Oak Lawn Neighborhood in Dallas

In a survey of the twenty-six most walkable neighborhoods in the city of Dallas, Oak Lawn came in second place. The neighborhood is located between Dallas North Tollway and Turtle Creek and is only a few minutes north of Downtown. Over six thousand people live in Oak Lawn.

The cost of living in Oak Lawn is less than other neighborhoods in Dallas that are located closer to the center of downtown. The housing is more affordable and spacious than some of the trendier areas which makes the neighborhood an ideal place for professionals. Condos, townhouses, apartments and duplexes are four main housing options for people interested in living in the neighborhood. The Oak Lawn neighborhood is well established so it's not lacking in older single family homes. There is also an abundance of gay friendly places in the Oak Lawn area. Gay and Lesbian entertainment is found more predominantly in Oak Lawn than any other neighborhood in Dallas.

The neighborhood's main association is called The Oak Lawn Committee which was formed in 1982. The Oak Lawn Committee was created to bring together people who have an interest in building and advancing the Oak Lawn community. The committee serves an integral force that keeps Oak Lawn a great area by addressing neighborhood issues that affect quality of life. The committee was responsible in setting up a community landmark near the center of the neighborhood. A local landscape architect was used by the committee to create an oak garden and stone monument to celebrate the neighborhood and its elements.

Oak Lawn is also home to the city's first golf course which was introduced to Dallas in 1896. The area continues to introduce a mixture of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues to the Dallas area. Although the neighborhood is popular for many restaurants there are also theatre entertainment options for Oak Lawn residents and visitors. The neighborhood is also known for its historical buildings. The famous Warwick Melrose Hotel is located in the Oak Lawn neighborhood. The Warwick Melrose is a four-star historic hotel that was built in 1924. It is considered a Dallas landmark and has luxury rooms and a presidential suite.

The Kalita Humphreys Theatre was established in Oak Lawn in 1959 and was recognized as a historical facility in 2007. Over 500 theatre plays have been brought to the Oak Lawn community through the theatre. The theatre is a beautiful structure of squares and circles and has been awarded for its innovative architecture. A second theatre called the Kitchen Dog Theatre is also located in Oak Lawn. Kitchen Dog Theatre was founded in 1990 by five college students who were influenced by the play Waiting For Godot. The plays performed by the theatre deal with socially conscience and moral issues. The theatre challenges the audience to become more aware of injustice. The neighborhood even has its own symphonic orchestra known as the Oak Lawn Symphonic Band. The band performs at local venues around the Dallas area. Oak Lawn Symphonic Band has performed in the Dallas area since 1980.