As the third largest city in Texas — home to fully one-third of the state’s residents — Dallas has quite a few claims to fame. It was the site of America’s first drive-through restaurant, Kirby’s Pig Stand, which opened in 1921, and the birthplace of something we can all be thankful for — the first frozen margarita machine.
Today Dallas is a vibrant city with diverse neighborhoods that offer something for everyone. The best neighborhoods in Dallas include family-friendly attractions, excellent schools, grand estates, and multicultural arts districts.
But how to choose? From the safest neighborhoods in Dallas to those with the most palatial homes, this guide will help you find the perfect place to live if you decide that a cross-country move to Texas is in your future. Read on to discover what makes each area unique, and why they’re among the best Dallas has to offer.
The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Dallas
In compiling this list, we’ve focused on a few key categories:
- Schools: Most of these neighborhoods will have solid, if not exemplary, school districts. Wealthier areas tend to have stronger school systems, and the higher-end Dallas neighborhoods are served by some of the best districts in the state.
- Prestige and affluence: Many neighborhoods here are definitely on the higher end of the cost-of-living scale — they boast some of the most luxurious homes in Texas. However, specific neighborhoods are home to grander states and celebrity living that others simply can’t match.
- Safety: While all these neighborhoods are considered safe, some are more so than others.
Now, without further ado, here are the 8 best neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas.
1. Highland Park: Best for schools and luxury
Average rent: $3,194
Average home value: $4 million
Best for: Families looking for luxury living
Known for: Idyllic neighborhoods, expensive and opulent housing, and a highly-exclusive community.
Getting around: Highland Park has easy access to major highways and public transportation.
Many consider Highland Park one of the most prestigious and affluent neighborhoods in Dallas. The place is chock full of beautiful mansions and exclusive communities, and it has a distinctive air of money and comfort — well worth a long-distance move if that’s what you’re looking for. It would be a great choice for families searching for some of the best schools in the state and access to fine dining and shopping.
The housing prices are such that Highland Park will primarily appeal to top earners, lending more to its exclusivity. And be prepared for rental prices that can be double or even triple those in other Texas cities. But for families looking for a safe, contained, and luxurious experience, Highland Park should be high on the list.
2. Lakewood: Best for families
Average rent: $1,482
Average home value: $1.1 million
Best for: Families, nature lovers
Known for: Proximity to White Rock Lake and other outdoor attractions
Getting around: Primarily accessible via car, with access to some public transportation
While not as pricey or exclusive as Highland Park, Lakewood is a great middle ground between price and accessibility, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas. A suburb of Dallas proper, this little neighborhood boasts fine schools and an abundance of outdoor and family-friendly activities like boating, hiking, camping, and picnicking.
Lakewood's strong sense of community is displayed in the local greenspaces, which remain remarkably clean and inviting. It’s also relatively close to downtown Dallas, so your family can visit the city without spending the day doing it.
3. Uptown Dallas: Best for young professionals
Average rent: $2,274
Average home value: $774,000
Best for: Young professionals and singles
Known for: Trendy housing and apartments, active nightlife, and trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs
Getting around: Very walkable with access to most public transportation, including the Dallas Trolley and DART
As the hip part of the Dallas metro area, Uptown has drawn the attention of the city's young professionals and artists, including lots of transplants from places like New York. Housing is available and affordable, and it’s near most of the area's major industries and office buildings.
An up-and-coming cultural scene has emerged here in recent years, with excellent food, bars, nightclubs, and more. This includes plenty of daytime activities at local coffee shops.
These factors make Uptown one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas for young professionals. If you’re a young professional on the move, Uptown might be the best neighborhood in Dallas for your family. You’ll have access to all the city's major amenities, and you’ll be in the thick of the hipness.
4. Deep Ellum: Best for those seeking culture and nightlife
Average rent: $2,000
Average home value: $396,000
Best for: Music lovers, insomniacs, artists
Known for: Live music, clubs, and street art
Getting around: Very walkable with access to most public transportation, including the Dallas Trolley and DART
Are you packing up in search of the latest in Dallas art, culture, and music? Want to live in the middle of the city's most active art scene? Then try Deep Ellum. Located near central Dallas, Deep Ellum houses several music venues, art galleries, and restaurants. The Factory is a well-known spot for live entertainment and reflects the community’s historic ties to African-American and European immigrant cultures.
The prices here aren’t going to break the bank, even if they aren’t as low as they would be in more rural areas. But, you get foot access to the richest art scene in the city, with plenty of ways to engage with the local community. However, with all that activity, Deep Ellum isn’t necessarily for those looking to set down roots with a family.
5. Timberbrook: Best for affordability
Average rent: $2,259
Average home value: $450,000
Best for: Young families, first-time homeowners
Known for: Affordability, peaceful neighborhoods, tight, middle-class community
Getting around: Some access to public transit, primarily car accessible
Timberbrook is a quaint mix of suburban and rural living just north of Plano, but still well within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area. Its affordable housing is attractive to a growing population of younger families, many of whom are looking to avoid the thick of the city (and maybe get some more storage space). Timberbrook is also relatively close to several outdoor areas, including Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, offering access to excellent hiking and scenic lakes.
Unfortunately, living further out from Dallas might be the price for this mix of affordability and peace. In many cases, getting into the city will involve a nearly hour-long car ride.
6. University Park: Safest neighborhood for students and families
Average rent: $3,306
Average home value: $2.1 million
Best for: Students and young families
Known for: Proximity to Southern Methodist University (SMU), good schools
Getting around: A good mix of car access and public transit
This small neighborhood is nestled between Dallas and Highland Park and houses Southern Methodist University (SMU), a small private university. It’s not only one of the most affluent areas in Texas but in the entire U.S. — the 2018 census showed an average median household income of over $198,000.
The mix of higher education and suburban living makes this neighborhood an attractive option for families who want to enjoy high-quality schools and easy access to other parts of the Dallas metro area.
If you ask a Dallas local “what’s the safest neighborhood in Dallas?” the answer will likely be University Park. Due to its wealth, university security, and robust police presence, University Park is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Its crime rate is 59% lower than the national average.
7. Preston Hollow: The most prestigious neighborhood in Texas
Average rent: $3,500
Average home value: $2.25 million
Best for: Wealthy families
Known for: Sprawling estates, mansions, celebrity homes
Getting around: Primarily by car
What’s the most prestigious neighborhood in Dallas? Well, University Park is in the running. But based on celebrity sightings and overall popularity, it has to be Preston Hollow. Preston Hollow is the neighborhood you want to live in if you're at an elite level of success and wealth. Located near University Park, it’s marked by unique mansions situated on large estates, sometimes several acres in size, that are built for maximum privacy and security.
This emphasis on privacy stems from the fact that several current and former residents are essentially royalty in the state, from entrepreneur Mark Cuban to former President George W. Bush and energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens.
8. Oak Cliff: The most historic neighborhood in Dallas
Average rent: $1,376
Average home value: $293,000
Best For: A mix of families, creatives, and professionals
Known for: Historic homes and landmarks
Getting around: Car and public transportation
Oak Cliff and the nearby Bishop Arts District are known throughout Dallas for their eclectic charm. The combination of historic landmarks (the area was incorporated in 1890) and family-friendly attractions make this a culturally rich, affordable, and artistic place for individuals to build their lives.
That being said, the surrounding areas had, until recently, a bad reputation for crime that the neighborhood has sought to recover from over the past few years.
Find the Best Neighborhood in Dallas for Your Family
Whether you’re drawn to Uptown's vibrant energy or the artistic heart of Deep Ellum, the next step is finding what works for you and making your move as simple and stress-free as possible. Let the pros at Colonial Van Lines handle the packing, heavy lifting, and transportation so you can focus on settling into your Dallas dream home.
Get your free quote today and start your Dallas move.