Summary
Downtown Austin is the hub of the city and the seat of Texas state government. Many companies have offices here, and there are many business services available. The neighborhood also has a wide range of dining, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, recreation, and sightseeing options.
Many of Austin's well-known restaurants, lounges, live performance venues, and landmarks are in the neighborhood or very close by. Dining and nightlife options range from intimate cafes and bars to high-end restaurants and lounges.
Housing downtown consists mostly of luxury condos and apartments. Residents tend to be single professionals and young couples.
Features
People live downtown to be close to the action. In addition to being the seat of government and many Texas businesses, the neighborhood is within walking distance to well-known restaurants, lounges, performance halls, and landmarks of Austin.
Dining, entertainment, and shopping options abound here. There are a range of dining and nightlife options, from intimate cafes and bars to upscale restaurants and lounges. Of course, the nightlife and live music are as good here as anywhere in town: Austin's famous Sixth Street and Warehouse District are in this neighborhood, with many bars and live music venues.
The downtown area underwent a revival in the early 2000s under Austin's former mayor who emphasized urban downtown development. Today, many consider Austin to offer one of the most liveable downtown areas in the nation.
In addition to the bars and restaurants, there are museums, parks, and Lady Bird Lake close by. For the athletically inclined, there are also fitness clubs and the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails.The area is relatively safe, compared to other cities in the U.S.
There are also many financial, business, and technology services available here. Residents with business needs ranging from copying to consulting will likely find what they're looking for right in their own neighborhood. The Austin Convention Center and high-end hotels are also here.
For destinations farther away, public transportation by bus and rail is easily accessible for downtown residents, and many do not own a car (and wouldn't be able to find parking anyway).
One of the downsides of living downtown are that it's relatively expensive. Most of the housing is condos and upscale apartments. Even efficiency condos can start in the $200K range, and larger units can reach upwards of $1 million.
Another downside is that it's crowded and noisy almost all hours of the day and night. As one of Austin's main attractions, downtown is also crowded with tourists, particularly in the spring and fall.
The northeast section of the neighborhood includes the Salvation Army and several other social services organizations, and many of Austin's homeless congregate there.
The neighborhood is most attractive to singles, young couples, and empty-nesters; there are few families living downtown.
Neighborhood Association WebsiteViews From the Street
Facts and Figures
Community Information
ShoppingReal Estate and Apartments
There are a number of high-rise condominium and apartment buildings around downtown, with a wide range of sizes and prices. With the population continually growing, there is significant new construction taking place.
Downtown Austin, Texas
Zip Code: 78701