North Austin
Established neighborhoods, award-winning breweries and restaurants, kid and dog-friendly parks and entertainment, natural and peaceful hiking trails and high-end shopping. These features make North Austin, spanning both Travis and Williamson Counties, among the more desirable locations to live.
In parts of North Austin you can still see remnants of its post-WWII establishment, with 1950s-era diners and gas stations. Many communities evoke imagery from that era—streets lined with large, shady trees and modest homes with long, curved driveways. While North Austin is home to the Domain, featuring 100+ upscale and mainstream retail stores and restaurants along with tech headquarters, it also has vast green areas for hiking and biking.
County: Travis and Williamson
Suburbs: Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Liberty Hill
School Districts: Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Leander ISD, Georgetown, ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Hutto ISD
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
East Austin
East Austin is one of the city's biggest and oldest neighborhoods, where Austin's diverse roots really shine.
Here, you’ll find many historic homes alongside new construction and upscale cuisine and shopping mixed in with original dive bars and taco stands. The proximity to downtown Austin, mixed with its vibrant nightlife and constant expansion, makes East Austin an attractive area for young singles and families alike.
Further east, you get quaint neighborhoods with smaller, well-kept homes. Many communities here embrace their city roots by showing their pride and expression with vibrant house colors and painted murals.
County: Travis
Suburbs: Manor, Del Valle
School Districts: Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Manor ISD
HIP & HISTORIC
Downtown / Central
THE HEART OF AUSTIN
Downtown Austin is home to live music venues, historic theaters, museums, restaurants and endless forms of entertainment that are alive during the day and night.
If you’re looking for a “city” lifestyle vibe, downtown is the place! Here, you’ll find luxury, high-rise condos as well as smaller loft living spaces. During the day, Lady Bird Lake is the place to be for water-based exercises like standup paddle boarding and kayaking. Don’t want to take a dip? No worries! With more than 10 miles of walking and biking paths looping around the entire lake, you’ll always have a place to exercise. After sunset, the music venues come alive and the sound flows everywhere you turn. That’s where you can find 6th Street, Austin’s famous bar district, though new scenes like West 6th Street and Rainey Street have emerged as of late.
Central Austin features pockets of distinctive, well-established neighborhoods with convenient access to some of the city’s most popular attractions like the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas, Bob Bullock State History Museum and the Lyndon B. Johnson Library.
Hyde Park is a charming residential enclave with tree-lined streets and homes that date from the turn of the 20th century. Old West Austin, Bryker Woods and Tarrytown feature a mix of stately mansions and classic bungalows along with recently built modern homes.
County: Travis
School Districts: Austin ISD
South Austin
South Austin is a melding of old and new, with trendy restaurants and bars and culturally-rich urban landscapes. It's no wonder why it has become one of Austin's most sought after neighborhoods.
Trendy areas near South Congress Avenue (SoCo) are popular for dining, shopping, music and tourists. On the west side is Austin’s beloved Zilker Park. Home to Barton Springs as well as trails, playgrounds, volleyball nets and a stunning botanical garden. This area is also close to many shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Going further south brings you to quiet neighborhoods with strip malls, great tacos and more affordable housing options. South Austin is quickly on the rise and a favorite destination for new, first-time home buyers.
County: Travis
Suburbs: Manchaca
School Districts: Austin ISD
The melting pot
West Austin
Escape the crowds and noise of downtown and embrace the rolling hills, scenic drives and gorgeous lakes. If you really want to experience the Texas Hill Country and its natural scenery, head west!
Lake life is alive and well west of Austin, with both Lake Travis and Lake Austin serving as two of Texas top boating destinations. Additionally, green space is plentiful, with thousands of acres of preserve land lining the watersheds. It makes for expansive, natural views across the rolling hills and tree stands.
While it may be a bit further from downtown, there are still plenty of options when it comes to shopping and dining. The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave is a hub for both of those fields, with upscale restaurants and shops.
More options line the highways and main roads that take you to these areas.
County: Travis, Williamson
Suburbs: Manchaca
School Districts: Eanes ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD
SCENIC ESCAPE
Dripping Springs
ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
Dripping Springs is known for its rolling hills, scenic rivers, a quaint downtown with locally owned boutiques, coffee shops, pubs and wedding venues. Parades and festivals occur throughout the year and you’ll see farms with longhorns and goats speckled through the neighborhoods. Dripping Springs is also home to the new 800+ acre luxurious Driftwood community—featuring a Tom Fazio designed golf course, vineyards and custom homesites with dramatic Hill Country views. Between fantastic schools and community events, Dripping Springs has that classic small-town vibe that many people seek.
County: Hays
School District: Lake Travis ISD, Dripping Springs ISD
Buda / Kyle
Located 15 miles south of downtown Austin, you will find these two inviting, friendly communities with small-town charm and plans for the future.
Buda and Kyle are an oasis of relaxation, untainted by the faster pace of life in Austin. Buda boasts over 260 acres of park space filled with picnic areas, ball fields, basketball courts, playground equipment and many other recreational activities. Further south you’ll find Kyle, the Pie Capital of Texas! Both of these cities offer a lot of opportunities for young families, retirees and everyone in between. The cost of living is generally less expensive than Austin, making it a great area for first time buyers who can still take advantage of the close proximity to Austin proper.
County: Hays
School Districts: Hays CISD
SMALL TOWNS NEAR THE BIG CITY
