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Downtown Austin Real Estate - What Central Austin Neighborhood Should I Consider?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

 

Some of the most consistent appreciation for home prices in Austin has occurred in the central Austin area.  Austin has a bus system through Capital Metro, but no subways or other public transit system, so convenience is critical for many buyers, including many who office downtown or in one of the centrally-located hospitals. At Austin Texas Homes, LLC, we can't tell you where you should live, but we certainly can give you an idea of what the price ranges for a few of the better-known central Austin neighborhoods.

Some of the older, more prestigious neighborhoods in central Austin include Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Enfield, Clarksville, SoCo, Bryker Woods, and Travis Heights. These neighborhoods have the charm of the "old guard," and have the benefit of being right in the thick of Austin life.

 Tarrytown is home to many of Austin's "movers and shakers."  It's about 10 minutes west of downtown Austin.  Currently, homes in Tarrytown range from about $600K to about 1.5 million.

Hyde Park is located just north of the University of Texas. A lot of younger families have been attracted to this area, because of its proximity to parks, Central Market, and the tree-lined streets. You can expect to pay from the high $200K range to the $600K range for a home in this area.

Enfield is a hip area just west of downtown which contains a wide range of property values, starting in the $400K range, and going all the way up to several million dollars. Because of this eclectic mix, an individual street in Enfield may contain properties with dissimilar values, which adds to its diverse charm.

 

 Clarksville is a small historic area on the western edge of downtown Austin just east of Mopac (Loop 1) bounded by 6th Street & 10th Street, West Lynn, and Waterston.  Residents here can walk to several restaurants, including El Arroyo, Cafe Caprice, Cafe Josie, and the Castle Hill Cafe.  Also, there are a number of small art galleries in the neighborhood.  Expect prices starting in the $300K range.

SoCo, which is short for "South Congress", has seen much renovation and revitalization since the year 2000 or so. "First Thursday" of each month is a regular event held on South Congress, wherein stores stay open until 10 PM and there are various activities through the evening. The SoCo shopping area could be described as "funky" or "retro." For a home in this hip and trendy area of town, you can expect to pay between $275K and $500K.

 

 

Bryker Woods was originally developed in the 1930's, and it contains many quaint cottage homes.  It is located just east of Mopac near 35th Street, and it's part of the Old West Austin historic district.  Tree-lined streets and convenience to Seton Hospital, Bailey Park, and Pease Park are some of the advantages.  Homes here begin in the $300K range, up to around $750-800K.

Travis Heights is located on the southern edge of downtown. Families and singles of all ages are attracted to this popular area because of the quaint, renovated feel it has. The many trees and convenient location of this neighborhood are additional selling points. Home prices in this area range from $300K to $700K.

 

If you are looking to buy a home in central or downtown Austin (or anywhere in the general Austin, Texas area, for that matter), give me a call or email me anytime.  I look forward to helping you find the right home!  Thanks!  Jason Crouch, Broker/Owner, Austin Texas Homes, LLC  

512-796-7653 (cell)

jason@austintexashomes.com

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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary website at www.austintexashomes.com.  Thanks!

Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTOR®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com
Hey Jason, just wondering, what do you know about the Hutto Area?  From what my brother says, it is a great up and coming sub-burb of Austin.
Mar 20, 2008 06:41 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

DON - I wish I could take credit for taking that photo, since it is terrific, but I did not. 

COURTNEY - It was funny - I actually learned about SoCo years ago from a client who asked me about it.  I had to think about what they were referring to.  Now, it is mentioned so often that it's hard to miss.

JEREMY - Actually, I live very close to Hutto (about five minutes away), and I recently wrote this post about it: Hutto Real Estate - Fastest Growing City in Texas!.  Hutto and Pflugerville are both great areas on the north side of town: Pflugerville Texas is Coming into its Own.

Mar 20, 2008 06:58 AM
Kim Dean
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner
Jason...really great localism post. I like how easy it is to read - good photos too. I'll definitely send any of my Austin referrals your way! (although I prefer to send my referrals to the Bryan/College Station area, if you get my drift ;) )
Mar 20, 2008 07:27 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
KIM - Thanks!  I thought it turned out pretty well.  Thanks for keeping me in mind for your Austin referrals.  I will do the same for you!  And yes, I do get your drift.  I didn't go to UT (or TU, as you probably refer to it).  Does that help?
Mar 20, 2008 07:30 AM
Susan Davis
Austin, TX
Excellence Advocate

Jason, I love the way you put these community blogs together. We dont have so much to choose from here in my area, but I am going to see what I can come up with in terms of neighborhoods. I think these maie for a great post for people to relocate.

It was really great talking with you today! Looking forward to next time!

To your success,

Susan

Mar 20, 2008 09:34 AM
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Jason - AWESOME post describing some of Austins neighborhoods. 

Jackie

Mar 20, 2008 06:11 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

SUSAN - Thanks!  I hope that plenty of buyers find this post, too.  I enjoyed talking to you again as well.  Take care and happy Easter!

JACKIE - Thank you!  Glad you liked it -

Mar 21, 2008 09:11 AM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales
This is a GREAT blog!!  I know that it can be overwhelming when visiting an unfamiliar city.  I've heard lots of great things about Austin - some of my relatives moved there from Buffalo NY over 20 years ago and never looked back.  I'd like to visit some day.
Mar 21, 2008 05:15 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
KAREN - Thanks for your compliment!  Austin really is a terrific town - I can see why your relatives wouldn't return.  I have actually been here almost exactly 20 years myself (I am originally from Dallas).
Mar 21, 2008 05:23 PM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales
When I was a teen, I wanted to live in Dallas - but that was cause I was hooked on the Who Shot JR drama...ha haa
Mar 21, 2008 05:26 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
That was a VERY big deal in Dallas, too, as you might well imagine.  I still remember following it closely, even though I was only 10 that summer.
Mar 21, 2008 05:29 PM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island
JASON - This is a nice breakdown for those that are considering the Austin area, as many people will be looking for suburbs when relocating.  Great job as usual.
Mar 21, 2008 11:41 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

ADAM - There are definitely those who are interested in the suburbs, which made me think that this would be a handy post for anyone looking to be closer to the action near downtown.  Thanks for stopping by to comment!

 

Mar 22, 2008 05:28 AM
Anne Lyon
Long and Foster - Pikesville, MD

Hi Jason,

I love your points of interest sights because they provide alot of great travel information that will really excite people looking to take a trip out west. Texas has a lo to offer-Peaks my interest.

As a Referring Travel Agent for  this is valuable information that I can share with folks wanting to see the great state ogf Texas.

Mar 22, 2008 06:24 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
ANNE - That's great!  I am glad that you found this helpful for your travel agent business.  Have a great Easter!
Mar 22, 2008 06:37 AM
Mike Norvell Sr
Morris Williams Realty - Leesburg, FL
Norvell Consulting Group

Hi Jason...I am working with a group that is looking for specific deals in Austin...We will be coming to a convention in Austin in a few weeks, while we are there we will be looking at some subdivisions for sale..I may look you up while we are in town,. maybe you can add some local knowlege& Insight  to our proposed project...

BTW..very nice post

Mar 22, 2008 06:46 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
MIKE - Please look me up for lunch, if nothing else.  I would love to assist with your project in some capacity, but if not, we can at least enjoy some good food and conversation!
Mar 22, 2008 07:28 AM
Mike Norvell Sr
Morris Williams Realty - Leesburg, FL
Norvell Consulting Group

jason, I look forward to seeing you at the during the seminar in a few weeks...As soon as I get the motel info and our schedule, I will look you up...besides Google Earth, I know nothing about that area..Happy Easter

Mar 22, 2008 01:37 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
MIKE - Sounds like a plan.  What dates are you coming to town?
Mar 22, 2008 01:41 PM
Jessica Bigger
Bigger Communications - Reston, VA
Freelance Real Estate Business Writer
Jason - you have some great community blogs out there.  I'm going to follow by example.  Definitely want to write some good blogs about Humboldt County, CA.  So your definitely inspiring me to do so and do it with pizazz!
Mar 28, 2008 12:15 PM