all," the listing says.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

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