Preston Hollow vs Highland Park: Choosing Your Dallas Lifestyle

Trying to choose between Preston Hollow and Highland Park? Both offer top-tier Dallas living, yet the daily rhythm, scale, and feel of each neighborhood are distinct. If you value privacy and space, you may lean one way. If you want village walkability and a unified town identity, you may lean the other. In this guide, you will compare homes, lots, schools, commute, amenities, and regulations so you can decide which fits your lifestyle best. Let’s dive in.

Quick overview: two premier enclaves

Highland Park is an incorporated town with its own government and services. It sits centrally, with a compact footprint and a strong village identity. Many daily needs cluster around the town’s retail center and park corridors.

Preston Hollow is a large neighborhood within the City of Dallas. It spans multiple enclaves and styles, with Dallas providing municipal services and code enforcement. Its broader area places you closer to north Dallas retail and medical corridors.

Municipal control shapes how each place looks and operates. Highland Park sets its own ordinances and review processes, while Preston Hollow follows City of Dallas zoning and permitting. That difference affects design oversight, setbacks, and how renovations or additions move through approvals.

Housing and lot size

Highland Park homes

You will find a cohesive streetscape with early 20th-century styles such as Tudor revival, Georgian, Spanish or Mediterranean, Colonial, and classic Park Cities design. Lots are generous by urban standards, with formal lawns and mature trees, though very large acreage is uncommon. Renovations are frequent and align with the town’s emphasis on a consistent, village-like feel.

Preston Hollow homes

Expect broad variety. Legacy mid-century estates, ranch-style homes, and mid-century modern mix with a wave of tear-downs replaced by contemporary large-scale residences. Larger lots and estate parcels are common, with more variability in setback, scale, and gated or private drives. Buyers seeking room for a pool compound, sport court, or expanded footprint often focus here.

Privacy, walkability, and vibe

Highland Park skews more walkable around its village and parks. You feel a defined town identity and visual continuity from block to block. The design language is refined and traditional, with an emphasis on pedestrian-friendly streets.

Preston Hollow is more car-oriented in many sections. Many properties are tucked behind mature landscaping or gates, which enhances privacy. If you want an estate-scale setting within Dallas, Preston Hollow typically offers more options.

Schools and education

Highland Park ISD is one of Texas’ most highly regarded public school districts and is a major draw for families who prioritize public education. The district’s unified boundaries simplify planning for those who want consistency.

In Preston Hollow, school assignment varies by address. Many homes fall within Dallas ISD, and some addresses may align with nearby districts. Because zones change and vary by street, you should verify the exact public school assignment for any property. Both areas provide plentiful private school choices in and around the Park Cities and north Dallas.

Commute and access

Both neighborhoods offer strong access to Dallas job centers, but your office location and travel time matter. Highland Park’s central position generally yields shorter drives to Uptown and Downtown, and it is easier to walk to dining and retail within the town core.

Preston Hollow sits farther north, which can help if you commute to north Dallas corporate clusters or suburban job centers. Access to toll roads and major arterials varies by sub-area, so it is smart to map peak-hour routes from specific addresses.

Shopping, dining, and recreation

Highland Park centers daily life around its village shopping and dining district, with municipal parks woven into the town fabric. You will also find nearby private country clubs. Park access and a village pace support an easy, walkable routine.

Preston Hollow places you near large retail hubs such as the broader north Dallas shopping and medical corridors, including the NorthPark Center area. The larger lots support private-at-home amenities like pools and courts. Both neighborhoods offer access to golf, tennis, and private social clubs, though membership availability and wait times vary.

Rules, permits, and renovations

Because Highland Park is an incorporated town, its local standards and review processes can influence exterior changes and development in certain areas. Renovations are common and can be subject to municipal ordinances and any local design guidelines.

In Preston Hollow, permitting and design review follow City of Dallas procedures. Deed restrictions, HOAs, and historic overlays vary by street and subdivision. There is a higher incidence of tear-downs and custom builds, thanks to larger lots and varied housing stock. Always confirm any private covenants, setbacks, and lot coverage before you plan a remodel or new construction.

Taxes and carrying costs

High valuations in both areas typically produce high annual property tax bills. Highland Park homes reflect the town’s municipal rate plus Highland Park ISD levies. Preston Hollow properties are taxed under the City of Dallas and the applicable school district and special districts. Compare total carrying costs across taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and any HOA or club dues before you decide.

Resale and long-term fit

Highland Park’s compact footprint and well-known school district help sustain steady demand. Its homes often move on predictable cycles in the luxury bracket. Preston Hollow’s appeal centers on lot size and redevelopment potential. A well-executed custom home on a large lot can perform very well, but styles and tastes change over time. Keep a clear resale perspective if you plan highly specific or niche improvements.

Buyer checklist

Use this list to compare specific addresses side by side:

• Verify exact public school assignments for the property.
• Review current property tax bill and effective tax rate.
• Obtain CC&Rs, HOA rules, and confirm any historic or conservation overlays.
• Confirm lot dimensions, easements, tree ordinances, and setback requirements.
• Check floodplain maps and any drainage or flood claims.
• Inspect utility connections and major systems such as roof, HVAC, sewer, and electrical.
• Review permit history for additions, pools, and prior renovations.
• Test real commute times during peak hours for your workplace.
• Explore membership availability and costs for country clubs if that matters to you.

Which fits your lifestyle?

• Choose Highland Park if you want a unified town identity, walkable village access, and a highly regarded public school district in a compact setting. Lots are generous but more park- and pedestrian-oriented.
• Choose Preston Hollow if you prioritize privacy, larger lots, and the option to design an estate-scale home. You will be well positioned for north-bound commutes and near major north Dallas retail and medical corridors.

Work with a trusted local advisor

Your decision comes down to the way you want to live. Do you picture evening strolls to the village and a timeless streetscape, or a secluded retreat with space to expand? As a fifth-generation Dallasite with a boutique, white-glove approach, I help you weigh address-by-address tradeoffs on schools, commute, buildability, and long-term value. From quiet off-market opportunities to coordinated remodels and smooth closings, you can expect concierge-caliber support and discretion at every step.

Ready to find the right fit? Connect with Darla Ripley to start a tailored, confidential search.

FAQs

What are the core differences between Highland Park and Preston Hollow?

• Highland Park is an incorporated town with a compact, walkable village identity, while Preston Hollow is a larger Dallas neighborhood known for bigger lots, privacy, and estate-scale living.

How do public schools compare between the two neighborhoods?

• Highland Park ISD is a major draw for those prioritizing public schools, while Preston Hollow assignments vary by address, so you should verify the exact zone for each property.

Which area offers larger lots and more privacy?

• Preston Hollow generally provides larger lots and more opportunities for gated or secluded estates, while Highland Park offers generous but denser, park-oriented parcels.

How do renovation and building rules differ?

• Highland Park has its own municipal ordinances and local review in certain areas, while Preston Hollow follows City of Dallas rules and any street-specific deed restrictions or overlays.

What should I confirm before making an offer in either area?

• Verify school zones, tax estimates, CC&Rs or HOAs, setbacks and lot coverage, flood status, permit history, major system condition, and peak-hour commute times for your workplace.