Dallas, Texas

Dallas at a glance

Dallas is the largest city in North Texas and the region’s business, cultural, and transportation hub. It covers a large area, mostly in Dallas County with portions in Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties, so living in Dallas can mean anything from a downtown high-rise to a ranch-style house near a lake.

Because the city is so large, neighborhood choice matters more than the city name. School district, commute, and housing age can change from one side of a highway to the other.

Areas to explore

Housing market

Dallas has the widest range of housing in the region: downtown and Uptown high-rises, townhomes, historic bungalows and Tudors in established neighborhoods, mid-century ranch homes, and newer infill. Because the city spans so many districts and price points, the citywide figure below is only a rough starting point. Compare recent closed sales in the specific neighborhood, and check property taxes, HOA or condo dues, and flood-zone status for each address.

Parks, recreation & things to do

Dallas has major parks, a large arts district, and many of the region’s signature attractions.

• In DallasWhite Rock Lake Park — A large city park in East Dallas with a trail loop around the lake, birdwatching, paddling, and picnic areas.
• In DallasKlyde Warren Park — A 5.2-acre park built over Woodall Rodgers Freeway between downtown and Uptown, with a playground, dog park, food trucks, and free events.
• In DallasDallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden — Display gardens on the shore of White Rock Lake and home of the Dallas Blooms spring festival.
• In DallasFair Park — Home of the State Fair of Texas, the Cotton Bowl Stadium, museums, and concert venues.
• In DallasDallas Zoo — A 106-acre zoo in South Dallas with habitats representing wildlife from around the world.

Dining, shopping & culture

Dining and nightlife cluster in walkable districts across the city.

• In DallasDallas Arts District — Museums and performance halls downtown, next to Klyde Warren Park.
• In DallasDeep Ellum — Live music venues, bars, murals, and restaurants a few blocks east of downtown.
• In DallasBishop Arts District — Independent boutiques, restaurants, and theaters such as the Kessler Theater in North Oak Cliff.
• In DallasUptown — Restaurants, bars, and shopping along McKinney Avenue, served by the M-Line trolley.

Getting around

• Major roads include I-35E, I-30, I-45, US-75 (Central Expressway), I-635 (LBJ Freeway), the Dallas North Tollway, and President George Bush Turnpike.
• DART light rail runs through the city on the Red, Blue, Green, and Orange lines. The Silver Line, opened in October 2025, crosses North Dallas toward Plano and DFW Airport, with Dallas stations at Knoll Trail and Cypress Waters.
• The Trinity Railway Express commuter train runs from Union Station downtown toward Irving and Fort Worth.
• Dallas Love Field is inside the city, and DFW International Airport is to the northwest.

Schools

Dallas ISD serves most of the city. Other districts serve parts of Dallas, including Richardson ISD, Plano ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Duncanville ISD, Garland ISD, Mesquite ISD, and Highland Park ISD. Which district serves a home depends on its exact location, not the “Dallas” in its address.

• Dallas ISD
• Richardson ISD
• Plano ISD
• Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

School assignments depend on the exact property address and can change. Confirm the district and assigned campuses with the district before you make an offer or sign a lease.

Keep exploring

Planning a move? Start with our home buying guide, home selling guide, or rental guide.