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.

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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.”

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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.

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

Dallas ranks No. 9 among U.S. cities for canceled home sales in 2025

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Homebuyers across the United States are ghosting sellers at record rates, and Dallas has some of the worst offenders. Real estate marketplace Redfin tracked which metros saw the most buyers getting cold feet before closing real estate deals: Dallas came in at No. 9.

Redfin says 17.7 percent of Dallas home purchases were called off in September 2025, an increase from 16.4 percent in September 2024.

Fort Worth was even worse, landing at No. 4. In September, 18.7 percent of Fort Worth home purchases were called off, up from from 16.6 percent the previous year.

By comparison, San Antonio ranked No. 2 overall, with the highest pull-out rate in Texas, at 19 percent.

Tampa, Florida, topped the list with a cancellation rate of 20.1 percent. The national average is 15 percent.

Redfin says Goldilocks thinking is largely to blame for the rise in buyers "ghosting" sellers. A lack of compromise on concessions and repairs is driving the trend, with buyers refusing to accept imperfect homes.

Meanwhile, sellers want to avoid losing money on the deal. This is especially true of homeowners who bought during the COVID-19 boom, who are holding their asking price firm to avoid taking a loss. With plenty of homes on the market in "Sun Belt" cities — in some place, more than twice as many sellers than buyers — buyers are weighing all options.

“I’m seeing a lot of buyer’s remorse,” explained Redfin agent Jo Chavez, in a release. “Buyers make an offer, then they start worrying they could have found a better deal or a better home because there are more home sellers than buyers in the market. Some other buyers are backing out because they’re concerned about job security.”

The top 10 markets with the most sideways deals include:

No. 1 — Tampa, Florida
No. 2 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 3 — Atlanta, Georgia
No. 4 — Orlando, Florida
No. 5 — Fort Worth, Texas
No. 6 — Riverside, California
No. 7 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
No. 8 —Jacksonville, Florida
No. 9 — Dallas, Texas
No. 10 — Las Vegas, Nevada

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