North Oak Cliff
Just across the Trinity River from downtown Dallas lies Oak Cliff or North Oak Cliff, the birthplace of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain and home of the Texas Theater where Lee Harvey Oswald fled on Nov. 22, 1963. This historic dimension adds a special quality to its ethnically and architecturally diverse neighborhood.
Residents of this neighborhood enjoy gentle hills, ample oaks, creeks and parks as well as pockets of historic homes from the 1930s. Dallas lovers like the area's panoramic backdrop—the Dallas skyline.
Neighborhood Details
Cost of Housing
In addition to houses of white, Austin stone that date from the late 1930s, post-war ranch and contemporary-style brick houses are plentiful. These styles mix with perhaps a dozen examples of early 1930s revival architecture in North Oak Cliff's best-known areas, including Kessler Park and the Winnetka Heights Historic District.
Sale prices can vary widely in Oak Cliff. For example three bedroom homes with acreage are available for $300,000 to $400,000. Older three bedroom homes are available for $80,000 to $90,000, while newer, smaller two-bedroom homes can cost $125,000 or more. For $1,000 a month you can rent a comfortable three-bedroom home.
Duplexes and other rental properties typically go for around $500 for a spacious one-bedroom unit to $600 or $700 for a two-bedroom.
School System
The neighborhood is served by the Dallas Intermediate School District, as well as a few charter and private schools that have recently opened.
Entertainment
In the 1930s a major trolley stop helped popularize the Bishop Arts District, and now, with refaced buildings, circa 1920, it offers a 5-block area of galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. Ethnically diverse Jefferson Boulevard includes taquerias and mom-and-pop stores serving the area's Hispanic community and it hosts the Texas Theater which is currently undergoing restoration to serve as a movie house and performing arts venue.
Oak Cliff is offset by a collection of pocket parks, small lakes and the Stevens Park Golf Course.
Transportation
The DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) light-rail system provides fast ten-minute, seven-mile trips to Reunion Arena, home of the Dallas Stars professional hockey team and the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team. DART also connects with the Trinity Railway Express to provide access to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 40 minutes or 20 miles away.
The neighborhood is convenient to downtown Dallas, less than 15 minutes, by a series of viaducts and easy access to Interstates 30 and 35.
