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Looking to move to the Greater Dallas area, and Irving caught your eye? Learn what some of the best neighborhoods for families are within this part of the greater Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
What You Should Know About Irving
Home to about 240,000 residents, Irving is an inner-ring suburb of Dallas, located about ~10 miles northwest of the heart of the city. Residents can hop on I-35E and be downtown within 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
One notable attraction in Irving is the Irving Arts Center, a 10-acre theater complex that features comedy shows (Steve Martin performed there in July), live orchestras, and art exhibits. The Mandalay Canal Walk at Los Colinas, complete with a gondola ride, is like taking a piece of Venice, modernizing it, and transporting it to Texas – a huge draw for citizens and visitors.
Additionally, Irving has one of the most diverse populations in the United States. According to DataUSA:
- 43.2% of the population is Hispanic.
- 20.5% of the population is Asian
- 20.3% is white, non-Hispanic.
- 13.6% is Black or African American.
In fact, Irving lays claim to the most diverse ZIP code in the United States.
This is a great place with lots of opportunities for residents to grow and thrive.
How Family Friendly is Irving?
With that said, Irving is very family-friendly.
According to BestPlaces, Irving has a lower-than-average violent crime rate. The US average is 22.7 (instances per 100k people) while the Irving average is only 13.4.
However, like many cities across North America, there are areas of Irving that are more dangerous than others. The northeast side of the city, north of John W Carpenter Freeway, is considered by many to be one of the safest parts of the city. Most of the crimes that are committed in Irving are typically in the southern part of the city.
Accordingly, our list of the best neighborhoods for families in Irving have some of the lowest crime rates out of any neighborhood in the DFW metroplex. All of the neighborhoods below rank within the top 10 of the safest neighborhoods in Irving, with crime rates more than half as low as some of the more dangerous areas in Irving.
Irving’s Most Family-Friendly Neighborhoods
Las Colinas
Possibly one of the most popular neighborhoods in Irving, Las Colinas tops the list for family-friendly neighborhoods in the area. Designed in 1972 by Ben H Carpenter, Las Colinas is home to a mixture of residential dwellings built around sprawling lakes with plenty of greenery as well as commercial highrises, which are home to some of the biggest corporations in Irving, such as Exxon Mobil.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy single-family home or a swanky apartment in a highrise, Las Colinas offers something for everyone. If you or someone you know is looking to move to the Dallas area, Bellhop can help by setting up a plan that works with your budget and timeline.
Schools in Las Colinas
Las Colinas belongs to the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. With a B+ overall Niche grade, they are ranked #9 of the best school districts in Dallas County. You can rest assured that your children will be getting a high-quality public education if you move to this neighborhood.
Things to Do in Las Colinas
There are over 56 small parks and lakes in Las Colinas, and the area has no shortage of trendy bars, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance. As of the time of this writing, The Ranch at Las Colinas, Yard House, and Via Real all rank among the top places to eat. The Mustangs are also a popular Las Colinas attraction. In the heart of the downtown area, in the middle of a few highrises, the nine bronze horses represent the drive and initiative of the pioneers who founded the area.
Average Home Price in Las Colinas
The median home in Irving, as of September 2023, goes for about $660k. This makes it a more affordable option than some of the richest neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas.
Valley Ranch
Valley Ranch is home to five miles of winding canals and walkways, making it one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the area – and a great place to raise a family. The Dallas Morning News called Valley Ranch one of the best neighborhoods for “urban sophisticates” due to its walkability and established neighborhoods.
Schools in Valley Ranch
Valley Ranch belongs to two different school districts, depending on where you live within the neighborhood. The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD is one of them, and it’s mentioned above since it’s one of the best school districts in Dallas County. The other is Coppell ISD, which has an A+ ranking on Niche and is ranked as the #1 “Best School District in Dallas County.”
Things to Do in Valley Ranch
Cimarron Park has plenty of walkways and trails to help you dissolve some of the stress of the workday as well as a recreation center and playgrounds for the kids. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon. Additionally, Valley Ranch offers a variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Bruno’s Ristorante Seafood & Steaks and Our Place Indian Cuisine are among the favorites for residents in the area.
Average Home Price in Valley Ranch
The average home price in Valley Ranch, according to Redfin, is around $530,000.
Hospital District
The Hospital District in Irving, true to its name, is located very close to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. The actual neighborhood boundaries of the Hospital District are much smaller than those of Las Colinas and Valley Ranch.
Located in the northern section of Irving, this area is a small square encompassing only a few streets, with I-183 to the north, North O’Connor Rd to the east, W Grauwyler Rd to the south, and N MacArthur Blvd to the west. However, its location earns it one of the top spots on our list. The Hospital District’s close proximity to DFW Airport (just a ~9 minute drive northwest) and everything that Las Colinas has to offer is just a short drive up MacArthur Blvd.
Additionally, with the Irving Police Department Headquarters located directly south, this is one of the safer neighborhoods in Irving.
Schools in Hospital District
The Hospital District belongs to Irving ISD. According to Niche, it has a B rating and it’s #11 on the Best School Districts in Dallas County.
Things to Do in Hospital District
The Hospital District is more centrally located than Las Colinas and Valley Ranch, making it easier to explore everything that Irving has to offer. Taqueria El Arquito, Copper and Vine, and the Original ChopShop are all big draws for residents.
Average Home Price in Hospital District
The Hospital District is a bit more affordable than the other areas, with an average home price of about $400k. This makes it a great option for families with a little bit less purchasing power who still want to move to Irving.
Hackberry Creek
Hackberry Creek is a gated community sandwiched between Valley Ranch to the north and Las Colinas to the south. The Hackberry Creek Country Club, complete with an 18-hole golf course designed by professional golfer Byron Nelson, is a major attraction for residents. As one of the premier gated communities in Irving, it’s definitely one of the safer – if not the safest – neighborhoods for families.
Schools in Hackberry Creek
Hackberry Creek, just like Las Colinas, is part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, the #9 best school district in Dallas County.
Things to Do in Hackberry Creek
Due to its proximity to both Valley Ranch and Las Colinas, the same things that those areas have to offer, Hackberry Creek also has! However, even if you aren’t interested in becoming a member of the country club, a walk around the park-like neighborhoods in this area is a great respite from the day.
Average Home Price in Hackberry Creek
The average home price in Hackberry Creek is around ~$770k. However, keep in mind that HoA fees run north of $2500+ annually. With gated access and other amenities, most residents are more than happy to pay the extra fee, but it’s something you’ll have to work into your budget. This makes it one of the more expensive options on this list, but a great one for families that can afford it.
That’s It – The Best Neighborhoods for Families in Irving, Texas
Some of the best neighborhoods include:
- Las Colinas
- Valley Ranch
- Hospital District
- Hackberry Creek
They each have their own benefits – and they’re all fantastic options for families. If you’re thinking about moving to the Dallas area, Bellhop has you covered with custom plans and a cooperative team, so you’re not stressed during your moving day.
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