Livability Score

77
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities B

There are some amenities close to this location.
Coffee (11) F
Hello Boba
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Feng Cha Allen
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Black walnut cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Cotton Patch Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Saltlight Station
Coffee Shop
Donuts
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
85°C
Coffee Shop
Magic Cup McKinney
Coffee Shop
Duino Coffee
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (15) A+
PinStack
Bowling Alley
Allen Arts Alliance
Theatre Arts
Allen Performing Arts Center
Theatre Arts
Allen High School Track and Field Stadium
Stadium
Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium
Water Park
Allen Eagle Stadium
Stadium
Old Eagle Stadium
Stadium
Allen Event Center
Stadium
Spring Free Trampoline
Theme Park
Allen Bowl
Bowling Alley
The Village at Fairview
Cinema
Cinemark Allen 16
Cinema
Cinemark Legacy XD Movie Theater
Cinema
Emerson High School Stadium
Stadium
McKinney ISD Stadium
Stadium
John Clark Field
Stadium
Food and Drink (50) A-
Arby's
Fast Food
Schlotzsky's
Fast Food
Krispy Kreme
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Fast Food
Taco Bell
Fast Food
Chipotle
Fast Food
Wendy's
Fast Food
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Layne's Chicken Fingers
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Allen Donut
Fast Food
Metro Liquors
Alcohol
Chick-fil-A
Fast Food
Taco Casa
Fast Food
Sonic
Fast Food
Hat Creek Burger Company
Fast Food
Chicken Express
Fast Food
Bahama Buck's
Sweets
Dairy Queen
Fast Food
Wienerschnitzel
Fast Food
Panera Bread
Fast Food
Braum's
Fast Food
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Sweets
Fitness (5) F
Fitness Connection
Gym
24 Hour Fitness
Gym
Pure Barre
Gym
F45 Training
Gym
Life Time
Gym
Community Event Center
Community Centre
Oak Point Park Nature & Retreat Center
Community Centre
Pryme Yoga
Gym
Life Time
Gym
Groceries (12) F
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Tom Thumb 3579
Grocery Store
Target
Grocery Store
Target
Grocery Store
Kroger
Grocery Store
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Market Street
Grocery Store
Kroger
Grocery Store
Fish City Grill
Seafood
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Kroger
Grocery Store
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Grocery Store
Tom Thumb 1788
Grocery Store
Mitsuwa
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Target
Grocery Store
99 Ranch Market
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Parks (136) A+
Rolling Hills Park
Park
Allen Station Park
Park
Heritage Village
Park
Allenwood Park
Park
Twin Creeks Crossing Doggie Park
Park
Dayspring Nature Preserve
Park
Quail Run Park
Park
Schoolyard
Playground
Spring Meadow Park
Park
Rocketship Park
Playground
Waterford Park
Park
Cheatham Park
Park
Jupiter Park
Park
Green Park
Park
Village Green
Park
Watters Crossing Park
Park
Hillside Park
Park
Ford Park West
Park
Reed Park West
Park
Ford Park East
Park
Spirit Park
Park
Reed Park East
Park
Glendover Park
Park
Shadow Lakes Park
Park
The Village Garden
Park
Shops (171) C+
Dallas Flooring Warehouse
Home Improvement
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
RaceTrac
Convenience Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Styles of India
Beauty
Verizon
Electronics
Batteries Plus Bulbs
Electronics
Town Creeks Salon
Beauty
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Lowe's
Home Improvement
The Home Depot
Home Improvement
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Allen Food Mart
Convenience Store
Best Buy
Electronics
TJ Maxx
Department Store
Ross
Department Store
RaceTrac
Convenience Store
RaceTrac
Convenience Store
Palm Beach Tan
Beauty
Chico's
Clothing
Tangerine Salon
Hairdresser
Envy Nail Spa
Beauty
Soma
Clothing
BicyclesPlus
Bicycle
See more Allen amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 0.9% take public transportation in Allen.
Public Transit Stops (0)
Stops & Stations
F
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.9%
F
See more Allen commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Allen is 129/100 - which is 39% higher than Texas.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A+
See more Allen cost of living data

crime B+

Allen crime rates are 1,411 per 100k, which is 48% lower than Texas
Property Crime
1,188 crimes per 100k
B+
Violent Crime
223 crimes per 100k
B+
See more Allen crime data

employment A+

The median income in Allen is $113,719 - which is 108% higher than Texas.
Med. Household Income
$113,719
A+
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
B
See more Allen employment data

health A

There are some hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (39)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Allen Family Drug
Pharmacy
Pain Care of North Texas
Doctor
Texas Health Sports Center
Clinic
DFW Center for Fertility & IVF
Doctor
Cardiovascular Center of Texas
Doctor
Nutrition 1st
Clinic
Texas Health Allen
Hospital
Spine Team Texas
Hospital
Raintree Healthcare: Pediatrics & Family Medicine
Clinic
Allen Police Department
Police
Walmart Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Allen Central Fire Station
Fire Station
Monarch Dental
Dentist
Tom Thumb Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Dentistry
Dentist
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Walgreens
Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Children’s Health Specialty Center Allen
Clinic
All Smiles Dentistry
Dentist
Kroger Pharmacy
Pharmacy
CareNow
Clinic
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
City of Allen Firestation #4
Fire Station
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
F
See more Allen health & safety data

housing A+

Allen home prices are $323,500 - which is 127% higher than Texas
Home Price
$323,500
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
27%
A+
Home Affordability
2.8x (home price to income ratio)
A-
See more Allen housing data

schools A

The Allen graduation rate is 93% - which is 20% higher than Texas
School Test Scores
71%
B
High School Grad. Rates
93%
A+
Elementary Schools (25) F
Watters Montessori Academy
Collin Co J J A E P
Dr E T Boon El
Beverly Cheatham El
D L Rountree El
Heritage Montessori Academy Of Allen
Frances E Norton El
Good Tree Academy
Flossie Floyd Green El
Alton Boyd El
Pat Dillard Special Achievement Center
Gene M Reed El
Kerr El
Max O Vaughan El
James And Margie Marion El
Jenny Preston El
George J Anderson El
Rasor El
Alvis C Story El
The Goddard School Of Allen
Bolin El
Mary Evans El
David And Lynda Olson El
H S #11
Jesse Mcgowen El
High Schools (3) F
Allen H S
Lowery Freshman Center
Good Tree Academy
Pat Dillard Special Achievement Center
Lovejoy H S
Clark H S
See more Allen education data

ratings D

Allen has an overall rating of 53% from 58 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes
F
User Surveys (55)
From AreaVibes
A+
See more Allen user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
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( 58 Ratings )

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Allen Reviews

Write a review about Allen Tell people what you like or don't like about Allen…
Great place to raise a family 5 rating By Anonymous ( Mar 12, 2024) Allen is a great community and an awesome place to raise a family. There's plenty of things to do, and it has low crime and good schools. We rarely have to go outside of Allen for anything, because it has pretty much everything that we need within close proximity. ...Read More Read Less
Nice veneer, but issues with law enforcement and school district 1.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 14, 2020) When my family moved here, we were excited about the possibilities of a great school district (by ratings online, exemplary schools, etc.), which was a GREAT change of pace from California (whose schools were once great and today not-so-much).

We have now lived here 15 years an
...Read More d I certainly feel qualified to discuss some of the points made in both previous reviews discussing police-harassment and shopping/getting around town, as well as discussing some of the less-than-desirable attributes of the local school district that is now $1 billion (yes, with a "b") in debt with bonds used to finance the rapid expansion of the schools and fund the construction of a $60 million football stadium.

Schools:

The are great if your child is a 'typical learner.' By the term 'typical learner,' I mean any child that is geared toward sitting still and receiving instruction/following rules. Our two sons are both more creative and active, while our daughter is a 'typical learner.' Our sons had some emotional issues and both are phenomenal at building / designing / imagining projects, but neither is geared toward Horace Mann's factory model of education, and the school is woefully under-funded when it comes to addressing students like our sons. For example, the school district made it a priority to fund a $60 million high school stadium in 2009 (during the Great Recession, regardless of when the government believes it "ended") and yet provided little to no funding for children in need of assistance or a different learning environment. Unfortunately they still call this "special education" and the child is labeled. My oldest managed to graduate and move onto the Marine Corps. My youngest is now a freshman and has been struggling for most of his academic career. He wants to learn welding and make sculptures and build vehicles - the school said if he wishes to learn to weld, he should "enroll in FFA and learn to weld a fence." {face palm}

Law enforcement.

I may have been tempted to disbelieve any reports of impropriety by police in Allen, hand I not personally witnessed a number of incidents. I'm a skateboarder and I've NEVER been harassed by police until moving to Allen. Their 'harassment' consisted of running my car's plates EVERY MORNING when I met with friends at the skatepark before work. EVERY MORNING for at least 3 years, the police would run my plates. I can only imagine their heartache as each time the plates were run, NOTHING came back - LOL. They did this to me and my friends, all of whom considered ourselves Pioneers of Industry - men involved in finance, law, medicine, manufacturing, and real estate. Men who own their businesses and sell to people around the world. If the police only knew... (or, maybe they did and were checking every day, praying they could bring one of us down).

My oldest son is a skateboarder (or was, before enlisting in the Marine Corps), and he never spoke disrespectfully to police and actually knew the law and his rights, so his interactions with law enforcement, often though they were (these guys have a bone to pick with anyone on a skateboard), he never had any trouble. One day, however, I did call into the local Allen PD to speak with one officer's CO for his disrespectful treatment of my son on the street and was assured the CO was "dealing with" the officer (whatever that means; probably buying him beer after shift).

I have a number of friends and acquaintances who've been harassed by Allen PD. In one case, there was a car accident. Allen is fond of the double-duty lanes (i.e., one for left hand turns, one for left hand turn OR go straight). My friend's daughter was in the "left or go straight" lane and someone from the lane to her right (go-straight-only) decided to pull a left-turn and slammed into her car. The perpetrator lied and said she herself had been in the left-or-go-straight and despite tons (literally - the cars) of physical evidence, tire marks and witnesses, the police decided to take the word of the "adult" woman liar. The only way this situation was resolved was an investigation by my friend's insurance company and once they had sorted the situation and collected witness statements, the police had no choice but to re-write their report and change it to fit the facts.

In another case, an acquaintance's son was pulled over coming home early (3AM) from a friend's house where he'd been gaming. The police demanded they search his car after he passed their field sobriety tests. He knew his rights and said "no" so they cuffed him and sat him on the median for an hour or two, just to wait for other officers to arrive. Finally a good officer arrived and un-cuffed the young man and released him.

Third case, my own youngest child - when an infant - was sick with a very high fever. I had taken my oldest with me to church that day and on my way home, received a call from my wife to pick up more infant ibuprofen, because the infant tylenol wasn't working on his fever. When I pulled up to the house, EMTs were there - turned out my son had suffered a febrile seizure because of the fever. Low and behold, the police show up (due to the call, ambulance needed for an infant) and accused me of taking my son and throwing him against the wall (WHAT?!?!). Despite there being zero evidence to support such a fantastic allegation, I calmly explained I wasn't even home when he seized, and in fact had been at church with my oldest child and stopped to get infant ibuprofen on my way home. The officer did not believe me and persisted in his line of questioning until an EMT pulled him aside and explained the situation. The officer turned and walked away - no apologies offered, no nothing - he simply disappeared.

Lastly, when my youngest was about 5, we walked to the Wal Mart neighborhood market and while crossing the street on our way home (on a signaled cross-walk - we had the right of way) an officer comes barreling through the intersection right at me and my son - no lights, no sirens. I jumped in front of my son and grabbed him while trying to waive at the officer to let him know we were there. He was VERY ANGRY with me and angrily signaled for me to get out of his way, and he tore off down the road - never turning on lights or sirens, and moving fast enough I could not get his car number and report him.

Shopping

The outlet mall has been open in Allen since we moved here in 2004. It was renovated and expanded sometime between 2016 and 2018 - and they added stores and built a new parking lot to the north (and folks would be way less frustrated if they bothered to park there and walk a bit rather than fight to get the closest spot to whichever store...). The city has allowed the construction of a number of restaurants and retail stores, and brought in thousands of apartments. Unfortunately, this growth has led to a lot of traffic and crowded streets and newcomers from outside Texas that honestly have no manners and don't understand how to drive. The drivers have all become very aggressive (or maybe just aggressive out-of-towners have moved in?) and often will NOT wait for pedestrians using the lighted, signaled cross-walks to get across the street. They honk angrily and move aggressively toward them - seriously not joking - my youngest and his friends experience this nearly every time they go out in town. We've seen several accidents at a nearby intersection, yet the police refuse to patrol the area during traffic-hour, so these folks never seem to get the message that they can't drive like maniacs in such populated areas. I get honked at and receive lots of nasty looks because I refuse to drive much above the speed limit. A number of people every day charge down Exchange Parkway (east of Greenville) at 50+ mph and often run the lights, blowing through right-turns on red, even with cars in the intersection - it's bonkers - I'm thinking about putting up a camera to capture the mayhem while driving so I can send video to the police (whom I do not trust, but have no one else to turn to in an effort to get these knuckleheads to slow down and drive responsibly).

The drugs referenced in 2016 review is true. Since I moved here, it's been speculated that maybe it's the pressure of living in a highly ranked school district, or it's the pressure of students knowing their rankings and how they rate against their peers (Worst. Idea. Ever.) however there has been a huge problem in the area with heroin and cocaine. I can't speak to the allegation of unreported violent acts, but the drugs are a concern, however they seem to be everywhere.

I don't know if it's the boredom from not ever having ever gone without, however there is a group of students at the high school that are infatuated with what they THINK is gang life. It's usually a bunch of privileged white kids pretending they're hard and claiming gang affiliation - it's nothing. I grew up in Southern California with different gangs fighting on campus and the police rolling up, cracking skulls, making arrests, and students not coming back to school due to their involvement with various incidents. The schools in Allen all have "SROs" (Security Resource Officers) on duty all day, every day.

Allen is basically its own little bubble. The cost of living has skyrocketed due to the influx of people from around 2009 through 2016 - driving up home prices and making property taxes sky high combined with an out-of-touch school district that was FINALLY put in check when their last $400 million bond failed in the general election. Seriously - the district currently has $1 billion estimated to repay - we don't need any more. Read Less
This place is overrun with corruption 0.5 rating By mikeikerson ( Aug 12, 2016) and that corruption is the police. do not come here if you are A) under 21B) wealthyC) you think this is a "safe" city.If you are under 21 and walk or drive around you WILL be stopped by the police.If you are wealthy and drive a nice car or live in a richer neighborhood you WILL ...Read More be pulled over If you think this is a good place to raise children you are wrong. There is meth, heroin, and violent acts that are never reported to keep the city in good report.The police will follow you until they find anything minute enough to pull you over. Like not using a blinker on a one way road, not putting on your blinker "long enough" before a turn, making a wide turn ( turning into the middle lane). They will disregard you if you know your law and they will only say to take it up with the judge. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. THEY DO THIS EVERY DAY. IT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU LIVE HERE.and dont even think about visiting. they will find something wrong with you, and make you come back to the city for court. THIS IS A TRAP-TOWNPlease dont move here. This is a hell hole. Read Less
Off To The Courses 4 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 17, 2015) After moving from Denver to Allen, TX three years ago, I can say that I wouldn't change the decision for anything. I love the area, and the people who live in the city are as friendly as if I had known them for years. One of the negative things about the city is that everything i ...Read More s spaced out. In order to get from one part of town to another, I need a car. There is public transportation, but it can be difficult to find a seat, especially in the early morning hours.

I have found that this is a town for golfers. There are so many courses for beginners to those who should be in the professional league. TopGolf is one of the most popular courses, especially for those who have played extensively, and there are several events held through the year that I have seen. Twin Creeks has one of the largest clubs in the area for golfers. I'm a person who loves shopping, and when I moved here, I was thrilled to discover Allen Premium Outlets. This is a large mall that has some of the name brand stores that you would expect to find in larger cities. The prices are unbeatable as it's an outlet mall. Many of the items for sale are leftovers from the larger stores, which is why the prices are so cheap. Avoid going during the holiday season as it gets very busy. My favorite place to shop in the outlet mall is Abercrombie and Fitch. Walters Creek is another area that has small stores and restaurants. This is an area where I can park my car and walk from one business to another. Read Less
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This place is overrun with corruption 0.5 rating By mikeikerson ( Aug 12, 2016) and that corruption is the police. do not come here if you are A) under 21B) wealthyC) you think this is a "safe" city.If you are under 21 and walk or drive around you WILL be stopped by the police.If you are wealthy and drive a nice car or live in a richer neighborhood you WILL ...Read More be pulled over If you think this is a good place to raise children you are wrong. There is meth, heroin, and violent acts that are never reported to keep the city in good report.The police will follow you until they find anything minute enough to pull you over. Like not using a blinker on a one way road, not putting on your blinker "long enough" before a turn, making a wide turn ( turning into the middle lane). They will disregard you if you know your law and they will only say to take it up with the judge. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. THEY DO THIS EVERY DAY. IT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU LIVE HERE.and dont even think about visiting. they will find something wrong with you, and make you come back to the city for court. THIS IS A TRAP-TOWNPlease dont move here. This is a hell hole. Read Less
Off To The Courses 4 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 17, 2015) After moving from Denver to Allen, TX three years ago, I can say that I wouldn't change the decision for anything. I love the area, and the people who live in the city are as friendly as if I had known them for years. One of the negative things about the city is that everything i ...Read More s spaced out. In order to get from one part of town to another, I need a car. There is public transportation, but it can be difficult to find a seat, especially in the early morning hours.

I have found that this is a town for golfers. There are so many courses for beginners to those who should be in the professional league. TopGolf is one of the most popular courses, especially for those who have played extensively, and there are several events held through the year that I have seen. Twin Creeks has one of the largest clubs in the area for golfers. I'm a person who loves shopping, and when I moved here, I was thrilled to discover Allen Premium Outlets. This is a large mall that has some of the name brand stores that you would expect to find in larger cities. The prices are unbeatable as it's an outlet mall. Many of the items for sale are leftovers from the larger stores, which is why the prices are so cheap. Avoid going during the holiday season as it gets very busy. My favorite place to shop in the outlet mall is Abercrombie and Fitch. Walters Creek is another area that has small stores and restaurants. This is an area where I can park my car and walk from one business to another. Read Less

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Allen Awards

Compare Allen, TX Livability

      vs

      B Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Allen? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Rolling Hills Park
      Allen Station Park
      Heritage Village
      Allenwood Park
      Twin Creeks Crossing Doggie Park
      Dayspring Nature Preserve
      Quail Run Park
      Schoolyard

      Entertainment

      PinStack
      Allen Arts Alliance
      Allen Performing Arts Center
      Allen High School Track and Field Stadium
      Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium
      Allen Eagle Stadium
      Old Eagle Stadium
      Allen Event Center

      Food & Drink

      Arby's
      Schlotzsky's
      Krispy Kreme
      Panda Express
      Einstein Bros. Bagels
      Taco Bell
      Chipotle
      Wendy's

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Allen? Of all people who commute, 0.9% take public transportation in Allen.
      Drive to Work
      79%

      3% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      1%

      2% lower than the US average

      A Health & Safety

      Is Allen a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Texas Health Allen
      Spine Team Texas

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walmart Pharmacy
      Tom Thumb Pharmacy
      Market Street Pharmacy

      Doctors

      North Texas Orthopedic & Spine
      DFW Center for Fertility & IVF
      Pain Care of North Texas
      Cardiovascular Center of Texas