University Park, TX

University Park was born out of a very practical neighborhood dilemma back in the 1920s. Southern Methodist University had been supplying water and electricity to surrounding homes, but as the area grew, the school could no longer keep up. When neighboring Dallas and Highland Park passed on annexing the community, local residents took matters into their own hands and voted to incorporate their own city in 1924. That independent streak stuck, and today University Park remains a distinct, upscale enclave completely surrounded by Dallas on three sides and Highland Park on the fourth. Together, the two neighboring towns form what locals know as the Park Cities, one of the most sought-after communities in North Texas.

ATTRJ. P. Fagerback / CC BY-SA 3.0

Because SMU was founded just a few years before the city itself, the university and the surrounding neighborhoods grew up side by side. The gorgeous, tree-lined campus sits right in the middle of town, giving the residential streets a distinctive collegiate charm. With over 12,000 students, the university brings a lively energy to the community throughout the school year. You will feel that rhythm everywhere, from families walking the campus lawns on quiet weekends to buzzing game-day tailgates along the Boulevard during football season.

ATTRGreenstrat / CC BY-SA 4.0

Having a major university next door also means having arts and culture right in your backyard. Residents can spend an afternoon browsing Spanish masterworks at the Meadows Museum, attend concerts and theater productions, or explore the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Just off campus lies Snider Plaza, the city's historic shopping village that has been welcoming neighbors since 1927. It serves as the local gathering spot, filled with bakeries, sidewalk cafes, family-run dry cleaners, and casual dinner spots where you are almost guaranteed to bump into someone you know.

ATTRMichael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0

Daily life here revolves around well-maintained green spaces and strong community traditions. Curtis Park is a favorite weekend destination, featuring shady walking paths along Turtle Creek, tennis courts, and the popular Holmes Aquatic Center pool during the summer months. Over at Centennial Park, the open lawns and classic gazebo host neighborhood gatherings and serve as the lively finish line for the annual Park Cities Fourth of July parade. Between the local library at Preston Center, quiet residential streets, and top-tier local amenities, University Park offers a rare small-town feel right in the heart of the Dallas area.