Your Expert Guide

East Dallas: An established, walkable, family-friendly, and character-filled neighborhood

Agent Brooke Vawter.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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East Dallas has long felt like home for Brooke Vawter. The real estate agent, interior designer, and mom of young twins, Judd and Bowen, first moved to the M Streets in 2004 before settling in Lakewood almost four years ago.

"I was born and raised in Rockwall so I'm very familiar with all areas of DFW," Vawter says. "I particularly love older, more established neighborhoods with character, unique architecture, tree-lined streets, and charm. East Dallas has it all, plus easy access to downtown and the airports."

An avid runner — she's run the Boston Marathon before — Vawter also appreciates East Dallas' outdoorsy offerings. She's recently discovered a love for tennis and has become a member of Lakewood Country Club.

"The neighborhoods are beautiful, filled with trees, and near White Rock Lake trails, which I love for running and biking," she says. "I also love the walkability to restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment."

Vawter recently joined with longtime friend and colleague Jason Clark, who lives in the East Dallas neighborhood of Lakewood, to form the Vawter Clark Group. Vawter is very involved with the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA, and the Vawter Clark Group is the headlining sponsor for the 2023 LECPTA Lakewood 3000 Auction Party, the largest fundraiser of the year for East Dallas schools.

Vawter offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in East Dallas. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
From Mariano's Hacienda to Hudson House and Terilli's to Lakewood Landing, Charlie's Creole Kitchen to Sister Restaurant, and Cosmo's to Louie's, there is no shortage of great spots for bites and sips.

"I love all our corner wine bars," she says, "like Bodega Wine Bar, for example."

Vawter also calls out The Corner Market for its versatility — "sandwiches, flowers, and gifts, they have it all!" — and the patios at Mi Cocina, Sundown at Granada, Mayer's Garden, and Smoky Rose.

Where to play
Of course White Rock Lake is the main attraction here, for rowing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, plus running, biking, and roller-blading around its shores.

"The Dallas Arboretum is gorgeous year-round," says Vawter. "We are members, and really love the concerts and holiday displays."

Where to live
"There's a great blend of decades, from early-1920s Tudors and 1950s-'60s midcentury modern to ranch- and Craftsman-style homes, plus I adore the Spanish Colonial homes, which are rare finds here but do exist," Vawter says. "You also have beautiful, larger, new-construction homes that emulate all these styles as well, which have truly elevated some of these neighborhoods."

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Brooke Vawter lives, works, and plays in East Dallas. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email bvawter@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-642-8012.

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hottest zips

Surprising Dallas neighbor ranks among hottest ZIP codes in U.S.

City of Lavon/Facebook

Movers are loving Lavon for its small-town feel and proximity to the big city.

A recent analysis of American relocation trends has revealed the small city of Lavon outside Dallas was one of the top five hottest ZIP code for movers nationwide in October 2025.

Lavon's 75166 ZIP code ranked No. 5 on MovingPlace's new list ranking the U.S. cities with the highest number of new movers per 1,000 current residents during the month of October.

According to the study's data, 961,650 moves took place across the nation last month. Lavon (population: 13,800) saw 10.8 moves per 1,000 residents in October, the fifth highest moving rate out of all U.S. cities.

Lavon is located 32 miles northeast of Dallas in Collin County. It was praised as a highly sought-after locale for movers who want to live somewhere affordable outside Dallas while still reaping the benefits from a community with a small-town feel.

The report also added that Lavon's 75166 ZIP was the No. 1 hottest ZIP code in September, but relocations dipped 7.7 percent from September to October.

"When looking at the top ZIP codes in each state, it’s clear that less populated ZIP codes often show dramatic month-over-month increases, sometimes exceeding 100 percent," the report said. "Larger cities, by contrast, maintain consistently high move volumes without extreme spikes, because their larger populations dampen the impact of individual moves."

These are the top 10 hottest U.S. ZIP codes based on moves per capita in October:

No. 1 – 78616 in Dale, Texas
No. 2 – 34987 in Port Saint Lucie, Florida
No. 3 – 37228 in Nashville, Tennessee
No. 4 – 80019 in Aurora, Colorado
No. 5 – 75166 in Lavon, Texas
No. 6 – 32461 in Inlet Beach, Florida
No. 7 – 10004 in New York, New York
No. 8 – 43137 in Lockbourne, Ohio
No. 9 – 30346 in Atlanta, Georgia
No. 10 – 78656 in Maxwell, Texas

The hottest U.S. ZIP codes by total move volume
Five Texas ZIPs ranked among MovingPlace's separate analysis of the top 10 hottest U.S. ZIP codes based on total move volume.

McKinney's ever-popular 75071 ZIP code ranked No. 5 on the list after gaining 298 new residents last month, only 72 residents shy from No. 1-ranking Washington, D.C.'s new resident count.

This North Dallas suburb also previously ranked as the No. 8 most popular ZIP for movers during the first five months of 2025.

The report said McKinney's most attractive qualities are its safety, its high-performing schools, and its proximity to outdoor recreational activities. it also helps that the suburb consistently ranks as the No. 1 hottest housing market in America, and it frequently tops lists comparing the best cities for renters or the most affordable cities in the U.S.

The top 10 hottest American ZIP codes in October based on total move volume were:

No. 1 – 20002 in Washington, D.C.
No. 2 – 78130 in New Braunfels, Texas
No. 3 – 78641 in Leander, Texas
No. 4 – 77433 in Cypress, Texas
No. 5 – 75071 in McKinney, Texas
No. 6 –32256 in Jacksonville, Florida
No. 7 –77493 in Katy, Texas
No. 8 – 85142 in Queen Creek, Arizona
No. 9 – 98052 in Redmond, Washington
No. 10 – 28269 in Charlotte, North Carolina

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