Your Expert Guide

Far North Dallas: Where shops, restaurants, and recreation abound

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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Though they met and fell in love while living in Maui, Christine and Patrick Burke knew that one day they'd return to Texas to be closer to family. Specifically Far North Dallas, where Christine grew up.

After settling back into the Lone Star State in 2008, the two Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty agents began helping others buy and sell in their neighborhood in 2011.

"We love how convenient this area is to all of Dallas," says Patrick. "We love being so close to Addison and all its restaurants. It's very family-friendly and all services and amenities are really close by."

The Burkes offered up a few of their personal favorites about life in Far North Dallas. Here's their guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
You can't go wrong with Neighborhood Services or Hudson House in Addison, the pair says. There's also Lupe Tortilla in Addison, Cane Rosso in Hillcrest Village, and Lavendou on Preston Road near the President George Bush Turnpike.

Where to play
Besides plenty of restaurants, the new Hillcrest Village park area boasts a green space and playground. A bevy of country clubs can satisfy your need for golf and tennis: Bent Tree Country Club, Northwood Club, and Prestonwood Country Club, while T Bar M Racquet Club is one of the most prestigious tennis clubs in Texas and The Cove Aquatic Center at Fretz Park is the best place to take a refreshing dip.

Vitruvian Park offers live entertainment on occasion and some spectacular lights during the holidays, while Addison Circle Park hosts Kaboom Town, the largest 4th of July fireworks display in DFW.

What to see
Arts and culture abounds here, from WaterTower Theatre to Valley House Gallery to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

Where to live
"There are a lot of traditional ranch-style homes built in the 1950s and '60s, some two-story homes from the 1970s and '80s, and even contemporary and modern homes built more recently. There is no one style of home here," says Patrick. "You'll find everything from homes suitable for first-time buyers to large estate homes on acreage. There is truly something for every buyer in Far North Dallas."

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Christine and Patrick Burke live, work, and play in Far North Dallas. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email cburke@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-803-2960 and 214-862-4147.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

You'll find all different styles of homes here.

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House For Sale

Dallas house for sale from the '50s is still in original condition

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9203

There's a house for sale in East Dallas that's increasingly hard-to-find: a well-preserved home from the '50s for sale that's in nearly original condition.

The house is located at 9203 Lindaro Ln., just outside Loop 12 and walking distance to Bishop Lynch High School, in a stable neighborhood of homes build in the mid 1950s.

The listing by Bryant Nieves of Elite Real Estate Texas calls it a "beautifully preserved Mid-Century gem" with original hardwood floors in the downstairs bedrooms, a recently installed roof, a modern sprinkler system, and an upgraded AC unit.

There are multiple living spaces with a formal living & dining area, eat-in kitchen, and family room which includes an office nook with built-in desk. It has both a carport and attached 2-car garage, as well as a fully fenced yard.

Most of the homes in this neighborhood are 1,200 to 1,600 square feet, and priced from $250,000 to $350,000.

This house was built in 1957, but it differs in that it has a second-floor add-on over the garage — making it roomier at 2,202 square feet, with 5 bedrooms instead of the usual 3.

The two bathrooms are in original condition with '50s tile, both in good shape. The main bathroom has pale warm tan tile, almost flesh colored; the second bathroom, off one of the bedrooms, is a little prettier, with white tile and green-tile edging. Both are far superior to granite-look ceramic.

While both bathrooms merit admiration, this house is more about the wood. There are

original hardwood floors, all in great shape
wood doors including closet doors
wood paneling in the family room, with wood bookshelves and a build-in wood desk

There's also an odd wooden bookshelf that serves as a divider of sorts in the stacked formal living room.

The only room that looks unoriginal is the kitchen, which boasts white-washed '80s cabinets. It looks clean and functional, even if it does not match modern tastes.

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Facade of 9203 Lindaro is pleasing, thanks to the unpainted brick.

It sits on a 7,535 sqft lot and the asking price is $395,000 — a bit optimistic, even if they find the rare buyer who sees value in an untouched '50s home.

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