Dallas is a large, spread-out metro, and where you land matters as much as the city itself. A few basics apply everywhere: Texas has no state income tax, most day-to-day life still assumes a car even in transit-accessible areas, and summers run hot and humid, so proximity to shade, trails, and water (like White Rock Lake) is worth more than it sounds on paper. Because the metro is so large, picking the right neighborhood — not just the right city — is really the first decision to make.

Why Do People Choose Lake Highlands When Relocating to Dallas?

Lake Highlands is one of Dallas's more established Northeast neighborhoods, built up primarily from the late 1950s through the 1970s and organized around Richardson ISD, a district families specifically relocate to access. Add in direct access to White Rock Lake's trail system, Harry Moss Park, and Flag Pole Hill, and it's a neighborhood that reads as more settled and less transient than some of Dallas's newer, faster-turning-over areas — appealing if you want to feel established quickly after a move.

What's the Commute Like From Lake Highlands?

Lake Highlands sits at the crossing point of I-635 (LBJ Freeway) and US-75 (Central Expressway), with the Forest Lane and LBJ/Central DART Rail stations both nearby. Downtown Dallas is about five miles away, Medical City Dallas hospital is roughly 2.5 miles from the neighborhood's western edge, and Dallas Love Field is about 15 miles out — close enough for a straightforward airport run without living directly under a flight path.

What Does It Cost to Live in Lake Highlands?

Cost is one of the neighborhood's bigger selling points relative to Dallas's more heavily marketed areas. As one point of reference, one-bedroom apartments at The Link start in the roughly $900s and range up to about $1,980 for larger three-bedroom, townhome-style units — figures that will shift with availability and season, so treat them as a starting point rather than a quote. Renting also gives new arrivals flexibility that buying doesn't, which matters if you're still learning which part of Dallas actually fits your life.

What Should Be on Your Moving-to-Dallas Checklist?

• Tour neighborhoods in person or virtually before committing to a lease — Dallas is too spread out to guess.
• Budget for a security deposit, application fees, and first month's utilities on top of rent.
• If you're bringing a vehicle, register it in Texas within 30 days of establishing residency.
• New Texas residents are required to obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days of moving to the state.
• If you have kids, start the Richardson ISD enrollment process early — it's one of the reasons families choose this specific area.
• Update your address and set up renter's insurance before move-in day, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lake Highlands a good area for families moving to Dallas?

Yes. It's zoned for Richardson ISD and offers significant park and trail access via White Rock Lake and Harry Moss Park, both common priorities for relocating families.

How far is Lake Highlands from Dallas Love Field?

About 15 miles. DFW International Airport is farther out, so plan extra drive time if that's your home airport.

Do new Texas residents need to register their car and get a new license right away?

Texas requires new residents to register their vehicle within 30 days of moving and to obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days, per the Texas DMV. Confirm current requirements with the Texas DMV and Department of Public Safety, since rules can be updated.

What's the average rent for an apartment in Lake Highlands?

At The Link, for example, one-bedrooms start around $925 and three-bedroom townhome-style units run up to about $1,980, though pricing varies by floor plan, floor, and season — check current availability for exact numbers.

Ready to make Lake Highlands home? Tour The Link Apartments today.

The post Moving to Dallas? Why Lake Highlands Should Be on Your List appeared first on The Link Apartments Blog.

Lake Highlands sits in Northeast Dallas, roughly five miles — about a 15 to 20 minute drive — from downtown, with quick access to both I-635 (LBJ Freeway) and US-75 (Central Expressway). The Forest Lane DART Rail Station sits less than a mile from many neighborhood addresses, and the LBJ/Central Station isn't far either, so getting around without a car is realistic here in a way it isn't in a lot of Dallas suburbs.

What Is There to Do Outdoors in Lake Highlands?

This is the neighborhood's biggest draw. White Rock Lake itself covers 1,015 acres and is ringed by a 9.33-mile hike-and-bike trail — long enough for a serious training run, flat enough for an easy evening walk. Beyond the lake:

• Harry S. Moss Park connects to the White Rock Creek Trail for a quieter, more wooded alternative to the lake loop.
• Flag Pole Hill Park is a favorite for picnics, disc golf, and lake-adjacent green space.
• The lake's amenities include boat ramps, a kayak concession, a dog park, a Bath House Cultural Center, and an Audubon Society bird-watching area.
• The Dallas Arboretum sits at the lake's southern edge if you want a change of pace from trail running to garden walking.

What's the Food and Shopping Scene Like?

Lake Highlands leans toward everyday convenience over trendy destination dining — think local coffee shops, family-owned restaurants, and casual spots along Skillman Street and Northwest Highway, with larger retail centers just a short drive away for anything more specific. It's a neighborhood built for regulars, not tourists, which a lot of residents count as a feature, not a limitation.

How Do Residents Get Around?

Most people drive, but Lake Highlands has more transit access than its suburban feel suggests. The Forest Lane DART Rail Station and the LBJ/Central Station both connect the neighborhood to downtown Dallas and beyond, and Dallas Love Field is about 15 miles away for residents who fly frequently. Average commute times in the area run close to Dallas's citywide norm, helped along by direct highway access on both the north and south sides of the neighborhood.

Is Lake Highlands Good for Families and Pets?

Yes, on both counts. The neighborhood is zoned for Richardson ISD, a district families specifically move here to access, with schools including Skyview and Moss Haven elementary, Forest Meadow Junior High, and Lake Highlands High School. For pets, the trail network around White Rock Lake and Harry Moss Park doubles as some of the best dog-walking terrain in Dallas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Lake Highlands from downtown Dallas?

About five miles, or roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive depending on traffic, with direct access via I-635 and US-75.

What school district serves Lake Highlands?

Richardson ISD serves the Lake Highlands neighborhood, including Skyview and Moss Haven elementary schools, Forest Meadow Junior High School, and Lake Highlands High School.

Is White Rock Lake within walking distance of Lake Highlands apartments?

Many Lake Highlands communities, including The Link, are just minutes from White Rock Lake and its 9.33-mile trail system.

What's the best way to get to downtown Dallas without a car?

The Forest Lane and LBJ/Central DART Rail stations both serve the neighborhood and connect directly into downtown Dallas.

Want to call Lake Highlands home? See available apartments at The Link, just minutes from White Rock Lake.

The post The Local Guide to Life in Lake Highlands appeared first on The Link Apartments Blog.

Before you buy a single storage bin, take stock of what's already built in. Many floor plans include walk-in closets, private patios or balconies, and — in select units — vaulted ceilings and a fireplace. Those features are already doing some of the space-making work for you; the goal is to use them on purpose instead of letting them become junk drawers.

How Do You Make a Small Apartment Feel Bigger?

• Hang one large mirror across from a window to bounce natural light deeper into the room.
• Stick to a light, consistent color palette for large items (rugs, curtains, bedding) so the eye doesn't stop at furniture edges.
• Choose multi-functional furniture — a storage ottoman, a bed frame with drawers, a console table that also holds shoes by the door.
• Go vertical: floating shelves and over-the-door organizers use wall space instead of floor space.

What Should You Do First When You Move In?

Unpack in this order to avoid the "boxes everywhere for three weeks" trap: bedroom and bathroom essentials first (so you sleep and shower like a person on night one), kitchen basics second, then everything else. While you're at it, knock out the paperwork side of moving early — updating your address, setting up renter's insurance, and transferring utilities — so it's off your plate before work and life pick back up.

How Can You Use Community Amenities to "Expand" Your Living Space?

One advantage of apartment living that's easy to overlook: your home doesn't end at your front door. The pool, outdoor kitchen and cabana areas, fitness center, dog park, and clubhouse lounge are all effectively extra rooms you don't have to clean. Hosting friends for dinner in a one-bedroom feels a lot roomier when dessert happens poolside instead of squeezed around a small kitchen table.

Quick Room-by-Room Tips

Living Room

Float furniture away from the walls slightly to create a defined seating area rather than pushing everything to the perimeter — it actually reads as more spacious, not less.

Bedroom

Use the walk-in closet's full height with stackable bins for out-of-season items, and keep the floor clear so the room feels calm rather than cramped.

Kitchen

A slim rolling cart tucks into a corner and gives you extra counter space when you're cooking and out-of-the-way storage the rest of the time.

Patio

Even a small private patio can function as a mini living room with a bistro set, string lights, and a couple of potted plants — it's some of the best square footage you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to maximize storage in a small apartment?

Use vertical space first — over-the-door organizers, floating shelves, and the full height of walk-in closets — before adding more furniture. Multi-functional pieces like storage ottomans and beds with built-in drawers help too.

Are pets allowed at The Link Apartments?

Yes, cats and dogs are welcome. Pet limits, breed guidelines, and fees can be updated from time to time, so confirm current pet policy details with the leasing office before move-in.

Do apartments at The Link include a patio or balcony?

Many floor plans include a private patio or balcony, and select units also feature vaulted ceilings or a fireplace. Ask your leasing agent which features are available on the floor plan you're considering.

What size apartments are available at The Link?

Floor plans range from cozy one-bedrooms up to spacious three-bedroom, townhome-style units, so there's room to size up as your needs change without leaving the community.

Ready to put these tips to work? Explore available floor plans at The Link.

The post Small-Space Living Made Easy: 8 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Apartment appeared first on The Link Apartments Blog.