Money Magazine: 10 Drees cities named Best Places to Live

Several cities that Drees Homes builds in — from Carmel, Indiana to Frisco, Texas — made Money Magazine’s list of 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021-2022. Money’s 35th annual list of the best cities highlights the areas that boast job growth, affordable home prices and a shining quality of life.

#2 Carmel, Indiana

Located just 15 miles north of Indianapolis, Carmel has been named the #1 “Best Suburb in America” by Business Insider and the #2 “Best Place to Live in America” by Money Magazine. In Carmel, Drees offers a Build on Your Lot program, which allows homebuyers the opportunity to build on their own land, in a custom community or via an infill opportunity. Drees also builds at Albany Place in west Carmel. 

Albany Place

The Crestwood model home by Drees Homes at Albany Place in Carmel, Indiana
The Crestwood model home | Albany Place

Albany Place features stately designs showcasing the ultimate in curb appeal and large home sites. Albany Place has floor plans that range from 2,700 to 4,200 square feet. Each plan showcases today’s most desired features, including airy, open concepts, luxury owner’s suites and multi-generational living setups. With two ponds, a walking trail and an abundance of common green space, Albany Place has so much to love!

Contact your New Home Specialist, Amy, about opportunities in Albany Place. 

#3 Franklin, Tennessee

This city frequently appears in the top 10 of Money Magazine’s annual Best Places to Live list (it claimed the number eight spot last year). Located 17 miles south of Nashville, Franklin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation in terms of population, according to Money. Drees Homes offers Build on Your Lot opportunities in Franklin and also builds in nearby Thompson’s Station and Brentwood. 

Whistle Stop Farms – Thompson’s Station 

The Ballentine model home by Drees Homes at Whistle Stop Farms in Thompson's Station, Tennessee
The Ballentine model home | Whistle Stop Farms

Amid the rolling hills of south Nashville and only a short distance from downtown Thompson’s Station, Whistle Stop Farms boasts a balance of great location and modern farmhouse architecture. With a wide variety of both new designs and some of Drees signature floor plans, Whistle Stop Farms has the curb appeal and interior features our homeowners desire, all while being within the impressive Williamson County school district and only 30 minutes from downtown Nashville.

Littlebury – Thompson’s Station 

The Belterra floor plan offered by Drees Homes at Littlebury in Thompson's Station, Tennessee
The Belterra floor plan

Littlebury offers a wide variety of estate-style home designs. This Drees-only community is a perfect fit for both families and empty-nesters looking for a quaint neighborhood in a prime location. This sought-after community boasts easy access to walking trails and common areas, a short drive from impressive Williamson County Schools and an easy commute to downtown Nashville. 

Traditions – Brentwood

The Elmsdale model home | Traditions

This esteemed family-friendly neighborhood is located just a few minutes from Williamson County Schools, historic downtown Franklin and the Cool Springs area. Residents will enjoy neighborhood amenities such as a swimming pool, cabana and Brentwood’s walking and biking trail system.

Contact your New Home Specialist, Julie, about opportunities in the Franklin area. 

#4 Flower Mound, Texas

Flower Mound, located about 30 miles from Dallas, saw the highest job growth of any place on Money Magazine’s list over the last five years, the magazine reported. And the city ranks second for the highest projected job growth over the next five years, according to Money. Drees Custom Homes currently builds in two Flower Mound communities and offers Build on Your Lot opportunities in the city. 

Trailwood 

The Brendan model home by Drees Homes at Trailwood in Flower Mound, Texas
The Brendan model home | Trailwood

Trailwood is one of the newest and exciting developments in the highly coveted city of Flower Mound. Drees offers 50′ home sites, which are 100′ to 120′ deep, allowing homeowners to enjoy plenty of backyard space. The community is a unique concept, providing homeowners over 12,000 linear feet of trails, 45 acres of open space, a trail along the bank of the creek as well as an amenity center and park amenities. The community is part of Argyle ISD.

Canyon Falls

The Marley model home by Drees Homes at Canyon Falls in Flower Mound, Texas
The Marley model home | Canyon Falls

With a dramatic bluff, beautiful meadows and a winding creek, Canyon Falls offers a landscape unlike any other master-planned community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. And while the community’s natural wonders offer residents a welcome change in perspective, its resort-style amenities support a lifestyle brimming with fun and adventure for the whole family. A thoughtfully designed system of parks and playgrounds, open lawn areas and sports fields set the stage for community events, including movie nights, food festivals, Easter egg hunts and more. 

Contact your New Home Specialist, Anita, to learn more about opportunities in the Flower Mound area. 

#16 Hendersonville, Tennessee

Located just northeast of Nashville, Hendersonville is the fourth largest city in the metro area. The historic suburb was built around Old Hickory Lake, so its residents enjoy plenty of outdoor entertainment at various marinas and campgrounds. 

The Wilshire floor plan

Drees builds in 10 Nashville-area communities and offers a Build on Your Lot program called Design Gallery Homes by Drees, which allows homebuyers the opportunity to build on their own land, in a custom community or via an infill opportunity. Hendersonville is south of The Reserve at Palmers Crossing in White House, Tennessee, and near two “coming soon” Drees Homes communities.

Contact your New Home Specialist, Julie, about Build on Your Lot opportunities in Hendersonville.

#18 Brownsburg, Indiana

Just 20 miles from Indianapolis, the city of Brownsburg has 300 acres of parkland and 18 miles of hiking trails and is located within 10 miles of the Lucas Oil Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Drees builds in one Brownsburg community and in 13 other Indianapolis-area communities. Drees also offers a Build on Your Lot program in the city, known as Design Gallery Homes by Drees. 

Brentwood 

The Belleville model home | Brentwood

Residents at Brentwood, a new, niche community in Hendricks County, enjoy deep and private home sites surrounded by woods. Desirable dining and shopping options are less than three miles away, and the community is part of the highly-rated Brownsburg School District.

Contact your New Home Specialist, Amy, about opportunities in Brentwood. 

#19 Frisco, Texas

Frisco, coined “Sports City USA,” is located just 30 minutes north of Dallas. According to Money Magazine, jobs in the city increased 21% between 2015 and 2020. And opportunities are expected to rise an additional 19% by 2025. Drees offers Build on Your Lot opportunities in Frisco and builds in a community in nearby Plano, Texas. 

Northbrook Estates 

The Brynlee floor plan

Northbrook Estates, an exclusive Drees community located in Plano, features large home sites, stunning floor plan designs and convenient location. Situated in the Frisco Independent School District, families will have access to exemplary schools as well as the Children’s Medical Center Plano.

Contact your New Home Specialist, Anita, to learn more about upcoming opportunities in Northbrook Estates. 

#20 Mason, Ohio

This Cincinnati suburb is located in Warren County, which is nicknamed “Ohio’s Largest Playground,” as it is home to the amusement park Kings Island. Money Magazine reported Mason has seen jobs jump 10% since 2015, and according to projections, jobs could increase another 12% by 2025. Drees currently builds in three Mason communities and offers Build on Your Lot in the city. 

The Reserves of Carmelle

The Brennan floor plan

The Reserves of Carmelle, a new home community in Mason, showcases a variety of customizable home designs. Residents enjoy abundant neighborhood amenities, including two swimming pools, a cabana and a playground. Conveniently located in the heart of Mason, fabulous shopping, dining, and recreation are just minutes away. Children attend top-rated Mason City schools

Crooked Tree Preserve

The Crestwood model home outdoor living area | Crooked Tree Preserve

Drees has just introduced an intimate collection of gorgeous new homes sites at Crooked Tree Preserve. These sites are situated on a private cul-de-sac street, which is surrounded by a creek. The community offers 1.5 miles of paved walking trails, a community garden and a pool/pavilion. Its convenient location places you near anywhere you want to be in the Mason area and beyond.

Ambleside Meadows 

The Lyndhurst floor plan

Drees showcases an exclusive collection of luxury new homes offering open, spacious living at Ambleside Meadows in Mason. Residents enjoy great amenities, such as a pool/clubhouse, playground, an abundance of green space and a planned paved walk/bike trail that will connect to the City of Mason trail system, the Lebanon Countryside YMCA trail and eventually the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Ambleside Meadows is close to great shopping, recreation, and anywhere you want to be in Northern Cincinnati. 

Contact your New Home Specialist, Amy, about opportunities in Mason, Ohio. 

#25 Round Rock, Texas

The Colinas II floor plan

Located near Austin, Round Rock is No. 1 on Money Magazine’s list for projected job growth through 2025. The magazine reported that Round Rock boasts low property taxes and tax breaks for businesses. Drees offers Build on Your Lot opportunities in Round Rock and currently builds in 12 communities in the Austin, Texas area. 

Contact your New Home Specialist, Gena, about Build on Your Lot opportunities in the Round Rock, Texas area. 

#26 La Vergne, Tennessee

The Kinsley floor plan

La Vergne, a quick 30-minute drive from downtown Nashville, borders Percy Priest Lake to the northeast and is situated near several main highways. The city’s employment rate grew by more than 12% between 2015 and 2020 and is expected to increase by another 16% by 2025, Money reported. 

Drees builds in 10 Nashville-area communities and offers a Build on Your Lot program called Design Gallery Homes by Drees, which allows homebuyers the opportunity to build on their own land, in a custom community or via an infill opportunity. Although no current Drees communities have a La Vergne zip code, the city is located between Smyrna, the future home of Drees communities, and Nolensville where current Drees communities Annecy and Enclave at Dove Lake are now selling.

Contact your New Home Specialist, Julie, to learn more about Build on Your Lot opportunities in the La Vergne area. 

#36 Raleigh, North Carolina 

The Raleigh-Durham area, located about two hours west of the Atlantic coast, is known as “The Triangle,” as it is home to three world-class universities: North Carolina State, Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Drees Homes currently builds in nine communities in the Raleigh-Durham area and also offers Build on Your Lot opportunities across the city.  

Belmont

The Northwood model home

Located in Raleigh, Belmont is a stunning, single-family community with amenities including a swimming pool, clubhouse, recreation fields and plenty of open space. The community’s new model home, the Epiphany, is under construction. The Epiphany floor plan will be offered exclusively in Belmont. Children attend top-rated Wake County Schools

Drees also build in several communities south of Raleigh, including Lochridge in Holly Springs, Bloomfield Estates in Willow Spring and Weatherford West in Angier. Drees also offers Build on Your Lot in the Raleigh area, allowing homeowners to build a Drees home on their own land, wherever they decide to live within the Triangle area. 

Contact your New Home Specialist, Gena, about opportunities in the Raleigh/Durham area.


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From Instagram inspiration and Pinterest pins to your final floor plan, Drees makes it easy to bring it all together. We know your home is more than a dwelling. It’s an expression of who you are and what you value. Designing a custom home is a very personal endeavor, and we want to be here to help you every step of the way. To learn more about building your dream home, visit, dreeshomes.com.

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