Dallas is one of the most popular cities to move to in the country, especially in the last few years.
With its relatively affordable cost of living, strong job market, fast economic growth, top-rated schools and universities, thriving arts and culture scene, and exciting sports and entertainment, it is easy to see why.
If you’re looking to relocate to this happening city, we’ll clue you into the best neighborhoods to check out.
This article will list the up-and-coming neighborhoods in Dallas in 2023.
Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Dallas 2023
Some up-and-coming neighborhoods in Dallas in 2023 include the Design District, The Cedars, Deep Ellum, Oak Lawn, the Medical District, Winnetka Heights, Old East Dallas, Oak Cliff, Cockrell Hill, Pleasant Grove, Trinity Grove, and Frisco.
Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Dallas 2023
1. Design District
Dallas’ Design District was once a warehouse district used to cheaply store goods and inventory.
Fast forward to a few decades later and it is one of the most desired places to live in Dallas.
It is known for its upscale art galleries, antique stores, fine eateries, and its luxury apartments. The influx of people and its trendy reputation have made it one of the most happening neighborhoods in the city.
How did a district that used to be just a place to cheaply store goods become such a hotspot?
Well, it wasn’t something that was carefully planned.
The transformation was more organic. Warehouses would close down and then reopen into eating establishments.
Apartment buildings would be constructed around already existing neighborhood structures. People came in, more apartments were built and all of a sudden it was a trendy and happening place.
When describing the neighborhood, the word “Industrial Chic” comes to mind.
The Design District is home to the biggest concentration of art galleries in Dallas and houses the city’s many interesting antique and furniture stores.
The Goss-Michael Foundation was founded by late music icon George Michael and Kenny Goss and features contemporary British art.
Legacy Antiques and Country French Interiors are antique stores carrying unique items like European chandeliers and mirrors, and other country antiques from 18th or 19th-century Europe.
In terms of dining options, the Design District has many. Restaurants like The Charles and Town Hearth, considered some of the best in the city, is located here.
The Peticolas Brewing Company, which offers tours and tastings of their beer selections, can also be found in this district.
- Median Rent: $1,662
- Median Home Value: $330,051
- Population: 941
2. The Cedars
The Cedars is a district adjacent to and south of Downtown Dallas and is part of the bigger neighborhood, Cedars Crest.
It is an entertainment district home to concert places, art galleries, breweries, and dive bars, and is a haven for artists and musicians.
A development in the works called So Good @Cedars will breathe new life into this district, by bringing new jobs and opportunities into this part of town.
It will be a mixed-use development with commercial and residential spaces. According to the developers, it will have lots of green spaces and will feature unique dining and urban experiences.
- Median Rent: $887
- Median Home Value: $82,215
- Population: 7,625
3. Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum was known as a center for jazz and blues in the 1920s, and to this day, it remains attached to its rich musical heritage.
This neighborhood is home to over 30 places that play various types of live music nightly, from jazz and blues to hip hop and dance, to country, folk and indie, and even honky-tonk music.
Aside from that, Deep Ellum also is abundant in art galleries. Deep Ellum’s streets are colorful and filled with street murals and art. It’s a neighborhood with soul and personality.
New developments in Deep Ellum make it one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in Dallas for 2023.
The East Quarter in Deep Ellum is a collection of historical buildings developed for commercial and residential use.
The Epic II is a mixed-use tower development that combines office, retail, and hotel space in the intimate neighborhood of Deep Ellum. It is where the Uber regional office is.
The Stack is another mixed-use development with retail and office space.
All these new developments and projects within the neighborhood make Deep Ellum one of the best neighborhoods to move into in Dallas. (Read: 11 Best Neighborhoods in Dallas to Buy A House).
- Median Rent: $1,383
- Median Home Value: $188,851
- Population: 2,743
4. Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn is an upscale district located north of Dallas Downtown. It is where Cedar Springs Road is located, known as being the center of the city’s LGBTQ scene. The annual Dallas Pride Parade, a highlight for many, is held here.
Round Up Saloon is a popular western and country dance hall.
Sue Ellen’s is a dance club that regularly features live music.
Mr. Misster hosts a very popular Drag Brunch. There are also many dive bars and more upscale bars like The Library at The Warwick Hotel. The entertainment options here cater to a diverse groups of people having diverse tastes. Hence, it’s one of the most interesting places for one to live in.
Oak Lawn also has a ton of green spaces and is extremely pet friendly.
Oak Lawn Park is a 14-acre park that hosts the annual “Pooch Parade”, an event where fur parents dress up their fur kids in their Sunday best.
The park has walking trails and shaded areas where you can relax and spend time with your family, including pets.
The Katy Trail is a jogging, walking, and biking path along a former railroad.
Turtle Creek Park is a park known for its history and for Arlington Hall, and Reverchon Park is a 41-acre park with basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, a baseball field, and a picnic and recreation area.
The homes available in Oak Lawn are diverse, from single-family homes to condos, townhouses, and luxury apartments.
- Median Rent: $1,351
- Median Home Value: $334,446
- Population: 34,239
5. Medical District
The Medical District is located west of Oak Lawn and north of the Design District and is named as such because it is home to many of Dallas’ premier hospitals, medical facilities, and research institutions.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center, one of the USA’s most prestigious medical centers, is located here.
Children’s Medical Center is a nationally-ranked pediatric teaching hospital and Parkland Memorial Hospital is a public hospital, famously known as the hospital where President John F. Kennedy was brought to when he was assassinated, and where he also eventually passed away.
Apartments and homes in the medical district largely cater to the professionals that work in the area, and most people that live here are in the medical community.
But over the recent years, restaurants, breweries, and nightlife have started to come into the district, and many foresee that it will just keep growing, and will soon attract many more from outside of the medical community.
- Median Rent: $1,866
- Median Home Value: $137,977
- Population: 3,843
6. Winnetka Heights
Winnetka Heights is Dallas’ second-largest historical district and is one of the largest in the state, comprising around 600 houses.
It is located in the Oak Cliff area and is listed on the U.S. Registry of Historical Places, the only Dallas neighborhood to make it to the list. Downtown Dallas is a mere 2 miles away.
It was originally built as an affluent subdivision in 1910, but it suffered a decline post-World War II.
Around the 1960s, the original stately homes, mansions, and estates were converted into smaller apartments. It experienced restoration in the mid-70s, and today Winnetka Heights is one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant neighborhoods in Dallas.
Its location so close to downtown Dallas was part of its original attraction and selling point, and it is as much of an advantage today as it was then.
The homes in Winnetka Heights are mostly Arts & Crafts and Prairie style homes, with mostly single-family and some multi-family dwellings.
It is a good neighborhood to check out if you want a more affordable home with convenient access to all the advantages and attractions that downtown has to offer.
- Median Rent: $1,070
- Median Home Value: $360,404
- Population: 2,586
7. Old East Dallas
East of Uptown and north of Deep Ellum, Old East Dallas is a neighborhood with a varied collection of home styles ranging from old historic homes to newer apartments.
It is an area full of history and charm, as well as many interesting restaurants and dive bars.
Over 125 years of construction have produced the area’s diverse collection of houses, with varying styles.
Swiss Avenue is a historic district located in Old East Dallas.
On this street, there are roughly about 200 historic homes in various styles which are either intact or have been restored.
Historical Revival style, Prairie, and Bungalow styles home can be found here. Swiss Avenue was the first area in the city to be recognized as a historic district.
Junius Heights is the largest historic district in the city consisting of over 800 homes in various architectural styles, predominantly Arts and Crafts and Craftsman styles (the largest collection in the entire southwest) and Prairie style.
It is a neighborhood with a small-town feel but with close proximity to big city attractions. It is also a highly walkable neighborhood and was once named the best neighborhood to live in for families.
An area in Old East Dallas, between Henderson and Fitzhugh, are newer developments that target young professionals who want to be in close proximity to bustling Uptown.
- Median Rent: $1,189
- Median Home Value: $365,989
- Population: 38,853
8. Oak Cliff
Located southwest of Downtown Dallas, Oak Cliff used to be an independent town before it became part of Dallas County in the early 1900s.
It is one of the oldest and most established neighborhoods in Dallas and covers a big area containing some of Dallas’ most diverse and hippest neighborhoods.
Oak Cliff has grown in recent years and is expected to keep that track.
The hipster Bishop Arts District is located in North Oak Cliff, with its highly walkable and instagrammable streets and artsy and bohemian vibe.
It used to be called “Dallas’ Best Kept Secret.”
The businesses in this district are mostly independently owned, focusing on the work of local artisans. It is rich in culture and history and has also been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
East Oak Cliff is home to the Dallas Zoo and Lancaster Urban Village, a transit-oriented development that is part of the city’s plan to increase development in this part of the city.
Southeast Oak Cliff has a University of North Texas at Dallas campus.
You’ll find Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, a 121-acre park with over 8 miles of walking, hiking, and bike trails, in Central Oak Cliff. Kiest Park is a 263-acre recreation park with many sports options.
- Median Rent: $1,200
- Median Home Value: $93,983
- Population: 275,381
9. Cockrell Hill
Cockrell Hill is a small city located 7.6 miles southwest of Downtown Dallas, comprising 0.6 square miles of land.
It’s surrounded by Dallas City. It was named after an early pioneer of Dallas County; city builder and businessman, Alexander Cockrell.
According to Area Vibes, real estate prices in Cockrell Hill are 41% lower than the average in the state, and rent is 16% lower.
It is a neighborhood to look into if you want to live closer to Downtown Dallas but have housing at a fraction of the price.
The neighborhood is also close to Oak Cliff, and its many attractions and amenities.
- Median Rent: $807
- Median Home Value: $109,200
- Population: 4,301
10. Pleasant Grove
Pleasant Grove is located in Southeast Dallas, about 10 miles from Downtown Dallas. It used to be an independent town until it was incorporated in 1954.
Despite its small size, its unique charm and personality have led many to refer to it as the heart of Southeast Dallas.
The neighborhood was named after its beautiful trees, but more than that, it is known for its strong sense of community, neighborliness, and strong spirit of volunteerism.
People in the community always get involved in charitable projects and activities that improve conditions not just in their community, but outside it as well.
Aside from that, there are also regular community activities like parades and block parties that foster a sense of camaraderie and affinity.
Housing is also affordable in the neighborhood and it is easy to get to other places in the city via highways and the DART.
Crawford Memorial Park is a 266-acre park with a variety of gardens, playgrounds, trails, and space for recreational sports.
- Median Rent: $1,012
- Median Home Value: $100,709
- Population: 57,402
11. Trinity Groves
Trinity Groves in West Dallas opened in 2012 and is a neighborhood that was built around food. It is a 15-acre development that features unique dining concepts, bars, restaurants, and hot dessert places, making it a trendy place for foodies.
Beto & Son is owned by a father and son tandem and serves reinvented Mexican Cuisine. Saint Rocco’s is a New York-style upscale Italian restaurant.
Kate Weisler Chocolates makes beautiful hand-crafted chocolates, and Babb Bros & BBQs is a place to get Texas BBQ while listening to live blues music on weekends.
Sylvan Thirty is a mixed-use development featuring apartments, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
With new developments in the area, this neighborhood is becoming one of the places people most desire to live in.
With beautiful views of the Dallas Downtown skyline, relatively affordable housing, and access to food, dining, and shopping, it will only keep getting popular.
- Median Rent: $2,100
- Median Home Value: $349,000
- Population: 24,132 (West Dallas)
12. Frisco
Frisco is a city located about 27 miles north of Downtown Dallas. It is located in the counties of Collin and Denton and is considered part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
In a recent estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, Frisco ranked number 26 in the country in terms of population growth (July 2020-July 2021).
This means that it is a fast-growing city that will keep growing in the next few years. More people are looking to move to Frisco, and it is easy to see why.
Frisco was named by Money Magazine as the “Best Place to Live in America” in 2018, and Smart Asset, a personal finance website, aptly called it “The Safest City in America”.
Aside from this, one of Frisco’s big draws is its love for sports.
Known by the nickname “Sports City USA”, Frisco is home to many sports teams, including America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys’ state-of-the-art training facility, The Star, offers tours and hosts special events for sports fans.
Within the same complex, The Star District is a big lifestyle and entertainment destination enjoyable for both sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
Other sports teams that are based in Frisco include the Dallas Stars (NHL Hockey), FC Dallas (Soccer), the Texas Legends (NBA G League), and the Frisco Roughriders (Minor League Baseball).
The PGA also recently unveiled its headquarters in Frisco.
A plethora of outdoor activities can also be experienced in Frisco with its many parks and trails. The art scene here is also growing, with the Texas Sculpture Garden that contains unique sculptures created by Texan artists.
Someone who loves sports, art, and the outdoors will feel right at home here.
- Median Rent: $1,508
- Median Home Value: $420,700
- Population: 210,719
So there you have it, some of Dallas’ up-and-coming neighborhoods for 2023 and beyond.
This list is not exhaustive as there are many other Dallas neighborhoods worth looking into, but hopefully, it will help you get started as you plan your move out to the Big D.
(Read Next: Is It Better To Live in Dallas or Fort Worth?)
Conclusion to Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Dallas 2023
The Design District, The Cedars, Deep Ellum, Oak Lawn, the Medical District, Winnetka Heights, Old East Dallas, Oak Cliff, Cockrell Hill, Pleasant Grove, Trinity Grove, and Frisco are just some of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in Dallas for 2023 that are worth looking into.