Southlake or Highland Park? (Dallas, Plano: best neighborhoods, house, neighborhoods)

[aeh]

Hi:

We are moving back to the Dallas area after living away for several years. My husband will be traveling frequently, which I know the airport is close to Southlake, but he also doesn't mind traveling from HP to the airport either. I have never been to Southlake and I am wondering what insight anyone can give me as to what each location offers. I guess I am concerned about Southlake being "far out" from what was my normal roaming zone of North Dallas, etc. but the Southlake Town Square from the internet looks really cute with the shops on the sidewalk and as if it has that small town feel and charm, which I really like. Any info that anyone could provide as a compare and contrast would be great. Thanks in advance.

[5stones]

biggest difference is that it's newer and yes futher out. I love Highland Park and University park area, it's very pretty with old growth trees etc...

Southlake has Town Center it's an outdoor mall, not quaint, but very nice and it is a gathering place esp on weekend nights. But you have loads of strip type malls near by and Home depot and Lowes right down from Town Center. To me 1709 is not a pretty road to drive down. (not quaint)

You will get airplane noise in southlake. outside, not too much inside the house, but summer afternoons at the pool might not be too realxing.
Southlake will give you more "breathing room" if that what you wish. some of the neighborhoods are nice and spacious (1+ acre lots) but some are pretty packed in.
Housing is cheaper in Southlake so you could get a newer bigger house with more land.

Personally for me if I had the funds I'd choose HP. esp if the job is in Dallas.

IMO....HP is "old money" and Southlake is "new money" whether or not that is the actual case, it just feels that way. The old time residents of southlake are the country horse famers.

[EasilyAmused]

Highland Park or University Park. Its a no brainer. If you want to be around people who aren't nosey and are secure in who they are, its a much better place. Its more than just about the location, its also a drastic community personality difference. If you can afford Park Cities, I wouldn't even think about Southlake. You may get more land in Southlake, but your breathing space will be smaller, if you catch my drift.

On another note, Texas is getting harder and harder to find in Texas. The closer to the core, the older the neighborhoods, the more Texas you will find. And if you can afford the best neighborhoods, you will find that old ease most Texans have.

[chattyone]

I totally agree, Southlake is very nice but new money is what I think as well, With that being said new is not always a bad thing, You have alot of new stores, unique, wonderful shopping and more than Highland Park, They are really trying to make it a new Highland Park and if your younger say in your 30s, You may like it better because alot of people are new there as well.

[MaryS80]

HP and UP are a stones throw from just about anything you can think of, wonderful parks and trails, highways, top tier retail. The Park Cities have a lot of older homes, and mature trees giving it feel similar to New England.

Love Field Airport isn't too far from the HP, so thats another option when traveling.

Don't get me wrong Southlake is a nice place, but IMO its more on par with Plano, maybe a notch above. HP is more on par with Beverly Hills.

[nsumner]

Well, if your roaming zone is north Dallas, the commute from Southlake would get old fast. I think the Park Cities are much more centrally located if you wanted to attend shows, sporting events.

From a housing point, you will get more in Southlake, homes are newer, which translates to less maintenance, larger lots. Homes are appreciating equally in both cities. Schools are comparable too.

Shopping in Southlake is fun but you can always go there. In the Park Cities, you will have more choices between Northpark mall, The Galleria, West Village, Willow Bend, Collin Creek (although I don't think it's doing so well).

I guess you'll have to visit and go through both and see which ones feels more like you. You'll be surprised at the changes around here.

Naima

[loves2read]

check out the fort worth board since southlake is in Tarrant co--more local posters on that board

[PlanoLonghorn]

Old money or new money? Both are big money, especially highland park.

[tjh1]

I'd def. go HP in a heartbeat over Southlake. It is in the center of everything, yet offers a somewhat sense of seclusion. In Southlake everything looks the same and is cookie-cutter.

btw, Southlake Town Square cannot hold a light to Highland Park Village.

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by tjh1

I'd def. go HP in a heartbeat over Southlake. It is in the center of everything, yet offers a somewhat sense of seclusion. In Southlake everything looks the same and is cookie-cutter.

btw, Southlake Town Square cannot hold a light to Highland Park Village.

I believe Highland Park Village has some sort of historical recognition which is very rare for a shopping center.