Where to live for upper middle class liberal family? (Dallas: homes, safe neighborhoods)

[lagourmande]

Hi,
We might be moving to the Dallas area in a few months if I land the job I've applied for, and we're coming to scope out neighborhoods and see if it would be a good fit for us as a family. We want great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a nice large home with a big yard for the kids. We're coming from Chicago and are liberal, and are worried that moving to the suburbs, where we've heard good education and newer construction homes can be found, will mean moving somewhere ultra-conservative. Any tips for either
1) liberal upscale neighborhoods in Dallas itself?
2) what about Sunnyvale? Isn't their school system great?
3) any northern suburbs that would be appropriate?

Thanks!

[pepper131]

Lakewood is liberal (although a sprinkling of conservatives); zip code 75214.

[WillysB]

You're going to find liberals and conservatives mixed all over town. Just depends on with whom you choose to spend your quality time.

Just about any neighborhood between Tx114 and US75, from downtown north will be suitable. Include Lakewood which is near White Rock Lake in your search. Exclude the area near to and just north of Love Field. Inwood is a good place to start.

Conservatives won't be a problem unless you're running nekkid through the streets of Highland Park. In that case, bring beer.

[Dallas native]

Originally Posted by lagourmande

Hi,
We might be moving to the Dallas area in a few months if I land the job I've applied for, and we're coming to scope out neighborhoods and see if it would be a good fit for us as a family. We want great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a nice large home with a big yard for the kids. We're coming from Chicago and are liberal, and are worried that moving to the suburbs, where we've heard good education and newer construction homes can be found, will mean moving somewhere ultra-conservative. Any tips for either
1) liberal upscale neighborhoods in Dallas itself?
2) what about Sunnyvale? Isn't their school system great?
3) any northern suburbs that would be appropriate?

Thanks!

The city of Dallas voted 66% for Obama, so finding moderate to liberal thinkers here will not be an issue. Lakewood, the "M" Streets, Kessler Park, Bluffview are a few of the upscale 'hoods that are worth looking at. Finding good public schools in the city of Dallas is the bigger issue. If you can pony up for private schools, then I definitely recommend living in the city. The Park Cities (Highland Park & University Park) are island cities surrounded by Dallas and they have their own excellent school district. However, HP & UP are not bastions of liberalism. Others can address your questions about Sunnyvale and the northern burbs.

[billdfw]

I would not call Lakewood conservative. It is a fairly affluent area, and affluence leans conservative. Although it has a good mix of people.Most nicer areas within Dallas will be conservative. I would check out Lakewood/Mstreets, Preston Hollow, and the Park Cities. Dallas public schools are horrible (with a few exceptiosn), so you will have to send your kids to private school if you want to live in Dallas - the Park Cities have their own school district and are some of the best in the country, but you need about $1M for an average house.The other alternative is to move out to the burbs which have the best public schools, but are a bland and sterile place to live.

[bluescreen73]

I see this type of post so often and I'm tired of biting my tongue. Are we really basing where we live on the political climate of the area? My wife and I are just slightly left of center and we live in a town and a neighborhood chock full of hardcore conservative folks. We know their proclivities, they know ours and it's no big deal.

How can you honestly have a discourse on a topic when everyone agrees with you? The best solutions come out of working through differences. Imagine how boring a debate would be if both sides agreed on the same position. Live a little.

[ChristieP]

Look at a vote map of the last election, and stick to the precincts where it was blue. Many parts of Dallas are still heavily Republican, and almost all of Tarrant County is, too.

Sunnyvales will likely be heavily conservative...

[rdfw]

Just don't talk to your neighbors and you can live wherever you want.

[WillysB]

Originally Posted by rdfw

Just don't talk to your neighbors and you can live wherever you want.

Yeah. Like I said, it's where/how you spend your quality time.

[Grainraiser]

I don't think you will find any area in DFW that 90% liberal. Even Highland Park/Park cities is split about 70/30. The more important question is what part of town will you be living in and what is your budget. We could greatly narrow your options based on your options. Sunnyvale is like a upscale Mesquite. The kids of Sunnyvale attended schools in Mesquite until recently. Sunnyvale has now opened all new schools and they are highly rated. You must understand that the schools will be very small which is good for student/teacher ratios but not so good for things like band, football and other activities. My guess is that it will have more of a private school feel due to the limited student enrollment. I believe the new highschool will be a 3A school. Please provide a little more information to get a better answer.