Is North Lake Highlands safe?
Dallas, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates North Lake Highlands as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on North Lake Highlands
“Go with care. North Lake Highlands is predominantly a pleasant, family-friendly residential enclave with leafy streets and strong community pride. While the neighborhood's interior is peaceful and secure, visitors should exercise basic street smarts around major commercial corridors and multi-family complexes along Forest Lane and Skillman Street.”
About the area
North Lake Highlands is an established Dallas community known for mid-century ranch architecture, expansive neighborhood parks, and direct connections to regional trail networks. It bridges quiet suburban-style residential pockets with bustling commercial arterials near the I-635 corridor.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Lake Highlands
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 48/100
The Lake Highlands Trail offers a paved multi-use off-street route connecting southward to White Rock Lake, though commercial bike-share hubs are not present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable single-family residential blocks with higher-than-average homeownership and median household incomes
- Direct recreational access to the Lake Highlands Trail system and neighborhood parks
- Low violent crime rates within the core residential subdivisions
Cons
- Higher rates of vehicle break-ins and theft near busy commercial strips and large apartment complexes
- Suburban design with limited walkability on major thoroughfares
- Notable contrast in activity and safety levels between interior streets and arterial corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the interior neighborhoods, though individuals and small encampments are sometimes observed near major highway underpasses along I-635 and at prominent intersections along Forest Lane.
What North Lake Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and calm with dog walkers, joggers, and school-bound traffic filling residential avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and steady with light local traffic and standard retail activity in strip centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Warm and community-focused at local eateries and brewery patios, though foot traffic on side streets thins out.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet across residential streets, though caution is recommended around late-night convenience stores and along I-635 access roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) serves the area via local bus routes and nearby rail access, including the Lake Highlands Station on the Blue Line and Forest Lane Station on the Red/Orange Lines.
Free surface lot parking is abundant at shopping centers, and street parking is open and readily available in residential areas without meters.
Things to do in North Lake Highlands
- Bike, run, or walk along the Lake Highlands Trail toward White Rock Creek
- Visit Lake Highlands North Park and Recreation Center for tennis, open fields, and family amenities
- Explore local craft beers and scratch food at neighborhood gathering spots along Walnut Hill and Skillman
Local favorites
- Resident Taqueria · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Acclaimed neighborhood taqueria serving creative chef-driven tacos and fresh margaritas.
- Vector Brewing · Brewery & Kitchen · 4.7★ (680)Lively family-friendly brewpub offering house-crafted beers, sourdough pizzas, and patio seating.
- RM 12:20 Bistro · French Bistro · 4.7★ (460)Charming neighborhood bistro serving elevated French-inspired comfort classics and craft cocktails.
Neighborhoods near North Lake Highlands
Common questions about North Lake Highlands
Is North Lake Highlands safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is North Lake Highlands a good place to live?
On safety, North Lake Highlands scores 70/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is North Lake Highlands?
Walk score 44/100 and bike score 48/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near North Lake Highlands are safer?
The Pavilions Dallas (86), Country Town Home Villages (76), Amber Dawn (74) score higher nearby.
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