Austin Neighborhoods & Suburbs

Downtown: This is the epicenter of Austin. Here you will find high rises, the capitol, and Austin’s urban core. Predominantly, the only type of housing you will find here is condos. There are a number of new condo developments being built downtown; thus, inventory is continually increasing. In addition to the new developments in central downtown such as 5th & West, The Independent, Austin Proper, and the luxurious Austonian condos, there are also a number of recently constructed condo buildings in the Rainey street district. Living in downtown Austin is convenient. You can walk to a number of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment options with ease. You can also take advantage of the nearby hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake for recreation.

East Side: The East Side of Austin generally refers to anything east of I 35. Historically, this area was not the best place to live. However, in the past 10 years it has been substantially gentrified. Now, you will find hip bars and restaurants on every corner (especially close to I 35). There are a number of condo developments here as well; however, you can find a number of single family homes too. A number of these have been recently remodeled or are newly built modern homes. Traditionally, this area was quite economical and you can still find a good deal if you are willing to go further east. However, in recent years, the median price for homes in this area has increased substantially.

78704- Zilker, Bouldin Creek, Barton Hills, Soco, Travis Heights: 78704 is one of the most desirable areas in Austin. It is home to Zilker Park, the Soco Strip and a number of hip restaurants and bars along South Lamar. You can find many new condo developments sprouting up in this area and a ton of single family homes as well. However, you are unlikely to find a single family home under 300K here. This area has appreciated significantly in recent years and offers a diverse mix of housing styles with a number of properties that have been recently remodeled.

Westlake: This area boasts the convenience of being close to downtown, while also offering one of the best school districts in Austin, EANES ISD. Westlake is known as being one of the most affluent areas in Austin. As such, you will find larger lots and higher price tags. Although it’s incredibly convenient to get to downtown from Westlake, parts of Westlake feel as though you are out in the country. Westlake is composed of many smaller neighborhoods. Rollingwood is located adjacent to Zilker Park, and is the closest neighborhood to downtown. Lost Creek and The Woods of Westlake are both located off 360 and back up to the greenbelt. Thousand Oaks is located just behind the Barton Creek Mall, and there are a number of neighborhoods off Westlake Drive as well. Westlake Drive leads from Bee Cave Rd. to 360 and many of the homes off this street boast Lake Austin waterfront. Closer to 360 you will find Davenport where there are many newer built homes. Click here, to view all houses for sale in Westlake.

Tarrytown: Tarrytown located just west of downtown Austin is another of Austin’s most affluent neighborhoods. It is an incredibly popular area of Austin due to its location between Lake Austin and Downtown. It’s a historic area with some homes here dating back to the early 1900s; however, you will find a variety of building styles here. The majority of homes here are large historic homes which come with a hefty price tag. However, there are some condos that come at a more reasonable price. In 2016, the median price for homes in Tarrytown was 1.5 Million.

Hyde Park: Hyde Park is a historic neighborhood located just north of the University of Texas. In Hyde Park you will find a number of bungalow style homes that were built in the early 1900s. Here you will predominantly find single family homes. The close proximity to downtown makes this area an incredibly desirable area to live in and prices reflect this trend.

78745 (South Manchaca, Westgate, Sunset Valley, Garrison Park): This part of Austin is one of the most affordable parts of central Austin. These neighborhoods are located on the other side of Ben White from the desirable 78704. They offer the convenience of being near the hip strips of SoCo, SoLamar and downtown without the hefty price tag. Big Box stores abound in the nearby Brodie Oaks shopping center, and these neighborhoods are also conveniently located near the Barton Creek Greenbelt.

Circle C: Circle C is located in South Austin, about 15 minutes from downtown depending on the traffic on Mopac. It is a large master-planned community with moderately priced homes and a suburban feel. It offers a plethora of amenities to residents including swimming, tennis and golf. It is also conveniently located next to the Veloway, an Austin biking path, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center.

Bee Cave: The city of Bee Cave is located within the Lake Travis ISD, another highly recommended school district. Bee Cave is about 20 minutes from downtown Austin, and the Hill Country Galleria, located here, offers ample shopping and restaurants. Bee Cave has a nice mix of older and newer neighborhoods , and is ideal if you are looking for a suburban lifestyle. This area is only 10 minutes from Lake Travis and is located near the intersection of 620 and 71.

Spicewood: The western neighborhood of Spicewood offers an eclectic mix of homes. Here you can find larger lots and some properties are even located on Lake Travis or the Pedernales River. It is probably best known for its iconic resident Willie Nelson. Recently, a number of developers have built large master planned communities here and a large portion of Spicewood is located within the prestigious Lake Travis ISD.

Lakeway: This area is located in the hill country, about 25 minutes from downtown Austin. Lakeway offers golf courses and a close proximity to Lake Travis. As such it was predominantly a retirement community for many years. The development of master planned communities and the top-notch schools has made the area a top choice for families in recent years. Lakeway has a wide range of homes offering everything from condos to multi-million dollar Lake Travis estates.

Dripping Springs: Dripping Springs is located in the hill country, about 25 minutes west of downtown. It offers majestic views, ample wildlife, and a small town feel. Residents here enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle. The majority of homes in Dripping Springs are traditional ranch style homes on larger lots; however, there are a number of developers building custom homes here in response to the increased demand for affordable options in the Austin area.

North Suburbs- Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville: The northern suburbs of Austin offer a suburban lifestyle at an affordable price. Round Rock is the largest suburb and offers the convenience of being located near a plethora of big box stores and restaurants. Round Rock ISD is highly rated and it’s a very safe neighborhood as well. Pflugerville is located adjacent to Round Rock, and slightly closer to downtown Austin. Homes tend to be slightly more affordable here than Round Rock, and it is also quite suburban. Cedar Park has slightly more of a small town feel compared with Round Rock and Pflugerville. It is full of master planned communities and plenty of parks. It’s a bit of a commute to downtown; however the metro rail offers a convenient transportation method to downtown.