Considering buying a house in Dallas? With a wide variety of exciting events, top-rated schools, and diverse housing types and architectural styles, it’s easy to see why people enjoy living in The Big D. Here are the five best Dallas neighborhoods to check out if you’re planning to buy a home!
Neighborhood | Bluffview | Farmers Market District | Lower Greenville | Oak Cliff | Oak Lawn |
Median Home Price | $559,310 | $465,100 | $470,647 | $324,779 | $374,958 |
Safer than % of City Neighborhoods | 74% | 76% | 47% | 21% | 38% |
Owner Occupied Home Rate | 50% | 12.6% | 35.6% | 53.4% | 30.3% |
Unemployment Rate | 1.5% | 4.2% | 2.4% | 4.2% | 2.1% |
Bluffview
Looking for a quiet Dallas neighborhood with winding streets and mature shade trees that’s away from the busy city center? Check out Bluffview! This upscale neighborhood in North Dallas is one of the safest in the city, and it offers residents home styles ranging from Mediterranean to Contemporary, along with spacious backyards. Parents will appreciate top-notch Dallas schools in the area such as Sudie L. Williams TAG Academy and Providence Christian School of Texas. Bluffview also offers quick, convenient access to Downtown Dallas via the Dallas North Tollway, as well as close proximity to Dallas Love Field Airport for those who love to travel.
Things to Do in Bluffview
Align your body, mind, and spirit during a Candlelight Slow Flow, Hot Onnit, or Beginner Flow class at Black Swan Yoga. Spend the day shopping local boutiques and stores or head to the theater to watch indie films at Inwood Village. Bike on the paved trails, kayak during sunset, or swim year-round in the large aquatic center at Bachman Lake Park. Explore the history of flight with 35,000 artifacts in the Dreamers & Early Flyers, Modern Air Power, and Space Flight exhibits at Frontiers of Flight Museum. Start the morning off right with an Apple Pancake or Woodsman Omelette and a cup of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice from The Original Pancake House. Stop in for some specialty pizzas like the Ardalino Pizza, Carbonara Pizza, and Quattro Formaggi Pizza at Bona Pizza. Try the Short Rib Enchiladas, Veal Shoulder Schnitzel, and Flat Iron Steak Frites at Neighborhood Services. Or enjoy date night and order the White Fish Piccata or Honey Truffle Chicken—and don’t forget to save room for a piece of Chocolate Silk Pie—at Drake’s Hollywood.
Farmers Market District
If you want to settle down in the heart of the city, consider buying a home in the Dallas Farmers Market District! The real estate market in this trendy Dallas neighborhood is perfect for homebuyers seeking brownstone-style townhomes or contemporary condos in historical buildings. This area of town is known for its namesake, the Dallas Farmers Market—which allows residents to enjoy various food vendors, fresh produce, artisanal products, and unique local goods year-round. And since the Farmers Market District is part of the downtown area, there’s always fun events and festivals for people all ages, like the Riverfront Jazz Festival, Dallas Holiday Parade, and more!
Things to Do in Farmers Market District
Let your four-legged friend run and play in the urban dog run or relax on the great lawn at Main Street Garden Park. Register your kids for a youth futsal league or start your own adult soccer team at City Futsal—which offers both indoor courts and outdoor pitches. Head to Dallas’ first and oldest park to take a stroll through the gardens and view historic buildings and furnishings from the 1840s at Old City Park. Take advantage of the exciting Dallas nightlife and dance the night away at Opera Supper Club. Get your caffeine fix and grab a cup of joe-to-go like the Mocaccino, Latte Macchiato, or Iced Espresso at Palmieri Cafe. Sit back to watch the game and be sure to order the Chili Cheese Tots, Brisket Sandwich, and Hardwood Chicken Tenders at Harwood Tavern. Get fresh seafood in Dallas like the Blackened Salmon Fish Tacos, Ceviche, and a dozen Gulf Oysters at Rex’s Seafood & Market. Or make reservations and try the Bowl of Fresh Pasta, The Big Kebab, and a side of Fat Asparagus at Brass Ram.
Lower Greenville
Located north of Downtown Dallas, Lower Greenville is one of the best areas to buy a house in Dallas, along with being a hotspot for culture, arts, live music, and more. Residents of this charming urban-suburban neighborhood can find home styles of all kinds, including quaint Craftsman, Tudor, and prairie-style homes. Families will enjoy living in Lower Greenville thanks to its close proximity to Baylor University Medical Center, as well as schools like Mockingbird Elementary, Geneva Heights Elementary School, Solar Preparatory School for Girls, and Solar Preparatory School for Boys. And for singles and young professionals, Lower Greenville Ave is the perfect place to spend a night out at trendy restaurants and bars.
Things to Do in Lower Greenville
Shop for local Dallas apparel, artwork, gifts, and more at Bullzerk. Have a picnic, let your kids play on the swings and slides, and practice sports ranging from tennis to softball at local parks like Glencoe Park and Tietze Park. Follow the neon lights into a historic theater for live music from national touring acts like Richie Kotzen, Jack Blocker, and Sampha at the Granada Theater. Attend award-winning comedy shows that get the audience involved or learn the art of improv with classes at Four Day Weekend. Craving Italian food in Dallas? Try the Sauteed Shrimp Scampi, Veal Parmigiana, and Homemade Lasagna at Campisi’s. Start with appetizers like the Crispy Pork Ear and Sweet Corn Fritters, then enjoy a large bowl of Spicy Miso Ramen at Wabi House. Savor rotating artisanal gelato flavors like the Don Pistacchio, Coconut Stracciatella, and Strawberry Sorbetto at Botolino Gelato Artigianale. Or bring your pup with you and drink frozen cocktails in the beer garden, listen to live music in a treehouse, and try bites from one of the constantly rotating food trunk vendors at Truck Yard.
Oak Cliff
Not only is Oak Cliff one of the best places for renters, but it’s also one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas to buy a house! This South Dallas neighborhood is made up of many smaller areas—including the trendy Bishop Arts District, which features two full blocks of bars, restaurants, art galleries, and shopping. Oak Cliff also has a strong sense of community, with local events and festivals like the For Oak Cliff Farmers Market, the annual Oak Cliff Film Festival, Oaktoberfest, and the celebration of Oak Cliff’s French Roots during Bastille on Bishop. Outdoor spaces like Kiest Park and Oak Cliff Nature Preserve provide opportunities to stay active, while proximity to major roadways—including I-20, I-30, and I-35E—makes commuting easier. Plus, those working in healthcare have quick access to Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Methodist Charlton Medical Center.
Things to Do in Oak Cliff
Hang out in the Goat Yard, feed the giraffes, or sign the kids up for educational programs like Wildlife Heroes Club or Thursday Safari at the Dallas Zoo. Grab a bucket of popcorn and see new blockbuster hits or classic films at a historical cinema, The Texas Theatre. Schedule a tee-time for 18 holes or sign up for golf lessons with PGA professionals in the state-of-the art indoor facility at Stevens Park Golf Course. Rent a gaming bay to play console games on the Wii and Nintendo Switch, or try classic arcade games like Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong, and more at Round Two. Enjoy Texas-sized dishes like the Chicken Fried Steak Blue Plate, Southern-Fried Catfish, and Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger at Norma’s Cafe. Take your lunch break and order the Duck Bacon Sandwich, Cantaloupe Cucumber Salad, or Fried Green BLT at Oddfellows. Sink your teeth into a BBQ Cheesesteak, Shrimp Cheesesteak, or Poblano Cheesesteak sandwich at Cheesesteak House. Or fill up on the vegan versions of your favorite foods with dishes like Lions Mane Buffalo Bites, Creole Nacho Fries, and the Monte Cristo + Fries at Vegan Food House.
Oak Lawn
Check several neighborhood “must-haves” off your list when you buy a home in Oak Lawn! An inclusive and diverse neighborhood, Oak Lawn is known as the home of Dallas’ LGBTQ community, which is reflected in everything from the colorful sidewalks and The Crossroads historical marker to the annual Dallas Pride celebration. This affordable Dallas neighborhood also has plenty to do year-round, with upscale restaurants, exciting bars and nightclubs, lively entertainment venues, and trendy shops nearby—as well as parks like Turtle Creek Park and Reverchon Park for days when you need to relax in nature. As for housing options, you’ll find a variety of home types to choose from, including modern condos and luxury townhomes.
Things to Do in Oak Lawn
See popular music artists like Kacey Musgraves, Usher, and Shakira—or catch Dallas Mavericks (NBA) and Dallas Stars (NHL) games at American Airlines Center. Explore all-ages exhibits like Expanding Universe Hall and Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall or attend events like Thursdays on Tap and Night at the Museum at Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Attend annual events like Party in the Park, play in the Nancy Best Fountain or the dog park, and grab a bite to eat from Food Truck Lane at Klyde Warren Park. Have a fun night out with friends at House of Blues Dallas with live entertainment, craft cocktails, and more. Get all-day breakfast items like the Veggie Benny, Enchiladas & Eggs, and The All American at Lucky’s Cafe—which uses locally-sourced ingredients. Enjoy cheap drinks and light snacks like the Broccoli Cheese Bites and Southwest Eggrolls at “Texas’ most successful gay bar and grill,” JR’s Bar & Grill. Order entrees like the Beef Tenderloin or Chicken Au Poivre, and finish your meal with Chocolate Mousse for dessert at Parigi Restaurant. Or relax with a cold one in the beer garden before digging into upscale BBQ like the Chopped Wagyu Brisket, Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage Roll, and a side of Charro Beans at Katy Trail Ice House.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes