Southlake

Southlake, Texas is currently rated as being among the most expensive places to live in Texas. The city boasts high ratings in nearly every facet of community life: from public school, to nightlife, to entertainment, to diversity, to family-oriented living, the only low score this city seems to retain is their crime rating. The city center features a wealth of entertainment, including restaurants, coffee shops, beautiful parks with large, shady trees, and a multitude of shopping centers.

It is very close to the DFW International Airport, and most attractions within the city are within a 20 minute drive. Additionally, the city itself is considered to be highly accessible by nearly every means of transportation, whether that be walking, biking, or driving. This city is the most expensive place to live, with average home values being 152% above the national average.

Bellaire

In addition to Southlake, Bellaire, Texas boasts high ratings in nearly every element of city living. Although their schools are not quite as high-quality as those in Southlake, they are still fairly top-tier. It also has a lot of the same qualities that make Southlake so desirable: accessible, filled with parks and entertainment, and excellent real estate. This city is very close to Houston and West University.

Although this is an upper-class neighborhood, it is also fairly diverse in terms of home prices. Some homes within this city are valued lower than others, depending on school zoning maps, proximity to railroad tracks (which lowers home values), and the quality of the homes themselves.

Fredericksburg

Unlike the first two, Fredericksburg is a small town, and further away from the major cities within Texas. The city of Fredericksburg is the most unique of this list, and it features elegant shops, fine dining, and art. It is rated one of the ‘Top 10 Best Wine Regions in America,’ and holds a multitude of wineries and breweries.

The town’s German roots can be found all throughout their dining, architecture, yearly festivals, and even their dialect. There are also several opportunities for camping, climbing, and hiking trails, national landmarks, and agritourism, as it is also considered the “peach capital of Texas.”

Colleyville

Colleyville, Texas is located in the same county as Southlake, and includes many of the same features of that city, such as proximity to the airport and excellent public schools. There are also nearby hiking and biking trails and the Colleyville Nature Center. There are short commutes within the city and a multitude of nearby malls and shopping centers.

Horseshoe Bay

Finally, Horseshoe Bay, Texas is the fifth most expensive place to live in Texas. As this city is located directly beside Lake LBJ, it is bursting with expensive resorts, golf courses, wineries, and country clubs. The community often participates in water-themed sports, and even houses a yacht club.

There are also a variety of opportunities for equestrian-lovers. It’s a relatively short commute to Austin and San Antonio, hosts extraordinary views, and is considered a “Dark-Sky Community” by the International Dark Sky Association. The majority of neighborhoods contain access to community amenities, such as pools, tennis courts, and lake access. Residents additionally enjoy a friendly atmosphere and moderate year-round temperatures, due to the presence of the lake.