September 26, 2023
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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 done the research 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 “Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Dallas,” “Best Suburbs of Dallas,” and our “Best Up and Coming Neighborhoods 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). 

The 5 Best Places to Live in Dallas Bellhop Blog

 

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 neighborhoods. We’ve combed through the city and selected five neighborhoods that we think show off some of Dallas’ best. Follow along as we dive in closer and explore some of the greatest places to live in Big Ol’ Dallas. 

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Uptown

A historical area, Uptown has been home to young professionals since the late 1800s. It underwent extensive change 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 restaurant is The Rustic. This charming spot has plenty of outdoor seating, homestyle cooking, and a tempting drink menu. Try a hand-crafted pale ale at Texas Ale Project or barbecue at Sammy’s Bar-B-Q. 

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. Prices in this popular neighborhood in 2023 average $540,000 with fancier places going a lot higher. 

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 then 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 where they serve great fare while teaching at-risk kids culinary skills, and Pyramid, located in the fashionable Fairmont Hotel.  

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. Homes can cost an average of $866,000 in 2023. 

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Preston Hollow

Once home to George W. Bush and his wife, this elite neighborhood is full of aged oak trees, gorgeous homes, large lots, great private schools, and a homey ambiance. Preston Hollow has been a popular spot for families and young professionals for decades. And it sits just six miles north of downtown Dallas. It’s a great spot for those who want quieter streets, close access to the city, and a gorgeous place to call home. 

What’s Happening in Preston Hollow 

While Preston Hollow might sound fancy and exclusive, it’s actually a very welcoming destination for new residents and visitors. The neighborhood features some of the trendiest restaurants and family-friendly eateries in the city, like the award-winning Mercury, and popular Royal China offering family-style eating, handmade noodles and dumplings.  

Preston Hollow sits between three of Dallas’ best shopping centers: the Preston Center, the Northpark Mall, and the Galleria. For more small-scale shopping, check out The Toy Maven, Ken’s Man’s Shop (fancy), and J. Renee Shoes for affordable women’s footwear.  

Schools in Preston Hollow 

Schools in the area include Preston Hollow Elementary School, Edward H Cary Middle School, and Emmett J. Conrad High School among others. 

Homes in Preston Hollow 

Housing ranges from modest and affordable cottages to highly elite and luxurious estates. Many of these grand homes were built in the ‘20s and ‘30s, but there are lots of homes being renovated and new constructions as well. Homes are valued at $650,000 with some condos available at $140,000. 

Lake Highlands

Lake Highlands is popular among families and young couples who want to straddle the city and the suburbs. This neighborhood offers access to the great schools and job centers in the suburb of Richardson as well as affordable homes. But it sits about 10 miles north of the city center and all its amenities. Lake Highlands is decorated by massive oaks, old pecan trees, and rolling grassy hills. It’s a picturesque spot that has lured many once-urban-dwellers away from Dallas’ bustling inner city with its small-town-Texas feel. 

What’s Happening in Lake Highlands 

A night out or weekend at an event is as easy as driving 15 minutes from Lake Highlands to Dallas’ city center. But this neighborhood has several great eateries and destinations of its own. Some of the local favorites for dining and drinking options include Rex’s Seafood and Oak Highlands Brewery. (Checkout their place for pickleball and yoga). The nearby White Rock Lake offers outdoor space and hiking trails. Try the Northpark Center for some of the area’s best shopping spots. 

Schools in Lake Highlands 

Schools in the area include Lake Highlands School, Forest Meadow Junior High School, and Bending Oaks High School among others. 

Homes in Lake Highlands 

Lake Highlands offers lots of single-story ranch homes as well as some larger housing options. This area carries some of the heftiest price tags for the privilege of living here; Zillow shows a pricey $2.8M for an average home, $780K for a condo. 

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. 

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. Grab a drink at the nearby Whitehall Exchange or The Wild Detectives where you can browse books too. Try a hard cider at Bishop Cider. 

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. Home prices vary with condition. 

There you have it: the 5 best places to live 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! 

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Harmon Suhorsky
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