Here are the Best Family Neighborhoods in Dallas

New resident to the Lone Star State of Texas? Looking for a place to put down roots with your family? The best family neighborhoods in Dallas offer ample amenities while also having close access to jobs, entertainment options, outdoor activities, and more within the big city.

Dallas at a Glance

• The Dallas population is estimated to be around 1.3 million.
• 24.4 percent of the population in Dallas is either 18 years of age or younger, which means there is a considerable number of families residing in the area.
• The average home value is around $308,000.
• The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,400.
• Dallas is great for job opportunities, education, family-friendly activities, entertainment, and outdoor recreation — among many other things!

Best Family Neighborhoods in Dallas — FAQs

Q: What part of Dallas is good to raise a family in?
A: North Dallas neighborhoods, like Prestonwood and Bent Tree, are considered some of the best parts of the city to raise a family, as they’re home to a variety of family-friendly activities, outdoor recreation, and other amenities geared toward families.

Q: What is the safest area of Dallas to live in?
A: According to Niche, Preston Highlands is the safest area of Dallas to live. 

Q: Is Dallas a good place to raise a child?
A: With plenty of neighborhoods in the city that feature a host of family-friendly amenities and activities, Dallas is an excellent choice for raising a child! 

Q: What is the nicest suburb of Dallas?
A: Coppell, Texas, is not only considered one of the best Dallas suburbs for families, but it’s also ranked among the top two suburbs in the entire state, according to Niche. 

Lower Greenville in Dallas, TX 
(Source: Holly Case via Neighborhoods.com)

10 Best Family Neighborhoods in Dallas 

When choosing to raise a family in Dallas, you have plenty of options with regard to safety, family-friendly attractions, and top-notch schools — among many other perks. Here are the ones that top our list for best family neighborhoods in Dallas.

2. White Rock Valley

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,075
• Median home sale price: $795,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, shopping, schools

White Rock Valley is a great neighborhood for families, in particular, as it features award-winning schools and beautiful parks, along with close access to White Rock Lake and the White Rock Creek trail — perfect for all kinds of outdoor recreation. For more adventure, you can also head to nearby Flag Pole Hill Park, which features its very own ADA playground as well as the Boomerang, a climbing structure that includes both nets and rope swings. 

Kids living in White Rock Valley attend the Richardson Independent School District, which includes top-ranked schools, like White Rock Elementary. 

And residents also enjoy the close proximity to downtown Dallas and public transportation methods such as the DART rail system. The NorthPark Mall is just a short drive away, and residents can also walk to the other nearby shopping centers of Lake Highlands and Lake Ridge.

3. Caruth Terrace 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,525
• Median home value: $381,300
• Great for: Historic architecture, festivals, outdoor recreation

The Caruth Terrace neighborhood in Dallas is truly the ultimate blend of suburban tranquility and urban living. This historical area offers a variety of home designs and styles that can fit any lifestyle needs, with history that dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. 

One of the largest parks in the city is Caruth Park, which provides ways for residents of all ages to stay active. It features a large soccer field that's commonly used by Park Cities YMCA's youth leagues and a turfed t-ball area. The park's center also has two playgrounds and several picnic tables, ideal for spending quality time with the entire family. 

Want a fun and educational family experience? Check out the Southern Methodist University’s World Languages and Literatures annual International Film Festival. 

4. Campbell Green 

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,300
• Median home value: $549,600
• Great for: Affordability, dining, shopping nearby, outdoor recreation

The affordability, local parks, and overall beauty of Campbell Green make it a great place to raise a family. For example, Campbell Green Park and Cole Park are great places for families to engage in outdoor recreation, and the surrounding areas are full of beautiful trees and shrubs, making it perfect for taking those family strolls. 

Speaking of staying active, residents of Campbell Green can join the local Campbell Green Recreation Center for programs like dance and fitness classes. The center also includes a park with athletic fields and a playground. 

The area boasts a number of top-notch establishments for dining, including Cindi’s New York Deli & Restaurant and Campisi’s Restaurant. And for shopping, head to the Shops at Park Lane nearby or to the Mockingbird Station Shopping Center.

Preston Highlands in Dallas, TX 
(Source: Trulia.com)

5. Preston Highlands 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,300
• Median home sale price: $615,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, small-town atmosphere, commuters

Despite its small-town feel, the Preston Highlands neighborhood is conveniently located near major highways, making it an ideal place to live for commuters. And according to Niche, Preston Highlands isn’t just one of the safe neighborhoods in Dallas; it’s currently ranked as the best! 

The area's proximity to the Warren Sports Complex and parks such as Freedom Meadow Park provides both adults and children with access to various athletic programs and bike trails. 

Kitchen Master (traditional chinese dumplings and noodles) and Teenmar Indian Cafe (a culinary journey into the heart of India) are some of the best cuisines you can choose from in this area. Not to mention being in such close proximity to Frisco will also give you access to all the options Frisco has to offer.

And when you feel like cooling off on a hot day, you can head to the popular Plateau Pool of the Trails of West Frisco nearby.

6. Highlands of McKamy 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,000
• Median home sale price: $687,500
• Great for: Commuters, shopping, hospitals, Dallas attractions for families, outdoor recreation

The Highlands of McKamy neighborhood is a sought-after community situated near the intersection of Hillcrest Road and Campbell Road. This neighborhood is close to the NorthPark Center, which is a prominent shopping area in Dallas. And it’s also close to a couple of hospitals, including Medical City Plano.

One of the highlights for families living in Highlands of McKamy is the close proximity to the Play Street Museum, which is a great way for kids to let off some steam and engage with some interactive exhibits and other activities in an educational environment. Plenty of outdoor recreation is also available at parks nearby, such as Lake Highlands Park and Klyde Warren Park. 

7. Bent Tree

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,425
• Median home sale price: $512,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, shopping, dining

The Bent Tree neighborhood is located near the Bent Tree Country Club, which is bordered by Dallas County and Collin County. The Bent Tree Country Club, a major highlight of this neighborhood, features numerous activities such as tennis and swimming. The Preston Trail Golf Club, another nearby private club, actually hosted the Byron Nelson Golf Classic from 1968 to 1982. 

This Far North Dallas neighborhood is only 10 minutes from the upscale Galleria Dallas shopping mall. Residents of Bent Tree also have close access to some of the city’s best restaurants, including Uncle Julio’s, Dough Bro’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, and the good ol’ fashion Texas cooking at Norma’s Cafe. 

Greenland Hills in Dallas, TX 
(Source: Susan Georgeson via East Dallas Living)

8. Greenland Hills 

• Median rent (all sizes): $2,125
• Median home sale price: $805,000
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, unique homes, family-friendly events

The Greenland Hills neighborhood, bordered by Mockingbird and Central Expressway, is known for its old-fashioned feel and Tudor-style homes that were built in the 1920s.

The area has more than 1,200 homes and is often referred to as the "M Streets," due to all the street names that start with the letter “M” — like Morningside, Merriman, and Monticello.

Residents of Greenland Hills have easy access to bike and hiking trails that go from Glencoe Park to White Rock Lake and beyond, where you’ll see lots of families playing, walking, and biking on the weekends. The Katy Trail, in particular, connects to the downtown area and beyond. 

And the neighborhood holds plenty of fun annual events throughout the year, such as the GHNA Easter Egg Hunt, a long-standing tradition. 

9. Lake Ridge Estates

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,400
• Median home value: $435,700
• Great for: Serene lake views, outdoor recreation, dining

The private and peaceful Lake Ridge community is situated southwest of Dallas and features some of the best lake views in the area. It’s surrounded by the cities of Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill and overlooks Joe Pool Lake.

Residents enjoy lots of recreational activities on the lake and within the Cedar Hill State Park, which spans over 1,800 acres of land and has 7,500 acres of lake to explore. This natural area features historic farm buildings and a 12-mile bike trail, along with campsites, picnic areas, a fishing jetty, and a boat ramp.

The outdoor dining area known as The Shack at Joe Pool Lake features a variety of food and drink options, with an optimal waterfront location that offers a magnificent view of the lake.

10. Prestonwood 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
• Median home sale price: $370,400
• Great for: Dining, shopping, outdoor recreation

Prestonwood is in Far North Dallas, and it's conveniently located so you can reach Downtown Dallas in around 30 minutes, or you can go to either Addison or Carrollton within 10. With some of the lowest home values you can find in the Dallas area, Prestonwood is also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Dallas you can choose from. 

This community features various golf courses, such as the exclusive Bent Tree Country Club and The Clubs of Prestonwood. Residents also enjoy spending time at the Keller Springs Park and giving their furry friends some off-the-leash playtime at the Wagging Tail Dog Park. And when it comes to shopping, residents don’t have to travel very far, as the large outdoor shopping center known as Prestonwood Place is also located nearby!

PODS Can Help You Move to One of the Best Family Neighborhoods in Dallas

If you’re looking for some help moving to one of the best family neighborhoods in Dallas, you can trust PODS to help you get there. You can get a portable storage and moving container delivered straight to your driveway, where you can load and pack your belongings at your own pace. One month of storage is included with every move, so you can easily unload on your own time, as well, without rushing. And with PODS City Service, you won’t have to worry about big-city issues, like navigating those busy Dallas streets or finding the right place to park your container. PODS has all that covered!

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.