Where to Live in
McKinney

Here is the 2026 Neighborhood Shortlist.

The 2026 Vibe Check (Deep Dive)

McKinney is currently fighting a civil war on two fronts: the relentless westward creep of Frisco’s money and the preservationist grit of the historic core. If you’re looking at the map in 2026, the dividing line is US 75. To the west, you have the master-planned machine—HOAs that will fine you for having a mismatched mailbox and schools that cost as much as a starter home back east. It’s predictable, sure, but it’s swallowing up the farmland between here and Celina at a terrifying speed.

The real action, and the real tension, is east of the highway. Downtown McKinney (specifically the Historic District) is the battleground. You’ve got OG families who’ve been here for generations sitting on 100-year-old bungalows, watching Adriatica Village turn into a backdrop for Instagram reels and the new high-rises start to shadow the courthouse. The gentrification line stops hard at Eldorado Parkway. Go south of that, and you’re in the older, working-class pockets that are slowly getting picked apart by investors. The vibe is no longer "small town charm"—it's "historic charm with a $7 craft latte and a $900k price tag." If you want the authentic local feel, you have to get off University Drive and find the pockets where the dive bars still outnumber the wine bars.

The 2026 Shortlist

Downtown / Historic District

• The Vibe: Historic Preservation
• Rent Check: Significantly above city average.
• The Good: This is the only spot in McKinney where you can walk to a coffee shop, a dive bar, and a steakhouse without getting in your car. The walkability score is real here. You’re steps from Bonnie’s Diner on Louisiana Street and the local scene at The Yard. The architecture is genuine 1900s Craftsman and Victorian, not the colonial knockoffs you see in the suburbs. The McKinney Performing Arts Center anchors the culture, and the weekend farmers market on Virginia Street is the closest thing we have to a town square.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare if you have guests, especially on First Saturdays. You are sharing narrow streets with tourists who don't know how to drive. The taxes are brutal, and you will pay a premium for square footage. Older homes here mean constant maintenance—plumbing, electrical, and foundations are not the builder-grade stuff you see west of the highway.
• Best For: The purist who wants the "I live in a museum" aesthetic and is willing to pay for it.
• Insider Tip: Drive down Lee Street between Kent and Church. That’s the money shot of the Historic District. If you see a "For Sale" sign there, it’s gone in 24 hours.

Craig Ranch

• The Vibe: Master-Planned Luxury
• Rent Check: High.
• The Good: If you want amenities, this is the fortress. The Craig Ranch Scenic Park is massive, and the TPC Craig Ranch golf course is pristine. The homes are newer (post-2010 mostly), meaning energy efficiency and open floor plans. You’re tucked away near Custer Road, which gives you a decent shot at the Dallas North Tollway if you time the commute right. The Starbucks at University Drive and Custer is the social hub; you’ll see every soccer mom in town there at 7:30 AM.
• The Bad: The HOA fees are eye-watering, and they are strict. Forget parking your work truck in the driveway or painting your front door a fun color. It feels like a gated community without the gates. The density is high, so your backyard neighbor is basically your roommate.
• Best For: The executive who wants the country club lifestyle without the country club dues, and families who want the "clubhouse life."
• Insider Tip: The pool at the Craig Ranch Recreation Center is the best in the city, but avoid it on Saturday afternoons unless you enjoy screaming children and zero lounge chairs.

Twin Creeks

• The Vibe: Family Suburbia
• Rent Check: Mid-range.
• The Good: This is the textbook definition of "good bones." The yards are actually decent sizes here, unlike the new builds where you can hand your neighbor a beer through the window. It’s zoned for McKinney High School, which is a solid performer and feels more diverse than the newer schools out west. Access to US 75 is easy via El Dorado Parkway, making the commute to Plano or Frisco manageable. The Twin Creeks Park is a reliable spot for letting the dogs run.
• The Bad: The architecture is late 90s/early 2000s "McMansion" style—lots of beige stucco and faux stone. It’s aging, so you’re going to see roofs and HVAC systems needing replacement soon. Traffic on Lake Forest Drive during school pickup is gridlocked.
• Best For: Families who need a 4-bedroom, a two-car garage, and good schools, but can’t swing the $800k+ price tag of the newer stuff.
• Insider Tip: The H-E-B at Lake Forest and University is the busiest grocery store in the city. Go at 6 AM or 9 PM if you want to avoid the cart collisions.

Estates at Westridge

• The Vibe: Old Money / Sprawl
• Rent Check: N/A (Mostly owned/leases are custom).
• The Good: Privacy. These are custom homes on 1+ acre lots, hidden off FM 1378 on the southwest side. You don’t hear your neighbors, and you can’t see the street. It’s quiet, dark, and feels like you’re actually out in the country while being 15 minutes from Downtown McKinney. The homes are unique, built in the 80s and 90s with serious square footage.
• The Bad: You are driving everywhere. There is zero walkability. The roads are narrow county roads, not wide city streets, and they flood in heavy rain. Maintenance on that much land is a full-time job.
• Best For: The buyer who wants space, privacy, and a custom home, and is tired of cookie-cutter subdivisions.
• Insider Tip: Honey’s Pie Shop is the local gem tucked away near here. If you can get a table on a Sunday morning, you’re doing it right.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Look hard at Twin Creeks. The yards are real, the schools (McKinney High) are established, and the neighbors are actual families, not investors flipping rentals. Avoid Downtown if you have toddlers; the sidewalks are brick, the streets are busy, and the yards are non-existent.
• For Wall St / Tech: Commute is everything. Craig Ranch is your winner because it’s the shortest drive to the Dallas North Tollway. You can be in Frisco or Plano in 15 minutes. If you can't stand the HOA, look at the new builds off Custer Road north of 1378. Avoid Estates at Westridge unless you work from home; the commute will eat your soul.
• The Value Play: The Eldorado corridor (South of Eldorado Parkway, West of US 75). These are the 1970s-1980s brick homes that are currently being ignored by the luxury buyers. They are solid brick, on decent lots, and the price per square foot is still reasonable. Buy here, renovate the kitchen, and ride the wave as the new high schools fill up.