Living in Southlake - Pros & Cons

Located in Tarrant County is the small city of Southlake.

With a population of over 30,000 people, Southlake has had a consistent growth of new residents over the past 5 years. Although it’s situated in the Dallas Fort Worth area, Southlake has carved out an identity as one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in the country.

Enjoy the charm of a small-town community with festivals and pep rallies along with the perks of a big city including high-end shopping and dining. Are you looking to put down family roots in Texas, invest in rentals, or just vacation? To help you make the decision that best suits you, this blog will cover the pros and cons of living in Dallas.

For buyers seeking a great place to set down family roots in Texas, our real estate agents are willing to help you find a wide range of quality housing, designs and prices. 

The following are the pros of living in Southlake:

Great Schools

Southlake schools afford many area children great educational opportunities. Ranked as the No.1 school district in Texas by SchoolDigger, Carroll ISD is also ranked in the top five districts in Texas for best educators. The teaching fraternity has also accrued praises from different quarters. And if you’re new here, it won’t take you long to discover that everyone is a fan of the Southlake Carroll Dragons who have won eight state championships.

Diverse Cuisine

For the longest time, the local Dairy Queen had been the only restaurant in the area. Today, the culinary scene in Southlake is bustling: when you’re in the mood to eat out, snag a table at one of the many local restaurants that serve a variety of cuisine from Tex-Mex to Thai-Vietnamese fusion. And with half a dozen Starbucks locations spread throughout the city, locals have plenty of choices for their venti extra-foam latte. For those who prefer a home type of cooking, swing by Central Market for groceries to prepare a feast.

Family Friendly

A host of entertainment and cultural attractions will keep the family busy all year round. For example, families can catch a flick under the stars at Movies at The Marq. In the fall, Oktoberfest turns Southlake Town Square into a jam-packed funfest. And during Christmas, residents of all ages usher in the magic of the season with tree lighting, carriage rides, snowmen, and all the holiday fun you can imagine. What’s more, a recent survey named Southlake among the top 10 best small cities in America whereas WalletHub ranked it the No.1 city in Texas.

Where to Shop

The shopping in Southlake is second-to-none, thanks to many convenient shopping areas. Residents tend to shop for their everyday essentials at 10+ mini shopping centers scattered throughout the city. If you're looking for serious shopping satisfaction and more choices, look no further than the infamous Outdoor Mall. Meanwhile, the city’s pièce de résistance is Southlake Town Square. Built around the Town Hall, it’s the city's core. Explore the retail and boutique stores, popular restaurants, a movie theater, and a full-service luxury hotel in the Downtown area.

Parks and Recreation

A significant amount of the land in Southlake is devoted to recreational use and greenways. The 22.5-square miles that makeup Southlake is littered with world-class amenities. Residents have easy access to multiple city and community parks boasting walking trails, well-equipped playgrounds, tennis courts, small ponds for fishing, pavilions for picnics, and baseball fields.

If you’re an avid golfer, there is an abundance of golf available in the region, including a Dallas Cowboys-themed course. Meanwhile, locals actively support the Keep Southlake Beautiful initiative with volunteers dedicated to making the city an environmentally-friendly place to live, play and work.

Affluent Neighborhoods

Related: Southlake, Texas: Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Chock full of beautiful custom homes and luxurious estates, it’s obvious to see why Southlake is among the most affluent areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. A stroll down the streets, especially on White Chapel Road, will reveal palatial properties sitting on multiple acres of land. Home prices in popular neighborhoods such as Kirillan and West Wick Hills start from $800,000.

Many of the best-known A-listers and business executives also live in Southlake. Pro athletes such as Kenny Hill (Texas Rangers), and DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos) have one point in their careers called Southlake home. With high home appreciation rates (35% over the last 10 years), Southlake real estate is big, beautiful, and unique.

Easy Travel

The location of the DFW International Airport is only a 10-minute drive depending on traffic. This makes the area a genuine hotspot for frequent travelers and business professionals. Meanwhile, proximity to the freeway allows residents easy commutes to shopping and school thus offering an attractive option for those who work in the city proper.

The following are the cons of living in Southlake:

Expensive Real Estate

In matters of real estate, Southlake offers an outstanding sense of community, great amenities, and beautiful homes. However, buyers looking into the area should be prepared for the hefty price tag. With the average median household income well above $100,000, it’s no mystery that Southlake is one of the most expensive suburbs in the DFW Metroplex. You will even find McMansions in the smaller neighborhoods. A peculiar fact is that homeowners here tend to build large man-made lakes on their properties, specifically for tax purposes.

Older Homes

Southlake homes for sale tend to be much older—the majority of the homes were built in the 1990s to about 2008. Nevertheless, there are pockets of new constructions with the latest in new home design features. If you're looking for new construction and you want to be in a neighborhood that's strictly new homes, you may want to focus your search further away from Southlake.

Few Nightlife Options

For most folks, it's easy to make the most of the weekend at either the Bicentennial Park, the Southlake Public Library, or Bob Jones Nature Center. But if a night out on the town is more your speed, all is generally quiet in the bubble. Here, your evenings might consist of solving cryptic puzzles at Red Door Escape Room, grabbing a cold one at The Ginger Man, or catching a movie at Harkins. For a vibrant late-night scene for your next date night, consider taking an Uber and head to the booming clubs and rooftop lounges of Big D.

Location and Highway Access

The location and highway access are two more cons that most residents tend to complain about. Those who commute daily to downtown Dallas may find the distance a bit too long—it’s roughly 25 to 30 minutes drive depending on traffic. However, if you work remotely or in an adjacent suburb, the distance shouldn’t be much of an issue. Compared to the rest of Texas and the majority of smaller cities in the U.S., Dallas has the worst-congested highways. Of note is that traffic is a major con throughout the state, thanks to rapid development and construction.

Make Southlake Your New Home

If all the above, minus the cons, sounds like your perfect suburban haven, then you should consider making Southlake your new home. Though not for everybody, Southlake is remarkably family-friendly and most locals love it enough to set down family roots. Full of places to go and things to do, Southlake is safe and ripe for exploring. If you think the pros tick the right boxes, then it’s time to contact us!