Searching for a place to call home is stressful, especially when moving to a new area. If you’re looking around DFW, you might ask yourself, is Garland a good neighborhood to live in?
Garland, Texas is a good neighborhood to live in. Garland boasts a low cost of living, overall low crime rates, and good schools, making it a fine choice for families in DFW.
It’s hard to define what makes a neighborhood “good,” as many of it comes down to individual needs. Continue reading to learn more about what Garland, TX, offers you.
Is Garland a Safe Area?
It’s important that you and your family can feel safe in your home. Garland is located northeast of Dallas, and its proximity to a big city can cause valid concerns about the area’s safety.
Garland is an overall safe area to live in. Garland has lower rates of assault, robbery, and burglary, but higher rates of car theft and murder, than the national average in the U.S.
| Crime (annually per 100,000 residents) | Garland, TX | National |
| Assault | 132.6 | 282.7 |
| Robbery | 86.3 | 135.5 |
| Burglary | 328 | 500.1 |
| Car theft | 447 | 284 |
| Murder | 8.8 | 6.1 |
Crime rates in Garland vary based on neighborhood and are highly dependent on income. 11.9% of Garland residents live in poverty, slightly higher than the national average of 11.6%.
Crime rates in low-income neighborhoods in Garland influence the overall crime rate of the city; however, most residents of Garland are unaffected by crime.
You can take extra steps to ensure the safety of your home and family by installing a Ring doorbell or motion-activated outdoor lights near any entrances.
What are the Bad Areas in Garland, Texas?
Like any city, Garland has some areas that are nicer than others. Crime statistics for the city indicate that these are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Garland, Texas:
- Bellaire Heights
- Brentwood Village
- Crystal Lake
- Glynnhill Highland Estates
- Freemonteers
- Monica Park Heights
- Meadowood
- New West
- Northeast Garland
- Park North
These neighborhoods have higher rates of violent crimes than most other neighborhoods in Garland and are located in three areas:
- Northern Garland, between Sachse and Richardson
- Central Garland
- Southeast Garland, near Rose Hill
Garland is made up of many diverse neighborhoods, and despite some areas with higher crime than others.
Garland is overall a good place to live with plenty of safe, affordable housing options.
Is Garland Rural or Urban?
If you’re looking for a Texas-sized ranch full of longhorns, you’re not going to find it in Garland. Nestled in northeast DFW, Garland, Texas is entirely urban.
Garland is located in Dallas County, and like the city of Dallas, Garland has lots to offer in terms of recreation. You can find plenty of restaurants, nightlife, art, and even a water park!
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find nature around, too. Garland is home to the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and is bordered by Lake Ray Hubbard to the East.
What is Garland, Texas known for?
Many Texans know Garland simply as a city close to Dallas, but Garland has a rich history and culture of its own.
Garland is well known for its entertainment and attractions. Garland is home to Hawaiian Falls water park, a local orchestra and art center, multiple breweries, and tons of other recreation.
Historically, however, Garland is known for manufacturing. More than 300 manufacturers can be found in Garland today, making it one of the largest manufacturing hubs in Texas.
So while Garland is mostly known for being Dallas’ neighbor, residents of DFW know that Garland is an institution of its own.
Pros and Cons of Living in Garland, Texas
It’s difficult to definitively say whether a city is “good” or “bad,” but you can always make a pros and cons list. Let’s look at some of the things you should consider.
Some of the pros of living in Garland, Texas are
- Low cost of living
- Good school districts
- Proximity to Dallas
- Lower than average crime rates
- Surplus of recreation
- Plenty of parks and trails
- Low risk for natural disasters
While some of the cons of living in Garland, Texas are:
- Dense population (lots of homes close together)
- Some areas with increased criminal activity
Although there are a couple of cons to living in Garland, the pros can’t be ignored, and as many new homeowners are concerned about affordability, Garland gets you a lot of bang for your buck.
Compared to other cities in Texas and even neighboring areas of DFW, Garland is above average because the city has something to offer for almost everyone.
Conclusion
Garland, Texas is a good neighborhood to live in, especially for individuals, couples, or families who want to live in affordable homes without sacrificing big-city amenities.
