You might want to consider issues with HOAs. Like the issue we had in my neighborhood in Frisco, The Fairways.

I personally like HOAs and only looked in neighborhoods that had them when my wife and I were looking for a home. I think they help add value by enforcing community standards and hopefully keeping crappy neighbors in check. I understand that older established neighborhoods aren’t likely to have HOAs with any real power so if or when we eventually move to Dallas proper, it will hopefully be to a neighboorhood were everyone is “keeping up with the jones” to some degree in regards to yards and exterior matters.

But in my neighborhood’s case, I believe the HOA went way to far in bringing suit against homeowners. The HOA was already in legal battles with developers and having big issues in collecting dues from homeowners and investors. The board got in a tizzy and decided our limited resources were best used in suing our own memebers. Hopefully the new board can actually accomplish its goals.

A couple of years ago, we moved from a “master planned community” in Flower Mound to a fantastic neighborhood in Far North Dallas (Prestonwood Estates). I have become an evangelist for this part of town - minutes from all major freeways, Richardson schools, large lots with beautiful trees, almost all original homeowners or new owners like us who are moving in to update and remodel. (No tear-downs here - just great ranch homes that are being updated.) Fretz Park - complete with a library, pool and tennis courts - are within walking distance. And, though our HOA is voluntary, it’s very active and even includes a fantastic gardening club that maintains our medians along Hillcrest. We’re getting ready to do a major remodel on our house (literally untouched since it was built in 1970) and wait out this crazy real estate market. This is a fantastic neighborhood that allows normal people to live in the city without having to sacrifice your first-born child.

I would vote for Junius Heights Historic District. http://www.juniusheights.org/g.....s+On+Tour/ It is the only historic district approved in many years and since it began a year or two ago the days of finding a fixer-upper under $200k are almost gone. One site I found now has the average list price at $297K and some of the homes on the side streets of Gaston (Glasgow, Ridgeway, Nesbitt,Lowell etc) are in $400-$500K range. Many of those were built by Dines and Kraft, which developed Lakewood Country Club Estates a few years later.

The neighborhood is mostly composed of Craftsman Bungalows, which have been very hot on the West Coast for several years. Most have been overlooked for so long that they still have original features inside and out. There are even some Sears kit homes.

The neighborhood elementary school, Lipscomb (built 1922), has been rated exemplary for the third year in a row and is now starting to draw the yuppie types http://oldeastdallasearlychildhoodpta.org/

The “Bungalow Heaven” is bordered by the Swiss Avenue and Munger Place Historic Districts to the north and west and to the southeast is Texas/Dallas Historic Landmark Woodrow Wilson High (built 1928) and named one of the top schools in the nation by Newsweek for 2008. It is also recognized by The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s successful school program.
Renovatd Randall Park and the new Santa Fe Trail are adjacent. And just to the northeast is the old Parks Estate which once served as the East Dallas YMCA - its restoration was covered by your Lakewood People last week.

I agree with CBS. Lake Highlands is a wonderful jewel in our city. RISD, close to downtown, beautiful trees and well kept and updated homes. Many young families are 2nd generation Lake Highlanders who grew up here and come back to raise their own families. The LH Town Center being built at Walnut Hill and Skillman will be a wonderful “center” of our beautiful community. Updated homes sell very fast here and are in hot demand. Best of all - wonderful community spirit and support for our schools, neighborhoods and history.

McMansions on Glencrest and the like?