Dallas may have some of the more well known suburbs in the country – Arlington and Plano among them – but if you are looking for a wonderful home in a community with character and charm, you may want to avoid the cookie-cutter developments in the outskirts. Within Dallas’ city limits are a number of neighborhoods, some dating back to the turn of the century, that offer some wonderful environments for just about anyone.
Located just east of downtown, DEEP ELLUM is known more for its bars, restaurants, and eclectic shopping than its housing. Dominated by a number of storefronts from the 20’s and 30’s and former industrial warehouses, Deep Ellum has attracted a funky, diverse group of artists and musicians for years, and the area’s businesses reflect that. While it has its share of tattoo parlors, there are a number of bars and restaurants that have gained a large following by nearby residents and patrons from around the city.
Deep Ellum is located a few blocks from downtown Dallas, bordered on the west by Good Latimer/Central Expressway and on the east by Fair Park. Deep Ellum “proper” consists of Elm St. on the north, Main Street, and Commerce on the south. However, a number of lofts, warehouses used as clubs and businesses, and storefronts have expanded the area to many of the surrounding streets.
A number of the warehouses in Deep Ellum have been converted into high-end loft apartments, popular with many young professionals who work downtown. Even Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens also owns a loft in the area. The attraction of a short work commute and a busy nightlife make Deep Ellum a popular choice to live and play.
DEVONSHIRE
Featuring a wonderful collection of homes from the 50’s to now, Devonshire’s tree-lined streets and large yards make for a nice oasis in the heart of Dallas. Tucked away in an area off of Inwood, north of Lover’s Lane, east of the Dallas North Tollway, and south of Northwest Highway, one might assume that Devonshire is a loud, crowded place, with so many major roads around it. Quite the contrary, while the rest of Dallas passes by, the neighborhood itself remains unaffected.
Homes in the area are pricey and in high demand, but they are often much cheaper than homes in the nearby Highland Park area. By offering a Park Cities lifestyle at a much lower price, the area has attracted many young, professional families. A neighborhood association even pays for additional, off-duty police patrols.
Shopping and dining are in abundance, mostly on the border streets, especially Northwest Highway (home to Northpark Mall and several grocery stores) and Lover’s Lane (with a number of trendy restaurants and high-end shops). Among the more popular restaurants are Celebration, Kathleen’s Art Cafe, and Campisi’s, all on Lover’s Lane. Schools feed into Hillcrest High School. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located in the heart of Devonshire and is often used for community events.
GREENWAY PARKS
A unique neighborhood very near Devonshire, established in the early 1920’s, Greenway Parks is made up of about 300 homes about three miles north of downtown Dallas. It is bordered on the north by University Boulevard and on the south by Mockingbird Lane, with Inwood Road on the west and the Dallas North Tollway on the east. It is a short distance from Southern Methodist University (SMU).
The homes in Greenway Parks are unique in that homes on a city block share a common private park adjacent to their property, modeled after some British neighborhoods. According to the Greenway Parks Neighborhood Association, homes in the area range in age and style, with “romantic revival storybook styles” built in the 1920’s, ranch-style houses built in the 1950’s, and European style homes built within the past few decades. Homes here are so highly regarded that they are often passed down within families rather than sold to outsiders.
Despite being so close to SMU, it is not adversely affected by college life (the barrier of the Tollway may have something to do with that). It does, however, benefit from a wealth of shopping and dining nearby, including a popular Simon David grocery store on Inwood and University, and Snider Plaza Shopping Center a short drive away. Love Field is close by, but noise from planes is relatively little.
KESSLER PARK
Oak Cliff, as much of south Dallas is known as, has had a less than stellar reputation in recent years. Areas like Kessler Park, in north Oak Cliff, are changing that perception. Many who had considered fleeing the city for the suburbs are finding a host of wonderful homes and a family atmosphere in Kessler.
Recent development has led many to expand the recognized borders of the neighborhood. The Kessler Woods development near Stevens Park Golf Course has torn down many old apartments and replaced them with million dollar homes and condos. Taking the new development into account, Kessler Park is bordered on the north by Interstate 30, on the west by Stevens Park Golf Course, on the east by Sylvan Avenue, and on the south by Kidd Springs and Davis.
Homes in the area range from tudor styles built in the 1930’s to roomy ranch style homes from the 50’s and 60’s to large, to beautiful mansions in and around the golf course and Methodist Hospital. Large trees and rolling hills provide the type of character unseen in most parts of Dallas, which tend to be flat. Schools are good and shopping and restaurants are in abundance in the nearby Bishop Arts District.
LAKEWOOD
As the name would indicate, Lakewood is a quiet haven characterized by nearby White Rock Lake and big, shady trees that line the streets. Bordered by Mockingbird on the north, Abrams on the west, Gaston on the south, and Williamson/Winstead Streets on the east, almost 3000 homes make up the neighborhood.
Development of Lakewood began in the early 1920’s and continued through the 1960’s, and most of the homes reflect a Tudor design, but homes in Georgian, Spanish, and French styles can also be found. Among the quality schools in the area are The Children’s Center, Lakehill Prep, Woodrow Wilson, St. Johns, and Zion Lutheran. Restaurants abound on Mockingbird and Abrams, including Matt’s Rancho Martinez and Scalini’s Pizza and Pasta.
M STREETS
The M Streets neighborhood is one of Dallas’ most popular areas, boasting some wonderful homes and a great location. East of the Park Cities and Central Expressway and west of White Rock Lake/Lakewood, the M Streets are right in the middle of some of Dallas’ best dining and entertainment areas. It is also home to many other smaller neighborhood communities with their own identities.
First established around the turn of the century, the M Street homes boast a number of appealing architectural styles, mostly tudor, bungalows, and prairie school style. The neighborhood is home to streets such as Mockingbird, Malcolm, McCommas, Mercedes, Monticello, and Morningside, hence the “M Street” moniker.
Residents will find lower Greenville Avenue, home to a number of great restaurants and bars, runs through the neighborhood. Upper Greenville, which runs north of Mockingbird, is home to plenty of shopping centers and dining. Mockingbird Station, an upscale shopping and dining destination and home to Margarita Ranch, is a few minutes away. NorthPark Mall is only a few minutes drive west.
While many urban cities are suffering from suburban flight, Dallas is one of the few areas that continues to remain popular within its own city limits. A drive around the city will open up a number of possibilities.
Reference:
- Dallas City Hall www.dallascityhall.com
