Lake West

Located just west of Downtown Dallas and east of Loop 12, Lake West is a neighborhood of modest family homes at very reasonable prices that is home to about 3,000 people. This is one of the few places in Dallas where you can find a home for under $100,000. It is one of the most affordable areas in all of Dallas and is close to many top entertainment venues. It's served by the Dallas Independent School District, which has several of the best magnet and talented and gifted schools in the nation.

The neighborhood is home to two parks, Bickers Park and Fish Trap Park that have enough room for sports and a playground for children. There are a few local dining options such as Henderson Diner and Triple A Chicken, but if you want something other than chicken and burgers you'll have to travel to another part of the city. There is not the neighborhood spirit here that you'll find in other Dallas neighborhoods such as Lake Highlands, and the crime rate in this area has been on the rise in the past couple of decades as some homes have been rented out and the landscaping has suffered due to that fact.