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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Once a 1950s bedroom community powered by Texas Instruments, Richardson is now the beating heart of Dallas’ Telecom Corridor. With more than 5,000 businesses, including global employers like AT&T, Cisco, and Samsung, plus the University of Texas at Dallas fueling innovation, this city is full of opportunity.

At the same time, Richardson holds onto its front-porch approachable lifestyle. Neighbors gather for wine nights in their front yards, kids ride bikes to ball fields, and impromptu community moments happen “just because.”

"Richardson is located between the major travel arteries of the Central Expressway, George Bush Tollway, Dallas North Tollway, and I-635," says real estate agent Bess Dickson. "It's truly minutes from everywhere."

Bess' kids and grandkids are residents, and there's a good chance you might spot Bess running the area's streets in the morning with her dog, Truman.

"I call Richardson 'front porch approachable,' because one of its most charming qualities are its impromptu gatherings," she says. "Couples of all ages can be found strolling together at dusk, drawn to the sounds of bats cracking at the local ballpark, pausing to watch a game, just because. There’s the laughter of children taking one last slide on the playground as the sun dips down, or the weeknight front-yard wine nights, with neighbors pulling over lawn chairs, popping open bottles, and playing catch across the lawns. Richardson offers countless moments to break away from the ordinary, to embrace the spirit of ‘just because’ together."

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

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

1230 Cloverdale Dr. is a prime example of ranch fusion.

Where to eat & drink
This suburb definitely has a bit of international spice when it comes to food, reflecting Richardson's diverse population. It's home to its own Chinatown, which hosts some of the best dumpling spots in DFW.

For a truly local and chill experience, Bess heads to Lockwood Distilling Co. "It's great for brunch, lunch or just relaxing, often has live music on its patio," she says. "One of my dear friends sings there every few months for a Sunday brunch concert jam. They are also a huge supporter of local farmers and purveyors."

Dell's Burgers feels like it's straight out of American Graffiti, with its retro vibe and delicious burgers — it's the perfect stop after a Little League game.

"Sueno is my go-to date night pick!" says Bess. "Clients I have helped discover Sueno at first think I'm saying their tagline backwards: 'You mean Tex-Mex, right?' Nope, it's Mex-Tex. The atmosphere is approachable with a bit of a white-glove flair. House-made cocktails are like visual art — as well as delicious tickler on your tongue. Each entree arrives as a visual joy that your tummy soon celebrates as well!"

Those with a sweet tooth will develop cravings for La Casita Bakery, or head to Tongue In Cheek Ice Cream "just because it’s Tuesday, or maybe Wednesday, or because it’s your name day and that means a free scoop," advises Bess.

Where to play
"Each season of the year brings its own special uniquely Richardson thing to do," she says.

"Spring has the epic Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival, a three-day experience that brings in well-known bands — I have enjoyed the Toadies, Styx, ZZ Top, The B-52's, to name just a few — and local favorites both old and new on multiple stages. The Old 97's are a near-annual tradition.

"Summer brings the opening of the fabulous Heights Aquatic Center, with a lazy river, waterslides, and kids' play area, and at a resident fee of less than $5 per person it's one of the best deals around.

"Fall has its own special fun with the iconic Cottonwood Art Festival (so fantastic it is also held in the spring, as well). It's an all-day, Saturday and Sunday experience of all things art for the entire family, including a kids' art discovery area as well as loads of booths displaying art forms of all types by artists from all over the country.

"Richardson finishes its year with a Santa Village that draws not only local residents but others from around DFW. Starting the first weekend of December, the village welcomes Santa daily as well as other holiday fun activities — and all those lights!"

What to see
The Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas is a free experience worth tracking down, according to Bess. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am-5 pm, this satellite of the downtown Dallas museum is sized to absorb without feeling overwhelmed. The sculptures and paintings on display were selected to help anyone, no matter their previous experience with Asian arts, to be able to appreciate and enjoy.

While on the UTD campus, don't miss a chance to stroll throughout the Visual Arts building, where there are ongoing rotations of contemporary art — also no charge.

Where to live
"The arrival of the Texas Instruments headquarters to Richardson in 1950s single-handedly determined the predominant architectural style found on these tree-lined streets for decades," Bess explains. "Midcentury modern bungalows with their big front windows, foliage-themed iron work around the front entry, as well as low slung rooflines dominate, reflecting the influx of modern minded engineers and their families."

Large, single-story, ranch-style homes from the '60s, with formal living rooms for entertaining (a game of Mad Men-era bridge, anyone?) as well as a family den where the one and only color TV console lived, are highly sought-after today in the beautiful hilly Canyon Creek neighborhood.

In response to the 1970s and the U.S. bicentennial, the Southwestern ranch fusion architecture began to appear, with its hacienda-esque entry, arched windows, and thickly timbered faux support beams.

A prime example of how to refresh a home without eliminating the best of its heritage is a recent sale of Bess' at 2105 Tulane Dr.

"This 1970-era home still retains the hallmark of the popular split floorplan," she says. "'Rooms' are created by way of changes in floor level height versus dividing with an actual wall. The living room is sunken, and by doing so gives a cozy yet separate vibe while still retaining the open feel."

A recently sold home of hers, 1230 Cloverdale Dr., also retains its original charm and character, but with modern upgrades such as a six-burner gas range and a new pergola in the backyard. It is, as Bess laughs, a "Goldilocks house: Not a flip, not a fixer, but just right."

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Bess Dickson works and plays in Richardson. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email bess.dickson@sothebysrealty.com, or call 214-736-3921.