If you dig the idea of lakeside living without leaving the city, welcome to Lakewood, which features the jewel of Dallas in White Rock Lake. The neighboring Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden serves as a delightful day trip for both budding nature photographers and those who appreciate all things in bloom alike.

Not far from home you've got local and international suds at the Craft Beer Cellar, the city's best Napoletana-certified pizza from Cane Rosso, easy access to White Rock Trail and the YMCA pressed juice at Roots, punched-up groceries at Whole Foods, and did we

already mention the lake? Bring a kayak or canoe, rent one of those bikes that are everywhere, look at the birds, catch some fish, throw a frisbee, smell those nice grill smells, you are at the lake, you are at home, take it all in.

Quiet and peaceful by and large, it's easy to feel like you're getting away from it all in Lakewood, despite being less than 15 minutes from downtown. If you're feeling not quite Dallas but not quite not Dallas, Lakewood is the place to call home.