Austin Neighborhoods



Whether you are looking for a pedestrian neighborhood with cafes and shops with a distinctly local flare or for a neighborhood with a more upscale and urban feel, Austin has it all. Here are some of our favorite neighborhoods.

South Austin Neighborhoods

Soco - Just south of downtown you will find SoCo, named for South Congress. This pedestrian area is popular for its proximity to downtown and the Lady Bird Lake and jogging trail. You will find a variety quirky shops, unique retail stops, patio cafes and music venues. Grab a taco and margarita at Guero’s Taco Bar after a day of exploring the neighborhood scene. For live music, the Continental Clubis a local favorite. This is where the you will find the leading group of advocates to keep Austin weird.

SoLa – South Lamar is the neighbor to SoCo and has many of the same distinctive neighborhood features of SoCo like specialty shops, fine restaurants, and a wide variety of revitalized homes and condos. Sola design shop is the place to check out the hippest fashions.

Barton Springs – This area is highlighted by Zilker Park and the Barton Springs pool. Often called the heart and soul of Austin, this spring fed pool is one of Austin’s most popular destinations. After a day at the park, stop by The Shady Grove for a true reflection of the Austin lifestyle. Indulge yourself under the trees with local music, a cold beverage and local cuisine.

Travis Heights – Just to the east border of SoCo lies the eclectic neighborhood of Travis Heights. It is a highly sought after neighborhood for its proximity to downtown and wide range of upscale homes, with median home prices around $300,000.

West Austin

Tarrytown - This affluent Austin neighborhood, with beautiful homes and gardens, is located just minutes to downtown and the UT campus. This pricey neighborhood is deplete of strip malls and corner convenience stores.

Westlake - Westlake, 4 miles to the NW of Austin, brings images of the finer things in life, from million dollar homes along prestigious waterfronts to the finest schools in the Eanes ISD. This area includes the small cities of Westlake Hills and Rollingwood. Residents here enjoy the best of both worlds, Hill Country living and the close proximity to the central Austin with downtown, UT and Barton Springs nearby. Some West Austin attractions include the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Austin Country Club, and the Barton Creek Resort and Spa.


Central Austin

Downtown – In downtown, a vibrant community alive with pedestrians and bikers, is the heart of the Austin’s entertainment district. Come see why Austin called the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Try the Austin Dillo trolleys for an easy way to explore the area. Austin’s 6th Street and The Warehouse District offer a wide variety of music venues, bars and restaurants. Whatever you are in the mood for, there is a club or bar for you. This area of Austin is full of fun things to do.


It is also home to the seat of Texas government and the Texas Capitol building. The Texas Capitol has more square footage than any state capitol and is even 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol. For Austin museum lovers, downtown is the place to explore and indulge your mind.

Hyde Park – A visit to Hyde Park will show the largest concentration of historic homes in Austin. There is a strong sense of community here and there is pride in preserving this genuinely unique neighborhood. While in the area, stop by Hyde Park Bar and Grill and Quack’s bakery for some local flavor. A visit to the Hyde Park Theater will give you a glimpse into the minds of local writers and performers, as they provide an alternative to traditional Austin theater.

East Austin

While downtown Austin receives so much attention, and deservedly so, the area just east of I-35 near downtown is experiencing some revitalization and growth. Today. there is a new spotlight on East Austin. The influx of new investment money may change the composition of East Austin forever. Now, you can see venerable local shops and restaurants next to the new breed of urban chic condo developments. The Mueller project is an example of the ambitious new development in the area. Be sure to check out Juan in a Million and Hoover’s for sure fire winners in a true Austin dining experience.

Northwest Austin

Golf course living, great shopping, award winning schools, high tech industry, Lake Travis and the Hill Country all await you in NW Austin.

Arboretum - The Arboretum area has a much more sophisticated and urban feel and is known for its booming business industry, upscale shopping, contemporary housing, and multitude of restaurants. Originally named for the open air pedestrian shopping center, the Arboretum has come to represent much more than that. Bordered by rolling hills, this beautiful part of Austin is a favorite for those who enjoy the perfect balance between city and suburb, as it about 20 minutes to downtown. Great Hills Golf Club offers some of the best golf in the city. For a new twist on Tex-Mex, try out Z’Tejas for award winning cuisine. For upscale dining with a laid back attitude, try North by Northwest. The Domain brings upscale shopping, dining, and living all together in this NW Austin pedestrian community.

Lake Travis – For fun in the sun, a trip to Lake Travis will not disappoint. From boating, swimming, fishing and sunset margaritas at The Oasis has it all.

North Austin

Wells Branch – This area is one of the most accessible in town, with I-35 and Loop 1 connected by Wells Branch Parkway. It is an established community that embraces modern advances. This area has become popular to Techie’s who work nearby at one of the several high-tech companies. Dell is the largest employer in the area and draws many into the area because of the proximity to the Dell campus. With easy access to both major highways, traveling south to downtown or north to Round Rock is easy.


Round Rock

With a population of 104,000, is located 15 miles north of Austin in the Central Texas hill country and is a combination of old-west charm and urban growth. Major employers include Dell, TECO-Westinghouse, Dresser and Hospira. Its combined property tax and utility rates are the lowest in the region. It has an award-winning park system, school district and is the No. 4 Safest City with a population of at least 100,000 population in the United States.

No matter which Austin neighborhood you choose to live, Simple Search Apartments and our free Austin apartment locator service can help. Let us take the hassle of finding your next Austin apartment. With our Austin apartment database and Austin area experts, we can match you up with the best apartments in Austin.

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