Your Expert Guide

Forest Hills: A scenic lake setting with a strong sense of community

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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Nestled along the southern end of White Rock Lake, Forest Hills makes a scene — in all the best ways. Whether you focus in on the robust foliage, canopies of mature trees, and large lots or the family-friendliness, relaxed mood, and unwavering sense of community, this part of East Dallas has charmed many a resident.

“I love living so close to the lake — not just for the beauty, but for all the outdoor activities,” says real estate professional Becky Oliver, who has called Forest Hills home for more than 25 years. “My kids grew up playing on the baseball fields, feeding the ducks, and biking around the lake.”

The neighborhood even lays claim to the city’s beloved botanical garden, the Dallas Arboretum.

The spirit of country living in the big city is a huge draw for many. "We have so many people from so many places moving into East Dallas," says Oliver. "It really makes it a fascinating community with interesting people from so many backgrounds."

Not only is Oliver the top-producing agent in the the Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty Lakewood office, she also had a national award-winning journalism career that spanned three decades. This investigative reporting background gives her a unique skill in market research and analysis — a big plus for anyone buying or selling.

But it's her unwavering passion for East Dallas that fuels her work the most. She shared some of her personal favorites about life in the Forest Hills area. Here's her guide:

Where to eat & drink
Oliver recommends Smoky Rose for the best barbecue — not to mention its sprawling outdoor patio. White Rock Alehouse & Brewery is another must, and both are right in the neighborhood.

Not too far away in Lower Greenville is another favorite of hers: HG Sply Co. “All of these places have great outdoor space, yummy food, and a wonderful warm atmosphere,” she says.

Where to play
There is no place better to get outside than White Rock Lake for biking, boating, running, and the dog park.

Oliver also loves the Dallas Arboretum for strolling through its beautiful setting, taking photos, and enjoying their outdoor concerts overlooking the lake. “My grandkids love the kids adventure garden there,” she says.

What to see
Only 10 minutes from downtown, Forest Hills has easy access to everything from arts and culture, to sports, and more — think Mavs and Stars games, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Winspear Opera House, Dallas World Aquarium, the Dallas Farmers Market, Klyde Warren Park, and much more.

Where to live
“What makes Forest Hills unique is the variety of architecture throughout the neighborhood,” says Oliver. “Builders have slowly moved into the area over the last 20 years, so we have everything from modern farmhouses to 1920s Tudors, 1960s ranches, Cape Cods, Spanish styles, traditional brick homes, and new contemporary designs.”

A prime example of a Forest Hills property is 8463 Santa Clara Drive, an impressive renovation and expansion on an elevated corner lot. Oliver represented the buyer, who moved to Forest Hills from California. “My clients had the vision to completely transform the original 1950s ranch house into an adorable yet contemporary home.”

Of Oliver, the buyer said: “What an incredible agent! She exuded enthusiasm and intelligence and never grew tired of showing us homes and neighborhoods — always with our best interest in mind.”

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Becky Oliver lives, works, and plays in Forest Hills. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email boliver@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-354-3098.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Agent Becky Oliver.

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living single

Dallas lands among 10 most affordable U.S. metros for living alone

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In DFW, renters can afford to live solo.

Not everyone is cut out for living with roommates, but finding an affordable place to live alone can be tricky. Luckily, Dallas-Fort Worth sits among the top 10 most affordable U.S. metros for living by yourself, according to a new report.

Analysts at Apartments.com discovered North Texas renters spend the seventh lowest share of their monthly income on single-bedroom rent out of the 50 biggest metros in the U.S.

The study used a 30 percent "common budgeting guideline" to calculate the share of median renter household income spent on one-bedroom asking rents across the 50 largest U.S. metros, and determined renters can only afford to live alone in 24 of the 50 metros without crossing the 30 percent threshold.

The median annual income of a DFW renter household is $63,172, and the findings show the typical asking rent for a one-bedroom apartment comes out to $1,348 per month. The study determined single renters spend 25.6 percent of their monthly income on rent based on the budgeting suggestion.

Texas' favorable rental market also extends outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex: Austin surprised as the No. 1 most affordable metro for living alone, and San Antonio appeared among the top 10.

Austin renters spend the smallest share of their income on single-bedroom apartment rent, at 23.1 percent. That's based on a median renter household income of $70,008 and a $1,348 monthly one-bedroom asking rent price.

Dwindling rent prices and the prevalence of major tech employers are also attracting new renters, and the city has an 11.6 percent apartment vacancy rate.

"The average rent in Austin has decreased year over year, and construction of new housing increased by 30 percent over the past decade," the report's author wrote. "Tax incentives in Texas draw large tech corporations, like Google and Apple, to the Austin area, which has increased average wages, added more jobs to the local economy, and attracted renters in the process."

San Antonio ranked right above DFW in sixth place nationwide with solo renters spending 25.4 percent of their monthly income on single-bedroom rent, coincidentally the same share as single renters living in Raleigh, North Carolina and Salt Lake City, Utah.

This is the income and one-bedroom rent data in San Antonio:

$51,029 – median renter household income
$1,082 – one-bedroom monthly asking rent

A separate Apartments.com survey found 39 percent of U.S. adults would never feel comfortable living with a roommate, and 16 percent of renters would rather pay more in rent to live alone than consider living with a roommate.

"Factors contributing to lower rents may include recent high levels of construction, rising vacancy rates as renter demand catches up to supply, and fewer regulations, such as flexible zoning and lower development costs compared to other parts of the country," the report said. "Living alone has become a non-negotiable for many renters, and some renters are willing to make tradeoffs to afford this lifestyle."

The top 10 most affordable U.S. metros for living alone are:

No. 1 – Austin
No. 2 – Oklahoma City
No. 3 – Phoenix
No. 4 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 5 – Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 6 – San Antonio
No. 7 – Dallas-Fort Worth
No. 8 – Denver
No. 9 – Portland, Oregon
No. 10 – Columbus, Ohio

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