Downtown urban living is enjoying a new
renaissance of appeal among a number of
people, from those who desire a fast-paced lifestyle near all the action to recent retirees and
empty nesters who want the fun and freedom
that accompanies a high-rise with a concierge,
round-the-clock security and a convenient
location. Note The Trinity River Project is
another big transformation for downtown.
This city-funded public works project will be
the largest urban park in the United States,
with facilities that will include an equestrian
center, lakes, trails, sports fields, nature centers
and other recreational facilities.
EAST DALLAS
East Dallas, once a separate town, retains an
individual character and is home to urban
pioneers and young professionals with an
appreciation of stained glass windows, arched
doorways and frame homes. Architectural
styles in East Dallas vary greatly and reflect
every taste, much to the relief of those who
shy away from “cookie cutter” neighborhoods.
Variety is the spice of life and it certainly spices
up the area’s architecture, including Prairie,
Tudor, Mid-Century modern, French Eclectic,
Victorian and Spanish Revival.
FAR NORTH DALLAS
Developed by local real estate icon Trammell
Crow, Far North Dallas is bordered by I-635,
Addison, Carrollton, Plano and Richardson.
With its own skyline, retail and commercial
businesses, office buildings and shopping
centers, many of the “techie” residents here
find little reason to venture downtown except
for the occasional meeting.
Most homes are considered “recent vintage”
and lot sales (when available) are brisk
because of the area’s location and proximity to the Richardson Independent School
District, one of the state’s highest academically ranked districts.
GREENVILLE AVENUE
The lengthy strip of road that comprises the
Greenville Avenue neighborhood traverses
a broad cross-section of residences, restaurants, nightclubs and retail establishments.
Located northeast of downtown, Green-
ville Avenue begins near Garret Park and
stretches all the way past LBJ Freeway
to Richardson. Mockingbird Lane is the
boundary where Dallasites divide the street
into Upper Greenville and Lower Greenville.
Lower Greenville Avenue is home to tiny
shops selling antiques, resale clothing and
furniture and Mediterranean and health food
stores. Needless to say, it appeals to the bohemian, alternative crowd. Upper Greenville
is more posh, with swanky restaurants and
nightclubs and a more upscale crowd.
LAKE HIGHLANDS
Forbes once named Lake Highlands one of the
top three best neighborhoods to buy a home –
and it’s no wonder. Tree-lined, rolling streets
give this mostly residential area a homey
feeling, and many residents consider Lake
Highlands to be a small town within a big city.
Residents have easy access to Garland to
the east, Richardson to the north and North
Dallas to the west. Most of Lake Highlands is
located within the popular Richardson Inde-pendent School District, while a small area
located mainly south of Northwest Hwy is
served by Dallas Independent School District.
Homes in Lake Highlands consist mostly of
single-family homes, and is a natural choice
for active families because of its proximity to
White Rock Lake.
LAKEWOOD
Lakewood is popular with families and
young professionals – and that’s not
surprising. Bordered on one side by the
western shore of White Rock Lake, Lakewood is bounded by Mockingbird on the
north and Gaston-Country Club to the
south, and the area is only a short distance
from downtown Dallas – yet has maintained its small town charm. Many of the
homes in this old-fashioned neighborhood
were built from the 1900s to the 1950s, and
there are many historic and conservation
Districts within Lakewood. There are also
a wide variety of housing options here, from
two-bedroom starter homes and quaint
cottages to large mansions on sprawling
acreage, plus duplexes, fourplexes and apartments. A number of architectural styles are
reflected here, too, including Craftsman,
Prairie-Four Squares, Tudors, Spanish,
Mediterranean Eclectic and Early Ranch.
NORTH DALLAS
Considered by many Dallasites to be one of
the best areas in the city for quality living,
North Dallas extends north of NW Highway
and is bordered by I35-E, Central Expressway
(I- 75) and I-635 (LBJ Freeway).
Five major thoroughfares are just blocks
away, providing easy access to downtown,
the West End and the northern suburban
areas. Dallas Love Field, home of Southwest
Airlines and Dallas/Fort Worth International
Airport are only a short drive away.
Among North Dallas’ most popular residential areas are the communities of Preston
Hollow, an affluent and established Dallas
neighborhood, and Bent Tree, known for
its large, spacious homes. The landscaped
neighborhoods are mostly single-family
homes of traditional styles, but there’s also
a zero lot line and garden homes, duplexes,
apartments, condominiums, high-rises and
retirement centers.
OAK CLIFF
The Trinity River on the north, Interstate
35E to the east, Clarendon Road on the
south, and Hampton Road on the west, Oak
Cliff is approximately 200 square miles and
houses a diverse population of more than
184, 154. Physically separated from the rest
of the city by the Trinity River, Oak Cliff
is an independent enclave of Dallas, and
maintains its own identity and history.
Well-known for its landscaped neighborhoods, exceptional land and housing
values, excellent transportation, and
award-winning educational facilities, Oak
Cliff also has a variety of cultural and
recreational activities that allow for a high
quality of life. Oak Cliff is also popular
with those who work in nearby downtown
Dallas because of the short commute.
Oak Cliff is also the birthplace of 7-11
convenience stores, so named because at
that time they were open from 7 a.m. to
11 p.m. In fact, all 7-11 convenience stores
can trace their heritage to a tiny circa-1927
icehouse on the corner of Edgefield and
Twelfth Street in Dallas. Organizations such
as the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League
have helped maintain the beauty of the area,
