Moving in

Thriving North Texas town boasts 7th hottest neighborhood for U.S. homebuyers

Bellagio Lagoon is being built in Forney.

Courtesy rendering

The population of Forney climbed 60 percent from 2010 to 2020, and the growth shows no signs of letting up. A new report from residential real estate platform Opendoor provides further evidence of the continued popularity of the North Texas town.

Forney's 75126 ZIP code ranks seventh on Opendoor’s new list of the country’s 10 most popular ZIP codes for homebuyers. It's the only DFW-area ZIP to make the list. To develop the rankings, Opendoor analyzed home sales in 2021 in the more than 40 markets where it operates brokerages.

“Like the other Texas ZIPs on the list, Forney is a great place for young families and offers top-notch local school districts,” says Sharon Brown, Opendoor’s general manager in Dallas-Fort Worth. “The homes in Forney are on large lots and are showing consistent appreciation, which is great for those looking to make an investment in a home and put down roots.”

This is the same Forney that last year was ranked second on "The Best Suburbs to Move to in 2021" by Homes.com, based on home price, education quality, and crime rates. Forney is one of the fastest-growing North Texas new home markets, especially since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There's even a new residential project in the works coming with what has become the new must-have: a lagoon. Called Bellagio Lagoon, it's a development that Megatel Homes LLC is building in 75126. The project — one of the largest residential projects in Forney to date — is budgeted at more than $800 million and will feature a manmade lagoon with white sand beaches.

Elsewhere in Texas
Forney isn’t the only Texas city represented on Opendoor’s list of hot ZIP codes. Suburbs of San Antonio, Houston, and Austin also appear in the ranking.

“Relative to the rest of the country, with nice weather and no state income taxes, Texas is a hot market right now, attracting not only new residents from out of state, but also big companies that are relocating their campuses,” says Brown.

The Austin suburb of Leander’s 78641 ZIP code ranks second on the list. The population of Leander soared 123 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Chris Westrom, Opendoor’s senior general manager in Austin, says Leander benefits from the population and job growth occurring throughout the metro area.

“Leander … offers residents a smaller-town charm while only being about 30 miles outside of the hustle and bustle of Austin. Living in Leander offers residents a more rural feel, and most residents own their homes,” Westrom tells CultureMap.

Many of those homes have been built in the past 10 years or so, lending a “fresh and new” look to much of Leander, he adds. In tandem with the addition of homes, Leander continues to attract big-box stores and restaurants. The suburb also boasts highly rated schools and lots of parks, Westrom says.

At No. 3 is the 77494 ZIP code in Katy, a suburb of Houston. The population of Katy climbed 55 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Westrom says Katy’s highly regarded schools, access to major employment centers, and abundance of parks help make it a sought-after destination for homebuyers. He also mentions Katy’s wealth of dining and shopping options, including Katy Mills.

“The recently completed I-10 expansion makes the commute from Katy to downtown Houston a breeze, and you can generally make the trip within a half-hour,” Westrom says.

In the San Antonio area, the 78130 ZIP code in New Braunfels nabs the No. 4 spot among the hottest ZIP codes.

Westrom says New Braunfels, whose population rose 57 percent from 2010 to 2020, benefits from its proximity to big-city amenities in San Antonio and Austin.

“There’s convenience when you want it, and it’s easy to get outside and away from people when you don’t,” Westrom says.

He also cites the ongoing expansion of dining, retail, and entertainment options in New Braunfels, and access to amenities at places like Gruene and the Comal River.

At No. 1 nationally is the 37042 ZIP code in Clarksville, Tennessee, nearly 50 miles northwest of Nashville.

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T-Shirt News

Fort Worth clothing brand Dickies to relocate HQ to California

Dickies

Dickies T-shirt

After more than a century, workwear clothing brand Dickies is leaving Fort Worth for new headquarters on the West Coast. It will be moving from its current space at 500 Taylor St., at the top floor of The Tower, to California, with an estimated completion date of late spring 2025.

The company is relocating to Costa Mesa, home of its parent VF Corp, the footwear and apparel firm that owns brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Jansport, and Eastpak; VF Corp acquired Dickies in 2017.

"By co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections – creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices," says a Dickies representative in a statement, according to NBC 5.

According to Dickies, about 120 employees at the headquarters will be affected, but not those working at the local distribution facility, warehouses, and stores.

"We are deeply grateful for our Dickies associates’ dedication and hard work and want to recognize the camaraderie and commitment they have shown to the brand," the Dickies representative said in a statement. "Our priority is to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and care throughout this process. We will provide resources and assistance to help them navigate the next steps in their careers."

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker chimed in on the relocation decision, stating that it's an example of a Fort Worth success story.

"While we understand companies are sometimes forced to make difficult budget decisions under new leadership, we think VFC will find – as others have – that Fort Worth, Texas is ultimately a more competitive place to do business,” Parker said in a statement.

Established in Fort Worth in 1922, Dickies brand impact, which was first founded by C.N. Williamson and E.E. "Colonel" Dickie, will still be felt, even after it leaves the city: In 2017, it gained naming rights to the 14,000 square-foot Dickies Arena next to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, and later opened in 2019.

According to the company, the California move will be managed over an "extended transition period." It's expected to be completed by May 2025.

"While this was a tough call, we are confident this change will help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come," said the company representative.

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