Want to live in Dallas? Known for being one of the best cities for jobs, having an incredible music scene, and providing a wide variety of things to do, D-Town is a vibrant place to live in the South. Check out these five affordable, safe neighborhoods in Dallas!
| Neighborhood | Lake Highlands | Lakewood | Main Street District | Oak Lawn | Winnetka Heights |
| Median Home Price | $221,715 | $309,550 | $427,400 | $374,958 | $139,384 |
| Median Rent Price | $1,223 | $1,298 | $1,522 | $1,552 | $991 |
| Safer than % of City Neighborhoods | 41% | 56% | 76% | 38% | 62% |
| Home Ownership Percentage | 26% | 51% | 15% | 30% | 54% |
Lake Highlands
Located on the northeastern edge of Dallas, Lake Highlands is an affordable, family-friendly neighborhood in the DFW metro to consider settling down in. This spacious Dallas neighborhood is bordered to the southwest by the scenic White Rock Creek Trail and is home to many other beautiful green spaces, like R.P. Brooks Park. Lake Highlands also boasts a variety of unique shops and restaurants, and it’s bisected by I-635—so its slightly removed location doesn’t mean the neighborhood is disconnected from the rest of the city. In fact, a major benefit of Lake Highlands is that it feeds into the esteemed Richardson Independent School District, meaning great institutions such as White Rock Elementary School and Lake Highlands Elementary School are located within the neighborhood. Meanwhile, parents with older children—or individuals looking to seek a degree themselves—will appreciate Lake Highland’s close proximity to Dallas College Richland Campus!
Things to Do in Lake Highlands
Mountain-bike along five miles of off-road trail, play soccer, or bring your kids to the playground at Harry S. Moss Park. Splash in the pool, run through the sprayground, and work out in the gym at Lake Highlands North Recreation Center. Check out books, use the computers and free WiFi, and attend fun events like storytime and yoga at Audelia Road Branch Library or Forest Green Branch Library. Play disc golf, shoot hoops, or set up a picnic at B.B. Owen Park. Start your day with an Espresso Macchiato, Iced Adam Bomb, or a Blooming Berry Smoothie at White Rock Coffee. Savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine like Garlic Butter Wings, Drop Flank Pho You, and Bun Dac Biet at Bistro B. Enjoy some of the best Mexican food in Dallas with Pozole, Elote, or Flautas at Mijas Taqueria. Or try Ethiopian staples including Sambsa, Denich, and Kitfo Dulet at Abeba Grocery.
Lakewood
If you’re looking for a suburban Dallas neighborhood with natural beauty and easy access to amenities, Lakewood is a wonderful choice. With 1920s Bungalows, cozy cottages, and Colonials, this laid-back neighborhood offers housing options to suit all tastes—and beautiful wildflower areas in between! Situated right on White Rock Lake with tons of green space in the surrounding area, the Lakewood neighborhood includes a slew of opportunities for outdoor recreation—one of the many benefits of living in Dallas! This tree-shaded neighborhood also provides residents with access to high-quality schools like Lakewood Elementary School and Lakehill Preparatory School, so it’s a great choice for growing families. And with multiple shopping areas to explore, as well as fun community events like the annual 4th of July Parade, you’ll never run out of fun things to do while living in Lakewood!
Things to Do in Lakewood
Enjoy bird-watching, go boating, and visit the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake Park—one of the best parks in Dallas. Hike the trails, play tennis, and bring friends to cook on the grill at Lakewood Park. Drive around the lake to walk through luscious gardens like the McCasland Sunken Garden, attend vibrant events like Autumn at the Arboretum, or sit down to a three-course tea during the summer at Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Relax with a cocktail in an intimate setting to enjoy live jazz, blues, and R&B shows at The Balcony Club. Start your day with Morning Full of Energy Breakfast Tacos, or order Thin Grilled Beef Tacos or Alambre for lunch at Tacos La Banqueta Puro DF. Have Cloud Cakes for breakfast, Garden Stirfry for lunch, or Pasta Pignoli for dinner at Dream Cafe. Grab a seat on the patio for Fried Meatballs, Baked Penne Bolo, or the Jabroni Wood-Fired Pizza at Cane Rosso. Or head out to the beer garden to slurp down local brews like the Big Thicket Blonde or Urban Parakeet IPA, or sip a cocktail like the Ranch Water at White Rock Alehouse & Brewery.
Main Street District
As one of the safest neighborhoods in Dallas, you can’t go wrong living in Main Street District! This bustling area has something for everyone, including cool landmarks like The Eye sculpture (AKA the “Giant Eyeball”), some of Dallas’ tallest skyscrapers, and numerous businesses to work for or frequent. There are bars, restaurants, and cafes on almost every corner, and many are housed in buildings with appealing architecture—such as Twisted Trompo, located inside The Metropolitan Condominiums. Part of Downtown Dallas, Main Street District is a walker’s paradise and highly bikeable, and it’s also a thoroughfare for several Dallas public transportation options, so you can always get where you want to go quickly!
Things to Do in Main Street District
Check out comedians, musical acts, and kid-friendly shows at the Majestic Theater. Bring little ones to the toddler play area, throw a ball for your dog, and admire lovely public art at Main Street Garden Park. Bask in the lush gardens, sit and read a book in the shade under a tree, or take a walk to enjoy the D-Town sunshine at the Civic Garden. Reflect on history and memories, appreciate the architecture, or lay flowers at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. Build your own salad from choices such as Grilled Flank Steak, Butternut Squash, and Roasted Almonds, or order a Tejano Ceasar Zeppelin at Bread Zeppelin. Dig into Wings or Chicken Tenders with a variety of dipping sauces and Bacon Cheddar Mac on the side at WingBucket. Feed the whole family with menu items like the Bob Marley Burger, a Billie Jean “Melt”, and Cookies & Cream Shakes at Chop House Burger. Or create a lunch bowl with all your favorite ingredients, and try Vegan Tacos or Fajitas Parrillada at Uno Mas Tex Mex.
Oak Lawn
One of the best Dallas neighborhoods for young adults, the Oak Lawn neighborhood encompasses Uptown Dallas, an area known for being home to much of the city’s LGBT+ community. People from all walks of life feel welcome living in Oak Lawn, where LGBTQ-friendly nightlife venues such as The Rose Room provide an exciting, inclusive environment for residents. This Dallas neighborhood has a bit of everything, including live music, museums, green spaces like Turtle Creek Park, and more. Additionally, Oak Lawn’s central location is ideal for commuters, since the neighborhood is bordered on three sides by major roadways and is just north of downtown, where many job opportunities await. As one of the best neighborhoods to both rent in Dallas and buy a home in Dallas, Oak Lawn also provides fantastic housing options to choose from, ranging from modern apartments and townhomes to Craftsman and Tudor-style houses.
Things to Do in Oak Lawn
Stargaze in the Expanding Universe Hall, walk through nature in the Discovering Life Hall, and attend interesting events like Thursdays on Tap at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. Jam to live rock and blues music, sip cocktails and dance in the Foundation Room, or host your own private event at House of Blues Dallas. Groove to hot DJ sets, attend a drag show, and grab drinks with friends at “Texas’ #1 gay dance club”—Station 4. Stroll through the gardens or play baseball and beach volleyball at Reverchon Park. Listen to live music while enjoying the Smoked Dip Duo, Chicken Tinga Joe Leo Tacos, or a Triple Chop at The Rustic. Try tasty Cajun food in Dallas such as Poboys or Chargrilled Oysters, and wash your meal down with a HennyRita at Local Tap & Table. Split a Cured Meat Board to start, then build your own pizza with toppings such as pesto sauce, bacon, feta, pineapple, and more at State & Allen. Or sample Latin dishes like Milanesa Buenos Aires and Picadillo Avila—with Dulce de Leche for dessert—at Zaguan Latin Cafe & Bakery.
Winnetka Heights
As the second-largest historic district in Dallas, Winnetka Heights is a charming, quiet neighborhood conveniently located just five miles southwest of downtown. One of the most affordable places to live in Dallas, the area’s real estate mostly consists of prairie-style homes, bungalows, and cottages with plenty of green space. Like the neighboring Bishop Arts District, this friendly neighborhood has an artsy vibe with multiple galleries and performing arts venues within its borders and nearby, including Bishop Arts Theatre Center. However, Winnetka Heights offers a more suburban, close-knit vibe, with monthly “Happy Hours” and other cool events providing an array of opportunities for residents to connect!
Things to Do in Winnetka Heights
Get tickets to see concerts by big names and local bands, or check out special film screenings at The Kessler. Support local artists by attending live theatre performances, apply for Artist-in-Residence programs, or take writing and photography classes at Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Dive in to the pool, go fishing in the lake, and play pickleball at Kidd Springs Park. Book a tee time to go golfing in Dallas on a beautiful 18-hole course, take lessons, or practice chipping in the Short Game Area at nearby Stevens Park Golf Course. Wake up with classic coffees like an Espresso or Latte, and add Lavender Syrup for a new twist at Wayward Coffee Co. Devour comfort foods like the BLT or Famous Double Cheeseburger—with Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie for dessert—at Norma’s Cafe. Sample Irish-inspired plates like Scotch Eggs, Irish Nachos, and Bangers & Mash at Cannon’s Corner Irish Pub. And watch the game while chowing down Smashburger Sliders and Boneless Wings, paired with a Kentucky Mule or one of dozens of beers at Pour House Dallas.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
