I live in one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It's a perfect blend of small-town vibes and big-city benefits.

• I moved to Celina, Texas, in 2022 and absolutely love living in the city.
• I like the area's small-town feel and the sense of community among its residents.
• There are tons of local shops and restaurants, and there always seems to be an event downtown.

When I first moved to Celina, Texas, I was excited to live in an area filled with young families and business-minded people.

However, I didn't realize the up-and-coming town, which many residents call Rollertown, would top the Census Bureau's list of the fastest-growing US cities with at least 20,000 residents, based on its data recorded between 2022 and 2023.

Celina, which had just 6,000 residents in 2010, grew to over 43,300 people in 2023, according to recent Census data. The quaint town, pronounced "seh-line-ah," is about an hour north of Dallas and gives Texans a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and form lasting roots within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Since relocating from nearby Frisco, Texas, in 2022, I've seen the city make significant investments in its expanding shopping centers and downtown area to accommodate its increasing population.

Here's why I love living in Celina.

I was drawn to Celina's small-town vibe

One of the things that drew me to Celina is that although the city is growing, it still has a small-town feel.

Popular chains like Costco, Lifetime Fitness, PetSmart, and many big-name food stores are opening just down the road from my apartment, but Celina also has a rich downtown area filled with local shops.

During the day, I love walking my dog and stopping at the library or Granny's Bakery, a local shop with delicious fresh-baked treats. Small boutiques give me the opportunity to find unique outfits without relying on big-box stores.

Celina is also full of great restaurants. I like to go to Heyday, a late-night hangout spot serving elevated cocktails with an upscale dinner menu and atmosphere. It's a great place to celebrate an accomplishment or catch up with my friends.

Celina offers a real sense of community

The downtown Celina Historic Square hosts community fairs, holiday events, and local markets. I love seeing the Square transform for events like the Friday Night Market, an opportunity for residents to purchase local produce and handcrafted items, or Cajun Fest, where attendees can feast on crawfish and watch live alligator shows.

Seeing children with face paint running around, watching friendly competitions, and having the chance to support local artists makes each event feel special.

Residents also show their commitment to the community as football fans decked out in Bobcat orange fill the stands at Celina High School on Friday nights. I attend the games to cheer on my younger sister as she takes the field with her flag during the halftime color-guard show.

I'm grateful to call Celina, Texas, my home

I have no regrets after moving to Celina, Texas, and I'm proud to call it my home.

The sense of community here is amazing — I felt like I belonged in town from day one.

The beautiful scenery and friendly faces make Celina an awesome spot to settle down, whether you're starting a family or just looking for a place to connect with others.