Southlake

About Southlake

Southlake is a prosperous suburb of Fort Worth, known for a very superior quality of life and thriving population. It's primarily a family-oriented community, with more than half of Southlake households counting young children among their members. Top-rated schools and safe neighborhoods have made Southlake a popular place for Fort Worth professionals who are looking for a comfortable suburb in which to raise their children.

The History of Southlake

Before the first Europeans ever set foot in the area where Southlake now sits, Native Americans lived and hunted in the thick forests of the region. Between 1540 and 1542, the first Europeans made their way through the region as Francisco Vasquez de Coronado lead an expedition in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola.

During the mid- to late 1800s, white settlers began to make their way to the area, drawn by plenty of land, water, game and forests. Families arrived from southern states, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, to build homes and businesses and cultivate the land. As more families arrived, however, clashes with existing tribes resulted. In 1843, Sam Houston negotiated a treaty with the various tribes in the region in order to establish land boundaries.

If any one person is responsible for the founding of Southlake, it might be Clovis Monroe Gordon. Before 1956, the area now known as Southlake was simply called "the area west of Grapevine." It was a rural land filled with farms and dotted with a few churches and schools. Then, in August 1956, Gordon came home and told his wife Barbara that he heard unincorporated areas, including theirs, were going to be annexed. They called their neighbors and were able to collect enough signatures to ask for a vote to incorporate a new town. On Sept.25, 1956, the vote passed 30 to 24, and a new community was born.

Living in Southlake

Southlake is an extremely desirable Fort Worth suburb, and is among the wealthiest communities in America. A thriving economy and the close proximity of Houston have provided Southlake locals with access to many high-paying jobs, fueling growth and development in the area. There are many luxury, master-planned communities throughout the city, many of which were built in the 1990s and 2000s. Many of these neighborhoods include residential amenities like private pools and community centers, so you may be able to enjoy plenty of recreation and entertainment within a few steps of your front door.

A wide variety of parks and facilities throughout Southlake, dotting main areas of town as well as local neighborhoods, provide scenic green space and a place for many recreational activities. Many of these parks, total more than 1,100 acres, have won awards and recognition. Athletic fields, fishing lakes, picnic areas and children's playgrounds are among the many amenities featured.

Southlake also hosts a number of community programs, ranging from organizations supporting the arts to youth sports leagues, and including plenty of options in between. There's no shortage of ways to get involved in your community and get to know your new neighbors.

Southlake Schools

Carroll Independent School District serves the majority of Southlake students, though Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, Keller Independent School District and Northwest Independent School District also serve small portions of the city. Southlake's schools are very highly-rated, earning the highest distinction for academic performance and quality educational programs. Alternatively, you can choose one of the many private schools in the area.

Resources for Moving to Southlake

As you get ready for your move to Southlake, the following resources will be very useful:

• Utilities: Major utilities providers in Southlake include the city utilities department and Atmos Energy (natural gas). Electricity providers are part of a deregulated market, which means you'll be able to choose the company that's the best fit for your budget and needs.
• Garbage and Recycling: The city facilitates curbside collection of trash and recyclables throughout the residential communities of Southlake.
• Transportation: Because personal vehicles are the most common form of transportation in Southlake, public transit is somewhat limited. However, the Denton County Transportation Authority does offer limited routes that stop in Southlake.

Southlake Housing

Homes in Southlake are generously sized and often part of luxury planned communities, and have expensive price tags to match. The median home price in Southlake is well above the national average, passing the half-million-dollar mark and continuing to rise. You'll find many options for new construction, typically situated in family-friendly communities with numerous amenities.