Richardson

About Richardson

Richardson is a leading city in central Texas and one of the inner-ring suburbs of the metropolis city of Dallas. It's home to a handful of institutions of higher education and thousands of thriving businesses, which have helped it become an extremely successful city and an attractive place to live. Richardson has been honored with a number of awards and accolades, including those recognizing its impressive economic development and expansion.

The History of Richardson

Richardson was first settled in the mid-19th century by Tennessee and Kentucky residents who were seeking a wide-open space to call home. Richardson received its charter in 1873, and the arrival of the Interurban, an electric highway, contributed to the city's growth in the early 20th century. Large numbers of new residents and the development of the city's communications infrastructure led to large-scale growth after World War II. Richardson continued to develop its residential business communities through the late 20th century, making it one of the most desirable cities in the greater Dallas area today.

Working in Richardson

As the second-largest employment area in the Dallas metro area, Richardson welcomes businesses in insurance, telecommunications, education and more. Insurance providers State Farm Insurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, United Healthcare and Traveler's Insurance provide thousands of jobs in the area, as do telecommunication company AT&T and communication equipment and service providers Fujitsu Network Communications, Cisco Systems and Samsung Mobile.

Within the city's 28-square-mile footprint, about 5,000 businesses maintain major operations centers or headquarters. This provides a generous number of local jobs, which has helped the city nurture a large, thriving economy.

Richardson Schools

Richardson schools are part of Richardson Independent School District, which includes many award-winning schools within city limits. There are also many private and charter schools in Richardson, including a number of parochial campuses.

The city is also home to several institutions of higher education, the largest of which is the University of Texas at Dallas. Richland College also offers a number of degree programs, and it's among the largest community colleges in the region.

Resources for Moving to Richardson

As you prepare for your move to Richardson, the following information will be useful:

• Utilities: The city of Richardson's utilities department facilitates water and sewer services. A number of providers supply electricity to the area, providing you with a range of options in terms of price and services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash is collected on a twice-weekly basis, while recycling is picked up once per week. Your home's location determines your specific collection schedule.
• Transportation: The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system operates a number of routes through Richardson, providing convenient transportation to many major workplaces in the area.

Richardson Housing

The largest and most desirable homes in Richardson are located on the north side of the city, especially near Breckenridge Park, Spring Creek Nature Preserve and Point North Park. If you're working with a smaller budget, focus your search on the south side of the city, especially near Huffhines Park and Woodland Park. Because Richardson is an extremely desirable Dallas suburb, homes are fairly expensive.