Texans aren’t exactly known for their love of walking. After all, being outside isn’t the most pleasant when the thermostat tops 90 degrees for months. And in busy metro areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, the traffic can make it downright dangerous to walk or bike on many main roads. But walkable neighborhoods are a big draw for many residents, especially if it can cut down on the costs of car ownership and time spent in traffic. Believe it or not, North Texas does have some walkable neighborhoods. If you want to get by without a car, here are some of the best neighborhoods to do it. 

Uptown

Photo courtesy of Uptown at Cityplace Station

The Uptown neighborhood is arguably one of the hottest places to be in Dallas. With a ton of new development in the area, including multi-use high-rise buildings, this neighborhood is lively and exciting. All the shopping, dining, and nightlife that you need is right here. The expanded Katy Trail provides opportunities to get exercise, too. Uptown is less than three miles from Downtown Dallas, where many jobs are located. It may be a bit too long to walk each way — especially in the heat — but the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail has a stop in Uptown at Cityplace Station.

Deep Ellum

If Uptown is clean, shiny, and ideal for young professionals who work in downtown, Deep Ellum is the artsier, slightly grungy alternative. Deep Ellum has plenty of dining options, funky boutiques, bars, and concert venues. While a few new high-rise buildings are under construction in Deep Ellum, a lot of the available housing units are converted lofts in old warehouses. DART serves the neighborhood with a Deep Ellum station, making it easy and quick to get around town.

Plano Legacy West

Rendering courtesy of Legacy West

You don’t need to live or work near Downtown Dallas if you want to be car-free. The Legacy West development in Plano is the epicenter of many of the biggest developments in North Texas right now. Major companies have moved there, including the Toyota North American headquarters, Liberty Mutual, and JP Morgan Chase. And the Legacy West development is more than just a place to work. Loft apartments are located in Legacy West, along with healthy restaurants and stores like West Elm and Madewell. You can live, work, and play all in the same neighborhood. But when you need to travel outside Plano, you can ride a DART express bus to the Parker Road light rail station. 

Near Southside – Fort Worth

Fort Worth’s hottest neighborhood is a place where it’s easy to get by without a car. The century-old Near Southside area has been totally revamped for that perfect mix of history and hipness. Boutiques, breweries, and bistros line Magnolia Avenue, and nightclubs and a mix of housing options are within walking distance. The neighborhood is also only a couple miles from the Hospital District and Downtown Fort Worth. Several bike-sharing companies offer the option to rent a bike and ride around the area. You can also ride the T, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority bus, less than three miles to the Trinity Rail Express T&P Station. From the TRE, you can ride to points east including the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The TRE also connects to the DART light rail system, which takes you all around Dallas and a few suburbs. 

Downtown Fort Worth

Rendering courtesy of Movie Tavern

Downtown Fort Worth is transforming into the definition of a true downtown: busy, thriving, and a center of business and culture alike. The popular West 7th entertainment district is located just near the downtown area, where you can enjoy nightclubs, brewpubs, and fine dining. The Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) is the endpoint for the Trinity Railway Express and it’s located in the heart of downtown. If you want to get to the Cultural District, which is just about five miles west of downtown, The T offers shuttles to get there.

Being car-free in DFW requires a little bit of careful planning, particularly in where you work. But if you choose to live and work in some of the neighborhoods mentioned above, getting by without a car is perfectly doable. Just make sure to carry a water bottle, especially on the hot days.