Living in Fort Worth
Let's break down the neighborhoods.
Top neighborhoods in Fort Worth
Downtown / Sundance Square
Brick streets and the plaza in the heart of the city.
Best for: Professionals who want walkable urban living
Novara take
- Walkability5
- Nightlife4
- Coffee & food5
- Shopping4
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly4
- Parking ease3
- Quiet2
Getting around: Trinity Railway Express and TEXRail from Fort Worth Central Station; I-30 and I-35W.
Local favorites: Sundance Square Plaza · Bass Performance Hall · Fort Worth Water Gardens
Downtown Fort Worth centers on Sundance Square, 35 blocks of restored buildings, restaurants and shops around a central plaza. Bass Performance Hall anchors the arts scene. High-rise and mid-rise apartments put everything within walking distance.
Photo: Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Near Southside
Magnolia Avenue patios and local spots.
Best for: Renters who want local restaurants, bars and a creative vibe
Novara take
- Walkability4
- Nightlife4
- Coffee & food5
- Shopping3
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly5
- Parking ease3
- Quiet3
Getting around: Just south of downtown via I-30 and Main Street; the hospital district is in the neighborhood.
Local favorites: Magnolia Avenue restaurants · Fort Worth Medical District · Fort Worth Botanic Garden (nearby)
The Near Southside is home to Magnolia Avenue's local restaurants and bars and to the city's medical district. Historic homes mix with new apartments and mixed-use buildings. It's lively and walkable, with a strong independent streak.
Photo: Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
West 7th
Apartments, patios and nightlife off 7th Street.
Best for: Young professionals who want nightlife and a short drive to everything
Novara take
- Walkability4
- Nightlife5
- Coffee & food5
- Shopping4
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly4
- Parking ease3
- Quiet2
Getting around: West 7th Street connects to downtown in a few minutes; I-30 nearby.
Local favorites: Crockett Row · Will Rogers Memorial Center (nearby) · Trinity Trails
West 7th sits between downtown and the Cultural District, packed with mid-rise apartments, bars and restaurants. Crockett Row is the main entertainment strip. Expect a busy weekend scene and tight parking.
Photo: MavsMan27, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cultural District
World-class museums and the Will Rogers center.
Best for: Renters who love art, events and a calmer urban feel
Novara take
- Walkability4
- Nightlife3
- Coffee & food4
- Shopping3
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly4
- Parking ease4
- Quiet3
Getting around: Camp Bowie Boulevard and I-30; a few minutes to downtown and West 7th.
Local favorites: Kimbell Art Museum · Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth · Dickies Arena
The Cultural District holds the Kimbell, the Modern and the Amon Carter museums, plus Dickies Arena and the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Nearby apartments and homes give easy access to West 7th. It's quieter than downtown but still central.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
TCU / Berkeley
Campus energy and tree-lined streets.
Best for: Students, faculty and renters who like a college-neighborhood feel
Novara take
- Walkability3
- Nightlife3
- Coffee & food4
- Shopping3
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly4
- Parking ease3
- Quiet3
Getting around: University Drive and I-30; about 10 minutes to downtown.
Local favorites: Amon G. Carter Stadium · University Park Village · Fort Worth Zoo (nearby)
The TCU area surrounds Texas Christian University, with older homes and student housing nearby. Berkeley Place, a historic neighborhood to the north, offers tree-lined streets and period homes. Game days bring crowds, while weekdays are calmer.
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fairmount
Craftsman bungalows in a historic district.
Best for: Renters who want historic homes close to Magnolia Avenue
Novara take
- Walkability4
- Nightlife3
- Coffee & food4
- Shopping2
- Grocery & errands3
- Pet-friendly5
- Parking ease3
- Quiet4
Getting around: Just south of downtown and next to the Near Southside; I-30 and I-35W nearby.
Local favorites: Magnolia Avenue · Fairmount Home Tour · Historic bungalow streets
Fairmount is one of the largest historic districts in Texas, filled with early 1900s Craftsman bungalows. It sits beside the Near Southside, so the Magnolia Avenue restaurants are a short walk. Rentals are usually homes or duplexes.
Photo: Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stockyards
Cattle drives, honky-tonks and Western history.
Best for: Renters who want character, nightlife and a little cowboy culture
Novara take
- Walkability4
- Nightlife5
- Coffee & food4
- Shopping4
- Grocery & errands2
- Pet-friendly3
- Parking ease3
- Quiet2
Getting around: North Main Street to downtown in about 10 minutes; Grapevine Vintage Railroad stops here.
Local favorites: Twice-daily cattle drive · Billy Bob's Texas · Mule Alley
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District hosts the twice-daily longhorn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, along with rodeos and honky-tonks like Billy Bob's Texas. Newer apartments have been built around the district. It's busy with visitors, especially on weekends.
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alliance
Master-planned living in north Fort Worth.
Best for: Families and commuters working in north Fort Worth
Novara take
- Walkability2
- Nightlife2
- Coffee & food3
- Shopping4
- Grocery & errands4
- Pet-friendly4
- Parking ease5
- Quiet4
Getting around: I-35W and SH-170; near Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the AllianceTexas business district.
Local favorites: Alliance Town Center · Fort Worth Alliance Air Show · Presidio shopping area
Alliance is the fast-growing far north part of Fort Worth, built around the AllianceTexas business and logistics district and its airport. Master-planned communities, newer apartments and shopping centers fill the area. It's quiet and convenient for anyone working nearby.
Photo: Designism, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Clearfork
Upscale shops and apartments on the Trinity.
Best for: Renters who want polished, newer living near trails and shopping
Novara take
- Walkability3
- Nightlife3
- Coffee & food4
- Shopping5
- Grocery & errands4
- Pet-friendly5
- Parking ease4
- Quiet4
Getting around: Chisholm Trail Parkway and I-20; near the Trinity Trails.
Local favorites: The Shops at Clearfork · Trinity Trails · Waterside (nearby)
Clearfork is a newer upscale mixed-use development along the Clear Fork of the Trinity River in southwest Fort Worth. It combines high-end shops, restaurants and offices with luxury apartments. The Trinity Trails run right alongside.
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons