A huge part of the charm of Austin, Texas is its neighborhoods. Austin is a collection of over a hundred different neighborhoods, each unique with its individual flair and character. Together, they add up to a wonderfully diverse range of neighborhood personalities.
Maybe you're looking for somewhere to rent for a year or two. Or perhaps you're looking to settle down and find a place to buy and call your own. Whatever you want in a home, you'll find many choices in the Texas Capital City.
From the proud quirkiness of SoCo to the quiet residential community of North Shoal Creek; from the urban bustle of Downtown to the natural beauty of Barton Creek and the breathtaking hill country views of Cat Mountain - no matter what kind of locale you'd like to call home, chances are there's a area of Austin that's just right for you.
On these pages we profile a sample of the many neighborhoods in and near Austin. Browsing through these descriptions will show you the diversity of Austin's people, scenery, and local businesses. We invite you to take a virtual tour of Austin through these neighborhood profiles.
Then, once you're actually here, we encourage you to explore a handful of neighborhoods that appeal to you. Whether you end up staying for a few months or a few decades, you'll soon be writing your own chapter in the continuing story of our city.
The major boundaries are Hwy. 1 (MoPac), Interstate Hwy. 35, and Lady Bird Lake. The lake separates central Austin from south Austin, and east Austin from southeast. Hwy. 1 forms the boundary between central and west, and I-35 divides central Austin from east.
NORTH
Quiet, established, family-oriented neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, stores, and cafes, central location in Austin ... read more
NORTHEAST
Northeast Austin has similarities to east Austin: steeped in history; longtime residents whose families have lived there for generations; some quiet residential areas, ... read more
WEST
Outstanding natural scenery and ambiance, beautiful homes, plenty of outdoor recreation options, and nationally ranked schools combine to make west Austin a highly desirable area to live, ... read more
CENTRAL
Central Austin is one of the most desirable Austin regions to live in as it provides close access to some of Austin's most popular attractions: the Texas State Capitol and Visitor Center, ... read more
EAST
Despite a reputation in some local circles for being gritty, rundown, and dangerous, in reality east Austin is quite possibly the most diverse, and in many ways, most intriguing part of the city ... read more
SOUTHWEST
Southwest Austin encompasses some older, established neighborhoods and many newer developments. It has become an increasingly sought-after living area ... read more
SOUTH
South Austin runs the gamut from the wide open green spaces of Barton Springs, to the trendy shopping/dining/artist/music districts in and around SoCo, ... read more
SOUTHEAST
Southeast Austin is a large, diverse region. Some sections include residential communities with bungalow-style homes, others have college apartment complexes and commercial storefronts, ... read more
Neighborhood Suggestions
For a mid-sized town, Austin presents many choices of where to live. It can get confusing and maybe overwhelming. The table below offers some suggestions on areas to begin your search, depending on your situation and preferences.