Austin, Texas Living - Central Austin

Central Austin is a vibrant community of diverse neighborhoods. When you live in central Austin, there is much to do and see. Whether it’s shopping at one of the many stores, eating downtown, or checking out one of the many music venues around town, there’s always something going on around here. Which also makes it a great area for young professionals in Austin.

Central Austin is located to the south of 183, east of MoPac, and west of 35. 30 years ago, central Austin would have been considered North Austin, however, there is rapid expansion and growth happening. We are sprawling.

Experience Austin’s classic funky vibes and weird culture in central Austin. You’re gonna have access to your nice yard, great schools, and a strong community feels. Let’s take a beat and go through the different neighborhood options that you have.

Central Austin Neighborhoods

Starting from neighborhoods close to downtown, we’ve got Clarksville and when you make your way to the north, we have Bryker Woods and then Rosedale. When you come over to the east, you’ll hit Hyde Park and as you go north, we have North Loop, Brentwood, Allandale, Crestview, and finally, North Shoal Creek.

These neighborhoods are like the “OGs” of Austin suburbs. Clarksville, which is positioned right next to downtown is as old as the late 1800s, so you’ll see some houses in there that are from 1920s and 30s.

As you make your way north, it’ll sort of feel like you’re going on a suburban development tour of the 20th century with some original cottages and bungalows from the 40s, 50s, and 60.

You’ll then end up in Allandale and North Shoal Creek where they have a little bit larger of a lot for you with ranch-style homes that were popular in the 1970s. These charming bungalows and cottages are original to the city and they do have a very small square footage average such as 1000 to 1200 square feet.

Central Austin Homes

You will often see that it’s been a common trend to sometimes tear these down or do an extensive remodel to get a more modern custom home build with larger square footage.

Now, it’s not all just single-family homes here, you are also going to find duplexes, triplexes, small apartment communities, and larger condo complexes.

The typical price point for a home in central Austin is in the $500,000 to $700,000 range, however, there are plenty of homes that are hitting the $800,000 to $900,000 mark and as well as over a million dollars.

Those houses look Austin, but they look expensive. So how do I make money in central Austin?

Central Austin Job Market

If you’re thinking that you’re going to have a job in downtown Austin, or maybe over at the UT campus, or perhaps you’re a student over at the UT campus, then I would highly consider central Austin to be your place of residence.

Although you will still be involved in the morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, you’re only a few miles away from your job so you’ll only be bumping shoulders with those cranky drivers for about 15 - 20 minutes.

Have you ever heard of this little thing called South by Southwest? It only attracts 100,000 people to Austin every single year and it’s kind of a big deal.

It has attracted some major tech employers to Austin. There are campuses all over Austin and the main two places that they keep on putting these campuses are downtown and the Domain. Both of these locations are just within 10-15 minutes if you live inside central Austin.

Central Austin Condominiums

Are you looking for a condo to call home in downtown Austin, Texas? There are tons of condos available in central Austin that cater to all kinds of lifestyles. Here’s our guide to the top condos in downtown Austin. 

The Independent: This luxury hi-rise condo building is located on the edge of Lady Bird Lake and offers stunning views of the city skyline. It has high-end amenities like floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and a rooftop pool with cabanas. The Independent also has shops and restaurants nearby, making it an ideal spot for anyone who wants to be close to all the action. 

The Austonian: If you’re looking for something luxurious and modern, then The Austonian should be your first choice. This beautiful building features gorgeous interiors with marble counters and stainless steel appliances. The Austonian also has a fitness center, swimming pool, and even an outdoor garden area for residents to enjoy. 

The W Residences: For those who want something a bit more exclusive, then The W Residences is perfect. This upscale condo building features private access points and 24/7 security services to ensure that only residents can enter the premises. Inside, you’ll find high-end finishes like quartz countertops and custom cabinetry. Plus, there’s even an indoor/outdoor lounge area where residents can relax with friends or family members. 

The 360 Residential Condominiums skyscraper: A perfect blend of luxury, convenience and modern style, the 360 Residential Condominiums skyscraper offers breathtaking views of downtown Austin. Amenities here include a pool deck with cabanas, as well as a fitness center and business center. This high-rise condo building is also close to great restaurants and bars, making it an ideal spot for anyone who likes to socialize. 

Fun Things To Do in Central Austin

Let’s talk about how you can play in central Austin. The Central Market is a grocery store between Rosedale and Hyde Park. It’s fantastic.

They have a huge playground where kids always have a great time. There are also some morning beers, a Halloween party, and some wine tasting classes and cooking classes you can take part in, and they have live music. The neat thing is that this is just one of the many places where they are really set up for success for families to relax, play, and get to know each other. 

Central Austin is packed with playgrounds, and that may be kind of anointing to those of you with no kids, but when it comes to parents, it’s crucial to their sanitary. But there’s a little bit of everything for everybody.

No matter where you choose to put yourself down in this area, you will most likely be within walking distance to the newest, coolest, and award-winning restaurants available in the Austin area.

Are you moving to Central Austin? Need some advice on where to move? Click here to speak to a real estate consultant! You can also check out the available listings in Central Austin here.

If you want to learn more about these neighborhoods, check out our Austin communities!