With warm weather, affordable real estate, and tons of fun activities, Dallas is a great place to raise a family. Whether you’re relocating to Dallas or simply moving across town, you’ll need to find a neighborhood that suits your needs in this Texas city. Check out our list of the five best family-friendly neighborhoods in Dallas!
| Neighborhood | Bishop Arts District | Far North | Lake Highlands | Lakewood | University Park |
| Median Home Price | $324,779 | $326,434 | $221,715 | $309,550 | $1,176,311 |
| Median Rent Price | $1,022 | $1,304 | $1,223 | $1,298 | $1,010 |
| Safer Than % of City | 21% | 71% | 41% | 56% | 76% |
| Median Household Income | $66,666 | $78,733 | $60,724 | $78,164 | $198,578 |
| High School Graduation Rate | 62% | 88% | 78% | 77% | 99% |
Bishop Arts District
Part of the larger Oak Cliff neighborhood, The Bishop Arts District boasts a wide range of family-friendly activities in Dallas. This historic district embodies the area’s charm in its tree-lined streets and architectural variety, from mid-20th century homes to Craftsman-style bungalows and ranches. Located about ten minutes from Downtown Dallas, families living in the Bishop Arts District have easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, and art galleries. You’ll also be in close proximity to various schools in the Dallas Independent School District, such as the Bishop Arts STEAM Academy, W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, and W.H. Adamson High School—providing great opportunities for students to grow into lifelong learners.
See animal exhibits like the Wilds of Africa or Giants of Savanna, feed apples to an African elephant during a Backstage Safari tour, or take a ride on the conservation railway mini-train at the Dallas Zoo. Join an arts community striving to cultivate diverse talent with programs like the Summer Theatre STEAM Camp at the Bishop Arts Theatre Center. Hit a home run on the baseball field, watch the kids play in the park, or spend a day by the pool with the family at Kidd Springs Recreation Center. Get tickets to see the latest film and enjoy a bag of fresh popcorn at The Texas Theatre—and don’t forget to grab a drink in the theatre bar. Sample innovative sushi like the Lotus Roll and Mushroom Volcano Roll or entrees like Chicken Teriyaki for date night at a Contemporary Japanese-American cuisine restaurant, Zen Sushi. Experience the mouth-watering Chef’s Choice Salumi, Risotto with Crab, and other dishes featuring handmade pasta at Lucia. Try Mexican food with Veracruz and Tex-Mex influences, such as Arracheritas Fajitas, Enchiladas Huastecas, or a Shrimp Taco Plate from Veracruz Cafe. Order Vegan dishes like the Hush Puppies & “Clam Strip” Basket, Country Fried Vegan Bacon Sandwich, or Honeydrip Seitan Sandwich from Vegan Food House.
Far North
A great Dallas neighborhood for those looking to raise their family in a more suburban setting, Far North offers ranch-style and Neocolonial homes with large yards for kids to play in. The neighborhood is located on the edge of the city, but access to I-635 and other major roadways makes it easy to travel all over the Dallas metro. Within the neighborhood itself, residents can take advantage of local golf courses, parks, shopping, and more. Families in Dallas will also appreciate that the neighborhood is home to area schools like Rose Mary Haggar Elementary School, Northwood Hills Elementary Schools, and Parkhill Junior High School. And college students looking to stay close to home can attend The University of Texas at Dallas, located just outside the eastern edge of the neighborhood.
Things to Do in Far North
Go golfing in Dallas when you become a member at Bent Tree Country Club or Northwood Club. Pick up the latest fashion trends at stores like Zara, Nordstrom, and Michael Kors—or go ice skating at Galleria Dallas. Spend the day playing pickleball, walking the trails, having a family grill-out, and more at Campbell Green Park. Take your dog to run and play in the 22-acre off-leash area at the NorthBark Dog Park. Have a family breakfast with dishes like Biscuits And Sausage Gravy, Corned Beef Hash, or Nutella Buttermilk Pancakes at Mimi’s Star Cafe. Order the Dolmeh, Lamb Kabob, or Eggplant Stew from Shiraz Mediterranean Grill. Enjoy New York-style deli sandwiches like The Coney Island, Turkey Rueben, and a Philly Cheese Steak at Deli-News. Or try the Southern Soul Bao Bun, Sweet Chili Wings, and Angry Pho from Cris and John.
Lake Highlands
Looking to raise your family in a safe, affordable Dallas neighborhood? Check out Lake Highlands! Earning its name from its position perched on a higher elevation over White Rock Lake, this area boasts a number of parks, recreation areas, and nature spots. It’s a perfect location for those who want to settle down outside the Dallas city center and desire a bit of old-town charm in a more laid-back area. Real estate in this Dallas area mainly consists of ’60s and ’70s ranches, Tudor-style homes, and cottages, along with some newer builds. There are also several apartments and houses for rent, making it a great spot to rent a home in Dallas. Plus, families living in Lake Highlands can find quality Dallas education for their kids at area schools like Aikin Elementary, Forest Meadow Middle School, and Lake Highlands High School—as well as higher education opportunities at Dallas College Richland Campus!
Things to Do in Lake Highlands
Have a picnic or bike the White Rock Creek Trail at Harry S. Moss Park. See plays like A Charlie Brown Christmas or sign the kids up for acting classes at the Dallas Children’s Theater. Browse the shelves for your next read and attend events like Toddler Storytime and Adopt-a-Dog Puppy Social at the Audelia Road Branch Library, part of the Dallas Public Library system. Fly kites with the kids at Flag Pole Hill Park or play with the family pup off-leash at nearby White Rock Lake Dog Park. Schedule a date night and order the Tagliatelle, 57 Meatloaf, or the Crab Cakes at Cedar & Vine. Fill up on The Reuben or a Shepherd’s Pie and indulge in a Guinness Stout at Lochland’s Irish Pub. Sit outside on the shaded outdoor patio while you eat a Holy Guacamole Burger, Pulled Pork Tacos, and a side of Tots at Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha. And satisfy your sweet tooth with treats like the Chocolate Molten Cake, Red Velvet Brownies, or S’mores Cookies at Haute Sweets Patisserie.
Lakewood
Lakewood is located on the western banks of White Rock Lake and less than 30 minutes from the heart of Downtown Dallas. This laid-back area is mostly residential, but it still offers plenty of things to do—like boating on the lake, hiking White Rock Lake Trail, or shopping and dining at the Lakewood Shopping Center. Homes in this Dallas neighborhood range from large, beautiful estates to more affordable Craftsman-style houses, making the area a great place for families of all sizes and lifestyles. Parents can send their kids to private schools in Dallas like Lakehill Preparatory School and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School or public schools like Lakewood Elementary School.
Things to Do in Lakewood
Explore 66 acres of gardens—like the Rose Garden and Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden—or attend the Cool Thursday Concert Series at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Walk the trails, have a picnic with your family, or play doubles on the tennis court at Lakewood Park. Take advantage of living near the lake by learning how to row or watch a rowing championship at White Rock Rowing. Sign the kids up for gymnastic lessons or camps at ASI Gymnastics – Lakewood. Grab an Espresso Cortado, Iced Cold Brew, or Blended Mocha at White Rock Coffee. Enjoy brunch favorites like the Cinnamon Snail, Biscuits and Gravy, or Granola Crusted French Toast while sipping a Dream House Blend Coffee at Dream Cafe. Try the Della Carne Pizza, White Truffle Pizza, or a classic Margherita Pizza at Olivella’s Pizza & Wine. Or dig in to traditional Mexican food like the Quesadilla Cabeza, Taco Chorizo, and Torta Suadero at Tacos la Banqueta.
University Park
Located north of Downtown Dallas, the upscale inner suburb of University Park offers Dallas real estate options ranging from Mediterranean and Federal-inspired properties to Tudor homes on oversized lots. The neighborhood’s close-knit community and easy access to both University Park and Dallas amenities makes this one of the best suburbs of Dallas! Families living in University Park can stay busy with the many local parks and community events in the area, and parents can enroll their kids in top-rated Dallas schools like John S. Bradfield Elementary School, McCulloch Intermediate School, and Highland Park High School. Plus, college students or those working in education will appreciate the area’s close proximity to Southern Methodist University.
Things to Do in University Park
Attend family-friendly programs such as Preschool Playdate with the little ones or view art collections, from paintings to sculpture and decorative arts, at the Meadows Museum. Practice on the sports fields, go fishing, take your kids to the playground, or go on a family walk at Caruth Park or Curtis Park. Learn about The Bush Family, see artifacts from the Bush Administration, and more at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum. Go shopping for the kids at locally-owned boutiques like Dear Hannah, grab a bite to eat, and more at Snider Plaza. For a sweet treat, try the Triple Chocolate Cookie or Pain au Chocolat paired with a Latte from Sugar & Sage Bakery. Enjoy delicious Italian food in Dallas with classic dishes like Mozzarella Caprese, Signature Beef Lasagna, or Chicken Marsala at Amore Italian Bistro. Try the Lamb Shish Kabob, Chicken Gyros, or Tabouli Salad at Food From Galilee. Or devour Orange Chicken, Wimpy Noods, and a Big Banh Mi Sandwich from Red Stix.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
