Spend an afternoon in this vibrant neighborhood near the heart of the action.
Welcome to Central Austin
Welcome to the urban oasis of your dreams!
Located near the University of Texas at Austin, Central Austin is a lively neighborhood packed with restaurants, dive bars, coffee shops, and art galleries. The hip district—which includes Downtown and the Texas Capitol—is especially popular with young working professionals. The median age of residents is34 years old; around 2/3 of them are renters, and the rest are homeowners. Historic Victorian homes and renovated warehouses unfurl not far from the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail, which is frequented by joggers and pet owners taking their pooches to the dog park. Popular neighborhoods such as Allandale, Brentwood, and Crestview are quiet pockets of town that tend to offer a relaxed and low-key lifestyle. Rosedale, Shoalmont, Brykerwoods and Highland Park have older, more comfortable homes with character. With the recent development of The Grove, it has given a resurgence of building and revitalization of the homes of these neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have close proximity to many restaurants and shops within walking distance. Spend an afternoon in this vibrant neighborhood near the heart of the action, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an increasingly popular choice for young urbanites.
What to Love
Urban oasis
Walkable neighborhoods
Proximity to downtown attractions
Easy access to greenbelts, parks, and other outdoor attractions
A non-stop new list of trendy restaurants and nightlife options
Local Lifestyle
Central Austin has a throw back attitude and is reminiscent of the old Austin
This area serves a foodie well
Thanks to its energetic vibe, Central Austin is a great choice for those who want to live in a walkable area with plenty of new attractions
Brimming with music venues, vintage shops, and museums, the area has something for everyone
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
If your pantry is nearly empty, head to American gourmet grocery store chainCentral Market to stock up on all the essentials. In addition to a bakery and deli, the grocery store offers cooking and wine classes taught by cooking school experts. Why not sign up for one so you can finally learn how to make the perfect French macarons or steak dinner? Central Market also caters to families and hosts live music throughout the year, take a look at their cafe menu and Events Calendar.
Not in the mood to cook dinner? Head toUchiko, the sister restaurant of Tyson Cole’s Uchi with a Japanese flair. Order the chef’s 10-course daily tasting menu for a real treat, or oysters, sushi, or sashimi if you want something a bit more low-key. Uchiko has one of the best Sake menus in town - just a side note!
If you’re hankering for some Mexican cuisine instead, order some handcrafted tacos from local favoriteTacodeli. (We recommend the sirloin tacos, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.) The crowd pleasing Torchy’s Tacos is nationally well known for its queso. For a more upscale take on Mexican fare, head toFonda San Miguel, which bills itself as “the first restaurant in Texas to focus exclusively on authentic regional cuisine from Mexico’s Interior culinary epicenters: Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Yucatan.” Just hanging out for happy hour makes one feel like you have escaped to San Miguel Allende, the atmosphere is quite charming.
After a solid meal, head toAlamo Drafthouse to see some of the hottest new movie releases while enjoying a nightcap. If you are looking for a Sunday Funday, The Little Longhorn Saloon is your place to enjoy, with live music and chicken $h!T bingo, you will be sure to have a good time! While supporting local businesses, you can stop in at A-Town, where they offer an array of local products such as jewelry, clothing and Keep Austin Weird merchandise. There is also Ten Thousand Villages, a retailer that caters to fair-trade wares and goods, a good way to shop ethically.
Things to Do
Looking for ways to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather? Head toRamsey Neighborhood Park (where you can play pickup rounds of basketball or use the public pool and tennis facilities) orBeverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park (where you can swim, play basketball, baseball, or tennis). Alternately, you can go on a hike or jog at the aforementionedShoal Creek Greenbelt Trail or check out the farmer’s market at Triangle Commons Pocket Park. To catch a glimpse of history, head to Camp Mabry, the third-oldest active military installation in Texas. Camp Mabry also has a pond pavilion, and several events throughout the year that the public is invited to.
Schools
Central Austin is part of the Austin Independent School District, which operates 130 schools across the city. Since it has several good schools with low teacher-to-student ratios, Central Austin is a great choice for parents looking for the right place for their kids. Here are some of the school options in the area:
