Best Areas Of Dallas, Texas To Buy A House
The state of Texas is experiencing a population boom. AP reports that millennials in particular are flocking to the southern state. In 2019 alone, more than 500,000 new people moved to Texas and the number continues to rise. But why? The main reason is the economy. Texas has an unusually strong economy for a state, operating more closely to that of a small nation. If you compare it to the rest of the world, it comes in 9th, ahead of nations like Spain, Australia, and even Russia (via Texas Economic Development Corporation). If people are moving based on job demand, it makes sense that they would end up in Texas.
The Dallas area in particular has been a magnet for transplants, as many tech and financial firms have offices in the area. Texas is also popular because it is one of the few states that doesn't have a state income tax. Therefore, many feel like they can get more for their money in the state. Whether you are moving to Dallas for the first time, or are currently renting and feel ready to buy, here are the best neighborhoods to pick from.
1. Rowlett
According to WARD North American, Rowlett is a great commuter suburb. The town is only about 30 minutes east of downtown Dallas, so it has a smaller town feel, while still having access to big city opportunities. Locals will be quick to tell you that the 1967 fan-favorite film "Bonnie and Clyde" was filmed in the area, giving it just a touch more western credibility. However, that's not the only thing Rowlett has going for it: the town also has two great water features which make it a great place to call home
The first is Rowlett Creek, which the town is named after. Rowlett Creek itself was named for one of the first Texans, Daniel Rowlett, who played a role in the Texas Revolution (via Texas State Historical Association). The second is Lake Ray Hubbard, which is 22,000 acres in size. Locals can enjoy fishing in the lake for bass, crappie, and catfish. If you like to spend weekends at the lake with your family, Rowlett could be a perfect fit for you. The median home price in the suburb is roughly $375K.
2. Farmers Market District
According to Say Yes To Dallas, the city's Farmers Market District is a great place to live and work. The neighborhood gets its name from the local Dallas Farmers Market, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The area surrounding the shops is very fun and walkable. The neighborhood is southeast of downtown and its official boundaries are Jackson Street, North Central Expressway, R.L. Thornton Freeway, and St. Paul Street. Many residents love the idea of shopping locally and supporting members of their community, rather than corporate businesses. "I have made friends with many of the store owners. It always feels like I'm going to go and visit my friends rather than going to a store just to buy goods," said Simbarashe Musarurwa, who lives in the area.
The neighborhood is also well connected to the rest of Dallas through DART, the local public transportation system. The area is served by plenty of buses for locals and tourists who wish to visit the market, as well as those who are just trying to get home (via Coldwell Banker). The Farmers Market District has many buildings that were constructed a long time ago, so those wanting to purchase a piece of Dallas history have found the perfect spot.
3. Near East
According to East Dallas Living, the Near East area of the city is one of the best to live in if you love outdoor activities. The area is known by locals to be very walkable and filled with friendly folks enjoying the many parks, shopping centers, and trails. One of the highlights include Tietze Park, an 8.2 acre wonderland that is one of the most popular parks in Dallas. It has a swimming pool, walking and biking trails, as well as tennis and basketball courts. In addition to this park, residents can also enjoy the East Dallas Trails, which are currently still in development, but will one day include over 50 miles of interconnected trail known as "The Loop."
If you live in the Near East, you can also shop till you drop at Mockingbird Station or Lakewood Shopping Center. Both are excellent places for national brands, as well as local boutiques. With all that said, most who live in the Near East report that their neighbors are what they love most about the area. There is a great mix of young families, single professionals, and retirees all enjoying the community together.
4. Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie, Texas is home to lots of families and corporate people, and at one point, a very young Selena Gomez. According to the City of Grand Prairie, life in the area is quite grand. Almost 10 million people visit the city each year, but only a lucky few (just over 200,000 to be exact) get to call it home year-round. It has a prime location for commuters, as it is about the same distance to Dallas as it is to Fort Worth. So, no matter which city you need to get to for work, it isn't far away. It's also quite close to DFW International Airport, the region's largest airport.
Grand Prairie is made up of plenty of diverse and affordable neighborhoods, as well as great opportunities for shopping. The biggest flea market in the United States, Traders Village, is in Grand Prairie. There is also a large outlet mall, Premium Outlets, which hosts many national brands, like J.Crew, Coach, Brooks Brothers, etc. If you prefer the outdoors instead of shopping, you are also in luck. Grand Prairie has two excellent water spaces, Lynn Creek Park and Joe Pool Lake, both of which have great beaches (via Combadi).
5. Main Street District
Dallas' Main Street District is a great neighborhood for young people to find their place in the city. According to Briggs Freeman Sotheby's, it's as close to living in downtown Dallas as you can get, because they're practically one in the same. Living in the Main Street District often means you won't have a house, but rather a condo, townhouse, or other communal unit. It's a place that is full of energy and in the center of the action. You are within walking distance of some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, such as City Hall Bistro and the One Eyed Penguin.
The Main Street District isn't too far away from the Farmers Market District, so you can also benefit from the local shopping experience by purchasing your groceries and other everyday necessities there. If you feel a bit more like splurging, the flagship store of Neiman Marcus is in the area. For culture and history, the Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, and the Sixth Floor Museum (where JFK was assassinated) are all in downtown, too.
6. Irving
If you live in Irving, you can enjoy great commuting to the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Not only that, but if you like to travel or if you work for an airline, Irving is less than 15 minutes away from DFW International Airport. According to Home and Money, the cost of living in the suburb is lower than most other places in the United States. If you want to move to the Dallas area, Irving is a great place to get your foot on the property ladder. There are also plenty of things to do for fun in the area, too. The Toyota Music Factory is a great place to attend a concert, have dinner, or enjoy drinks with friends.
The zip code for Irving is 75038, which comes in at number 14 in a list of the most diverse zip codes in the country (via Great Guys Movers). There are also many Fortune 500 companies with headquarters in the area, so though commute times are short, you might not even have to leave the area for work. Finally, like all other areas of Texas, residents of Irving enjoy no state income tax.
7. McKinney
Mckinney, Texas, the childhood home of singer Demi Lovato, has a great historic downtown area. According to The Good Home Team, the area is also home to many growing businesses, like Raytheon, Wistron GreenTech, and Emerson Process Management. Even though the suburb is only about 30 minutes northwest of Dallas, you don't have to commute into the city for work, as there are plenty of great local employment opportunities.
You also have plenty of options about the kind of house you would like to live in. The town of McKinney has over 100 different neighborhoods with housing options at various price points. A few of the most popular include Stonebridge Estates, Mallard Lakes, and Trinity Falls. Something that all McKinney neighborhoods have in common is that there is plenty to do. Many homes have been built more recently, so residents can enjoy up-to-date walking and biking trails, man-made lakes, as well as playgrounds for children to enjoy. Home prices in McKinney sit around $500K and are rising rapidly, so buying soon will give you great equity opportunities (via Zillow).
8. Garland
Garland is a good value suburb of Dallas and has great schools to boot. According to Make Your Mark Garland, the city is experiencing an uptick in residency. This community expansion means Garland is getting more amenities like water parks, libraries, and shopping centers for those living there to enjoy. Due to this, Garland residents will be able to take advantage of brand new construction for years to come, as the expansion isn't just for common spaces, but for new homes, too.
Parents will also be happy to know that Garland Independent School District is very diverse, as students and staff speak over 100 languages. The schools are also rich in resources and there are plenty of programs to choose from, including magnet schools, technical education courses, and campuses that are entirely tech-focused. The downtown area of Garland may look just like it did in the early 1900s, but that's entirely on purpose. If you look closely enough, the buildings retain their historic charm, but are filled with modern local shops and restaurants for residents to enjoy.
9. Arlington
Arlington, Texas is home to some of the best parts of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. If you love sports, you won't have to drive far because the famous Cowboys Stadium (now named AT&T Stadium) is practically in your backyard. In addition to this, one of the best theme parks in the state of Texas, Six Flags, is also local to you. So, if you want to spend a weekend enjoying roller coasters before watching one of America's favorite football teams, Arlington is your place. Not only that, but if you work for an airline or travel often, DFW International Airport is also located in Arlington, giving you quick access to one of the busiest airports in the country.
According to the McGraw Group, Arlington isn't just a great place to play, but an awesome place to live and work, too. The city has low crime rates that continue to decrease every year, as well as low unemployment numbers. Each year, more and more companies move to the area to build their headquarters and provide locals with great jobs.
10. Southlake
According to real estate agent H. David Ballinger, Southlake, Texas hits all the markers for a great place to live, work, and play. Students who study at Southlake schools perform better than over 95% of other kids nationwide. There are about 13 incidents of crime per 1,000 residents each year, making the area a very safe one. It is also one of the smaller suburbs of Dallas, as only about 30,000 folks call it home. The community is conveniently located in northeast Tarrant County and is nearly halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, as it is approximately 26 miles to downtown Dallas and 25 miles to downtown Fort Worth. It's also a quick drive down to Arlington if you need to go to the airport.
However, most residents of the area will insist that, despite their proximity to the metroplex, they have a community that is all their own. You can soak in the Friday night lights of a high school football game, walk around downtown Southlake and run into friends and neighbors, and enjoy a meal at a local cafe where the waitresses know your name. It feels like a small town in Texas — it just so happens to be very close to two of the largest cities in the state (via Southlake Style).
11. Carrollton
Carrollton is a family-friendly suburb with plenty to offer residents. According to the Living in Dallas Texas Team, the community is very close to the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve — which is a great place for everyone to get out and enjoy some fresh air. You can go for a jog, walk your dog, and even ride your bike through the many wooded and winding paths. When you need to get anywhere by car, Carrollton is in the middle of multiple highways and interstates, so you can get anywhere in Dallas area very easily, including both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. If you prefer public transport, the DART system serves the area.
While there is some general traffic and congestion in the Carrollton area, it's what you would expect from living in a thriving suburb. Like most places in Dallas, living in Carrollton means you will enjoy neighbors of different cultures and nationalities. There are many local places to shop and dine as well. The average price for a home in Carrollton is in the mid to low $400Ks (via Redfin).
12. University Park
Dallas's University Park neighborhood is affluent and in the mix. According to Brothers Moving & Storage, if you want to get an idea of the area's prestige, you only need to consider two of its residents: Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The neighborhood was first established because of the university, as those who worked there needed a place to live. However, in 1924, residents voted that University Park should become its own city — and so it did. Since then, the area has made a few attempts to be officially annexed into Dallas, though none have stuck. However, you can still write "Dallas" on all mail.
About 25,000 people now call University Park home. It is a small community, less than four square miles. The neighborhood has very low crime rate and even has its own police force, separate from Dallas'. The median home price in the area is high, at roughly $1.4 million, but if you can afford to buy into the legacy of the area, it is worth it for the benefits.
13. Plano
If you are looking to move to Dallas, Plano is the place to be. According to the Plano Chamber of Commerce, the city consistently ranks high on quality of life lists, as well as boasting low crime rates and low traffic fatalities and incidents. Because of these statistics, Plano is a great place to raise a family. However, these perks are not the only positive aspects of living in the suburb.
The weather in Plano is typically sunny, with more than 300 days of sunshine each year (via Outside Suburbia). Not only that, but the Plano Independent School District is one of the best in Texas, so you can rest assured knowing that your children are receiving a world-class education. Plano has a population of about 300,000 people, making it a sizable city in and of itself. In addition, the city of Plano still has a quaint historic downtown district, along 15th St. east of Highway 75, with great shopping and restaurants nearby.
14. Bluffview
Bluffview, Texas gets its name from the bluff that looks over Bachman Creek. It's a rocky overlook that really encapsulates the hills the area is known for. According to the CultureMap Dallas, the homes in Bluffview are very unique for Dallas in general. They were built in many different eras, so buyers have plenty of price points and styles to choose from. "There is simply nowhere else like it in Dallas," real estate partners LeeLee Gioia and Anne Goyer told CultureMap. Gioia continued, "There are many long-term residents who remember Bluffview as being in the country," though the town later grew to meet the needs of the area.
Bluffview is right next door to the smaller airport of the region, Dallas Love Field Airport — home of Southwest Airlines. There are leafy promenades to enjoy a nice stroll, and the Dallas Arts District is mere minutes away. If you are looking for something a bit different, then this might be the suburb that's the best fit for you.