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Great Dallas Neighborhoods for Families

Deciding where to build a home in Dallas is a matter of lifestyle. Just as your home has to meet the needs of your family, so does your surrounding neighborhood. But with literally hundreds to choose from in the Metroplex, how do you find a truly great neighborhood in the Dallas area? While it would be impossible to include them all, we’ve done the homework to put together this list of Great Dallas Neighborhoods for Families.

We looked at:

  • Schools — For public schools, we used ratings from GreatSchools.org, while for private schools, we used grades assigned by Niche.com. In addition to benefiting your childrens’ education, having highly-ranked schools nearby increases the value of your home.

*** For our Comprehensive Review of Public Schools Around Dallas, CLICK HERE ***

  • Crime Rate — We used ratings from CrimeGrade.org. It should come as no surprise that lower crime rates and safer neighborhoods mean higher property values. On average, a crime occurs in the Dallas metro every two minutes.
  • Medical Care — What hospitals or clinics are nearby? This is a particularly important consideration if someone in your family has special medical needs.
  • Parks/Outdoor Activities — Research supports the many benefits of city parks and greenspaces — improved physical and mental health, children who are more physically active,  less pollution, better water conservation, a greater sense of community, and again, higher property values.
  • Shopping — Having a neighborhood grocery store is convenient and can save busy parents a lot of time. Even better, building a home near some grocery stores can result in a 5-year appreciation of nearly 70%.
  • Amenities — Did you know that the #1 most-desired neighborhood amenity is access to local shops and restaurants?
  • Walkability — How easy is it to get around the neighborhood on foot? If you can leave your car in the garage and still enjoy everything your neighborhood has to offer, you will help the environment while saving money on gas, maintenance, and insurance.

As an added bonus, even a 1-point improvement on a neighborhood’s walkability score can increase your home’s value by $3250. 

The overall Walkability Score for the City of Dallas is 46, which is considered to be “Car-Dependent”. This means that those neighborhoods with higher scores should be given serious consideration,

We hope that you find our list of the Great Dallas Neighborhoods for Families interesting and useful. Please remember, there is no substitute for experiencing a neighborhood in person before making the final decision on where to build your custom home.

Dallas

Walnut Hill 75229

Median Home Value: $580,788

The Walnut Hill neighborhood is bounded to the North by Royal Lane to the North, Walnut Hill Lane to the South, Midway Road to the East, and Marsh Lane to the West. 

The local population stands at roughly 3100 residents, 45% of whom hold Bachelor’s Degrees or above. The median household income is over $167,000, and 28% of families have children. At 89%, home ownership is very high in Walnut Hill.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Walnut Hill students are served by the Dallas Independent School District.

Crime Grade: A+

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

In the Northwest corner of the neighborhood is Peter Pan Park, which connects across Royal Lane to Cox Lane Park. In the Southeast corner, directly South of Walnut Hill Elementary School is the 9.7-acre Walnut Hill Park and Recreation Center, which features a playground, a baseball field, a basketball court, tennis courts, picnic tables, a fitness center, and a public pool.

Amenities

There are a few fast-food chains along the Western edge of the neighborhood, but the real draw is a group of highly-rated Mexican restaurants within 2 miles, just West on Walnut Hill Lane. 

Shopping

Grocery store options in Walnut Hill include an in-neighborhood El Rancho Supermercado, and within 2 miles, a Rio Grande Supermarket in the North and a Fiesta Mart, a Terry’s Supermarket, and a Wal-Mart Supercenter to the South.

Walkability Score: 58 (Somewhat Walkable)

Prestonwood 75248

Median Home Value: $403,040

Located North of Downtown Dallas between Richardson and Addison, Prestonwood is bounded by Davenport Road/Brentfield Drive on the North, Belt Line Road on the South, North Colt Road on the East, and Preston Road in the West.

Median household income is $105,487, and 36% of adults have a Bachelor’s Degree or above, both well above the National Average. There are approximately 22,000 residents in Prestonwood, and 35% of families have children.

72% of homes in Prestonwood are owned, rather than rented.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Prestonwood students are served by the Dallas Independent School District.

Crime Grade: B — In every area of both violent and property crime, the rates in Prestonwood are much lower than the National Average.

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 Miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

Prestonwood is home to Kiowa Park, Hillwood Park, Kiowa Parkway, and Prestonwood Creek Golf Course. White Rock Creek runs through the golf course.

Amenities

About a mile West of Prestonwood Creek Golf Course are a spate of restaurants, from steak to fine dining to fast food. Among the standouts is Flower Child, a from-scratch vegan restaurant.

Shopping

Just West of the golf course is a Wal-Mart SuperCenter, and at the Southeast tip, there is a Trader Joe’s and a Tomb Thumb. 

Walkability Score: 65 (Somewhat Walkable)

University Park 75205

Median Home Value: $1,295,500

The suburb of University Park, located directly West of Southern Methodist University, is primarily bounded by West Northwest Highway in the North, Mockingbird Lane on the South, Eastern Avenue on the West and North Central Expressway on the East. In other words, it is bordered by Dallas on the East, West, and North, and by Highland Park on the South.

With a median household income of over $224,000, University Park is one of the most-affluent cities in America. There are approximately 25,000 residents, 44% of whom hold a Master’s Degree or higher.

41% of families have children.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

University Park students are served by the Highland Park Independent School District.

Crime Grade: A+ for Central and Northeast University Park

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

There are several local city parks, including Williams Park, Smith Park, Linear Park, Goar Park, Germany Park, Elena’s Children’s Park, Curtis Park, Coffee Park, Caruth Park, and Burleson Park. The city also maintains six public tennis courses.

Curtis Park is also home to the Holmes Aquatic Center which has two pools, diving boards, a water slide, and a sprayground.

Amenities

The majority of local restaurants are Southeast of Curtis Park, and among the offerings are German, Mediterranean, Asian fusion, French bistro, and a highly-rated Italian trattoria. 

Shopping

There are grocery stores at the boundaries of University Park in every direction — several Tom Thumbs, a Kroger, and a Trader Joe’s.

Walkability Score: 60 (Somewhat Walkable)

Richardson

Canyon Creek 75080

Median Home Value: $413,317

Located East of the University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson’s Canyon Creek neighborhood is considered one of the top places to live in all of Texas. The population stands at roughly 4400 residents, over a third of whom hold Master’s Degrees or above, and the median household income is nearly $136,000. 

39% of Canyon Creek families have children, and 78% of homes are owned, rather than rented.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Canyon Creek students are served by the Richardson Independent School District.

Crime Grade: B- — Violent crime rates are much lower than the National Average, while property crime is significantly lower.

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

Immediately East of Canyon Creek Elementary School is Canyon Creek Park, which includes a well-equipped playground and a public swimming pool. To the Northeast of that is a long swath of undeveloped greenspace. Less than a mile away is the Canyon Creek Country Club, which offers 18 holes of golf, tennis courts, and a resort-style swimming pool.

Amenities

Among the obligatory burger, pizza, barbecue, and Mexican restaurants nearby is an unexpected choice — Hoki Poki, which specializes in sushi and Hawaiin cuisine.

Shopping

Just a few blocks South of Canyon Creek Elementary is a Natural Grocers, and for those who prefer chain supermarkets, there are Tom Thumb stores located less than two miles away, one to the West and one to the North.

Walkability Score: 88 (Very Walkable)

Plano

Clearview 75075

Median Home Value: $184,424

Plano’s Clearview neighborhood is bounded in the North by West Spring Creek Parkway, in the South by Cambridge Drive, in the East by Premier Drive and in the West by Alma Drive.

Clearview is a small neighborhood with a population of just over 2300 residents, of whom 35% hold Bachelor’s Degrees or above. The median household income is $102,000, and 77% of homes are owned, rather than rented.

38% of Clearview families have children.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Clearview students are served by the Plano Independent School District.

Crime Grade: A

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

Clearview Park sits right in the middle of the neighborhood, with amenities such as a playground, an open multi-sport practice field, a pavilion, picnic areas, and grills.

Less than two blocks from the Northern edge of the neighborhood sits the even-larger Longhorn Park, featuring all of the above, plus three different walking trails.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the real local draw is the 800-acre Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, located just 2 miles due East of the Clearview neighborhood.

Amenities

Most of the chain restaurant choices are just to the Southeast, less than 1 mile away, but directly East are a popular sushi grill and a Vietnamese eatery. 

Shopping

Clearview has a convenient location, with multiple grocery options within 2 miles in every direction. There are familiar choices like Wal-Mart Supercenter, Aldi, Tom Thumb, and Fiesta Mart, but real foodies will appreciate the specialty grocery stores — Brazilian, Indian, and Caribbean. 

Walkability Score: 58 (Somewhat Walkable) Clearview is the most-walkable neighborhood in Plano.

Carrollton

Mill Run 75007

Median Home Value for Zip Code 75007: $240,000

Located approximately 20 miles North of the center of Dallas, Mill Run in Carrollton is bounded by Bellflower Court/Drive on the North, Frankford Road on the South, Mayfair Drive on the East, and Old Denton Road on the West .

The local population stands at roughly 56,000 residents, 30% of whom hold Bachelor’s Degrees or above. The median household income is almost $87,000, and 32% of families have children.

72% of homes in zip code 75007 are owned, rather than rented.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Mill Run students are serviced by the Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch Independent School District.

Crime Grade: B+ — Rates of both violent and property crime are lower than the National Average.

Closest Hospital: Less than 3 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

At the Southwest corner of Creekview High School is Timber Creek Park, which has a playground, a picnic pavilion and grills, a basketball court, and hiking trails.

Amenities

Two blocks Southeast of Creekview High School is a cluster of fast-food and casual restaurants, including a sushi restaurant, a Vietnamese Pho establishment, and a Korean barbecue. 

Shopping

Grocery store options in the Mill Run area of Carrollton include an Aldi Food Market.

Walkability Score: 68 (Somewhat Walkable)

Colleyville 76034

Median Home Value: $516,500

Located 22 miles West of Dallas and 14 miles East of Fort Worth, Colleyville is an easy commute to either city. Colleyville is also less than 5 miles West of DFW Airport.

The local population stands at a little over 26,000 residents, 40% of whom hold Bachelor’s Degrees or above. The median household income is almost $164,000, and home ownership is a very high 96%.

40% of Colleyville families have children. 

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Colleyville students are serviced by the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District.

Crime Grade: A+

Closest Hospital: Less than 5 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

There are 13 city parks and recreational areas in Colleyville:

  • Bransford Park — A two-acre mini-park with open spaces and wind sculptures
  • Colleyville City Park — A 40-acre sports park with nine lighted softball and baseball fields, six tennis courts, basketball courts, and a one-mile trail, as well as a pond, a covered pavilion, and an amphitheater
  • Colleyville Nature Center — A 46-acre refuge with 3.5 miles of trails, a covered pavilion with grills, an amphitheater, a playground, 9 ponds, and a fishing pier
  • Cotton Belt Trail — Suitable for walkers, runners, and cyclists, this regional trail connects Colleyville, Grapevine, Hurst, and North Richland Hills.
  • Kidsville — A 10,000 square foot playground and picnic area
  • Kimzey Park — A 20-acre public park with a playground, a pavilion, and open play area, a basketball court, a practice backstop, a sand volleyball court, a multi-use trail, and a one-acre fishing pond
  • LD Lockett Park — A tranquil area with ponds, walking trails, and picnic areas
  • McPherson Park — Besides the “normal” offerings of a playground, a splash pad, trails, and picnic areas, there is also a renovated dairy barn from the 1800s.
  • Pleasant Run Soccer Complex and Park — This premier 33-acre facility contains soccer practice and game fields, picnic arrears, and a one-mile multi-use trail.
  • Reagan Park — This five-acre park contains batting cages and two lighted softball and baseball fields.
  • Sparger Park — An eight-acre park with two playgrounds, open play spaces, a half-mile trail, and a POW memorial
  • Woodbriar Park — A playground, a pavilion, a multi-use trail, and a designed arbor

In town, there is a driving range, and just to the Northeast is the Timarron Country Club.

Amenities

Local restaurant options include Mexican, New American, fine Italian seafood, and chain eateries like the Cheesecake Factory and Pappadeux’s.

Shopping

There are Kroger supermarkets on the Northwest and Southeast edges of Colleyville, and less than 4 miles to the East, there is a Tom Thumb and two Albertsons.

Walkability Score: The areas around Colleyville are very rural and thus car-dependent, but within the city, the score is as high as 58 (Somewhat Walkable).

Coppell 75019

Median Home Value: $388,800

The bedroom community of Coppell is located in the Northwest corner of Dallas County, roughly 23 miles from downtown Dallas. The rough boundaries of Coppell are Lewisville in the North, Dallas and Irving in the South, Carrollton in the East, and Grapevine in the West.

The population of Coppell is approximately 42,000 residents, 29% of whom hold a Master’s Degree or above. The median household income is over $122,000, and 44% of families have children.

Home ownership in Coppel is a high 72%.

Top-Ranked Nearby Schools

Three different school districts serve local families — Coppell ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and Lewisville ISD.

Crime Grade: A+

Closest Hospital: Less than 5 miles

Parks/Outdoor Activities

The City of Coppell has 17 parks with a total of 544 acres:

  • Allen Road Park (5.5 acres) — Playground, pavilion, picnic areas, pond, and fishing
  • Andrew Brown Park Central (8 acres) — Fields for baseball, softball, football, and lacrosse
  • Andrew Brown Park East (118 acres) — Playground, pavilion, picnic areas, pond, stream, fishing, and trails for both hiking and jogging
  • Andrew Brown Park West (52 acres) — Playground, pavilion, picnic areas, jogging trails, basketball courts, and fields for baseball, softball, and soccer
  • Coppell Nature Park (66 acres) — Hiking and jogging trails, pond, stream, greenspace, and picnic areas
  • Denton Creek (52 acres) — Pond, stream, and greenspace
  • Grapevine Creek Park (33 acres) — Greenspace
  • Grapevine Springs (23 acres) — Hiking trails, pond, stream, and picnic areas
  • Hunterwood Park (7.7 acres) — Playground, pond, stream, hiking trails, and picnic areas
  • MacArthur Park (17 acres) — Playground, picnic areas, and fields for baseball or softball
  • Magnolia Park (27 acres) — Playground, jogging and hiking trails, pond, stream, and fishing
  • Moore Road Park (30 acres) — Jogging trail, pond, stream, fishing, and fields for baseball or softball
  • Riverchase Park (.5 acre) — Playground
  • The Duck Pond Park (5 acres) — Playground, picnic areas, hiking trail, pond, stream, and fishing
  • Tweatt Park (5 acres) — Picnic areas, pond, stream, and fishing
  • Villawood Linear Park (3.3 acres) — Undeveloped greenspace
  • Wagon Wheel Park (153 acres) — Pavilion, picnic areas, hiking and jogging trails, pond, stream, tennis courts, and fields for baseball, softball, and soccer
  • Woodhurst Linear Park (3.9 acres) — Undeveloped greenspace

In addition to all these public parks, the Main Street Interactive Fountain is a popular splash pad open to all Coppell residents.

Amenities

Coppell residents who want something other than fast food should head North, where the unique local fare includes a Burmese restaurant and King’s Kafe, a Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge.

Shopping

Because it is a bedroom community, there are no major grocery stores within the City of Coppell. But to the Northeast, Natural Grocers, Tom Thumb, Kroger, and Market Street are all within 5 miles.

Walkability Score: In the rural areas around Coppell, most errands will require a car. The city proper, however has a Walkability Score of 67 (Somewhat Walkable) 

SOURCES

Research Crime Rates and the Impact on Home Values | Homes.com

School Ratings & Reviews for Public & Private Schools: GreatSchools

Dallas, TX Crime Rates and Statistics – NeighborhoodScout

The Benefits of Parks: Why America Needs More City Parks and Open Space : ConservationTools

Living Near This Grocery Store Could Increase the Value of Your Home | Southern Living

[STUDY] Most Americans put this neighborhood feature #1 on their amenity wish list | The Zebra

How to Calculate the Walkability Score of Your Neighborhood | Clever Real Estate (listwithclever.com)

Smart Location Mapping | US EPA

Guide to East Dallas – Places to Live, Things to Do and Restaurants in East Dallas | D Magazine Neighborhood Guides

Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare

Find the School that Fits You Best – Niche

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