Garland, TX

Garland is a northeastern Dallas suburb, known to many as the inspiration for television's "Arlen, Texas," hometown of the Hill family in King of the Hill (created by former Garland resident Mike Judge). With a population of about 219,000, Garland manages to maintain its small-town feel despite its location in the middle of the 12-county Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, earning it a spot in CNN and Money magazine's Top 100 Places to Live for 2008.

EDUCATION

Safe neighborhoods, affordable homes, and easy commutes are three of the reasons cited by Money magazine for ranking Garland 67^th on its list. But many residents would also point to the outstanding educational opportunities.

Most of Garland lies within the Garland Independent School District, but parts stretch into the Dallas Independent School District, the Richardson Independent School District, and the Mesquite Independent School District. Students in the Garland Independent School District are not bound by school zoning, so they can apply to any school in the district. High schools in the district include:

• Garland High School (an International Baccalaureate school)
• Lakeview Centennial High School (a college and career magnet school)
• North Garland High School (a math, science, and technology magnet school)
• South Garland High School (which offers a vocational cosmetology program)
• Other high schools in the district include Sachse High School, Rowlett High School, and Naaman Forest High School.

There are numerous higher educational options in and around Garland, from nearby Richland College (part of the Dallas County Community College District) to noted institutions in commuting institutions, including the University of Texas at Dallas and Southern Methodist University.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Because Garland has grown over time by incorporating local cities, its neighborhoods are distinguished mainly by location rather than building style or land use. Thirteen residential neighborhoods have formed; among them are Centerville, Duck Creek, Rose Hill, Terrace-Bellaire, Carriagehouse, Forest Ridge-Walnut, and Oakridge.

Historic Downtown Garland features one of the larger town squares in Texas and one of few in the state that features a fountain. The square is home to fiddlers on Saturday nights, as well as parades and other events throughout the year. Downtown Garland's Heritage Park includes historical structures, like the Laso Lyle House (a 'matchbox' styled house), Pace House (Victorian Farm House), and anta Fe Depot and Railroad Car. The Garland Civic Theatre can also be found here.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Garland is ranked as Texas' ninth-largest manufacturing city. Companies with plants in the city include the Craddock food company and the Byer-Rolnick hat factory, which is now owned by Resistol. Kraft Foods also purchased a plant in the city after World War II.

Apparel, food, chemical, plastics, and metals manufacturing are the most prevalent industries in the manufacturing sector. Health care, education, and finance are also major industries.

SHOPPING

Garland's major shopping center is Firewheel Town Center, built in 2005 in northern Garland. The 785,000-square-foot outdoor mall has more than 100 stores and restaurants and an AMC movie theater.

On the southern end of Garland, shoppers head to the Harbor Point development along Lake Ray Hubbard.

For specialty and antique shops, residents check out Downtown Garland, which is set to undergo a vast redevelopment effort. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system's new stop in Downtown Garland has helped to spur this development, which includes a new Dallas County Community College satellite campus, Garland Education Center, and a multi-story, mixed-use development with apartments and retail stores.

BEST BETS

• Patty Granville Arts Center: City-owned complex with two proscenium theaters, the Plaza Theatre, and a 6,500-square-foot ballroom (The Atrium)
• The Garland Opry: Hosts weekly country and gospel programs
• Surf and Swim: Four-acre water park inside the city's Audubon Park
• Hawaiian Falls: Family-friendly water park
• Garland Landmark Museum: Housed in the former Santa Fe depot, this museum displays early settlers' artifacts, including old newspapers, farm tools, and quilts.

FAMILY FUN

With more than 2,500 acres of park land, 20 miles of trails, four pools and a tennis center, Garland offers its residents plenty of opportunities to stay fit and have fun. Kids can enjoy dozens of playgrounds and athletic fields.

Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon, a tributary to Lake Ray Hubbard, offer residents boating, water skiing, and fishing opportunities.

And PGA-qualifying Firewheel Golf Park is a golfer's paradise. The third largest golf park in the nation and the largest in the state, Firewheel spans 600 acres with more than 63 holes on 3 courses:

• The Old Course: Par 71, 18-hole course designed by Richard M. Phelps
• The Lakes Course: Par 72, 18-hole course also designed by Richard M. Phelps
• The Bridges: The most prestigious area of Firewheel, The Bridges has three of its own nine-hole courses.

FUN FACTS

• Famous Garlanders include Mike Judge, LeAnn Rimes, NBA player Mookie Blaylock, and Hannah Montana's Mitchel Musso.
• Television shows that have filmed in Garland include Chuck Norris' Walker, Texas Ranger, and Fox's Prison Break.
• 3D Realms, the video game company that created the Duke Nukem series, was founded and is still headquartered in Garland.
• Garland is the home of the sport known as "dog agility." The United States Dog Agility Association was founded in Garland by Kenneth Tatsch in 1986, and it now has more than 22,000 registered competitors.