With a booming job market and a vibrant city life, it’s no surprise that Austin, Texas has been the fastest growing city in the US for nearly a decade. However, if you’re moving to Austin or you’re not sure where to live in Austin, finding the right neighborhood can be tricky – keep reading for a list of some of the best neighborhoods in Austin and why they may be the right pick for you.
1. Barton Hills
If you’re a nature lover, but you don’t want to be more than a few minutes away from the heart of Austin, Barton Hills is a great option for Austin, Texas neighborhoods. There are plenty of natural attractions to explore nearby, including Barton Creek Greenbelt, Zilker Park, and Barton Springs.
Downtown Austin is still within driving distance, but the residential streets of Barton Hills are quiet enough to raise your family in, and you’re surrounded by some of Austin’s top-rated public schools.
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2. Georgetown
One of Austin’s most rapidly growing areas, scenic Georgetown has seen a lot of growth in recent years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Despite being located in Austin, Georgetown has a historic, small town charm. The neighborhood has two major parts: the Hill country located to the west and farming land in the east.
When you’re not shopping in the Historic Georgetown Store, you can always check out the beautiful Lake Georgetown or Blue Hole Park.
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3. Allandale
While Allandale might feel as if it’s tucked away from Austin’s city life, the neighborhood has a great central location and plenty of its own unique restaurants and local shops to enjoy. Like Barton Hills, Allandale has plenty of highly-rated schools in the area, and its tightly-knit community gives the neighborhood a small town feel.
Along with several parks, Allandale’s Northwest Recreational Center is one of its more popular attractions – but you’re still within easy driving distance of downtown Austin.
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4. Mueller
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a rich history or environmentally-friendly amenities, there’s no need to go any further than Mueller. Before it became a nationally-recognized community, Mueller used to be the Austin Mueller Airport, and it still has plenty of relics from those days. Some of Mueller’s studios and shops have even been repurposed from old airport hangars.
As far as Austin neighborhoods go, Mueller is fairly small – but it still has its own on-site grocery store, and it’s not far from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
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5. Old West Austin
Another great neighborhood with a lot of history, Old West Austin contains historic buildings that date all the way back to the 1800s. Pease District Park and Lake Austin are both within walking distance if you’re looking for some fresh air, but the neighborhood isn’t far from downtown Austin either.
While it’s located close to the University of Texas, you probably won’t find a ton of students in Old West Austin – the high property values lure in professionals, wealthy families, and even retirees.
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6. South Austin
If you’re looking for something more unique than residential, South Austin has an eclectic, bohemian vibe that makes it popular with students, artists, and entrepreneurs. You’ll find plenty of original shops and restaurants, including Magnolia Cafe, live music venues, and SoCo.
Although the area may be a little too vibrant for some families, there are fifteen public schools and five different private schools to pick from.
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7. Westlake
If you don’t have a lot of budget constraints when you’re moving to Austin, TX, you may want to check out Westlake, one of Austin’s most affluent neighborhoods. The homes in this suburb may be pricey, but many of them come with extraordinary country, lake, and city views.
While Westlake does have its own restaurants and shops, some of the neighborhood’s bylaws prevent flamboyant advertisements or signage. Westlake’s environment is quiet, but it does include some of Austin’s top-rated public and private schools as well.
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8. East Austin
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that feels like downtown Austin but isn’t quite as pricey, East Austin is a great pick. This vibrant part of the city includes Festival Beach, which hosts some of Austin’s most popular festivals – like Celtic Fest and Texas Craft Brewers Festival.
There are no shortage of restaurants or shops to check out, and while it doesn’t have quite as many school districts, East Austin does have some of the city’s favorite charter schools.
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9. Downtown
There are plenty of vibrant neighborhoods in Austin, Texas, but very few are as vibrant as the heart of downtown Austin. In addition to restaurants, designer shops, and plenty of amenities, downtown Austin’s business district is constantly bustling day and night.
The location can hike up real estate prices, but if you’ve got the money for it, you can even find luxury condos and high-rise lofts that overlook the Colorado River.
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10. Cherrywood
You’ll sometimes hear people in Austin call Cherrywood “French Place,” and you will find plenty of French names in the neighborhood. While it’s not as busy as downtown or East Austin, Cherrywood has a few of its own unique shops and cafes – and it’s only a short drive away from some of Austin’s hottest spots.
As close as it is to the University of Texas, many students end up making their home in Cherrywood, although you’ll likely find professionals, artists, and families here too.
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11. Cedar Park
If you’re looking to work for some of Austin’s biggest employers, like Dell, National Instruments, or Apple, Cedar Park is just a short drive away from these companies. Many people in Cedar Park find that the neighborhood looks and feels a lot like a classic suburb.
The residential streets are quiet, and with a few surrounding school districts, it’s an ideal place for raising a family as well.
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12. Dripping Springs
If you want to stick close to Austin but you’d like to avoid the downtown traffic, Dripping Springs is one of the city’s more affluent suburbs – and it’s only a twenty-five minute drive from Austin’s hottest spots.
However, with plenty of its own amenities, you probably won’t need to drive into the city too much. Dripping Springs has its own recreation center and eateries as well as no shortage of scenic views.
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