If you're looking for an apartment in a growing community known for its thriving economy, excellent schools and breathtaking parks, then you'll love living in Plano.

Plano apartments are located in Collin County about 24 miles north of Dallas and are bordered by the affluent communities of Frisco, McKinney, The Colony and Carrollton. Plano is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and has a pro-business stance. Major employers in the area include Chase Bank, Bank of America and USAA. Plano is also home to such Fortune 500 companies as Valero Energy and Conoco Phillips. The city has an educated workforce and a resource-rich school district, a host of places to shop and dine, prompting Forbes to rank it among the list of Top Suburbs To Live Well.

When you rent an apartment in Plano, you'll never be at a loss for things to do. When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, Plano has some 80 park sites, including a dog park. Let your best friend run off leash at Jack Carter Park. You can also take yourself for a scenic run at Oak Point Park Nature Preserve. This tree-studded park with a lake and winding creeks spans 800 acres and is the city's largest park. It also features miles of hard and soft trails that skirt Rowlett Creek.

Plano is a shopping hot spot. Find the perfect new sofa or dining set for your new apartment at Lakeside Market. Billed as Plano's premiere lifestyle center, this open-air mall features 14 home furnishing stores. The entire family will enjoy Collin County Mall that has 150 stores and restaurants sure to please even the most discriminating. And for the ultimate in upscale shopping, there are The Shops at Willow Bend with anchor stores Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's.

Plano apartments are in the rapidly growing and well-respected Plano Independent School District. The district serves more than 54,000 students with its 45 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 5 high schools (grades 9-10) and 3 senior high schools (grades 11-12). With many of its graduates going on to top national colleges and the large number of National Merit Scholars, it's not surprising that 28 of the district's schools have been rated as Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency and another 24 enjoy the distinction of being Blue Ribbon schools. In the Dallas Business Journal's annual survey, Plano district employees voted their school district among the Best Places to Work in 2008.