8 Things to Know Before Moving to Argyle, TX
About 30 miles north of Fort Worth is the small Texas town of Argyle, which is located in Denton County. Settlers arrived in the area in the mid-1800s, marking the beginning of development that would continue until the community was incorporated in the early 1960s.
As the area’s rural character and small-town allure continued to captivate an increasing number of visitors, retail and residential development began in full swing. Argyle is a rapidly expanding town with a current population of about 5,000.
Let’s check out eight things to know before moving to Argyle, TX.
1. Argyle has a cost of living index of 115
Argyle’s overall cost of living is about 15% higher than the national average. This puts it above the average for both Texas and Denton County as a whole.
The biggest driver for the higher-than-average cost of living is accommodation. The median home value in Argyle is around $604,393. This is significantly pricier than Texas’ overall median home value of $296,127. Rents are also well above average.
Goods and services in Argyle also come with increased price tags. Groceries are about 5% higher compared to national averages. Healthcare is 12% higher. Utilities like electricity and heating cost between 3-8% more.
2. Work in a company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
The people of Argyle may live in a sleepy little town, but they are well-served by the abundance of jobs in this region of North Texas. Retail, teaching, and veterinary jobs are all that are now available in Argyle, but you’ll find a much wider range of opportunities in nearby Denton and the areas around the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.
A large number of Fortune 500 firms have their headquarters in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, making Texas the state with the most headquarters overall. Tech and telecom titans like AT&T and TI, engineering and construction giants such as Caterpillar and Fluor, and oil and gas corporations like HF Sinclair and Pioneer Natural Resources are just a few of the notable employers in the area.
3. Check out the lakes or the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area Nature Preserve
Argyle is conveniently located near two lakes—Lewisville Lake and Grapevine Lake—where water sports enthusiasts can enjoy fishing and boating. There are multiple boat ramps accessible from within a fifteen-mile radius of both reservoirs. People who live close to Lake Lewisville can usually go out on the lake in under an hour.
There is no shortage of green spaces, bike lanes, and parks in the vicinity. In addition to fishing, camping, and kayaking, the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) Nature Preserve is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
4. Summers are hot in Argyle
You will be quite comfortable in Argyle if you enjoy the weather in Texas. Hot and steamy summers ideal for a swim and chilly and windy winters with a sprinkling of snow are typical for this region. The extremes are short-lived, so Argyle is still a nice area to live for the majority of the year.
Sure, summers can get hot. From June through September, you can expect daily highs of around 90 degrees, with July seeing the highest average of about 95 degrees. The coldest month here is January, with temperatures dropping to an average of 35 degrees, and the cold weather season typically lasts from November through February.
5. Numerous major cities are situated a few miles away
The majority of employed residents in Argyle commute outside of town for work. With convenient access to major highways like I-35W and US 377, driving to other cities in the Metroplex is relatively easy for Argyle residents. A typical commute is around 15 minutes for the 8-mile trip south to downtown Denton. Heading 30 miles south to downtown Fort Worth generally takes 35-40 minutes in normal traffic, but can be longer during rush hour. Other major employment hubs like Irving and Arlington are approximately 35 miles from Argyle, averaging about an hour’s drive time.
The commute to downtown Dallas, 40 miles away, is often an hour or longer as well. Traffic congestion and frequent road construction can add significant time, especially during high-traffic periods. Overall, Argyle’s location near major highways provides reasonably accessible commuting options into Dallas/Fort Worth job centers despite being a suburb.
6. Argyle Independent School District serves the city
Like most residential areas, school-aged children in Argyle attend public schools in their local school district, which is the Argyle Independent School District (ISD). The district covers 35 square miles and has an enrollment of around 5,000 students across 5 schools. Students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade are zoned for one of three elementary schools – Hilltop, Argyle West, or Argyle South. After elementary school, students attend Argyle Middle School for grades 6-8, followed by Argyle High School.
Argyle ISD is bordered by the Denton Independent School District to the north and east, and the Northwest Independent School District on its southwestern corner. As is typical for public schools, the district’s boundaries and campuses are organized around Argyle’s geography and population density to serve local families within the community.
7. There are a ton of family-oriented activities
As a quiet suburban town, much of Argyle’s local entertainment and recreation options cater to families and youth. Popular activities include little league sports leagues, like the Argyle Youth Baseball Softball Association, that organize seasons for baseball, softball, football, basketball, and more. The schools host events like choir and band concerts, theater performances, and sports games that bring out families and provide entertainment for the community.
The Argyle Rodeo and Hot Air Balloon Festival are two popular local annual events. Though options for singles, nightlife, and adult entertainment are very limited in town, the focus on family-friendly activities reflects Argyle’s spirit as a small tight-knit community.
8. Argyle is growing rapidly
In recent decades, Argyle has experienced a rapid expansion of its population and development. Since 2000, the town’s population has tripled in size, growing from under 1,500 residents to over 5,000 today.
Part of this growth is due to Argyle’s proximity to major employers in DFW, its reputable school district, and abundant land for new construction. But this growth has also led to some growing pains typical of suburban sprawl.
With more housing developments being approved, there is increasing concern about overcrowded schools, strain on infrastructure like roads and utilities, loss of open space, increased traffic congestion, and damage to the small town character that makes Argyle so appealing to residents. The town faces challenges in responsibly managing steady growth while preserving Argyle’s community roots and charm.
In Summary
Argyle provides the perks of suburban living like good schools, low crime, and outdoor recreation along with proximity to DFW job centers. However, the high costs, lack of diverse entertainment options, and heavy growth could be drawbacks for some.
Argyle suits those looking for family-friendly, small-town life near urban hubs if they can manage the tradeoffs. For others, more affordable towns with more amenities may be preferable.
