Living in Dallas
Ahh, life in Dallas. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this city great. With 1.33 million residents, a robust transit system (hello, DART and DFW Airport), job opportunities galore, and a vibrant culture that will keep you entertained, this city is the place to be.
Every Dallas neighborhood holds its own unique characteristics, and each will welcome you in its own special way. From the quiet charm of Northeast Dallas, to the vibrant city life of Deep Ellum, there’s an option for every preference and budget.
There are a lot of reasons to move to Dallas. No matter your motive or needs, AptAmigo is here to help. Check out our overview of the best neighborhoods in Dallas below. Then, once you decide where to live in Dallas, contact us to help you find the perfect apartment in your chosen neighborhood.
Related: Dallas Neighborhood Map and Free Things to Do
Best Dallas Neighborhoods
Deep Ellum
Come to Deep Ellum if you want to live near some of the city’s most vibrant nightlife and music venues. Still up-and-coming and totally walkable, Deep Ellum offers plenty of food and entertainment. Shiny new developments sit next to renovated historic buildings, giving this area a variety of living options. From eating at your favorite new restaurant, to finding your favorite new band, Deep Ellum will become your favorite spot in DFW.
Some Favorite Spots:
- Cane Rosso
- Dallas Comedy Club
- Deep Vellum Books
- Monkey King Noodle Co.
- Off the Record Craft Beer & Vinyl
Design District
The Design District in Dallas exudes a personality all its own. Fine art galleries, interior design showrooms, and upscale dining surround industrial-chic apartments. Contemporary sculptures sit outside vintage thrift shops in this “pocket neighborhood” that has evolved into a trendy and fun art scene.
Some Favorite Spots:
- Bowlounge
- Dallas Contemporary
- Dallas Market Center
- Front Door Fashion
- Peticolas Brewing Company Taproom
- Rodeo Goat
- Town Hearth
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Downtown Dallas
Encircled by the Woodall Rodgers, N Central Expressway, and ERL Thornton Freeway, Downtown Dallas contains a mecca of culture, history, and luxury living. It’s home to some of the city’s finest attractions, including Reunion Tower, the original Neiman Marcus, and JFK Plaza. Life in Downtown offers everything you could want: a variety of upscale apartments with nightlife, amenities, and culture all around you for entertainment.
Some Favorite Spots:
- Dallas Farmer’s Market
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Fluellen Cupcakes
- Klyde Warren Park
- Nasher Sculpture Garden
- Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- Weekend Coffee
Knox-Henderson
Knox-Henderson competes with Deep Ellum for the most nightlife and activities. In the daytime, shops and restaurants bustle with people, joggers fill the Katy Trail, and workers easily commute with DART buses and nearby trains. The nighttime reveals a wide variety of bars, pubs, late-night coffee shops, and clubs to explore for a drink or some entertainment.
Some Favorite Spots:
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Lower Greenville
Situated to the Northeast of Knox-Henderson, Lower Greenville boasts its own culture and vibe. Luxury apartment buildings intermix with quiet, home-lined streets, surrounding a buzz of activity on Greenville Ave. Whether catching a show at the Granada Theatre, or dining out at one of the many fine restaurants, you’ll love living in Lower Greenville.
Some Favorite Spots:
- Apothecary
- The Avenue Sports Grill
- Gold Dust Tattoos and Fine Art
- Granada Theatre
- La La Land Kind Café
- Single Wide
- Son of a Butcher
Find Lower Greenville apartments.
Medical District
With UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital, and Children’s Medical Center in the vicinity, the Medical District functions as a place for healing, science, and practical living. Stylish apartment homes provide easy access to work or play with both DART and Love Field nearby.
Some Favorite Spots:
Find Medical District apartments.
Northeast Dallas
Situated West of White Rock Lake and extending North into the Richardson School District, Northeast Dallas features a more suburban vibe. Lush green spaces intermix with pockets of business and culture. Plus, the highways and DART lines make getting to Downtown a snap when you want a bit of excitement.
Some Favorite Spots:
- Green Elephant
- Ingram’s Donut and Bakery
- Mockingbird Station Mall
- Torchy’s Tacos
- Velvet Taco
- We Yogis Lakewood
Find Northeast Dallas apartments.
Oak Lawn
Dallas is a friendly city, but no neighborhood will welcome and embrace you like Oak Lawn. With crosswalks literally painted in rainbows, Cedar Springs Road presents everything from drag shows to country dancing, karaoke, and more. Not to mention the lush green spaces available in nearby Turtle Creek and Oak Lawn Park.
Some Favorite Spots:
Old East Dallas
While the history of Old East Dallas may stretch back 125 years, the future of the area is still taking shape. You can gawk at historic homes with varied architectural styles during the yearly Swiss Avenue Home Tour. Modern apartment buildings sit near parks, grocery stores, and all the amenities you need in a neighborhood that offers easy access to trendy spots, like Lower Greenville or Deep Ellum.
Some Favorite Spots:
Find Old East Dallas apartments.
Turtle Creek
This small portion of Dallas, nestled away among the green spaces of Turtle Creek Park, borders the Katy Trail. Turtle Creek is not quite Oak Lawn, not quite Uptown—though both remain just blocks away. Think private and quiet with quality and budget-friendly apartments intermixed with architecturally stunning homes.
Some Favorite Spots:
Uptown
Things will be great when you’re… Uptown! Uptown features a vibrant city life full of daytime and nighttime fun for professionals wanting to live close to the city. Start your adventure with a morning run on the Katy trail that borders Uptown to the West. Then, hop on the M-line trolley that dissects the neighborhood, taking you to all your favorite bistros and local watering holes.
Some Favorite Spots:
Victory Park
Victory Park is known for its entertainment, hosting attractions like the American Airlines Center, House of Blues, and the Perot. High-end apartment homes in tall buildings give you great views of the city in this walkable neighborhood, perfect for visiting all the cool restaurants and bars you can find packed with patrons on any game or concert night.
Some Favorite Spots:
- American Airlines Center
- Billy Can Can
- House of Blues
- Insomnia Cookies
- Magnolias Sous Le Pont
- Medina Oven & Bar
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
West Dallas
The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and the Continental Avenue pedestrian bridge sandwich West Dallas, a conglomeration of many smaller neighborhoods, both new and old. West Dallas is a place to live long-term and become part of the community. Trinity Groves, an ultra modern development with a mix of living and retail provides a great residential option.
Some Favorite Spots:
- 500 X Gallery
- Carmen’s
- Fabrication Yard
- Rainbow Snow
- Steam Theory Brewing Company
- Tin Star Theatre
- Trinity Groves
Cost of Living in Dallas
Wondering what to plan for in your budget when you move to Dallas? Check out our guide to the Cost of Living in Dallas. Tl;dr — it’s an awesome and affordable city with great job opportunities and fair pricing.
Join Us in Dallas!
Now that you know more about each neighborhood, it’s time to pick where you want to live in Dallas. Let AptAmigo help! Our team of expert apartment locators will create a personalized list for you based on your preferences. We even schedule tours based on your availability and provide free transportation to them. There has never been a better way to apartment hunt. Contact AptAmigo today!
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Jeanette Smith is a writer, editor, and freelancer based in Dallas, Texas. Find out more at JeanettetheWriter.com.
