Rosedale

The Rosedale neighborhood of Austin is an eclectic blend of young families with children, single professionals, and long-time residents whose children have grown up and moved away. The majority of homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1930's and 1940's though there is some new construction throughout the neighborhood. Prices in this neighborhood run from $250,000 up to $600,000 for some of the newer rebuilt homes. This is a beautiful area with lots of large mature trees making it an ideal place for a walk, jog, or bike ride. There is a warm and safe feel to the neighborhood with its charming bungalows that are a throwback to decades past, when children could play outside without fear.

It's close to the University of Texas at Austin, Downtown Austin, and the Texas State Capitol, and has access to rail and bus lines of CMTA of Austin. In the heart of the neighborhood is Ramsey Park, which features swimming pools, picnic areas, tennis courts, and playgrounds. This neighborhood is served by the Austin Independent School District which has fine public schools, and there are a number of excellent private schools in the area as well. If you like a wide variety of food, this is a great place to be as there are Mexican, Japanese, and traditional American venues within walking distance of the neighborhood.

This north Central Austin neighborhood is one of the more coveted areas to live in, particularly for those who love the charm of old Austin but enjoy the benefits and amenities of newer development as well. The center of the neighborhood contains mostly modest residential homes while the outskirts are filled with a varied mix of retail shopping and restaurants. It is a neighborhood that has experienced some transition in the last ten years, but a carefully planned and deliberate kind of transition.

The boundaries for Rosedale are North Loop/Hancock Drive to the north, 38th Street to the south, Shoal Creek to the west and Lamar Boulevard to the east. It is perfectly situated for easy access to downtown, the University of Texas, as well as Lady Bird Lake and some of the newer developments in the northern part of town. Homes were largely built in the 1930 and 1940s, giving homes a charming, historic feel. Many of the original houses were small bungalows, but the large lot sizes allow for expansion. Popular with the upwardly mobile, many young families and professionals find Rosedale attractive. There is a popular neighborhood park found in the center, Ramsey Park, which has a large pool, two playscapes, tennis courts and ball fields.

The sense of community is quite strong in Rosedale. Residents share a commitment to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, and have worked hard to insure that new retail development along Burnet Road is compatible with the look and feel of the area. Housing prices are higher here than other neighborhoods further out, with homes averaging in the mid-$400s, and ranging up into the $600s and even higher. Area schools include Bryker Woods Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School for those south of 45th Street and Highland Park Elementary, Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School for those north of 45th Street. If one can afford it, this is an ideal neighborhood for those who appreciate the look and feel of old Austin.

Though geared towards an older demographic, there are plenty of reasons to consider Rosedale as a safe and quiet alternative to some of the younger Austin neighborhoods. And while I’m definitely planning on retiring here, it’s also a great place to find a lot to do if you’re young and still up for some adventure. The area is very close to the Cliffs and Mt. Bonnell Park, which has one of the best views of the city around. You have to climb up a really long rock staircase, so this should only be attempted if you are not afraid to break a hip. Once you make it to the top, you are rewarded for your trouble. You’ll find an adorable little brick viewing platform that hardly ever has anyone else around. When you get back down, you can reward yourself back in Rosewood with lunch at Kirby Lane Café, an Austin institution, or Chinese from Snow Pea (no MSG!), a margarita from Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina, or even some fine-dining Tex-Mex Fusion at Fonda San Miguel. Hipsters and undergrad UT students may not find too much here to get excited about, but it’s definitely an area with some great stuff. If you can afford it, you’ll get plenty of fun in dividends.

Rosedale is expresses the ultimate old Austin charm with its abundance of old 1930s and 1940s bungalows. West of Hyde Park the University of Texas, this neighborhood maintains the "Keep Austin Weird" attitude without being overbearing like many other central neighborhoods can be. Here, the original pioneers of Austin culture can sit on their front porches with their children or grandchildren and sip on some Lone Star or tea while the younger crowd can mosey over several blocks east and south to catch the latest in local live music. Rosedale is the perfect place to retire for those that want to keep the funk vibe going until the day they die.

The real estate is not cheap, however. Even older homes that have little square footage are listed for over $300,000, but this is due to being in such an ideal location. Medical Parkway, which goes straight through the neighborhood, has over two dozen different medical offices, making Rosedale the ideal place for the elderly to keep up their health so that hey can continue to freak out newcomers for years to come. The streets are lined with shady trees and Ramsey Playground is the perfect place to take the kids for some exercise. Close to the University of Texas, the Drag, Hyde Park and bordering N. Lamar Blvd. and Hwy 1, the convenience of living is Rosedale to travel to other parts of town is something that cannot be denied. A word of advice to young weird folk, save and invest you money so that you can retire here.