Moving to a new city can be intimidating on its own.
But this is especially true with large cities like Dallas, Texas—coming in at the ninth-largest city by population in the United States.
When you add kids into the mix, there is a whole host of additional considerations to factor into your decision. Luckily, there are many areas of the city known as some of the best neighborhoods in Dallas for families. This American city is only growing, making this the ideal time to make the move and find your ideal home in the Lone Star state!
Are you ready to pack up the kids and see all Dallas has to offer? Keep reading below for a run-down on the best neighborhoods in Dallas for families!
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1. Coppell: A Family Paradise with Top Schools in Dallas
Coppell is a suburb of Dallas, sitting about 25 miles northwest of the city center. It is widely regarded as one of the best places for families in Dallas, TX.
Like many family-friendly cities, this begins with the sterling reputation of the local public schools. Coppell schools not only rank as one of the best in the Dallas metroplex region but in the entire state!
The majority of children living in Coppel will attend schools in the Coppell ISD. There are eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school within the suburb itself. Every single school ranks within the top 25 schools in the DFW region!
This has a lot to do with the low student-to-teacher ratio in each building. Even at the large Coppel High School (fifth in the region), there are never more than seventeen students per faculty member. That means that every student gets the personalized attention they need and deserve.
Coppel is a suburb through and through, occupied by single-family homes. The majority of houses are newer, built within the past twenty-five years. You’re likely to share a block with other families with children, adding to the community feel.
The neighborhood has plenty of parks and trails, and the Core Community Center runs programming year-round. Children can take part in sports and recreational programming.
Families enjoy the local farmer’s market. Locals love the well-run local library, which functions as an additional community center for residents of all ages.
2. Lake Highlands: Affordable Living with a Taste of City and Suburbia
Lake Highlands is in the Northeast of the city of Dallas. It is an excellent compromise for any family who wants a taste of the city and the suburbs simultaneously.
This neighborhood surrounds the gorgeous White Rock Lake. It is well regarded for its vicinity and access to nature and outdoor recreation. If you’re looking for a place to move your active family, Lake Highlands is one of the best places for families in Dallas, TX!
Better yet? Lake Highlands is one of the more affordable Dallas suburbs. That means new families with many new expenses can afford to settle down in one of the neighborhood’s single-story ranch homes.
Many residents say that this family-friendly city is like living in a small town within a big town. That makes it intimate, which is ideal for families with kids.
One of the most exciting aspects of the neighborhood is the parks and biking trails that cover the entire area – close to 900 acres worth! You won’t run out of places to burn off steam after you pick the kids up from one of the quality local public schools.
3. University Park: Education and Elegance in Dallas
University Park is about eight miles north of the heart of Dallas. It gets its name from Southern Methodist University, which sits at the center as a hub of youthful energy. Even though it may as well be in downtown Dallas, it has a reputation as a quiet, idyllic community where education is a value.
The homes in University Park are well-kept and neat and often occupied by the families of University faculty and staff.
If the average home price is a little high, it’s only because the area itself has such easy access to the local amenities. You will be within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and other shopping. The neighborhood is full of cultural institutions, including the McFarlin Auditorium and the Meadows Museum.
The best reason that University Park is one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas to buy a house? It’s one of the safest communities, not only in Texas but in the United States! The crime rate is low, meaning the kids can play outside and come home for dinner, like in the good old days!
4. Flower Mound: Rural Charm with Exceptional Schools
Flower Mound is another one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas for families, about 30 miles northwest of the city center. You may not be as close to the city, but you will be gaining a rural-feeling community full of families with school-age children.
Like Coppell, this neighborhood has an excellent public school district. Flower Mound’s schools consistently rank in the top ten within the DFW metroplex.
Students attend school in Lewisville ISD, a diverse district with happy teachers. Lewisville ISD was rated one of the top places to work in the state, so school teachers moving to the region might want to spruce up their resumes!
The diversity in the building is important, too – it’s representative of the community that you can expect to find on the streets in Flower Mound. It’s a welcoming neighborhood and one of the best Dallas suburbs for Black families.
5. Murphy: The Up-and-Coming Family Haven Near Dallas
Towards the northeast, Murphy is a great suburb located about 25 miles outside of Dallas and is another one of the best Fort Worth suburbs for families. It’s an excellent commuter city, with proximity to some of the most desirable locations in the Dallas region. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood and continues to grow steadily as families begin to catch on!
Murphy is another suburb with a rural feel, with solid public schools and a high safety rating. Depending on where you buy your new home, you may end up in the exceptional Plano ISD or the fantastic Wylie ISD. Both districts are ethnically diverse and incredibly welcoming, whatever your family looks like.
The local government offers plenty of family activities throughout the year, from a town Christmas Tree lighting to Fourth of July fireworks. Many of these events take place at the many gorgeous parks within Murphy itself, all with an incredible view of the creek that runs through town.
6. Uptown Dallas: Urban Living with Family-Friendly Parks
While Uptown might not immediately come to mind when you think “family-friendly,” families seem to love raising their kids in this walkable neighborhood north of Dallas. It’s full of parks and other outdoor spaces where your urban-dwelling little one can stretch their legs. If you’re seeking a neighborhood with an easy commute to the city, Uptown is a great option.
It has more of an urban feel when compared to communities like Flower Mound or Murphy, but that is part of its charm. You’ll be able to take out your stroller and walk to the many restaurants, shops, and cafes that will become your new neighborhood hangouts. If you get tired, you will appreciate access to the clean and efficient streetcars on Mckinney Avenue.
When it’s time to escape city life, you can easily access the Katy Trail, a paved and well-manicured recreation trail for hiking, jogging, or casual strolls.
7. Highland Park: Luxurious Living with a Strong Community Feel
Highland Park is less than six miles north of the center of Dallas and is a popular location to raise a family in the city. It is well-known for its attractive and cinematic parks, where residents love to chat with their neighbors. Residents rave about the community feel of this higher income neighborhood, where homes are beautiful, and personalities are as warm as the climate.
This neighborhood may be close to the city, but locals call it “the bubble” because of its self-contained feel. You’ll have everything you need within a two-mile radius, all with a touch of luxury. One of the most popular destinations is the high-end Highland Park Village, the first shopping mall in the United States.
The local public schools are not only some of the best in the state; they’ve won awards. There are plenty of social opportunities if you are a parent with children. The neighborhood’s events, such as the annual tree lighting, are inclusive, kid-friendly, and provide ample opportunities to get to know your neighbors.
8. Lakewood: High-Performing Schools and Scenic Beauty
Lakewood is another one of the closer suburbs to raise a family in, about 6.5 miles northeast of the city. You’ll be paying a little more for your proximity to all that Dallas has to offer, but chances are you’ll be getting a large and gorgeous family home. While many of the homes in Lakewood are newer, they all share a cohesive aesthetic style that makes strolling down the streets a pleasant experience.
If you’re looking for great schools, Lakewood might be the ideal place to send your studious little ones. The schools in Lakewood are some of the highest performing schools in the state, where students thrive and grow. This is because the schools are a priority for residents, who frequently support the schools in any way possible.
Families in Lakewood frequently walk their children to school and enjoy views of the lovely lake that gives the neighborhood its name. If you get to talking to your neighbors, you will likely find that they are a bit more liberal than those you might meet in other Texas neighborhoods. Lakewood residents are open and accepting and very happy to raise their children in a community where others share their priorities.
9. Preston Highlands: Affordable, Safe, and Family-Oriented Living
Don’t confuse Preston Highlands with the far more expensive Preston Hollow! This up-and-coming neighborhood is slowly but surely becoming a safe and comfortable niche for families with children. One of the biggest reasons is that the housing is far more affordable than in some other neighborhoods in the DFW region, and the time to buy is now!
You get to benefit from an address in Dallas itself, with proximity to the city and all it has to offer. You will be living in the Plano school district, however, which guarantees an excellent, far more intimate educational setting where students tend to thrive. Students may attend West Senior High School or Rose Haggar Elementary School, which have some of the top marks in the state.
The community is safe, with a small population that is somewhere in between urban and suburban. Families in Preston Highlands enjoy local, often walkable eateries and shopping, but with a distinct community feel. This is a neighborhood where you’ll likely see the children playing outside and riding bikes after school.
The neighborhood is full of a variety of parks and playgrounds. If you’re hungering for different scenery, it’s accessible from just about every highway and major road, making it a great area for commuters.
The Best Neighborhoods in Dallas for Families
The best neighborhoods in Dallas for families may all be different, but they have a few important things in common. They tend to have excellent schools, plenty of local recreation and events, overall safety, and a community feel that makes you feel like you’re part of something. If you’re looking to purchase a new home near Dallas, Texas, you can’t go wrong with any of these warm and welcoming neighborhoods!
The first step toward moving your family to the Dallas neighborhood of your dreams is selling your current house. iBuyer would like to help you make the move and settle down with your family as soon as possible. Visit our website to submit your home address and get a home value and no-obligation cash offer today.
