Best Neighborhoods to Live in Dallas, Texas

Situated in North Texas, the city of Dallas is considered one of the best places to live in Texas.

Thanks to its warm climate, booming economy, and favorable tax incentives, Dallas, TX is a popular destination for transplants. The area attracts new faces from both the West and East coasts as well as places between. Known as the home of the mouthwatering Tex-Mex and the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the country. This cultural hub and entertainment hot spot offer residents a great mix of urban and suburban living.

Whether you’re tired of renting or ready for a homeowner lifestyle, our real estate agents can help you find your dream home in a great location and at a fair price point.

Related: Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas

Dallas Best Neighborhoods

Whether you prefer a pet-friendly area with lots of green space or an artsy neighborhood with funky boutiques and galleries, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from in Dallas. What's more, a city as large as Dallas offers a variety of locations, home types, and prices. While each area boasts unique features, this guide considers desirability, individuality, schools, and location as factors in choosing the 5 best neighborhoods in Dallas.

Uptown

If you’re looking for a true urban living experience in the heart of the Big D, you should consider moving to Uptown. Its convenient location north of Downtown Dallas offers a great place for anyone looking for urban living. With fewer families and schools than surrounding neighborhoods, Uptown is a live-work-play community that is attractive to young singles and professionals in their 30s plus. Uptown is also one of the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in Dallas—if you don’t feel like walking, hop on the historic McKinney Ave. Trolley, which offers free rides to the Arts District.

Take a stroll and discover nature along the walking trails in Katy Trail. After working up an appetite, stop for the best burgers at Katy Trail Ice House. In true millennial fashion, Uptown is known for its dog-friendly venues, which offer a variety of cantinas, beer gardens, and patios that welcome canine guests. Choices are plentiful for a night on the town and the food options are many.

Although residential properties in Uptown are few, Uptown Dallas Condos & Townhomes dominate the market. Uptown home prices may be in the mid-six-figure region, but the short commutes are worth considering investing in the area. Amidst the condo towers and brand new apartment buildings, visitors will discover hip boutique accommodation such as the elegant Crescent Hotel Dallas and the maximalist Hotel ZaZa. With its social life and rich history, there’s no doubt Uptown is one of the most sought-after addresses in Dallas.

Bishop Arts District

Bishop Arts District is the neighborhood of choice for artsy people who don't mind a bit of grit. Located southwest of downtown Dallas, the largest art district in the United States also doubles up as an entertainment hub. Originally designed as a warehouse district, millennials looking for affordable housing find this area attractive. The diverse demography that has a strong Hispanic influence attracts young families and singles in their mid-30s.

The culinary scene in Bishop Arts is bustling. Within a four blocks radius, residents can enjoy an enticing blend of cultural foods that includes Japanese, Italian, and even Cuban cuisine in casual cafes and high-end bistros. Colorful alleyways covered in paintings showcase an array of restaurants, cafes, and bars. If a night on the town is more your speed the Kessler Theater or the Bishop Arts Theatre Center offers a laid-back entertainment option.

The local schools are another reason young families choose to move to Bishop Arts. Some of the schools that serve this community include:

· John H. Reagan Elementary School

· W.E. Greiner Middle School

· W.H. Adamson High School

Buyers looking for a lively social life should consider looking into the Bishop Arts District. Despite playing host to community events such as Wine Walks on the first Thursday of the month, Bishop Arts still maintains a small-town vibe. However, its location south of Dallas makes it an unlikely destination for daily commutes to the north of the city.

Oak Lawn

A beautiful part of Dallas, Oak Lawn residents refer to their neighborhood as the "jewel" of the city. The diverse neighborhood offers well-established areas of older, single-family homes.  Oak Lawn homes for sale feature grand old homes with buttressed porches and exquisite finishing that adds to the beautiful architecture. The convenient location of Oak Lawn allows residents easy commutes to downtown, the Medical District as well as Love Field. You can even impress your visiting guests by putting them up at one of two luxury hotels in the area: the landmark Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek or the Warwick Melrose – Dallas.

Walkable and pet-friendly, the district provides jogging/running trails along Turtle Creek as well as numerous parks for outdoor recreation. It's common to see people riding horses and taking their canine friends out and about. As the location of the city’s annual Dallas Pride parade, Oak Lawn has a vibrant nightlife scene. What’s more, there is no lack of high-end shopping centers and restaurants to explore. With fewer families and children in the area, Oak Lawn appeals mostly to singles in their mid-20s to late-30s. Both open-minded and progressive, Oak Lawn has also grown to become the hub of Dallas’ LGBT community.

University Park

The affluent suburb of University Park is named for its main feature, Southern Methodist University. Ranked No. 4 on D Magazine’s list of the best suburbs in Dallas, and same as its Park Cities neighbor Highland Park, University Park is one of the most affluent areas of the Dallas metro. Prices of University Park homes for sale are on the higher-end. But if you were to factor in its many amenities and proximity to downtown, the cost is worth it.

With an average age of 26, this neighborhood surrounded by Southern Methodist University boasts a low crime rate and exceptional public schools. The local schools are one of the main reasons many families choose to move to University Park—students here attend Highland Park ISD. At the center of this affluent college town is the popular Snider Plaza. The bustling community center is the primary hub of activity for the community.

You can plan an entire trip around the educational with a visit to the replica Oval Office at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Excursions to University Park are incomplete without touring the exclusive Holmes Aquatic Center as well as the fishing pond and play areas at nearby Caruth Park. With a safety rating that is lower than 70% of other similar communities in the country, University Park is an attractive option for college students, recent graduates, and young professionals.

Preston Hollow

Preston Hollow is situated near the North Dallas Tollway and Walnut Hill Lane, just north of University Park. This community is home to many elite Dallas residents, including former president George W. Bush, business tycoons as well as NFL royalty. Frequent business travelers will appreciate Preston Hollow is roughly 15 to 20 minutes away from Dallas Love Field Airport.

When it comes to Preston Hollow homes for sale, the big lots this real estate has to offer is unmatched. Many of the grand homes in the area date back to the 1920s and 1930s. Some of the most stunning mansions in Dallas are set on picturesque streets that include Strait Lane and Inwood Road. Although Preston Hollow is home to several elite properties, it is one of the more affordable places to live in Dallas. Compared to neighborhoods such as University Park, this area has relatively low rent and home prices.

Although the local public schools are some of the best in DFW, many residents tend to prefer the private school route, as they reflect the appeal of the Park Cities. With that in mind, Preston Hollow is home to some of the most exclusive private schools in Dallas including Ursuline Academy of Dallas and St. Mark’s School of Texas.

Find the Best Neighborhood to Live in Dallas

Whether you are moving to Dallas for work or a lower cost of living, this city is home to some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the country. Many wealthy individuals and celebrities call Dallas home making the area a great place to live. Once you have decided that Dallas is your next destination, you might need help choosing between the best neighborhoods to live in. VIP Realty offers several resources to help you locate a home that best fits your budget and in the neighborhood you desire. Contact us today for more.