Upper Boggy Creek / Cherrywood

The Upper Boggy Creek/Cherrywood neighborhood of Austin, Texas is a densely populated area north and east of the downtown area. It is also one of the quirkier neighborhoods in the city with a weirdness all its own. This is one of the more affordable regions in the city with some homes as low as $100,000 and others that climb into the $250,000 range. The entire neighborhood with the exception of the parts closer to Interstate 35 that have a somewhat seedier side; are cool and artistic and it is bordered to the south and west by hip coffee houses, quaint diners, and art establishments.

The area is served by the Austin Independent School District, and there are private schools in the area as well. Crime rates are relatively low and the neighbors are friendly, making this an affordable place to raise a family. Streets for the most part are shady and tree-lined, making it ideal for a walk or jog, but watch out because you never know if you might run into someone still stuck in the 1960's. All in all, this is a great place to live and emerge yourself into a diverse neighborhood where there is always something going on.

This is one of my favorite Austin neighborhoods in which to spend a few hours wandering around, sticking to the scenic and varied residential areas rather than getting too close to 35. As you approach 35, the vibe gets decidedly seedier, all cheap motels, strip clubs, gas stations, and run-down apartment complexes. Plenty of shopping is readily available, though.

Housing is still exceptionally affordable here, and some of the smaller, older homes can still be acquired for right around the $100K price point. The whole neighborhood has a cozy, artistic feel to it, and many of the art establishments, places to eat, and smaller shops are set up in what look like ordinary residential spaces, so there are surprises to be found on nearly any corner.

Out walking one day, I came upon a home with a ten-foot privacy fence around its yard, and, peering down at me from above this fence was a noble-looking Golden Retriever. I have no idea what Sky Dog, as we immediately began calling him, was standing on to give him such a keen view of the street below his domain, but this was the kind of unexpected, inexplicable moment I love best about Austin, really. Great and all-encompassing arts scene, plenty of little holes in the wall to explore, convenience to shopping and transit, affordability, and the promise of some zany characters—Sky Dog among them—make this a neighborhood well worth giving a second look.

Situated northeast of the UT campus inside the triangle formed by I-35, Airport Rd, and Manor Rd, Cherrywood is a quirky residential neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, modest bungalow homes, and community-oriented vibe.

Along the highway, you’ll find all the usual seamy fringe establishments: adult entertainment, fast food, auto parts, etc—but for the most part Cherrywood is pretty wholesome. It’s home to families with children, dog-walking couples, UT grad students, and the like. Here, you can find private acupuncture, massage, and natural healing practices, as well as a birth center staffed by midwives and doulas. A community garden and a zero-waste, packaging-free grocery store (in.gredients) are apparently on their way to Cherrywood, too. In the meantime, Fiesta Mart is the cheap, mainstream, go-to grocery store.

Because the neighborhood’s radio station, performance spaces, music studios and art galleries are tucked away in unlikely storefront spaces or converted homes, the art scene here feels makeshift and decentralized, yet oddly pervasive.

There’s not much of a bar scene; the Butterfly Bar seems to be the only place that self-identifies as a drinking establishment. But luckily the best coffeeshops also sell wine and beer on tap: Thunderbird has sort of a stark Brooklyn/hipster feel, while Cherrywood Coffeehouse is more of an earthy-crunchy Zilker Park/hippie scene.

Great neighborhood if you’re looking for something with a cozy feel and a short commute to the UT campus.

Located in central east Austin, Cherrywood is a popular haven for young families and professionals who are looking for a central location with some eastside charm. This neighborhood is actually known by several names, including Upper Boggy Creek and French Place. It is bordered by Wilshire Boulevard to the north, Manor Road to the south, Interstate 35 to the west and Airport Boulevard to the east. Historically Cherrywood was made up of farms and orchards, and became developed during a housing boom beginning in the 1930s through the 1960s. Original homes are most commonly small, wood-framed bungalows with some larger ranch-style homes mixed in.

The Cherrywood neighborhood is much loved by its residents, who form a tight community committed to continually improving the area. Many young families and professionals find it attractive, due to the relatively affordable housing prices found here compared to other central Austin neighborhoods. There is a definite Austin vibe found here which the residents encourage through the popular Cherrywood Art Fair hosted here every year. This part of east Austin also has many established local eateries along Manor Road close to the University of Texas that attract many from outside the area, including the Eastside Café, Hoover’s Restaurant and El Chile.

The price of housing has experienced a gradual upswing, but a modest 2/1 bungalow can still be found in the high $100s. A newer, remodeled home would fall more in the range of the mid-$400s. Area schools include Maplewood Elementary, Kealing Middle School and McCallum High School. Residents have worked hard to preserve the neighborhood’s green space and walkability, and there is a strong sense of community. Patterson Park is located here, which includes a pool, new playscape and trails, and plenty of room for both kids and dogs to run around in. All in all, the Cherrywood neighborhood has much to offer, particularly for those who prefer some local Austin flavor.

This is right along I35, where the interstate splits into two levels for twice the traffic and twice the noise. It’s very close to campus, but you’re better off heading to the west side for housing. There are a lot of motels and businesses along 35, including Chicas Bonitas—a strip club that used to be called the Crazy Lady. This is definitely one place in Austin that you want to avoid. I heard rumors from more than one of my male friends who found himself there for a bachelor party that it’s pretty awful there—extremely dark, dirty, and apparently dancers work pretty late through their pregnancies there, because it was also a common story I heard over and over. There is a very popular diner—Star Seeds—on 31st and 35, but I honestly can’t tell you what people love about it so much. There’s a list of rules on a board as you enter, one of which is “don’t make eye contact with the cook.” The waitresses are rude, and there is always punk or death metal music blasting away—so loud that you can’t even talk to the person sitting across the booth from you. My boyfriend at the time used to love to go there to read the paper and get breakfast for some reason I could never quite fathom. He probably would have loved to live within walking distance. Check out your landlord’s reputation and look at the apartment complex closely in person before renting, and you may get lucky living here.

The Upper Boggy Creek/ Cherrywood neighborhood is the perfect combination of green scenery, access to grocery and medical needs, and access to the lively spirit of Austin, TX. This area is home to an eclectic mix of residents of all ages ranging from single professionals to students to extended families. The prime streets with the majority of activity are Manor Rd., E. 38 1/2th St. and Airport Blvd. Manor Rd. is home to truly unique restaurants from fund friendly taco stands to the fully home grown menu of East Side Cafe'. Two Theaters are also within two blocks of each other, offering residents one of a kind performances and films screenings within walking distance. Aside from Patterson Park, the streets within this neighborhood are sheltered from the sun from the massive amount of trees, making the area a jogger's dream come true.

Local abodes come in a colorful mix and a variety if sizes, offering real estate prices that are suitable for both buyers and renters. A Fiesta Mart is along the nearby I-35, but those wish to go to H-E-B or to one of the medical centers only need to cross the highway. Should you feel like trying alternative medicine, there are five facilities that use acupuncture as a form of treatment within half a mile radius. Two coffeehouses, both of which are city favorites provide excellent places for students to study and also contribute their own dose of live music culture. Within the windy streets in Upper Boggy Creek/ Cherrywood, both families and crowds of all kinds of single folk can be seen enjoying the weather with some drinks on the many porches and balconies that characterize the area.