Your Expert Guide

Oak Cliff: The “Brooklyn of Dallas” is a welcoming hub of historic, indie charm

Agent Brian Davis.

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.

---

While the Bishop Arts District might be considered the crown jewel of Oak Cliff, there is much more to love about this part of Dallas that’s brimming with historic charm, a funky indie spirit, and strong community vibes.

Real estate professional Brian Davis has lived in Oak Cliff for over 20 years, drawn to the hilly terrain, beautiful trees, excellent dining and nightlife, and relaxed atmosphere — and to the architecture of his midcentury ranch home in Wynnewood North, with its spacious walls of glass and large yard.

An out-of-state transplant himself, Davis loves introducing people to the eclectic blend of homes and neighborhoods that define Oak Cliff, which is located directly across the Trinity River from downtown.

“From Craftsman homes in Winnetka Heights to Tudors in Kessler Park, bungalows in East Kessler, and contemporary properties sprinkled throughout, there’s a lot of diversity — and a beautiful home can exist in any style,” says Davis.

Passionate about architecture and the design process, he also loves seeing renovation projects take shape. “I get tremendous satisfaction when we get to bring a swan back to life after years as an ugly duckling,” he adds.

When he’s not working, Davis enjoys his involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters and his support for the immigration assistance efforts of the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. He has also served as president of the Wynnewood North Neighborhood Association.

Davis offered up a few of his personal favorites about life in what he calls the “Brooklyn of Dallas.” Here's his guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
“Oak Cliff has many hidden gems, but if you're looking for a classic dive bar with a mix of patrons straight out of an SNL Stefon skit, look no further than Barbara's Pavillion on Centre Street,” says Davis. “It is to Oak Cliff what The Grapevine Bar is to Oak Lawn.”

He also recommends Encina and Nova for great seasonal bites and pints, and Lucia for extra-special occasions (and the best house-cured salumi and handmade pasta around).

Where to play
During the spring and fall, CiboDivino hosts bocce ball games on their lawn on Tuesday nights. “It’s the most fun night of the week!” says Davis, who is an avid enthusiast of the sport.

What to see
For Davis, no trip to Oak Cliff is complete without a stop at the historic Texas Theatre for a movie or Western Heights Cemetery, which dates to the 1850s.

Where to live
“The beauty of life in Oak Cliff is that we have a little bit of everything,” says Davis. “Within the span of a few square miles, you'll find some of the best examples of Tudor, Craftsman, Prairie, Midcentury, and Contemporary homes in the city. Regardless of your favorite style, you'll find it here.”

---

Brian Davis lives, works, and plays in the Oak Cliff. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email bdavis@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-924-1442.

home-for-sale interview q&a promoted

Dallas Got Robbed

The richest small town in Texas is surprisingly not in Dallas

Facebook / City of Bellaire, Texas

Houston neighbor Bellaire is the richest town in Texas.

A survey of affluent small towns has found one town in Texas to be at the top of the list, but shockingly, it is not in Dallas. The town of Bellaire, a small enclave within the Houston metro area, has earned the top spot as the richest small town in Texas for 2025. Boo.

The report, "The Richest Small Town in Every State," from GoBankingRates, selected one city from each state, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey to determine the 50 richest small towns based on their median household income.

Describing Bellaire as a "small town" might be a misnomer. It's located less than 10 miles from downtown Houston and is fully surrounded by the City of Houston. It's really more of a wealthy enclave within Houston, with a population of just over 17,000 residents.

Those affluent citizens earn a median $236,311 in income every year, which GoBankingRates says is the 11th highest household median income out of all 50 cities included in the report.

The average home in this city is worth over $1.12 million, but Bellaire's lavish residential reputation often attracts properties with multi-million-dollar price tags.

Bellaire also earned a shining 81 livability score for its top quality schools, health and safety, commute times, with an abundance of exceptional local amenities.

Those include conveniently located grocery stores, coffee shops, diverse dining options, and spacious parks.

It's not the first time that Bellaire has caught the eye of GoBankingRates, which previously ranked it as the No. 23 wealthiest suburb in America, and it's been named on similar lists comparing the richest American cities.

Dallas can take comfort in the fact that a different survey found Lewisville to be of the cities attracting the most high-income households, meaning those that make more than $200,000. However, census data places the most recent median income in Lewisville at $85,002 — so it's nowhere close to catching up to Bellaire.

suburbs houston bellaire affluent households