Northeast Dallas White Rock

"Old Money" families, the nouveau-riche who prefer the tranquility of the lake to the in-your-face community spirit of Highland Park, professionals and older families looking for retirement homes within the city limits, along with some not-so-rich families that just enjoy the many amenities that living near such a beautiful area has to offer. Runners, sailing enthusiasts, bikers and activists especially work hard to keep the area nice; there is a conservation group known as "For the love of the Lake" that meets regularly to clean, upgrade, and fundraise for the park and lake maintenance. The local Boy Scouts of America also lend a hand around the area, picking up trash and caring for the geese and swans that live in the area.

All around White Rock Lake is technically "dry", but you will find liquor stores flanking its south and north sides. This is genuinely a neighborhood and most activities are focused on the outdoors; you will find nearby haunts like Lota's Goat, Papou's and Matt's Ranch to the south, Lake Highlands Cafeteria, Chili's and Lover's Pizza to the north and the wealth of restaurants and bars along the northern stretch of Greenville (starting at the south end, where Bangkok City has the some of the best Thai in town and Ozona's Grill wins out consistently for best brunch, hangover food and bar drafts), then wend your way to the Krispy Kreme/Central Market area and all the way throughout the Old Town Shopping Center area to the Two Rows brew pub, various wing shacks, Freebirds Burritos and Cowboy Chicken are the standouts.

You can live big here (some houses run into the millions) but most are in the 300-450,000k range if you're looking for an actual view of the skyline, the lake itself, or the hill overlooking the lake. Smaller homes pepper the neighborhood around Flagpole Hill; the neighborhood has an amazing set of tame albino and regular peacocks roaming the area. Should you be lucky enough to stop and see them, they'll come right up to your door, expecting to be fed (so be careful when you're driving around that area!).

Nearer Hexter Elementary are plenty of small, charming houses to rent; apartments to the south (bordering the Tampico Motel) are a bit seedy, but again, you get what you pay for. If you're looking for apartments around this area, be sure to tour the property first. The neighborhoods between Lovers Lane and Mockingbird Station are older and therefore more affordable, especially if you've got a roommate or two that can pitch in for a nice 60's house with a circular driveway out front. Or you can always live in those lofts around Mockinbird Station, if you don't mind throwing down a few grand a month on rent.

The area is blessed with literally TONS of parking. Parking lots surround the lake itself, plus there are two light rail stations: Mockingbird Station and White Rock Station. This allows commuters to park and ride, as they say, making commuting easy, cheap and safe. There are plenty of bus stops throughout the area that can drop you off at a rail station and the area is also serviced by DART-On-Call for the disabled and the elderly.

To live well here, you're going to be better off renting a house with a roommate or as a couple than as a loner; the rents are more in the $1200-3000 range. Apartments can be had and some have trails that go directly to the lake itself; a list of apartments with rent under a grand can be found here. Most apartments will expect a pet deposit; drive around and you might be lucky enough to find a garage apartment or spare room for rent.

Being a lake full of parks, a dog park and trails, this area is beyond animal-friendly. There are both the East Lake Veterinary Hospital, which offers pet boarding, and White Rock Animal Hospital to treat your best friend.

The Bath House Arts and Cultural Center hosts events and plays throughout the year; the Dallas Arboretum offers a stroll through tranquil gardens away from the throngs of people every weekend around White Rock Lake (and children's camps and learning opportunities during the summer); fishing, sailing, and playing frisbee golf are perfect weekend activities for those who love the outdoors. Nearby Mockingbird Station has the Angelika Film Center showing arthouse films (take your drink in with you... really!) and a myriad of hotspots to eat, drink and be merry.

If you're on a budget, look to the rental housing and apartments on the south end of the lake or to the streets near Hexter Elementary. Gorgeous updated two-bedroom homes with meticulous details can be found near Easton and the neighborhoods surrounding Lovers Lane, with the cherry views along Shoreview and Classen.

White Rock Lake is surrounded by "Flagship" grocery stores: Tom Thumb, Central Market, a huge, recently redesigned Kroger, an Albertson's at the Casa Linda plaza, plus the La Michoacana meat market at Walnut Hill and Audelia has amazing marinated meats for grilling (which sits across from the ubiquitous Wal-Mart neighborhood grocery store).

White Rock Lake serves as "the gym" for many people due to its 9.33 mile biking, hiking and jogging trails. Workout stations in mini-parks surround the lake for those looking to do a boot-camp style outdoor workout.

There's also the 24 Hour Fitness locations at Casa Linda and Mockingbird and Greenville, plus the Y down at the south end of the lake near the spillway.

Every type of bank possible surrounds the lake: Bank of America, Wachovia, Compass Bank, WaMu, you name it.

Hexter Elementary, Casa View Elementary (public); White Rock North School (private); Robert T Hill Middle School