Lakewood

Suburban in feel but not far from the city’s center, the East Dallas / Lakewood area is bordered by White Rock Lake, a benefit that nature-loving locals take great delight in. Take your pick from new estates with considerable acreage, or cozier bungalows that date back to the 20s and 30s.

Lakewood’s sleepy, shady streets may lure you into thinking you’re way out in the ’burbs, but it still has all the diversions a city dweller could want, including the historic Lakewood Shopping Center, the area’s retail anchor. While the no-frills Lakewood Landing is the locals’ revered dive bar, you can easily slip into adjacent Lower Greenville or Deep Ellum for more late-night options.