Highland Park is a separate town completely surrounded by Dallas. That independence shapes daily life, from town services and parks to school district boundaries and transit. This guide covers what living in Highland Park is like and what to check before you buy, sell, or lease here.
A town, not a neighborhood
Highland Park has its own town government, public safety department, and parks department. Many homes use “Dallas” in their mailing address, so confirm that a listing is inside town limits. The town’s website is the best source for services, permits, and rules that apply to residents.
Homes and how the town is built
The town is almost entirely residential, with established homes on landscaped lots and many newer homes built on lots where older houses were replaced. Because Highland Park is small and fully developed, few homes come up for sale at any time. Building and renovation are governed by town rules, so buyers planning major changes should review requirements early.
Parks and everyday life
Turtle Creek runs through the center of town. Lakeside Park covers about 14 acres along the creek, and small parks such as Flippen Park dot the neighborhoods. For larger destinations, residents head a few miles south to Uptown, the Katy Trail, Klyde Warren Park, and the Dallas Arts District.
Shopping and dining
Highland Park Village, at Mockingbird Lane and Preston Road, is a Spanish Mediterranean–style shopping center with more than 70 shops and restaurants along brick walkways. Snider Plaza in neighboring University Park offers a more local mix of shops and restaurants near SMU.
Transit after the 2026 DART vote
On May 2, 2026, Highland Park voters chose to withdraw from DART, while Addison and University Park voted to remain. According to reporting on the results, DART must discontinue service within town limits, and the town said it would evaluate options such as microtransit and on-demand service. Residents can still use DART stations outside the town, including Mockingbird Station in Dallas.
Schools
Highland Park ISD serves Highland Park, University Park, and a small part of Dallas. As with any district, confirm campus assignments for the exact address with the district.
Highland Park housing market: what the numbers say
Typical home value, August 2026: $3,039,555, up 6.8% from $2,845,649 in August 2025.
Highland Park’s typical value is among the highest in the region, and the year-over-year change shown here reflects a small number of sales. Lot size, location within town, and whether a home is original or newly built make a large difference, so rely on recent closed sales of truly comparable homes.
Questions to ask before you buy, sell, or rent in Highland Park
- Is the property inside Highland Park’s town limits?
- What town permits or design reviews apply to renovations or new construction?
- How do you plan to get around now that DART service in town is ending?
- Which Highland Park ISD campuses serve this address?
- For sellers: which recent sales are most comparable in lot size and home age?
- For renters: what does the lease say about lawn care, maintenance, and town rules?
Keep exploring
See the Highland Park community page for a quick overview, or compare nearby University Park and Dallas. When you’re ready, our home buying guide, home selling guide, and rental guide walk through each step, or talk with a Clever Realtors agent.
Sources
Share this article
