Austin Neighborhood Guide

Central Austin

What was once a small “Downtown” area surrounded by the suburbs is now one large, urban area. Austin does not have an urban feel like New York or Chicago. Austin’s urban area is a several block radius of high rise condominiums, shopping and restaurants surrounded by neighborhoods with single family homes. A lot of Central Austin’s neighborhoods were built from the early 1900s to the mid 1900’s, giving them a unique charm unlike anything else around Austin. Read more in our Central Austin Neighborhood Guides.

South Austin

With the revitalization of South Congress, South Austin has become one of the trendiest areas of Austin. Most of the homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s, though we are seeing some brand new construction pop up around the area. South Austin is definitely a unique area and lives by the motto Keep Austin Weird more than any area of Austin. Read our South Austin Neighborhood Guide.

East Austin

East Austin is one of the city’s most eclectic and dynamic areas, making it the perfect choice for someone looking for something unique near Central Austin. East Austin used to be one of the area’s best kept secrets for someone looking for a bargain, but that ship has sailed. We see many tastefully done remodels and only a few homes in their original condition. If you’re looking for walkability and a neighborhood that’s far from cookie cutter, East Austin may be for you. Read more in our East Austin Neighborhood Guides.

West Austin

West Austin is where you’ll find some of Austin’s most expensive real estate. Why is it so expensive? Award winning Eanes ISD schools, beautiful Texas Hill Country views and miles of Lake Austin waterfront. Homes were built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s and although much of West Austin has already been built out, you will find some new construction. West Austin is a perfect choice for someone looking for a home in a beautiful setting with top rated schools. Read our West Austin Neighborhood Guide.

Southwest Austin

Southwest Austin is one of the most expansive section of Austin. With a combination of established neighborhoods, brand new homes and homes with 1 acre + lots, Southwest Austin has something for everyone. Southwest Austin is one of the most desirable areas of Austin because of its proximity to Downtown and top rated schools. Much of Southwest Austin is served by the highly acclaimed Lake Travis ISD, while the remaining section is served by some of the Austin ISD’s most highly rated schools. Read more in our Southwest Austin Neighborhood Guides.

Northwest Austin

Northwest Austin is one of the more established sections of Austin with homes built in the 1970s and 1980s. You’ll find rolling hills, tree-lined streets and even some Lake Austin waterfront property. As you move further from Downtown Austin, you’ll find newer construction and bigger homes. Residents are drawn to this area because of its proximity to Austin’s amenities and the lakes, quality schools in the Leander and Round Rock ISD and sense of community. Read our Northwest Austin Neighborhood Guide.

Southeast Austin

Southeast Austin is a great area of town if you are looking for the convenience of South Austin and Southpark Meadows, but don’t want to pay west of 35 prices. Southeast Austin homes are much more affordable, which means you can get much more house for your money. By staying south of Slaughter Lane, kids attend the same schools as kids who live east of Manchaca Road do, making this area an exceptionally good value. Read more in our Southeast Austin Neighborhood Guides.

Northeast Austin

Northeast Austin is one of the quickly gentrifying areas of Austin. When you look at the location on a map, you’d probably be surprised it took so long. With top employers like Samsung, Dell and Golfsmith, you can live minutes from work and still only be about 20 minutes from Downtown. We’re starting to see complete remodels that give charm and character to established neighborhoods. If you’re looking for something unique, affordable and convenient to much of Austin and Round Rock, Northeast Austin might be the place to start your search. Read our Northeast Austin Neighborhood Guide.

Downtown Condos

The Austin skyline and vibe has changed dramatically over the past several years. New restaurants, shopping districts, bars, night life, music venues and high-rise condos are popping up all over the Downtown area, making it more desirable for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a loft, high-rise luxury condo with stellar views or an affordable unit, you can find it in Downtown Austin. Read more in our Downtown Austin Condo Guides.

West Lake Hills

West Lake Hills is a small suburb located west of Downtown. Because of its location, you get the views of the hill country in one direction and the gorgeous Austin skyline and/or Lake Austin in the other. Another reason that makes West Lake Hills one of the most desirable suburbs around Austin is the school district. The Eanes ISD is one of the state’s top rated districts, making it a no brainer for parents with kids. Read our West Lake Hills Neighborhood Guide.

Rollingwood

Located just across Lake Austin, its hard to think of Rollingwood as its own city and not just another West Austin neighborhood. However, Rollingwood has been a city with its own fire, police, EMS and court system since 1955. In 2000, the city’s population was 1,403 and dropped in the 2005 estimate to 1,359 people. Because Rollingwood is only about 0.7 square miles, most residents identify with neighborhing West Lake Hills. Rollingwood is also located in the prestigious Eanes ISD. Read more in our Rollingwood Neighborhood Guide.

Lakeway

Lakeway is a suburb of Austin situated along Lake Travis. With a public airport, numerous golf courses, Lake Travis access and highly rated Lake Travis ISD schools, its hard to think of a reason not to live in Lakeway. With several new and some established neighborhoods, you can find a home in all price ranges. Lakeway has its own Downtown, but if you prefer to visit Austin, Downtown Austin is about 40 minutes away. As more and more homes are built in the area, we can only expect more shops, restaurants and amenities to pop up around Lakeway. Read our Lakeway Neighborhood Guide.

Bee Cave

Bee Cave is a small suburb (only 2.6 square miles) of Austin in the Texas Hill Country. Located at the intersection of Highway 71 and RM 620, Bee Cave had a population of 656 at the time of the 2000 US Census. Since then, several new large neighborhoods have been built, which have dramatically increased the population. With a low tax rate of just about 2%, newer homes, top rated Lake Travis ISD Schools, Lake Travis 10 minutes away and Downtown Austin only 25 minutes away, Bee Cave is the perfect choice for someone looking for a suburban lifestyle. Read more in our Bee Cave Neighborhood Guide.

Spicewood

Spicewood is quietly becoming one of Austin’s go to suburbs for someone looking for highly rated schools and a lake lifestyle but don’t want the traffic and congestion of Lakeway or Northwest Austin. Much of Spicewood remains undeveloped, so it has more of a rural Texas Hill Country feel. The majority of the Lake Travis shoreline has been developed with both affordable luxury and luxury estates. If you like the look and feel of Georgetown, but wish it had a lake, Spicewood is the place to get the best of both of those worlds. Read our Spicewood Neighborhood Guide.

Briarcliff

Briarcliff is a 1.5 square mile village in Travis County on the banks of Lake Travis. Served by the Lake Travis ISD and only minutes from Lakeway, Briarcliff is starting to expand and expand quickly. We’re seeing affordable new construction on lots that give you space to move around and convenient access to the water. Its neighbor, Spicewood, is focusing on the higher end housing market, making Briarcliff the perfect choice for someone looking for a lake lifestyle at an affordable price. Read more in our Briarcliff Neighborhood Guide.

Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs is a suburb of Austin located just 25 miles west of Downtown Austin. It’s a small city, with a population of about 2,000 people in 2009. Recently, we’ve seen more and more new home communities and lots being sold in the area and a lot of new businesses. It is reminiscent of a small Texas town and is only 20 minutes from the city making it the perfect get a way. People choose Dripping Springs for the larger lots, excellent schools and country feel not too far away from urban amenities. Read our Dripping Springs Neighborhood Guide.

Driftwood

Driftwood is a quiet, unincorporated community in Hays County just 25 miles southwest of Downtown Austin. First developed in the mid 1800s, Driftwood has never been a huge city, but does have its own post office and zip code. Over the years the area has grown and shrank in population and grew to 1,585 at the time of the 2000 census. However, in the last 8 years, the area has grown considerably with new neighborhoods and developments. Residents are attracted to Driftwood because of its small town feel and highly rated Dripping Springs ISD schools. Read more in our Driftwood Neighborhood Guide.

Wimberley

Wimberley is a small, Texas Hill Country town with just over 2,500 residents as of the 2010 census. The city’s town center is reminiscent of a small southern town far outside a suburban area, but is ideally located to the Austin and San Antonio metro areas and only 16 miles from San Marcos. Residents choose Wimberley when they’re looking for a quiet, peaceful, country setting, but who don’t want to drive hours to get to an airport or shopping mall. Read our Wimberley Neighborhood Guide.

Manchaca

Manchaca is a very small suburb of Austin located just south of 1626. What started as a railroad town in the 1800s, this South Austin suburb had a population explosion followed by a mass exodus when the railroad became less popular. As Austin continues to grow south, Manchaca’s population is slowly inching up again. With only a few neighborhoods, Manchaca residents enjoy a low tax rate, distinctive neighborhoods, larger lots and a country setting. Residents do have to travel to Buda or Austin to get to shopping and amenities, but those who live there don’t mind the short drive. Read more in our Manchaca Neighborhood Guide.

Buda

Buda is a southern suburb of Austin located about 20 miles from Downtown Austin. The push for the development of the IH-35 corridor and the addition of Cabela’s and other big box retailers is one main contributors to Buda’s growth in population. Buda has a wide range of housing types priced from affordable to luxury. Whether you want to live in more of a country setting or a suburban setting, Buda might be the place for you. Read our Buda Neighborhood Guide.

Kyle

Growing over 600% between the 2000-2010 census, Kyle has earned the title of being one of Texas’ fastest growing cities. Only about 25 miles south of Austin, Kyle is far enough away to be its own city but close enough for its residents to be able to enjoy everything Autin has to offer without making it a day trip. Kyle is also known for being very affordable, with the average price of a well below Austin’s. And, with quality schools, Kyle is the perfect place for someone looking for a well priced suburb. Read more in our Kyle Neighborhood Guide.

Cedar Park

Cedar Park is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas and continuously shows up in publications as one of the top places to raise a family. Located only 20 minutes north of Downtown Austin, Cedar Park spans Travis and Williamson Counties. The city offers residents a little of everything. In recent years, Cedar Park has had an explosion of new homes, new shopping districts and even their own convention center. With highly regarded schools, top-notch parks and gorgeous golf courses, the city is becoming one of Austin’s most popular suburbs. Read our Cedar Park Neighborhood Guide.

Leander

Located just north of Cedar Park, Leander is attractive to the buyer that’s looking for great schools and a good value. Leander homes range from your classic suburban subdivision to your sprawling ranch homes on large lots in established neighborhoods. Much of Leander is open space, making it the ideal place for builders looking to capitalize on this growing area to build. If you’re looking for more house for your hard earned dollar and don’t mind spending an extra few minutes in the car, Leander might be the place for you. Read more in our Leander Neighborhood Guide.

Round Rock

Round Rock is one of the most well known Austin suburbs and has won several awards including 4th Safest City in the US. With a population of just over 100,000 in 2009, Round Rock was named America’s 8th Fastest Growing City and continues to grow today. Home to some large employers like Dell Computers, Dresser, Hospira, and TECO Westinghouse, Round Rock has grown from a sleepy bedroom community to a self-contained suburb. Combine the economic growth, new neighborhoods, strong Round Rock ISD schools and proximity to Austin and you have a very desirable city to live. Read our Round Rock Neighborhood Guide.

Pflugerville

A Northeast suburb of Austin with a small town feel, Pflugerville is located about halfway between Austin and Round Rock. Driving through the city, you would expect to find it somewhere in West Texas, which is probably why much of the city was used when filming the popular TV show, Friday Night Lights. Other parts look very suburban, with the sprawling master-planned communities. Pflugerville is growing quickly and when you visit, you’ll understand why. It’s a comfortable, friendly city where you’ll instantly feel at home. Read more in our Pflugerville Neighborhood Guide.

Georgetown

Rated the Best City in the US to retire, Georgetown has attracted many retirees looking to live in a generally warm climate close to both the Hill Country and an urban area. As Georgetown schools continue to improve, Georgetown is becoming a place not only for retirees, but for people of all ages. And, with Round Rock and Cedar Park amenities only about 15 minutes away, people of all ages will never be bored. Georgetown has a cute Downtown area and is close enough to the areas high tech jobs to make it a no brainer for someone looking for suburban living. Read our Georgetown Neighborhood Guide.

Liberty Hill

Located 15 miles west of Georgetown and just north of Leander, Liberty Hill has grown from sleepy little town to thriving suburb. Though the town is only 4.5 square miles, it is rapidly expanding as new subdivision are built. The school district is top rated and that plus a small town feel is what has drawn so many residents to the area. Neighborhoods offer a range of homes from modest sized first time homes on manageable sized lots to sprawling ranch style homes on acreage lots. Liberty Hill is the ideal place for you if you are looking for a true Texas feel and don’t mind being a little outside of town. Read more in our Liberty Hill Neighborhood Guide.

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