Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 12 years and With a population of 202K, McKinney is a mid-size city. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Should I be concerned?
29 upvotes
9 Replies
Angel Sanders
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Christian Long
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Eva Watson
I'm a teacher and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Gianna
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Evelyn H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Hudson Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
19 upvotes
Evan Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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