Area · Dallas County
Park Cities
The Park Cities is the shared name for the Town of Highland Park and the City of University Park, two independent municipalities within Dallas.
About Park Cities
Buyers searching the Park Cities are typically comparing two separate municipalities with their own city services and tax rates, both served by Highland Park ISD.
Because the two communities share a school district and many amenities, we recommend comparing specific streets, lot sizes and property condition rather than relying on the municipality alone.
Use the search below to see active listings across both Highland Park and University Park.
Schools
The Park Cities are served by Highland Park ISD. School assignment depends on the specific address. Verify attendance zones directly with the district before making a decision.
Housing styles
- Two independent towns — Highland Park and University Park — surrounded by Dallas, together known as the Park Cities
- Housing ranges from 1920s Tudor and Mediterranean cottages near SMU to large new-construction estates along Beverly Drive and the Turtle Creek corridor
- Zoning in both towns is almost entirely single-family; the few condominium buildings are near the SMU campus and the Mockingbird/Preston corridors
- Teardown and rebuild activity is common; most new homes are built to the maximum footprint allowed on 50–75 ft lots
Dining & shopping
- Highland Park Village (Highland Park) — luxury retail and dining in a National Historic Landmark center
- Snider Plaza (University Park) — neighborhood shops, Kuby's Sausage House, Peggy Sue BBQ, Bubba's Cooks Country
- Preston Center (edge of University Park) — restaurants, grocery and services shared with Preston Hollow
- Mockingbird Station and Knox Street — walkable dining and retail minutes from either town
Parks & recreation
- Lakeside Park and Davis Park along Turtle Creek (Highland Park)
- Curtis Park with its public pool, Goar Park and Caruth Park (University Park)
- The Katy Trail runs along the eastern edge, connecting to Uptown and Victory Park
- SMU campus grounds, Meadows Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Center are open to the public
Commute & access
- Dallas North Tollway on the west edge and US-75 (Central Expressway) on the east
- DART Red/Orange lines at Mockingbird Station and SMU/Mockingbird
- Love Field is roughly a 10–15 minute drive; downtown Dallas about 10 minutes outside peak hours
- Both towns operate their own police and fire departments
Landmarks
- Highland Park Village (1931) — National Historic Landmark
- Southern Methodist University and the Meadows Museum
- Highland Park Town Hall and Highland Park Presbyterian Church
- Dallas Country Club, founded 1896, in Highland Park
Local tips
- Ask which town a property is in — Highland Park and University Park have separate municipal services, permitting and tax rates
- Highland Park ISD serves both towns, but assignment is by address; verify with the district
- Street parking and construction rules differ between the two towns and affect renovation timelines
- Christmas lights along Armstrong Parkway and Beverly Drive draw visitors every December
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Homes in Park Cities
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