• III Forks - This French restaurant ranks high for overall service in terms of quality food and customer service. The 25,000 square feet of dining space is divided into 15 unique rooms taking their names from popular Texas heroes. Prime beef steaks and the fish market selection are popular menu choices, along with sides such as steamed vegetables, off-the-cob creamed corn and potatoes. Top if off with wine housed in on-premises wine cellars.

• Bijoux Restaurant - Combining Old World charm and contemporary style, patrons are offered a selection of three and five course meals. Popular dishes include pork belly served with fava bean succotash corn, Chianti optional. Sautéed mushrooms, poached eggs and béarnaise, crème fraiche and farmers’ market vegetables are among the favorite appetizer selections.

• Stephan Pyles Restaurant - It is easy to see why diners enjoy the South American, Middle Eastern and Spanish flavors on the menu at this Dallas restaurant. Coffee Masala-Rubbed Strip Steak is a customer favorite with ceviches, tapas, appetizers and flatbread pizza highlighting the Southwest-inspired menu.

• The Place at Perry's - This locally-owned, award-winning restaurant is considered a true Dallas treasure. The neighborhood treasure is perfect for large family gatherings and intimate dinners. Popular menu items include all natural beef dishes and fresh seafood served with signature wines. Complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and half price wines make this a stylish and affordable dining choice.

• The Grape Restaurant - Don't let the name fool you, this restaurant has a contemporary bistro feel with delicious, eclectic creations similar to what can be found in New York and Europe. Bistro steak frites, warm baked brie, thyme pork meatballs and their famous cream of mushroom soup are customer favorites. A glass of wine tops off a memorable dining experience.

Texas Homesites is your source for affordable Texas living with land for sale in the Dallas area with easy access to many of the best restaurants in Dallas. Visit us online or check us out on Twitter and Facebook.

Six Flags Over Texas. This 212-acre park is packed with rides, shows, and many other attractions. It is home to some of the world’s greatest thrills, such as the 25½ story tall Titan rollercoaster. People of all ages come to enjoy the fun! Six Flags is open every day from mid-June to the end of August.

Texas Rangers. Bring the whole family to enjoy America’s sport all summer long at the famous ballpark in Arlington!

TopGolf. Referred to as “the premier golf entertainment complex,” TopGolf combines an innovative point-scoring golf game with a restaurant and a bar. There are only four TopGolfs in the United States, and the Dallas area is home to two of them! Not only is it a great place to hang with friends on summer nights, but they also offer lessons and leagues. TopGolf holds fun events all through the summer.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Named the “#1 Best Natural Attraction in Texas” by Frommer’s.com, the Dallas Arboretum is beautiful and full of color in the summer. Situated on White Rock Lake, it is the perfect place for a summer day. There are weekly outdoor concerts and several festivals throughout the summer. Other summer activities include Family Fun Mondays, which features face painting and a petting zoo.

Dallas Farmer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and bright flowers during the summer. They also offer summer events that include cooking classes!

Texas Homesites has land in four different locations near the Dallas area! Live at the Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake and enjoy a waterfront home with hiking trails and nature preserves right at your backyard—all while remaining close to the urban sophistication of Dallas. Texas Homesites also has North Texas land for sale at the Quail Springs Ranch location, which offers the advantages of country living within minutes of the DFW Metroplex. For more information on land for sale in the Dallas area, check out our The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide eBook!

• Golfing Community: The Bridges at Preston Crossings is home to one of the best golf courses in North Texas. The Bridges at Preston Crossings has a challenging 18-hole Fred Couples Signature Golf Course. This golf course offers something for everyone. Whether you are a beginning golfer or an experienced golfer, our Fred Couples Signature Golf Course offers something for everyone.  This wonderful course winds through the beautiful homesites and hills of The Bridges at Preston Crossings.
• Equestrian Community: Myron Minton, a Dallas socialite, originally owned this wonderful piece of property. Minton helped develop the property into the ideal equestrian community, and when Texas Homesites purchased the property, we continued to develop this special equestrian community in North Texas. The Bridges at Preston Crossings has first-class riding facilities that offer boarding, lessons, riding, and private events. We have three premium barns, an indoor riding arena, a lighted outdoor arena with grandstands, a boarder’s lounge, and miles of horseback riding trails.

The Bridges at Preston Crossings truly has something for everyone. This community is family-friendly neighborhood located in Gunter, Texas. The students who live in The Bridges at Preston Crossings enjoy going to school in the Gunter Independent School District, which is an exemplary-rated school district.

The Bridges at Preston Crossings has homesites for sale in Texas that range from one to three acres and start at less than $50,000. To learn more about The Bridges at Preston Crossings and our available communities, download our free eBook, The Texas Land Buyer’s Guide.

In our opinion, Texas is by far the best place to work and play. Texas is a fantastic place to live and offers many diverse places to call home. Texas has also recently been called “recession proof,” and offers leadership in the country because of our stable economy, our leading business and industrial industry, entertainment hot spots, and the lifestyle we lead.

Texas is the industry leader in fields such as petrochemicals, aerospace, agriculture, and computer manufacturing. The job market in Texas is one of the most stable in the country, as Texas has managed to avoid many of the repercussions that other states have had to deal with in this down economy. If you are an entrepreneur and considering starting your own business, there are many reasons to open shop in Texas. Texas does not require you to have a business license, and instead requires permits and licenses managed through agencies. Also, one of state’s biggest draws is that it has no personal income tax! Texas is a state that caters to businesses and offers several economy-friendly programs to encourage new businesses. Two of these programs are Texas Enterprise Fund and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. Some of the businesses that call Texas home include NASA, Dell Computer, Texas Instruments, and Lockheed Martin.

Texas is not all business. Texas has low taxes, a great climate, affordable housing, and friendly people. Size-wise, Texas is the second-largest state behind Alaska and is home to some of the leading metropolitan areas in the country.

Because of the all-around nice temperatures, outdoor activities are popular in Texas. There is always something to do, some recreational activity for you to participate in. Texas is also home to some of the biggest sports teams and arenas in the country. Our NFL teams include the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Our NBA teams are the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. For hockey, we have the Dallas Stars. And, of course, for baseball we have the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.

Residents of Texas Homesites communities love being able to work and play in Texas, and Texas Homesites is thrilled to provide individuals with the best land that Texas has to offer. To learn more about building your Texas dream home, or to receive more information about any of our Texas master-planned communities, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you start planning your family’s future today! If you are interested in learning more, please contact Texas Homesites to learn how much land you can afford.

The Urban Land Institute published a study listing the top 10 metropolitan areas with job growth and a declining unemployment rate, and Dallas was among one of the fastest-recovering cities. Dallas is a great place for you and your family to start making memories.

Dallas is known for its beauty, great climate, rich history, and charming people. Most residents of Dallas or the Dallas suburbs think that Dallas is one of the best places to live, and love being a part of the Dallas community. Dallas itself is the third-largest city in Texas, with a population of 1.2 million residents, and the surrounding metropolitan area includes over 6 million residents. In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth “Metroplex” is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country.

Dallas and the surrounding areas enjoy one of the most affordable costs of living in the nation. The median household income of Dallas is $42,576 and the housing market is affordable. The median price for a home in 2005 was $120,900. Dallas Independent School District contains some of the best public schools in the nation, and has over 160,000 students.

One appealing thing about moving to Dallas or the suburbs of Dallas is the low unemployment rate. Dallas has a stable job market, and Texas has even gone so far as to call itself “recession proof.”

Texas Homesites is dedicated to providing you with the best land that Texas has to offer. Texas Homesites has four master-planned communities located outside of Dallas and Fort Worth: The Bridges at Preston Crossings, Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake, Quail Springs Ranch and The Reserve at Sugartree. If you’d like to learn more about building your Texas dream home, or if you’d like more information about any of our Texas master-planned communities, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you plan your family’s future today!

Yes, that’s right—three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection Dexter Coakley lives in Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake!

Dexter Coakley is a former American football player who played for 10 seasons in the National Football League. After his football days at Appalachian State, Coakley was the Dallas Cowboys’ third-round draft choice in 1997. Coakley started as a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and become a huge playmaker for the Cowboys’ defense. Pro Football Weekly and Football News later named Coakley to All-Rookie teams. In 1999, Coakley made 131 tackles and intercepted four passes, which made him the first Dallas linebacker to go to the Pro Bowl since 1993. Coakley earned Pro Bowl honors in 1999, 2001, and 2003.

Coakley played for the Cowboys for eight seasons and started in 127 games, only missing one game to due a sprained knee. Coakley ranks fourth in Cowboy club history with 1,046 tackles!

Dexter Coakley says he moved to Lake Ridge because the community has it all. Coakley likes Lake Ridge’s location, because the property is not too far from downtown Dallas and not too far from Fort Worth. After a long search all through the Dallas suburbs, the Coakleys found Lake Ridge and decided it was the perfect place to start making memories.

No wonder Dexter Coakley loves Lake Ridge. Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake is a master-planned community unlike any other. Lake Ridge is a gated community that offers golf and both waterfront and mountain views. Lake Ridge is located in Cedar Hill, Texas, just 20 miles from downtown Dallas. The 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake, a huge body of water with two marinas, boating, sailing, fishing, and the Oasis Lakeside Restaurant, surrounds all Homesites in the Lake Ridge Communities. Also, in the center of the community, you’ll find the Tangle Ridge Golf Club, which was rated as a four-star 18-hole golf course by Golf Digest.

Want to be Dexter Coakley’s neighbor? To learn more about Lake Ridge or any Texas Homesites Community, visit us at TexasHomesites.com. We are dedicated to finding the best homesite for you and your family at the most affordable prices!

The Dallas Arboretum was created in the 1930s and became a non-profit organization in 1987. The Dallas Arboretum has acre upon acre of beautiful gardens that display exotic plants, and it also offers classes in landscape design, photography, floral design, art, horticulture, and other educational opportunities.

Each year, the Dallas Arboretum hosts seasonal outdoor festivals, concerts, art shows, and more. Each day, friends and family can enjoy tea while strolling through the beautiful gardens. The Arboretum has indoor and outdoor dining facilities in either the Restaurant DeGolyer or on the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace.

Visiting the Dallas Arboretum is easy and affordable. Children under three get in free, children from three to twelve for $8, seniors for $10, and adults for $12.

The Dallas Arboretum is a great place for the entire family to make memories. It is such an active, beautiful, and fun place that people of all ages can enjoy a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.

The Dallas Arboretum is just 50 miles from The Bridges at Preston Crossings. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is the only equestrian and golfing community in North Texas. To learn more about your dream property in Texas, contact Texas Homesites, where you’ll find affordable rural homesites for sale with all the amazing benefits of living close to Dallas.

The Bridges at Preston Crossings is located in Gunter, Texas and is the only equestrian and golfing community in North Texas.  The Bridges at Preston Crossings is a family-friendly community where you can enjoy both our state-of-the-art equestrian center and our Fred Couples Signature Golf Course.

The Bridges at Preston Crossings is also home to one of the best golf courses in north Texas. The golf course that is located at The Bridges at Preston Crossings is the challenging 18-hole Fred Couples Signature Golf Course. This wonderful golf course is truly the centerpiece of The Bridges at Preston Crossings community as the course winds through our beautiful homesites and hills. Fred Couples himself said “We have created a signature course that takes advantage of the natural features of the land and have made great efforts to enhance the natural look of the course, while offering maximum playability. This course is a blend of extraordinary design, artistic creativity, and uncompromising sensitivity to the environment.” The Bridges at Preston Crossings truly has something for everyone, and our golf course offers something for novice golfers, while also offering a challenge to more experienced golfers!

The Bridges at Preston Crossings’ equestrian center enjoys a rich history.  Because Dallas Socialite Myron Minton previously owned the land, it was developed into an ideal equestrian community. The ranch once hosted exclusive events with celebrity guests and dignitaries. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is the perfect place to enjoy living in an equestrian community.

The Bridges at Preston Crossings brings a new meaning to the term master-planned community. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is well thought out and planned, and all of our homesites are situated on spacious land and enjoy resort-caliber amenities. The Bridges at Preston Crossings is just forty miles outside of Dallas, so you are able to enjoy rural living in Texas while also being close enough to take advantage of the big city lifestyle.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) were first introduced to the market in the 1970’s; and while they are exhilarating and exciting to drive, caution should be taken while operating  an ATV.

All Terrain Vehicles are a great way to explore the land in Texas because ATV’s are designed to be able to conquer all different types of terrain. There are ATV safety precautions that everyone should follow when riding.

The ATV Safety website states, “Like other activities involving high speeds and heavy machinery, riding an ATV can be risky. To help stay safe, follow common sense safety tips.” Some of these safety tips include taking a hands-on safety training course, wearing protective gear, do not ride with others, don’t drive on paved roads, don’t let children drive ATV’s, and don’t drive ATV’s under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The following are some specific  tips to help you enjoy ATV riding in the safest manner.

1. The best way to learn how to properly drive an ATV is to take a training course. In these courses your instructors will teach you how to drive in control, and how to get yourself out of dangerous situations. It is proven that drivers with formal ATV training have a lower injury risk when compared to those individuals with no training.
2. When you are riding on your ATV, make sure you always wear a helmet. One of the most common ATV injuries is head trauma; so wearing a helmet will cut down on the severity of a head injury. Also some other suggested protective gear recommended by ATV Safety includes ankle-boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.  Proper clothing attire can protect you against cuts, abrasions, rocks, any debris and anything that may harm you.

Today we covered the first two tips on how to stay safe while riding ATV’s. Stay tuned because tomorrow we will be finishing our list with our last four tips to staying safe on ATV’s.

• Austin and San Antonio. Located in central Texas, with a population of nearly 650,000, Austin is Texas’ state capital. Nearby San Antonio is the most “tourist-friendly” city in Texas, with a population of nearly a million people, most of whom look forward to welcoming their many visitors. Not only is San Antonio home to some of the most historic landmarks in Texas, but they also feature many luxury hotels and restaurants for your enjoyment. Texas Homesites has three communities located just outside the San Antonio-Austin metroplex: Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard, Havenwood at Hunters Crossing.

• Dallas. As the hub of Northeast Texas, Dallas has a population of nearly 1.2 million people. Dallas is a city that doesn’t sleep, with plenty going on all the time, including many tourist activities. Texas Homesites has four communities outside of Dallas: The Bridges at Preston Crossings, Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake, Quail Springs Ranch, and The Reserve at SugarTree.

• Houston. The largest city in Texas, Houston has nearly four million people living in this metropolitan area. Houston is home to some of the finest restaurants and hotels in Texas. Texas Homesites offers just one exclusive community located outside Houston, the equestrian community of Saddle Creek Forest.

Texas Homesites offers some of the best family-friendly communities in Texas. We’re dedicated to providing you with the best land that Texas has to offer, and at the most affordable prices. Each of our communities is truly unique, bringing you quiet, picturesque living with convenient urban access!