Georgia suburb #1 in U.S. for best place to live, new rankings say

COPPELL, Texas — North Texas' ever-growing sprawl of suburbs has produced plenty of competition: From best schools to best cities for renters to safest communities, and anything and everything in between.

Everything has to have a ranking, and North Texas suburbs usually fare pretty well.

So chalk up a victory for Coppell, the city of 43,000 just north of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Coppell this week was ranked No. 5 in Travel + Leisure's best suburbs to live in the U.S., appearing as the only North Texas city on the ranking's list of 10.

Cinco Ranch, west of Houston, was the only other Texas suburb on the ranking, checking in at No. 2. Johns Creek, Ga., north of Atlanta, took home the top spot.

The rankings focused specifically on affordable housing, top-rated schools and job opportunities.

Here's what Travel + Leisure had to say about Coppell:

With beautiful parks, top-rated public schools, restaurants, independent boutiques, and coffee shops, Coppell attracts many families and those seeking a quieter, more laid-back lifestyle close to the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area.

"It's conveniently located within a short distance to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and makes a wonderful location for those who travel for business and pleasure," said Deb Borrell, executive vice president of relocation at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Coppell also ranked as the second-best place to live in Texas (after Cinco Ranch) and the third-best place for public schools in the Lone Star State.

The current median home price in Coppell is $643,116, according to Zillow. However, Borrell pointed out that the community offers a range of housing options at various price points.

Now we do have to add one additional note: These rankings appeared to have been formulated before last week's alligator sighting in Coppell. But we won't hold that against the city.

Here's the full ranking:

1. Johns Creek, Georgia
2. Cinco Ranch, Texas
3. Okemos, Michigan
4. North Bethesda, Maryland
5. Coppell, Texas
6. Brookline, Massachusetts
7. Brentwood, Missouri
8. Carmel, Indiana
9. Short Pump, Virginia
10. Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania