Why Bluffview, M Streets and Oak Lawn Are Mighty Neighborly

Bluffview, M Streets and Oak Lawn were named as local favorites for Trulia’s first-ever 2018 Neighborlys, citing the best, friendliest neighborhoods across the country. Zillow Group-owned Trulia named national and local winners in 18 major housing markets, ranked by data in categories such as friendliest neighbors, dog-friendliest, most holiday spirit, best social calendar, most walkable, and kid-friendliest.

Nearly 10,000 neighborhoods across the country were ranked based on more than 20 million written reviews and answered polls by participating locals on Trulia Neighborhoods’ What Locals Say feature. Nationally, neighborhoods in Oakland, Orlando, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Long Beach, and Gilbert, Arizona were named best in the country.

Among the local honorifics:

North Dallas: Friendliest Neighbors

Trulia says you’ll find the friendliest neighbors in this very broad definition of neighborhood, which spans most of Preston Hollow. Developed from farmland in the 1930s, Preston Hollow still has a pastoral feel when neighbors gather in front yards for impromptu gab sessions. While there is some debate about boundaries, they are generally considered to be Royal Lane, Hillcrest Lane, Northwest Highway, and Midway Road.

To satisfy your curiosity, Trulia’s Neighborlys boundary is north to I-635, west to Dallas North Tollway, east to Central Expressway, and a zigzagged southern border to Northwest Highway and part of Lovers Lane. Just check out the wonky map. Example: One side of Colgate Ave., is in the boundary, and the other side isn’t. But don’t let that come between good friends please.

Bluffview: Most Holiday Spirit

Bluffview is prized for its hilly topography and 50-foot cliffs overlooking Bachman Creek, but it’s also known for stunning holiday decorations come Christmastime, according to Trulia.

Look for Decorators Warehouse and Wisteria’s finest holiday trappings on these estate homes, topping sizable lots in a sophisticated setting. Bluffview is a favorite among architects, and that eye for design comes out during the holidays. Maybe you’ll see one of those homes decked out in $15,000 professional Christmas lights. You don’t get named Dallas’ Most Holiday Spirit honorific with just a string of lights, am I right?

M Streets: Dog Friendliest

Dog neighborhoods make friendly neighborhoods. It’s a fact. Residents of the M Streets say they love the friendly, know-your-neighbor vibe of these eclectic homes between Abrams Road and Greenville Avenue, which is why Trulia ranked this sought-after neighborhood as Dallas’ dog-friendliest block.

Our own Candy Evans described Mercedes Lane as a perfect, “Please Don’t Eat The Daisies dream neighborhood of perfectly sized Tudors with manicured lawns, huge trees, and great green backyards beckoning for a party.” And pups. Lots of pups.

Oak Lawn: Most Walkable

Trulia ranked Oak Lawn as Dallas’ most walkable neighborhood, which is quite a feat. Not much of Dallas is walkable per se, but living in Oak Lawn puts you right in the middle of restaurants, retail, nightlife, and more gyms per square foot than anywhere in Dallas. You have absolutely no excuse to drive yourself to the gym.

Did Trulia get it right? Is North Dallas a neighborhood? Comment below.