Austin Neighborhoods
Barton Creek
Barton Creek is 5.4 square miles, an easy commute to downtown, and holds the honor of being one of Austin’s largest and oldest neighborhoods. This quiet and safe neighborhood features luxury homes with various architectural styles dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century. With multiple dining and nightlife options along the borders of this neighborhood, there is plenty to see and do! Surrounded by the Barton Creek Greenbelt, roughly two-thirds of this area offers plenty of green space for hiking and biking; and Zilker Park, Austin’s favorite city park, is well within walking distance.
Central Austin
If you enjoy living in the city and enjoy the comfort of a small community, Central Austin is the place for you! Homes in Central Austin have something for everyone, from fixer-uppers to new construction; this area has become a highly desirable location for homebuyers!
Apart from its proximity to downtown, more appealing features of Central Austin are famous attractions like the University of Texas college campus, the Texas State Capitol buildings, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Lyndon B. Johnson Library, and more!
Close by, 6th street offers excellent nightlife, and 5th street is home to as much live music as you can handle! Only a short walk away, the 2nd Street District is home to unique locally-owned shops and boutiques that offer everything from fashion to home decor.
Central Austin is close to Lady Bird Lake and Shoal Creek, which provide miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
Cherrywood
Cherrywood is one of the premier neighborhoods of East Austin. For those who want to be close to the University of Texas, this neighborhood, named for the major north-south artery, Cherrywood Road, that runs through the middle of it, is an excellent location with a strong sense of community! This eclectic neighborhood is within walking distance to several well-known Austin landmarks like Mi Madre’s Restaurant, Cherrywood Coffeehouse, and Patterson Park. The early to the mid-century array of cottage-style homes, bungalows, and sprawling ranch-style homes surrounded by lush trees give this neighborhood an old-world charm. That charm combined with a diverse culture that is genuinely unique and quintessentially Austin! It’s a highly desirable place to live given its character & culture.
Circle C Ranch
Neighboring the beautiful Texas Hill Country and only 12 miles south of downtown, Circle C Ranch is one of the most well-known master-planned communities in Southwest Austin. This community has over 3,700 homes with diverse architectural styles constructed by Texas’s most popular home builders. The Circle C community includes a year-round, outdoor, Olympic-size heated pool, state-of-the-art recreation centers, miles of hiking trails, and outstanding parks & playgrounds for residents to enjoy. This community also features Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park, Grey Rock Golf & Tennis Club, and easy access to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Clarksville
Established in the 1870s and just a mile west of downtown, Clarksville is one of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods with a unique, rich history and traditional architecture. The diverse community of Clarksville is a National Historic District and celebrates its deep cultural roots. This woodsy pedestrian-friendly central Austin neighborhood is known for its modest bungalows, annual events for residents, and a strong sense of place and community. Bordered by Lamar Boulevard, there are plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance. With sites like Waterloo Records and the New HOPE Outdoor Gallery nearby, this area will always offer that elusive Old Austin charm!
Crestview & Brentwood
Austin was given the nickname the “City of the Violet Crown ” in the early 1890s to describe the color of the sky as the sun slid behind the hills. When development first began in the Crestview and Brentwood communities, that beautiful violet glow of the sunset could be seen for miles, giving this area of Austin the notoriety of “The Violet Crown.” This classic central Austin community has nostalgic 1940s bungalow-style homes known for their covered porches, with large backyards and quiet streets. Brentwood Neighborhood Park offers a pool, sports fields, a covered pavilion, and a walking path for all ages to enjoy. With several urban markets nearby, Crestview residents also enjoy excellent food, shopping, and entertainment options.
Davenport Ranch
Only 15 minutes west of downtown Austin, Davenport Ranch offers quiet, scenic living, plenty of recreational opportunities, and easy access to the city. From luxury estates to townhomes, this exclusive community offers a broad selection of homes throughout several distinct neighborhoods while preserving much of the area’s natural beauty. With spectacular views of Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge, the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve nearby, and access to the Austin Country Club, residents of this community, enjoy an exceptional lifestyle. Residents can find shopping and entertainment at the Davenport Village Shopping Center, and the Arboretum and Barton Creek Square Mall are just a minute’s drive away in either direction.
Downtown
The Downtown District encompasses two square miles. Living Downtown offers residents a dense urban feel with stunning views of the Austin skyline and Lady Bird Lake from luxury high-rise condos and apartments. Congress Avenue is the main thoroughfare of downtown and leads straight into the historic capitol building. South Congress Avenue is one of the trendiest spots in the city, lined with specialty shops, one-of-a-kind storefronts, and plenty to eat, drink and do.
Lady Bird Lake serves as the southern border of downtown. The gentle water of Lady Bird Lake provides the city with its authentic charm where boaters and kayakers can be seen making their way across the water every day of the year. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, 10 miles of trail surrounding both sides of Lady Bird Lake, connects to several natural outlets from the city, including Auditorium Shores and Deep Eddy Pool.
Congress Avenue Bridge spans over Lady Bird Lake and is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats that put on quite a show for spectators as they exit the bridge every evening to feed during the warmer months of the year. These bats are welcome friends to the community and offer a beautiful reminder that we live in nature, not the other way around.
Not only are several well-established tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Indeed headquartered downtown, but the area also offers around 720k square feet of co-working spaces that are perfect for bootstrapped startups hoping to get going in the Silicon Hills.
With busy sidewalks and bustling businesses surrounded by miles of natural areas and green space, downtown Austin is the ideal location to live, work, and play!
East Austin
East Austin is a vibrant, walkable area with a proximity to Downtown. As one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the area, this community strongly emphasizes supporting local businesses and living sustainably. This area of town is home to East Austin gardeners and farmers with roughly half of the city’s community gardens and at least four urban farms: Green Gate Farms, Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Boggy Creek Farm, and Springdale Farm. The hip and trendy homes, condos, and apartments in this eclectic community are surrounded by unique vintage boutiques, popular restaurants like Franklin BBQ, East Side Tavern, and Jacoby’s, and some of the city’s best street art!
Hyde Park
Conveniently located only 10 minutes away from downtown, historic Hyde Park is considered Austin’s first suburb. With its proximity to The University of Texas, this eclectic neighborhood is known for attracting free-spirited thinkers and has held fast to its bohemian charm. This area’s shady, tree-lined streets are decorated with vividly colored Craftsman-style bungalows, detailed Queen Annes, and gabled Tudor Revivals dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. With well-tended sidewalks and shaded front porches, neighbors in this hip little village tend to be a close-knit, friendly group who know and greet each other in the neighborhood restaurants and cafes. Residents of this area also tend to be very active in the community, particularly in preserving the atmosphere of Hyde Park’s unique treasures like the Elisabet Ney Museum, Fire Station #9, a Moonlight Tower, Shipe Park & Pool, and Avenue B Grocery & Market. With Clusters of homegrown, non-chain restaurants, local retail stores, and shops, art galleries, parks, and playgrounds, residents in this area advocate for limiting development and strongly support their green spaces. Hyde Park is a calm, self-contained oasis with a sense of safety and community that feels entirely impervious to the frenetic energy of its busy city borders.
Mueller
Just a 5-mile drive from downtown, this small neighborhood began in 2007 has snowballed into a large community featuring sustainable and urban designs. Homes in this highly walkable neighborhood offer a wide variety of custom homes. Most homes in this neighborhood feature welcoming porches and stoops with accessible parking from the alley, perfect for family-based homeowners. This community prioritizes its amenities like bike lanes and wide sidewalks. The Thinkery Children’s Museum and Alamo Drafthouse offer fun social activities in their family-friendly downtown area. The businesses and homes in Mueller don’t detract from the over 140 acres of green space and park areas. Mueller is committed to being a leading green community in the Austin area.
North / Northwest Austin
An easy 15-minute drive from downtown and home to many of Austin’s large employers, North and Northwest Austin are considered Austin’s “second downtown.” The Domain and Domain NORTHSIDE are walkable outdoor districts that include luxury retail stores, local restaurants, and entertainment. Most of the neighborhoods around North Austin are quiet, well-established, family-oriented neighborhoods with solid and close-knit communities. Some areas evoke images of 1950s Americana with large shady trees and modest one-story homes that have been renovated to meet today’s standard of living while keeping their historic exteriors well preserved. Other neighborhoods showcase ranch-style homes with larger lots and well-tended yards, and as the area continues to grow, one can also find new construction popping up nearby. With miles of hiking trails and babbling creeks, the Balcones District Park is where you’ll find most of the residents from this area on any given weekend. North Austin is a desirable location in a quiet community where residents can reap the benefits of the downtown vibe without the high cost.
Northwest Hills
The Northwest Hills community features homes sitting on hillside lots surrounded by trees and a beautiful landscape bordering the Texas Hill Country. Just 10 miles outside of Downtown Austin, residents are close to nearby amenities and just ten minutes away from shopping hot spots like The Arboretum, the Gateway Shopping Center, the Arbor Walk, and The Domain. The neighborhood streets feature traditional and ranch-style homes with architecture styles from the 1960s to the 80s. Many of these older homes have been renovated to look trendy with a contemporary flair. This area offers fantastic views from the Colorado River, Bull Creek District Park, Bright Leaf Preserve, and the destination that provides some of the city’s best sights, Covert Park at Mount Bonnell.
River Place
Fifteen miles northwest of Downtown Austin lies the beautifully master-planned golf and waterfront community of River Place. This newer neighborhood is located in a scenic spot in the Texas Hill Country with abundant green space, parks, miles of hiking and bike trails, a private marina on Lake Austin, and the nearby River Place Country Club. As a Texas Hill Country community, the views of the canyons, creeks, and Colorado River are breathtaking, significantly as the sun rises and falls below the canyons. The neighborhood is just off a major local highway for direct access to the rest of the city.
Rollingwood
North of Bee Caves Road and close to Lady Bird Lake lies one of the most desired neighborhoods in Austin. Rollingwood offers a beautiful landscape of mature trees and luscious lawns with a unique blend of modern and traditional homes nestled along the streets. The small-town charm and peaceful quiet of the area allow residents to enjoy a slice of rural tranquility close to a busy city. Just a few minutes away from Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, and Barton Creek Greenbelt, there are ample opportunities to connect with nature. The Western Hills Athletic Club features various sports courts, a pool, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and miles of walking trails to enjoy. The neighborhood association also makes it easy to connect with neighbors and makes a house in Rollingwood a home with many great activities and events for you to attend throughout the year.
Rob Roy
Rob Roy is one of Austin’s largest private residential neighborhoods just 15 miles outside Downtown Austin. This beautiful area comprises vast green belts, mature trees, lush landscaping, and breathtaking scenery. Custom-built homes on lots of one acre or more give the Rob Roy community privacy and a generous amount of space to create their paradise. Each home features unique design details, and many builders have used local stone facades to allow homes to blend into the hill country landscape. Traveling down the winding country roads brings a sense of calm quietness that can be hard to find so close to the hustle and bustle of a growing city. Shopping, dining, and entertainment options are just two miles away. Still, for anything you can’t find at Village of Westlake, the Hill Country Galleria, Shops at The Galleria, and Barton Creek Square are less than a 10-minute drive away. Venture over to the nearby Wild Basin Preserve or hit the water for even more activities.
Rosewood
Rosewood has a long and rich history in Austin and has undergone revitalization efforts that have drawn in new businesses and residential developments. The East Austin community has taken on a new life, isn’t far from the Downtown district, and offers an easy commute to anywhere in the city. Rosewood Park and Rosewood Recreation Center offer residents opportunities to go hiking, picnicking, swimming, play tennis, attend classes, and play on the playground. After-school entertainment is a breeze for anyone in Rosewood. The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex nearby offers an indoor roller skating rink, an arcade, a movie theater, and a food court.
South Congress (SoCo)
The South Congress (SoCo) community exemplifies the music that pours into the streets, trendy restaurants, quirky boutiques with the newest fashions, and a buzzing nightlife! As the heart and soul of the Keep Austin Weird movement, the neighborhoods are eclectic and vibrant, with a quirky personality that rivals the Mission District in San Francisco. The dynamic area is constantly evolving and never goes out of style. With Downtown Austin just 3 miles away, dining, shopping, and entertainment options are an easy walk from your front door. The gorgeous architecture of the homes and condos in the community adds another layer of enthusiasm that you can’t find anywhere else. There’s always something to do and a new place to visit in the South Congress area — you’ll never be bored calling SoCo home.
South Austin
South Austin is roughly 10 miles from Downtown and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The community offers a hodgepodge of styles and designs. It’s common to see smaller homes situated right next to sprawling contemporary farmhouses on the same street. Zilker Metropolitan Park, Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, and Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park offer residents the opportunity to connect with nature and attend events and activities that Austin has to offer. South Austin has always brought an eclectic flair to the city, but the close-knit communities are also known for the fantastic local dining, shopping, and entertainment options. South Congress Avenue, Southpark Meadows, Continental Club, Saxon Pub, The Broken Spoke, Palmer Events Center, Zachary Scott Theatre, and Dougherty Arts Center are just the tip of the iceberg for entertainment options in this area.
Steiner Ranch
Known as the “Land Between the Lakes,” the gorgeous backdrop of the Steiner Ranch community is one of its major selling points. Tucked into the Hill Country canyonlands and nestled amid Lake Austin and Lake Travis, along the Colorado River, Steiner Ranch is known for its beautiful landscape and peaceful privacy. This area offers plenty of inspiring views for all residents, with miles of the greenbelt surrounding the community, featuring acres of wildlife habitats and parks. Steiner Ranch homes sit adjacent to the sprawling Balcones Canyonland Preserve, known for its network of underground caves and numerous springs and as the home of several different species of migratory birds. That way, you can get to know all your neighbors — even the ones with feathers. Shopping, dining, and entertainment options are close to Cedar Park, Downtown Austin, and Lakeline Mall, all less than 20 miles away.
Tarrytown
Three miles from the city, Tarrytown is a unique and friendly community that offers beautiful lake views and sophisticated charm. From 1920s-era cottages to grand Tudors nestled next to new developments, this area provides a variety of architectural styles. The quiet neighborhood has beautiful green spaces and outdoor amenities, including two of the city’s most delightful oases: Red Bud Isle, a 17-acre off-leash dog park with a scenic walking loop, and Deep Eddy Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole that’s always refreshingly 65 to 75 degrees. Landmarks famous for their natural beauty and historical appeal are dotted throughout Tarrytown. You can spend an afternoon admiring the sculptures at The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria, watch peacocks roam the gardens at Mayfield Park, or play a round at “Muny,” Lions Municipal Golf Course, the city’s oldest public golf course.
Travis Heights
Travis Heights is Austin’s first Local Historic District, located south of the river. This area has abundant natural beauty while still within walking distance from vibrant South Congress Ave. The neighborhood’s tree-lined streets hold Austin’s most diverse architectural styles, ranging from late-1880s Victorians through 1970s Mid-Century Moderns and everything in-between. Many homes sit on spacious lots and have been renovated to offer modern amenities, while their historic exteriors have been beautifully restored.
Residents enjoy the scenic Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and the Boardwalk alongside Lady Bird Lake. The neighborhood also features the beloved Little Stacy Park, a beautiful 6.73-acre neighborhood park with rustic wooded paths, large open fields, and a historic wading pool that dates back to the 1930s. Little Stacy Park connects to Big Stacy Park and Pool through the Blunn Creek Greenbelt, which offers residents plenty to do outdoors year-round. The community of Travis Heights is as eclectic as the homes they live in; several musicians and artists lovingly and proudly call this area home, and every year local artists open their homes for art exhibits and sales during the Travis Heights Art Trail.
Walnut Creek
Homes in Walnut Creek date back to the 1950s and 60s, giving the community deep roots in North Austin. The area has evolved with the times and is a well-established, well-loved community once voted one of the hottest neighborhoods in Austin. Residents in this area enjoy the amenities of the 293-acre Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. The Domain is just a five-mile drive away, and Downtown Austin is just a 10-mile drive. As The Domain and North Austin continue to expand, Walnut Creek continues to be a popular area to call home with a list of amenities that grow each day.
West Austin
This area extends toward the Hill Country, with distinct neighborhoods that offer amazing views and an upscale flair. Many of the communities in West Austin are well-maintained, provide easy access to nature, and have a variety of amenities. Wide streets, grand trees, gorgeous homes, spacious parks, and miles of trails for hiking and biking are commonplace in this area. With the added benefit of being near both Lake Austin and Lake Travis, there’s a reason so many folks call West Austin “home.”
Westlake
Westlake, just 10 miles outside of Downtown, is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Austin. Here you’ll find a mix of luxurious new homes and modern estates mixed with renovated homes built in the 1970s. This area’s golf and tennis lovers enjoy their proximity to The Lost Creek Country Club, Austin Country Club, Lion’s Municipal Golf Course, and Barton Creek Resort and Spa. Residents also enjoy hiking and biking through the Barton Creek Greenbelt and easy access to Lake Austin. If outdoor entertainment gets dry, this area is also peppered with excellent event centers, including The Long Center for the Performing Arts, ZACH Theatre, and Dougherty Arts Center, along with plenty of fantastic shopping at Barton Creek Square and Hill Country Galleria.
Westlake Hills
Westlake Hills was formed in the 1950s as a small community 6 miles west of downtown, and today it spans over 4 square miles, has a local government, and roughly 200 businesses. Incredible Hill Country views and tranquility tucked away in such a convenient location have turned this area into some of Austin’s most exclusive real estate. The little more than a thousand homes in Westlake Hills offer a pleasant mix of modest fixer-uppers, million-dollar estates perched alongside the hillside, and new-build contemporary stunners. While ever-expanding, this upscale community remains dedicated to preserving the rural environment and maintaining the natural beauty of surrounding area favorites like the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Residents appreciate an escape from the hustle of the city and enjoy the conveniences of a thriving suburb. The sense of community provided by being a small, close-knit, largely independent neighborhood with some of the lowest property taxes in the state makes this area the perfect location to put down roots.