Suburb news

Dallas neighbor beckons movers as top U.S. suburb with small-town feel

Wylie's downtown district comes to life during the annual Bluegrass on Ballard car show.

Discover Wylie/Facebook

An unexpected Dallas-Fort Worth neighbor has emerged as a top destination for Americans searching for a suburb with a "small-town feel."

Wylie, a city less than 30 miles from downtown Dallas, ranked as the No. 7 most highly sought-after U.S. suburb of 2025 in MoveBuddha's new national survey.

MoveBuddha's experts analyzed Zillow Home Value Index data and mover search data from August 1, 2024 to September 11, 2025 for 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas. The study then determined the most desirable suburb for each metro by analyzing which had the highest inbound-to-outbound move ratio. Cities that qualified as "suburbs" were those located about 31 miles from their main metros.

In addition to being recognized as the 7th most desirable American suburb, Wylie also ranked as the second-most desirable suburb to move to in Texas. Boerne, a city outside San Antonio, ranked as the No.1 most sought after Texas suburb and the 4th most desirable suburb in the nation.

Wylie specifically stood out among four U.S. suburbs that offer residents a "small-town feel" despite being on the far edge of the Dallas metro.

"While not every top suburb is quaint or historic, in general, the most desirable suburbs nationwide are those with their own unique personalities and strong lifestyle appeal, regardless of their commute times," the report said.

Wylie isn't just being sought out by suburbanites that want to live in a small city with more space; No Demo Reno stars Mike and Jenn Todryk opened a coffee shop in this buzzy suburb earlier in 2025. And there's plenty of other local businesses all adding to "Wide Awake Wylie's" charm.

"Ballard Avenue, Wylie’s 'Main Street,' is home to vibrant shops, such as Shoemaker & Hardt, with its wide array of coffees and unique gifts; Rick’s Home Store, where hand-crafted wood and leather merchandise can be found; and family-owned Wylie Flower & Gifts, the oldest retail business in town, where the staff can handle everything from a small get-well bouquet to a full-scale wedding," the city's website says.

The average home in Wylie is valued at $434,593, landing somewhere in the middle in the national comparison of the most desirable suburbs with the cheapest home values.

Elsewhere in Texas, Georgetown was deemed the most desirable Austin suburb and ranked 27th nationally, while Houston neighbor The Woodlands ranked as No. 48 nationwide. Edinburg, a South Texas city outside McAllen, ranked as the No. 42 most desirable suburb in America.

"In the end, America’s most popular suburbs are proving that big moves don’t always mean big cities," the report said. "Sometimes they mean big charm, with moderate prices, with some proximity to mid-sized metros. And if trends continue, the popularity of these spots — and their housing prices — will only continue to climb in 2026."

The top 10 most sought-after suburbs in America are:

No. 1 – Wake Forest, North Carolina
No. 2 – Eagle, Idaho
No. 3 – Maryvile, Tennessee
No. 4 – Boerne, Texas
No. 5 – Greer, South Carolina
No. 6 – Camas, Washington
No. 7 – Wylie, Texas
No. 8 – Summerville, South Carolina
No. 9 – Alex, North Carolina
No. 10 – Florence, Kentucky

suburbs wylie dallas movebuddha reports

HAUTE PROPERTIES

Texas Hill Country ranch tied to George Strait lists for $19.5 million

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and the Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located on 675 acres in Hays County, just south of Austin, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Republic Ranches, is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation provides an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see all the way to downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is situated next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch.

Two fully stocked ponds — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — are located onsite. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls. The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more, and the property is under wildlife exemption.

The entire mountain is included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner, with unobstructed privacy on three sides. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman Mountain, giving views around every corner.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. But only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo courtesy of Republic Ranches

Lone Woman Ranch has ties to country music stars.

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