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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options-house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location-it all can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve researched the up and coming neighborhoods in Dallas for you, so you don’t have to. You’ve no doubt seen our Dallas City Guide, which includes a short section on a few of Dallas’ most popular neighborhoods.
This list and our “Best Neighborhoods in Dallas,” “Best Suburbs of Dallas,” and our “Best Neighborhoods for Families in Dallas” lists are more in-depth neighborhood guides meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—movers in Dallas and beyond).
A Little About Dallas and its Neighborhoods
Big D. The ninth-largest city in the U.S. and the country’s fourth-largest metropolitan area. This city claims the title “the Heart of Texas,” and we can see why. Most obviously, Dallas is right in the center of the state. But the city is also famous for its friendly residents. It’s home to the country’s largest farmers market and the country’s largest urban arts district. And, with slow-cooked BBQ-smothered, thick-cut ribs, loaded chili dogs, and unrivaled Tex-Mex, Dallas boasts of some of the best dining destinations in the nation.
Home to 1.3 million happy locals, this city still has space for new residents in its 200+ unique neighborhood. We’ve combed through the city and selected 5 neighborhoods that are up and coming in this city. Follow along as we dive in closer and explore some of the up and coming neighborhoods in Big Ol’ Dallas.
BISHOP ARTS DISTRICT
Sitting ten minutes south of downtown, Bishop Arts District is full of trendy spots to eat, shop, and explore. There are performance venues, art galleries, nightlife hubs, community events, wine walks, and block parties all available to the lucky locals of this charming neighborhood.
Several years ago, this neighborhood was pinpointed by the Wall Street Journal as one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the country. And while it did see a big influx of new residents in these past years, Bishop Arts District is still growing as we speak. Despite all this growth, residents in this community are close-knit and the area maintains its small-town vibe. Curious about what’s happening in our first choice for up and coming neighborhoods in Dallas? Keep reading.
What’s Happening in Bishop Arts District
The few blocks of this small neighborhood packs in some of the hottest dining options in Dallas with high-end bistros, casual cafes, and cross-cultural cuisine. Visit Lucia for an Italian dish, Bolsa for the farm-to-table experience, and C.Señor for an authentic Cuban sandwich. Grab a drink at the nearby Whitehall Exchange or The Wild Detectives.
Many of the older buildings in Bishop Arts District have been transformed into an eclectic array of unique and local shops. Stop by Zola’s Everyday Vintage and Artisan’s Collective to get a feel for this artsy area’s trending boutiques. Bishop Arts is also home to the performing arts and musical venues, the Kessler Theater and the Bishop Arts Theater Center. For an indie film and drinks, visit The Texas Theater.
Schools in Bishop Arts District
Schools in the area include Rosemont Elementary School, Trinity Basin Preparatory, and Booker T. Washington High School among others.
Homes in Bishop Arts District
Bishop Arts is a tiny spot, but residents continue to invest and find a place amidst the lofts, apartments, and quaint 1920s homes.
DOWNTOWN
Next on our list to up and coming neighborhoods in Dallas is Downtown! Dallas’ downtown offers a vibrant blend of shopping, activities, dining, and drinking. This city center is packed with amenities from museums to parks to hopping nightlife hubs. Recently, Dallas’ downtown has made a big push to develop a world-class art scene. And this vision has come into fruition with the development of the Arts District – one of the largest art districts in the country.
A business district by day, this neighborhood transforms into a thriving nightlife scene after dark. The area has seen a rapid amount of growth in the last few years in development and new residents. While downtown is mainly full of young professionals, there are plenty of activities and housing options for residents of all corners of life. If you’re looking to live in a place that balances a blend of art, education, and culture than Dallas’ downtown is your place to be.
What’s Happening in Downtown
We couldn’t list all the interesting shops, restaurants, events, attractions, and destinations in Dallas’ downtown if we tried. Residents continue to explore and discover new and exciting corners and hole-in-the-walls in this thriving city. But a few of our favorite destinations and happenings include the Dallas Famers Market, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas World Aquarium, the Reunion Tower, and the Katy Trail. For great local grub, check out Cafe Momentum, Five Sixty, and Pyramid.
Schools in Downtown
Schools in the area include Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, William B. Travis Academy, and Booker T. Washington High School among others.
Homes in Downtown
Dallas’ downtown offers a plethora of housing options, including newly renovated apartments, modern condos, affordable single-family houses, and upscale urban townhomes.
OAK CLIFF
One of the city’s larger communities, this near-90-square-mile chunk of Dallas is older than most neighborhoods on this list. While aged, Oak Cliff is poppin’ with fast growth and new residents.
The area envelopes smaller spots like the Bishop Arts District. But at large, it’s a quickly growing and diverse place to call home. Beautiful and historical, this big section of Dallas offers plenty of amenities and is close to downtown’s business district. Residents enjoy Oak Cliff’s blend of updated and older homes along with hip shops, restaurants, and recreational opportunities, making it a great choice on our guide to up and coming neighborhoods in Dallas.
What’s Happening in Oak Cliff
As seen above, Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District offers a plethora of eating, drinking, nightlife, and entertainment options. But it’s also home to the Davis Retail District and the Stevens Park Golf Course. In addition to these popular spots, check out Lake Cliff Park, a favorite local green space for families or residents wanting some open and fresh air. Get to know your neighbors. Oak Cliff residents often throw porch parties and neighborhood get-togethers throughout the year.
Schools in Oak Cliff
Schools in the area include Rosemont Elementary School, Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School, and Moises E. Molina High School among others.
Homes in Oak Cliff
You’ll be able to find modern apartments and condos as well as big homes at relatively affordable prices in Oak Cliff.
DEEP ELLUM
Our next choice on our guide to up and coming neighborhoods in Dallas is the one and only Deep Ellum. Once a thriving hub for jazz and blues artists in the ‘20s, Deep Ellum is now a thriving and artsy blend of hip eateries, bars, clubs, block parties, shops, and galleries. This little neighborhood is just a few blocks east of Downtown, and if you’re familiar with the spot, you’ll probably already know that it was originally named Deep Elm. But because of locals’ appealing Texan dialect, Deep Elm was pronounced “Deep Ellum,” and soon the name was changed.
What’s Happening in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum runs on creativity and culture. It’s home to Dallas’s iconic restaurants, bars, events, and outdoor art. Each year, the neighborhood explodes with activity during the 3-day Deep Ellum Arts Festival, featuring over 100 bands, art vendors, and great food.
Check out this neighborhood’s performing art venues – Dallas Comedy House and the Undermain Theater. The area also features several live music venues like The Prophet Bar, Trees, and The Bomb Factory. Deep Ellum packs in the cafes, pubs, casual eateries, bars, and chef-driven bistros. Visit Cane Rosso, Twisted Root, Angry Dog, and Pecan Lodge for a start on the area’s best and most tasty offerings.
Schools in Deep Ellum
Schools in the area include Uplift Luna, Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School, and Booker T. Washington High School among others.
Homes in Deep Ellum
This popular neighborhood, though small, has a welcoming feel. Good thing too, because lots of new residents are moving in fast.
UPTOWN
A historical area, Uptown has been home to young professionals since the late 1800s. It was remodeled in the 1990s and became a popular spot to live around 2000. The area is now full of some of the best places to eat, drink, and shop in the city, and features over 200 restaurants, 160 shops, and a large outdoor mall.
This area is full of a diverse range of residents who crave an exciting urban lifestyle, and locals enjoy the convenient public transportation, diverse cultural scene, and incredibly walkable grid of their home. Also, the McKinney Avenue Trolley transports residents around this neighborhood for free! Other locals tend to walk or bike to many of their destinations.
What’s Happening in Uptown
Uptown is full of a myriad of bars, restaurants, and nightlife spots. One of Dallas’s most walkable areas, Uptown is full of cafes, bars, boutiques, and restaurants that are just a few blocks away from many residential areas. One of this neighborhood’s and the city’s most famous restaurants is The Rustic. This charming spot has plenty of outdoor seating, homestyle cooking, and a tempting drink menu.
Klyde Warren Park, a 5-acre oasis in the middle of the city, is a relatively new addition to the area and a popular outdoor destination. This park hosts year-round programs like fitness classes, dance lessons, lawn games, live music, and film screenings.
Schools in Uptown
Schools in the area include Ben Milam Elementary School, William B. Travis Academy, Booker T. Washington High School among others.
Homes in Uptown
Uptown is home to trendy areas full of modern condos and apartments as well as many older and rehabbed homes.
There you have it: 5 up-and-coming neighborhoods in Dallas!
We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate local Dallas moves and long-distance moving services in Dallas, and we would love to help. We even help coordinate moves for nearby cities such as Austin, Fort-Worth, and Houston should you be interested!
Other Dallas Guide
- Moving to Dallas, TX
- The 5 Best Places to Live in Dallas
- The Best Places to Live in Texas, Hands Down
- The 11 Best Breweries in Dallas, TX
- Is Moving to Texas Right for You? A 2022 Guide.
- Moving From Colorado to Texas: Your Guide to a Smooth Move
- Best Schools in Dallas
- Best Suburbs of Dallas
- Most Affordable Family-Friendly Dallas Neighborhoods
- Crime and Safety in Dallas, TX
- Richest Neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas - February 15, 2024
- Houston vs. Dallas – Choosing Where to Live - December 7, 2023
- The 5 Best Places to Live in Dallas - September 26, 2023
