Trying to choose between Flower Mound, Argyle, and Highland Village? You are not alone. Many DFW buyers narrow their search to these three Denton County communities because they offer strong schools, larger lots than inner suburbs, and a high quality of life. In this guide, you will compare lifestyle, schools, commute, amenities, and home types so you can pick the best fit for your goals. Let’s dive in.
Quick vibe check: three great options
Each community has a distinct feel. If you start with lifestyle, you will save time and avoid second‑guessing later.
- Argyle: Rural to semi‑rural character with more open space, horse properties, and acreage. Ideal if you want privacy, room to spread out, and a ranch or farmhouse feel, all within reach of DFW jobs.
- Flower Mound: Larger, suburban, family‑oriented with a mix of established neighborhoods and newer master‑planned communities. You get broad shopping, parks, and recreation with many housing choices.
- Highland Village: Smaller, intimate, and lakeside in feel thanks to nearby Lake Grapevine. Great for buyers who value lake access, trails, and a compact community with suburban conveniences close by.
Schools: what to know before you buy
School districts do not follow city limits, so verify by address before you fall in love with a home.
- Districts: Argyle is primarily served by Argyle ISD, a smaller district that draws attention for strong performance and community focus. Flower Mound and Highland Village are primarily served by Lewisville ISD, a larger district with many high‑performing campuses and a wider range of programs. Some addresses may fall into other districts, so always confirm.
- Program differences: In larger districts like Lewisville ISD, you often see broader specialty programs, advanced coursework, and extracurricular options because of scale. In Argyle ISD, buyers often cite smaller class sizes and a strong sense of community as benefits.
- How to verify: Use Texas Education Agency accountability reports, district websites, and individual campus report cards for the most current information. Check for new campuses, rezoning, and enrollment trends if you are planning a long timeline.
Tip: Do not rely on a map screenshot or a friend’s experience. Attendance zones can change, and neighborhood boundaries can be surprising.
Commute and transportation
All three communities sit on the north side of DFW with car‑first commutes and limited local transit. Your daily drive will depend on your exact neighborhood and the corridor you use.
- Major routes: FM 2499, US‑377, and FM 407 connect you to SH‑114, 121, and the Dallas North Tollway to reach Dallas, Irving, and Fort Worth. DFW Airport is within practical driving distance from all three, with Flower Mound and Highland Village typically closer than Argyle.
- Flower Mound: Often the best overall access to multiple job centers. Many neighborhoods offer reasonable routes east toward Dallas and south toward Irving.
- Highland Village: Similar to Flower Mound for east and west commutes, though lake‑area streets can add a few minutes depending on your location.
- Argyle: Expect more rural road segments and longer average drives if you work in Dallas or farther east. It can be excellent if you commute northwest or to nearby employment hubs.
Test it yourself. Drive your route during peak times or use real‑time navigation from addresses you are considering. Morning eastbound traffic and evening westbound traffic can vary more than you think.
Amenities and recreation
You will find parks, trails, and community events across all three cities, but the mix and scale differ.
- Lake Grapevine access: Highland Village leans into lakeside parks, marinas, and lake‑oriented recreation. Flower Mound also offers lake access and trail connections. If boating and waterfront parks are high on your list, Highland Village deserves a close look.
- Parks and programs: Flower Mound runs a large, well‑developed parks and recreation system with community facilities and programs for all ages. Argyle offers smaller, community‑centric events and open‑space appeal rather than big facilities.
- Shopping and dining: Flower Mound has the largest commercial base with broad grocery, medical, and retail choices. Highland Village offers boutique spots and lakeside dining clusters. Argyle has limited in‑town retail, so many residents shop in Flower Mound or nearby suburbs.
- Healthcare: You will find more proximate outpatient and urgent care options near Flower Mound and Highland Village. Specialty hospitals and major medical centers are spread throughout the broader DFW corridor.
Home types and lot sizes
Think about the way you live day to day, then match your home style and lot size to that routine.
Argyle
- Typical homes: Custom builds, ranch properties, and small farms are common. There are fewer dense, tract‑style subdivisions.
- Lot sizes: Larger parcels are a hallmark. One acre or more is common, and multi‑acre estates exist.
- Styles: Texas ranch, farmhouse, traditional, and custom contemporary.
- Notes: Some properties may have private wells or septic systems. Zoning and animal‑keeping rules can be more flexible, but always verify.
Flower Mound
- Typical homes: Everything from entry‑level subdivisions to upscale gated communities and custom estates.
- Lot sizes: A wide range. You will see smaller suburban lots and larger estate lots in certain neighborhoods.
- Styles: Traditional suburban, Mediterranean, contemporary, and new construction in master‑planned communities.
- Notes: Many neighborhoods have HOAs and deed restrictions that shape aesthetics and amenities.
Highland Village
- Typical homes: Mid‑ to upper‑tier single‑family homes, lake‑oriented neighborhoods, and golf‑adjacent properties.
- Lot sizes: Often moderate, with premium lots near the lake. Neighborhoods tend to be smaller and more compact than in Flower Mound.
- Styles: Lake cottage influences, traditional, and upscale single‑family designs.
- Notes: Lake proximity can affect insurance and maintenance considerations.
Taxes, insurance, and monthly costs
Texas property taxes are relatively high compared with the national average. Actual rates vary by city, county, and especially by school district and special districts. Your final number depends on the specific property and exemptions.
- Property taxes: Verify the tax rate and recent bill for each address using the Denton County Appraisal District and the tax assessor. School district taxes make up a substantial portion, and Argyle ISD and Lewisville ISD can have different rates.
- Insurance: Lake‑adjacent homes may sit in FEMA‑mapped flood zones that require flood insurance. Rural or acreage properties can see different homeowners or wind and hail premiums. Confirm with your insurer during the option period.
- HOA dues and maintenance: Many neighborhoods in Flower Mound and Highland Village have HOA fees that cover common areas and amenities. Argyle acreage properties may have limited or no HOA dues, but you are responsible for private road, fence, well, and septic upkeep where applicable.
Budget tip: Ask for a full cost picture for any target home, including HOA dues, tax estimates, typical utilities, and any special assessments.
Which one fits your priorities
Start by defining your top three: schools, commute, and land size. Then map neighborhoods that meet those targets.
- Choose Flower Mound if you want broad housing choices in a family‑oriented suburban setting with strong parks, recreation, medical access, and shopping across multiple corridors.
- Choose Argyle if you want acreage, privacy, and a small‑district school experience with a rural or ranch lifestyle. It is a leading pick for buyers planning barns, horses, workshops, or larger‑scale outdoor living.
- Choose Highland Village if you want lakeside recreation, trail access, and a smaller city feel with compact neighborhoods and premium lake‑oriented homes.
There is no wrong answer here. The right choice is the one that supports your daily life, your commute, and your long‑term plans.
A practical home search checklist
Use this short list to reduce surprises and make a confident decision.
- Verify schools by address. Check district websites, TEA reports, and campus report cards for current assignments and performance.
- Drive the commute at peak times. Test routes to Dallas, Irving, and Fort Worth from specific neighborhoods you like.
- Confirm lot use and zoning. If you want livestock, accessory buildings, or a shop, review city and county rules and any HOA restrictions.
- Check flood and environmental risk. Review FEMA flood maps for lake‑adjacent homes and ask your insurance agent for a preliminary quote.
- Verify utilities. For acreage properties, confirm water source, septic permits, and maintenance history.
- Review the property tax breakdown. Request the latest tax bill, research exemptions, and confirm special district taxes if any.
- Read HOA documents. Ask for CCRs, budgets, reserve studies, and recent meeting minutes to understand costs and rules.
- Scan future development. Look at city comprehensive plans, TxDOT road projects, and proposed developments that could affect traffic.
- Consider resale appeal. Lakefront and family‑friendly master‑planned neighborhoods often draw broad demand. Very specialized acreage properties can attract a narrower buyer pool.
How we help you decide
If you are debating Flower Mound vs Argyle vs Highland Village, a guided tour of sample neighborhoods can bring clarity fast. Our team lives and works in this corridor and understands the street‑by‑street differences that shape your day‑to‑day life. We can help you verify school assignments, evaluate commute trade‑offs, and weigh HOA rules against your plans for the property.
Selling and buying at the same time? We can also walk you through Compass programs that reduce friction, including Concierge for pre‑market improvements and Bridge Loan Services to help you move on your timeline.
Ready to compare, tour, and choose with confidence? Reach out to the Pickard Real Estate Group for a friendly strategy call and local guidance.
FAQs
What are the biggest differences among Flower Mound, Argyle, and Highland Village?
- Flower Mound offers the broadest suburban mix of homes and amenities, Argyle focuses on acreage and a rural feel, and Highland Village emphasizes lakeside recreation and a smaller city experience.
How do school districts work in these three cities?
- Argyle is primarily served by Argyle ISD, while Flower Mound and Highland Village are primarily served by Lewisville ISD; always verify attendance zones by address and review TEA reports.
How are commutes from each community to major job centers?
- All three are car‑oriented; Flower Mound often has the most flexible access, Highland Village is similar with some lake‑area routing nuances, and Argyle typically involves longer drives toward Dallas.
What home and lot types are most common in each area?
- Argyle offers custom homes on larger parcels and horse properties, Flower Mound ranges from entry‑level subdivisions to gated estates, and Highland Village includes mid‑ to upper‑tier homes with lake‑oriented neighborhoods.
What should I know about property taxes, HOAs, and insurance?
- Texas property taxes are relatively high, HOA dues vary by neighborhood, and lake‑adjacent or rural properties can have different insurance needs; verify address‑specific costs with DCAD, your lender, and your insurer.
Do I need flood insurance near Lake Grapevine?
- Not all lake‑area homes are in a flood zone, but some are; check FEMA flood maps for the exact property and consult your insurance agent for guidance.
