The Pros and Cons of Living in Highland Village, Texas

If you’re looking at homes in Denton County, there’s a good chance Highland Village has come up. It sits on the south shore of Lake Lewisville, tucked between Flower Mound, Lewisville, Copper Canyon, and Double Oak. It’s small, established, and well loved by the people who live here.

But no city is perfect for everyone. Here’s an honest, balanced look at the pros and cons of living in Highland Village, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.

The Pros of Living in Highland Village

A True Small Town Feel

With around 16,000 residents, Highland Village is one of the smaller cities in this part of Dallas Fort Worth, and it feels like it. You run into people you know at the grocery store, the coffee shop, and the ballfields. If you want a slower, more personal pace of life while still living inside a major metroplex, this is a big part of the appeal.

A Community That Gathers

Highland Village has a number of events throughout the year. Our Village Glows during the holidays, Celebrate Highland Village, Concerts in the Park, and the Highland Village Art Festival bring neighbors together all year long. It’s common to meet residents who have lived here for decades, and that kind of staying power says a lot about a place. City events are a great way to make a place feel like home.

Great Schools

Highland Village is served by Lewisville ISD, with most students feeding into Briarhill Middle School and Marcus High School, just over the line in Flower Mound. If schools are a priority for you, this is one of the biggest draws to the area.

A Very Safe Community

Highland Village has a long track record of landing on lists of the safest cities in Texas. That peace of mind is a big reason so many people choose to put down roots here and stay.

Commercial Stays on the Edges

This is one of my favorite things about Highland Village. Most of the retail and commercial development sits on the city’s edges, along FM 2499, FM 407 (Justin Road), and I-35E. Inside the city, it’s neighborhoods, parks, and schools. You get easy access to The Shops at Highland Village and everyday errands without shopping centers mixed in among the homes.

Lakefront Properties (If You Can Find Them)

Much of the shoreline around Lake Lewisville is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so true lakefront homes are rare in this area. Highland Village has a few … and as you might expect, they come at a cost. Even if you aren’t on the water, the lake is close.

Parks, Trails, and Life Outdoors

Doubletree Ranch Park is a local favorite, with a walking loop, splash pad, and a big open lawn. The city’s trail network runs close to ten miles and connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, and shopping. Locals will tell you the trails here have more hills than most in the area, which makes for a good workout and a pretty walk.

A Convenient Location

Highland Village has direct access to I-35E on its east side. You’re roughly 25 minutes from DFW International Airport and about 35 minutes from Dallas, depending on traffic.

The Cons of Living in Highland Village

Many Homes Are Older and Not Yet Updated

Much of Highland Village was built out in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. A lot of homes, especially in the original part of Highland Village, still have their original kitchens, baths, and finishes. If you’re hoping for updated, it can narrow your options, and it’s smart to budget for updates. The upside is mature trees, larger lots in many of the older neighborhoods, and the chance to make a home your own.

Getting Across Town Takes Time

The roads in Highland Village are mostly winding, two-lane, and lower speed. Add in school traffic at peak times, and getting from one side of town to the other can take longer than the map suggests. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to think about. The upside is that the slower roads keep things calm, and that quieter pace is a big part of what makes Highland Village so appealing.

Hilly Terrain Can Mean Unusual Layouts

The rolling hills are a big part of what makes Highland Village so pretty. They also mean some homes were built to fit the land. Think split levels, sloped backyards, steeper driveways, retaining walls, and floor plans that work around the grade. Some buyers love the character. Others find it harder to make the space work for how they live.

Landlocked, So Little Room to Grow

Highland Village is surrounded by Lake Lewisville and neighboring cities, so there’s nowhere left to expand. That means very little new construction and limited inventory. Homes here don’t come on the market often, and good ones can move quickly. The upside is that the town you see today is basically the town it will stay. The tradeoff is that if new construction is a must, you’ll likely be looking in Flower Mound, Argyle, or Denton instead.

Limited Nightlife

Highland Village has solid local restaurants, mostly clustered around The Shops at Highland Village and along FM 407 and FM 2499. What you won’t find is much of a late-night scene. For that, you’ll likely head to Old Town Lewisville, Grapevine, or Dallas.

Is Highland Village Right for You?

Highland Village tends to be a great fit if you value a small town feel, strong schools, safety, established neighborhoods, and being close to the lake. It may not be the right fit if brand-new construction, quick drives across town, or a lively nightlife are high on your list. (That said, an older home on a great lot can be a smart long-term buy once it’s updated, so don’t rule it out if you’re open to a project!)

Final Thoughts

Highland Village offers something that’s hard to find in Dallas Fort Worth: a true small town that stays a small town. It’s not growing, it’s not flashy, and for a lot of people, that’s exactly the point.

If you’re looking for a close-knit place to settle in and stay a while, Highland Village is worth a serious look.

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