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Nestled next to the older, historic, and wildly pricy Tarrytown and Old Enfield neighborhoods, Windsor Road—not to be confused with Windsor Hills or Windsor Park—is a charming, if steeply priced, neighborhood featuring Austin’s unique, signature charm along with safe, clean, green streets, fantastic schools, and easy access to downtown Austin, shopping, and nightlife.

We tend to get what we pay for in real estate, and buy-ins to this exclusive enclave start high. The vast majority of the housing is mid-20th century bungalow-style housing, small to medium in size, and the architectural diversity and appeal of the neighborhood gives it a distinctive appearance unmatched by most other neighborhoods. Around Windsor Road, while the homes may run to the smaller and more expensive, you are buying in to a beautiful, safe neighborhood with a rich history and every amenity you could ask for.

Schools are widely regarded as among the area’s best, making this a particularly good neighborhood in which to raise children. The relative convenience to nearby universities also makes this an attractive neighborhood for professors to settle into, though it’s generally out of the reach of most students.

While there’s limited nightlife in the immediate area, downtown is a quick trip away, and public transit in the neighborhood runs smoothly. For higher-end living without hitting that million-dollar mark, this is one of Austin’s premiere neighborhoods.

Northeast Austin is filled with smaller neighborhoods that weigh in, comparatively, as fully average across the board, and Windsor Hills is one of them. Adjacent to I-35, it could be considered a fairly easy neighborhood to navigate in and out of, though reliance upon I-35 is seen as a bit of a negative by many locals.

The area is quiet and safe, with mid-priced housing, mid-grade shopping and entertainment, and a middling commute to more happening parts of the city. It’s a family friendly neighborhood without a lot of charm to recommend it, but it’s a clean, happy place to raise a family, and opportunities to enjoy the rest of Austin are easily accessible with just a short drive.

Ultimately, while the area fails to be noteworthy or memorable, it succeeds admirably in meeting an average standard that is both acceptable to and well within the reach of the average Austin citizen. For funky vibes and classic Weird Austin, head south, and for upscale quality, seek out higher-end enclaves on either side of the river, but if what you really want is a place to settle down and build your American dream, Windsor Hills is a great place to start.

West Oak Hill isn't a bad neighborhood in its own right. Its biggest drawback is probably that it automatically becomes a serious commute to get to any other part of the city. All the same, there are some pretty fantastic homes to be found in this neighborhood, sitting as it does on the edge of the West Texas hill country.

Newer construction offers some pretty impressive housing, and some of the older properties boast of some very well done landscaping. Shopping and nightlife are considerably limited with this much seclusion, and the bottlenecks on the major roads make a very strong argument for some of the most serious traffic problems anywhere in town. If you work off hours, and can thus avoid traveling during peak hours, or you find that you really want access to a more rural lifestyle within Austin, this particular unique area might be worth looking into. For pretty much any other consideration, especially nightlife, shopping, and convenience, you would do better to look elsewhere, and simply drive through every so often to enjoy the picturesque views.

Even the most beautiful location can hardly be worth commuting an hour or more a day. Other than the far-flung and challenging location and the amazing scenery, what you will find in West Oak Hill is primarily a strong suburban, sometimes even rural feel. West Oak Hill does have a lot going for it, but insane commutes and traffic snares are likely to turn off all but the most devoted fans of nature’s beauty.

Westgate is a friendly, accessible neighborhood that strikes a great balance among affordability, amenities, and pure Austin charm. Maybe most notably, Westgate is pretty firmly easy to travel both by car and by public transit, somehow escaping the typical traffic snarls that characterize our funky little city. Westgate does offer convenient and easy access to all the major roads in the South end of town.

The neighborhood itself has housing available from upscale suburban to slightly below average, with plenty of variety in between. On the whole it's clean, quiet, and very family friendly, with plenty to do nearby and plenty more easily reached with just a quick trip to another part of town. The Westgate Shopping Center is the neighborhood’s best bet for most shopping needs, and it also features its own movie theater, an ice cream parlor, and South Austin's very own Central Market for all your high-end grocery needs. The shopping center is pretty equally convenient as a useful errand-running spot or even a whole afternoon or evening out having fun.

Offering tree-lined streets with an abundance of shade, easy traffic patterns, and most all of the features you would expect to find in more affluent and trendy neighborhoods, but in an affordable setting, Westgate has plenty to offer everyone. Excellent parks, nearby schools, and superior mass transportation options are all part of the mix that makes living here worthwhile.

In the running for “best value neighborhood in Austin,” Wooten offers a surprisingly good bang for your buck. Quieter and more laid back than more central locations, but still convenient to downtown and everything that has to offer, Wooten is a predominantly middle-class neighborhood with a somewhat unfair reputation for danger.

The community works hard to turn its image around and make the most of the resources it has available. Homeowners keep their homes well maintained, and the schools are surprisingly strong, considering the relatively low income average of the neighborhood.

There’s perhaps not a whole lot going on in Wooten at any given time, but it’s easy enough to reach other, livelier parts of town, and prospective homeowners and young people just starting out can easily get a foothold in Austin’s normally tight housing market here, making it an appealing destination for plenty of people willing to sacrifice a bit of Austin color for the security of affordable, safe housing.

For dining and nightlife, you’re going to want to head outside the neighborhood’s boundaries, and despite Wooten’s declining crime rates, it’s still best to practice caution when you’re out and about, remembering to do things like lock doors and windows. Still, it’s not a bad place to live, and it’s a particularly easy place to raise a family, with affordability, good access to medical care, and solid schools to recommend it.

Zilker offers absolutely everything Austin is best known for—great shopping and trendy hangouts, fantastic, historic homes and streets, lush green areas with incredible opportunities for enjoying the outdoors, conveniently near most any place you’d like to visit… and a pretty hefty price tag.

But just like anywhere else, you do get what you pay for, and your fairly substantial investment in Zilker real estate will pay dividends in the form of sheer Austin enjoyment and coolness. Here, you’re a stone’s throw from amazing Zilker Park as well as the super-popular Barton Springs Pool.

The neighborhood’s charm is lost on virtually no one, and it draws in a pretty broad range of folks, from students to families to retirees. The local schools are some of the region’s finest, the neighborhood is safe, green, and clean, and transit is simple both within the area and to points beyond. You will never run out of new restaurants to try or new shops to visit, and even on an ordinary night, strolling through the community, taking in the history and beauty of the older homes can be completely enjoyable. There’s nothing lacking, except maybe affordability, but if you can handle the cost of entry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to live.

I can’t imagine living in Riverdale for any reason besides being a student on the prowl for affordable, convenient housing. Crammed into the neighborhood as densely as sardines in a tin, the college students tend to keep the neighborhood pretty vivacious and loud, and although Riverdale has developed something of a reputation as a place where you want to keep your eyes peeled for mischief, most of the problems stem more from the huge population in a small area rather than any actual degenerate element.

All that said, this is what it set out to be, which was off-campus student housing, catering to students specifically with large apartment complexes ideal for roommate shares and amenities like fitness rooms and wireless internet. The neighborhood in and of itself is nothing to write home about, but you’re pretty conveniently located near most anyplace you’d want to visit, with plenty of parks and other green spaces nearby, as well as trendier neighborhoods, shopping, and entertainment. For current students, finding housing here is like shooting fish in a barrel, and the college environment has thoroughly permeated the entire neighborhood. For anyone in a position to live anywhere else, though, the neighborhood is just crowded, slightly dangerous, noisy, and lacking in fun.

The thing about Parker Lane is that no one seems to remember it’s there. Generic, character-free, and largely forgotten, this east side neighborhood offers affordable housing a reasonable distance from some of Austin’s top destinations, but has absolutely nothing of its own to recommend it.

There’s nothing overtly wrong with Parker Lane, either, except for the overcrowded, underfunded public school, and the notable lack of green space. Extremely modest housing prices make it a fairly popular place for young families to put down roots despite these downfalls, and the proximity to St. Edwards makes students often consider it as an affordable alternative to housing closer to campus.

But sadly, Austin’s distinctive charm is entirely absent from the neighborhood, to a degree that, if you didn’t know better, you’d be sure you were no longer within the city limits. This is a middle-of-the-road kind of place in terms of affordability, safety, and convenience, but when it comes to shopping, dining, and entertainment it’s actively lacking. For some, the relative quiet and lower cost of living are worth living so far removed from the best of the action, but for many, if not most, true Austinites, while there’s nothing massively wrong with Parker Lane, it simply isn’t “Austin.”

Old West Austin is in an absolutely perfect location with easy access to downtown, or Loop 1 if you need to head elsewhere in town. Here you find some older homes but all of them have been very well-maintained, preserving their unique historic charm and blending beautifully into the tree growth of the neighborhood. Amidst the grand old residences are a smattering of adorable Mom & Pop stores that are delightful to spend time exploring.

For the outdoorsy, you’re walking distance to Lady Bird Lake with its hike and bike trail, and retail options are practically limitless with all the major shopping centers along Lamar. And don’t forget the convenience to downtown Austin and all it has to offer, either. This isn't just one of the best neighborhoods north of the river--it's one of the best neighborhoods in town, period.

With an excellent location, charming streets, parks and shopping, you have access to it absolutely everything Austin can offer… but you can expect to pay dearly for the privilege. Priced on the much higher side of average, there’s a solid case to be made that it’s well worth the money.

The biggest problematic consideration is traffic, which can get pretty ugly during rush hour. If you have the chance to both live and work locally, then it won't be an issue at all, and you could conceivably enjoy the neighborhood without even resorting to a car.

In moving so far east, you experience a significant improvement in cost of living, but often at the expense of entertainment, charm, and style, and Pecan Springs holds well to this standard. This is a fairly innocuous suburban-style neighborhood, with modestly-priced ranch style homes and an older, quieter demographic.

The locals are warm and inviting, but tend to be pretty well removed from more common elements of Austin culture, like parties, noise, or late nights. The neighborhood itself is safe and well-maintained, and many of the homeowners are so firmly established here they’re unlikely to ever leave.

Like so much of the east side of town, substantial efforts have been made here toward rejuvenation and renovation. The ACC Eastview campus is a particular notable monument to the changes underway, and students may find the convenience to campus, combined with affordable housing in a safe, quiet neighborhood, appealing enough to take a second look. On the other hand, a lot of students are just as likely to feel isolated and disconnected from all the best Austin has to offer if they opt to live in this suburban retirement haven that offers little by way of nightlife, entertainment, or classic Austin weirdness locally.

Located off Riverside, Pleasant Valley gives you ease of access to the airport and Austin Community College, but not much of anything else. Recent development in this part of town has seen a lot of pre-fab, low-rent apartment housing aimed at UT students seeking affordable living off-campus, and the resulting student population has brought a great deal of campus culture to the neighborhood.

The area on the whole is poorer than average, but it’s by no stretch one of the worst parts of town. Trying to get in and out of the neighborhood can be a real challenge, particularly if you need to cross town in pursuit of food, shopping, entertainment, or anything else not offered locally.

The ACC campus is conveniently nearby if you are a student, and ACC is one of the region’s larger campuses, with a variety of course offerings. However, there is little else to be found nearby, and virtually no options for shopping. Dining options are available along Riverside, but the results you see from them are still going to be hit or miss in general.

The price is appealing for plenty of students, but the challenges presented by living in what amounts to the middle of nowhere are a bitter pill to swallow.

Just north of UT’s campus is the trendy, artsy, youthful hipster haven of the North University neighborhood. Local color abounds in this part of town, which is readily traversed on foot and well-connected to public transit options. Proximity to the University does tend to skew the demographic a bit younger, and more seasoned Austin residents might find this a more enjoyable place to visit than to live in, but there is plenty that’s worth visiting for!

Guadalupe in particular is filled with random shops and stops, and I Luv Video remains one of my personal favorite Austin treasures. This enormous video store prides itself on carrying the most obscure films you could ever want to see, and it’s a pretty much impossible task to leave empty-handed—even if you don’t find what you were looking for, the store is so conducive to lengthy browsing, rediscovering forgotten favorites and finding new ideas, that if you’re anything like me, you’ll wind up going home with as many DVDs as you can carry.

For me, the neighborhood trends a little too hipster-chic to be an ideal place to live, but for people who are down with that vibe—or actively seeking it—there are ample gems to be found. Pricing tends to be pretty on par with similar neighborhoods, and although traffic and parking are often nightmarish, it’s a bike-, pedestrian-, and public transit-friendly part of town.

This is a quiet little spot on the north side of Austin, amounting to not much more than a suburb. In visiting the area, you will find a slightly older, yet clean and well-maintained residential neighborhood. There isn't a lot else to be found within it, but the houses are mostly upscale, with a lot of older tree growth and plenty of shade.

The bike lane up and down Shoal Creek offers a safe path for cyclists and joggers that runs the length of the neighborhood and even extends through a good portion of north Austin as a whole.

Getting around isn't difficult, as you have easy access to a major north to south back road. You might encounter typical traffic pattern problems making it across town during the busier parts of the day, but no more so than you would find in any given location.

For the most part, you’ll be able to fulfill all your shopping needs locally..The biggest downside, by far, is that aside from the basic stores and a great local park, there just isn't much else going on here. If you are considering something more classically residential than typical city living, then look no further. This is pretty standard suburban fare.

When people think of trendy Austin hotspots, neighborhoods on the north side aren’t the first to come to mind. But the North Loop area has a thriving art scene, plenty of nooks and crannies and local color to experience and explore, and a price tag that keeps it accessible for nearly everyone.

Not necessarily an ideal choice for someone who’ll need to make a long commute, but the area has plenty to offer, especially for those who’ll be spending most of their time nearby. Coffee shops, some nightlife, comedy clubs, and shopping abound.

This isn’t the most family-friendly part of town, and parts of the area are actually considerably run down, but for trendy, artsy chic at a friendly price, few other neighborhoods can really measure up. And as far as happening places to be on the north side of town, this is definitely one of the best, where you’ll never be at a loss for new things to do and places to go. It’s safe, and fairly convenient, with easy, immediate access to major roadways. It’s a great spot for people just starting out, for artists looking for a funky place to hang their hats, and for students who’d rather live a ways off campus.

Where South Lamar offers all the best of Austin charm and flavor, North Lamar offers little but seedy apartment complexes and strip malls. It’s an eminently affordable place to live, but what it lacks in charm, it also lacks in amenities, comfort, and safety.

The area has a well-earned and deserved reputation as sketchy bordering on dangerous, and for a city like Austin, with plenty of affordable and still safe places to live, there’s very little reason to invest any money or time in a home here. It’s run down, inconvenient to nightlife, and full of questionable characters and locales.

Schools are sub-par, making this a poor choice for family living, and while students and struggling artists may be drawn to the low rents, they’ll find themselves with little to do or be inspired by in this particular part of Austin. Few areas really have so little to recommend them, but as far as places to live in Austin, you can easily find more interesting digs for similar costs, and as far as places to visit, well… there really aren’t any here. You’d be missing nothing at all about the Austin experience if you never set foot in the area.

This is a reasonable and affordable pocket of living up north, and tends to offer pretty strong value for your dollar. Just like most northern neighborhoods, one of your biggest problems will be with traffic, particularly during peak travel hours, and there aren’t a whole lot of alternative routes if 183 and the Loop get backed up.

Still, this same reason makes it a pretty choice place to live, with access to two major routes giving you quick, easy access to any part of the city with minimal travel time.

Between the Domain, Gateway, and the Arboretum there are more than enough places to shop. The neighborhood itself is a little older, and it lacks a lot of the charm that you might find in other places that have about the same cost associated with them. It's not a bad location, moderately priced, reasonably safe, reasonably peaceful, and reasonably convenient.

Poor schools and limited access to medical care make this a poor choice for family life, but young professionals and students can easily find plenty of value in this neighborhood. Like much of north Austin, this is an ideal place to live if you work nearby, or in Round Rock, and shopping and entertainment are abundant.

As far as lower-income, family-friendly neighborhoods go, West Congress has a lock on the situation. This is not a happening scene by any stretch, but it’s conveniently located pretty close to everything, and the ethnic diversity of the area lends itself to plenty of awesome hole-in-the-wall eateries.

Schools are okay, public transit is less than ideal, and homes are extremely affordable, especially give the relative closeness to trendier neighborhoods and downtown itself. West Congress is pretty well self-contained, too, with sufficient shopping options and plenty of places to eat.

This will probably never take off as a hipster destination, or become the hottest new place for the arts scene, but for what it is, West Congress has plenty to recommend it. This is a great, friendly neighborhood that’s an ideal choice for families, especially those who are just getting themselves established. It’s safe and peaceful, but it’s not so far outside the heart of the city as to seem light years away. Instead, you can easily enjoy the best Austin has to offer anytime, with just a quick trip up the street. I’d recommend having a car, and I’d also recommend looking to buy if you really want to put down roots here, as housing is still affordable, but the neighborhood will probably never fall out of fashion due to its relative proximity to hotter destinations, making real estate here a pretty solid investment.

The north edge of town has a lot going for it. The places to go and things to do up here are on par with most other desirable parts of town. However, traffic will frequently bring you to your knees, especially during the busier parts of the day.

Lots of great changes have come to North Austin over the past ten years or so, and easy travel from North Austin through to Round Rock without significant interruption is particularly beneficial for folks who work in the area. Trying to make it to downtown can be a little tricky, and if you need to be south of the river during rush hour you might have a real problem. There is, however, very little reason to leave the north side if you don't absolutely have to--almost everything that you need to find can be had here.

It's a little more spread out then other parts of the city, but having a car and knowing your way around will give you full access to pretty much anything you need. Higher costs of living are the norm up this way, but you get access to much newer construction, and in the better parts of theneighborhood, it’s generally clean, well-lit, and well-maintained, making it an appealing place to live for all types of people.

Located east practically right at the edge of town, there is a pocket of neighborhood that is situated inconveniently between major industry and highway traffic. Johnston Terrace isn't just run down, it's also poorly located. Prices are kept low, but there is almost no benefit to be found from living in this spot.

Traffic on highway 183 can back up pretty significantly, and trying to make it anywhere on east 7th or Airport can be problematic at rush hour. The neighborhood isn't conveniently located next to much, and what can be found there is in pretty rough shape. The only thing that It really has going for it is the lower cost of living that you can expect to find.

In all truth, for this price range you would do better to find a part of town that, even if it offers little itself, will at least be adjacent to things you might need. Living this far out you may as well try some of the closer suburbs. It’s still possible to get downtown from here without too much fuss, but you would really do well to just find another neighborhood. All and in all there isn't a lot of reason to want to live here if you have any choice in the matter. Unless the chips are really down, I’d recommend taking a pass.

If I had access to unlimited wealth, I’d be absolutely unable to find fault with Tarrytown at all. Luckily, I do not have access to unlimited wealth, so I’m able to appreciate all the area has to offer, and suffer mild pangs of envy toward those fortunate enough to make their homes here.

Located right near the center of everything, featuring amazing green spaces, cultural opportunities, and art, it’s little surprise this is the neighborhood of choice for those who can afford the very best, but don’t want to leave their Austin roots behind. For the rest of us, we can get glimpses of how the other half lives by exploring everything the community has to offer, taking advantage of the great dining options, and salivating at some of the beautiful old homes.

If you can afford the price tag, I can’t imagine any reason not to move into this exclusive, upscale, totally enriching neighborhood. Great schools, great location, great shopping, great culture, and great eats—what else could you possibly need?

Before I moved to Austin, Magnolia Café was one of the few local joints I’d ever heard of, and it’s located here in Tarrytown. It’s a great place for Sunday morning brunch, people-watching, and leisurely trying to wake up from a long night.

I can’t imagine living here, myself, but I can see the appeal for a certain type of person. Sweetbriar is essentially a south Austin suburb, with suburban houses, suburban schools, and suburban style. You’re far enough outside of town that life is quiet and inexpensive, but there’s a relative safety to the area as well, especially compared to neighborhoods in the northeast suburbs.

There’s plenty of shopping nearby, and reasonably good schools for the kids. Housing is extremely affordable, with most homes coming in at or below the $200K mark. Public transit isn’t very viable here, and the sprawl is notable enough I’d avoid trying to get around on foot or bike either. The good news is you’ll probably always have parking in your very own driveway!

This is an ethnically rich neighborhood, and the people who live here have carved out nice lives for themselves, set apart from the hustle and the bustle of the city, with mortgages they can readily afford and the ability to provide a good standard of life for their families without going to the poor house. Sweetbriar isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s nothing wrong with the suburbs, really—every great city needs to have some accessible, family-friendly places to live, and this is one of Austin’s.

Triangle State has got to be the most effective, most perfectly executed planned community I have ever seen. Catering pretty much exclusively to wealthy young professionals, the entire area was designed to be self-contained and self-sustaining, with tons of upscale shopping, tons of upscale housing, and tons of well-manicured green space. The cost of entry to the area is prohibitive for most ordinary people, and many more would opt out of living here just because the perfectly polished environment is more or less the opposite of what people have come to expect from Austin living.

Still, it’s impossible to argue that it isn’t a lovely place to live. What it lacks in character and intrigue, it more than makes up for in exclusivity and posh settings. Central Market, one of the centerpieces of Triangle shopping, is a marvel to behold, and worth the trip for any Austinite who’s searching for a particular obscure food, organic offerings, or, well, the world’s most expensive groceries.

There’s plenty to do, and getting from Triangle State to the rest of the city is fairly simple, but even if it weren’t so excessively costly, the lack of Austin charm and color makes it an unlikely destination for all but the most status-conscious and wealthy among us.

University Hills is an interesting little neighborhood with a strong track record for flourishing even while neighboring areas struggle. This is due primarily to the strong and dedicated neighborhood association, which makes ongoing, consistent efforts toward maintaining and improving their little corner of Austin.

It’s an ethnically diverse neighborhood, and steeped in quite a bit of culture. Some of the best Mexican food around can be found in teeny shops in this vicinity—it’s hard to argue with authenticity!

Public transit is mostly unavailable here, making it a challenging location for those who opt for car-less lifestyles. The relative distance from downtown and quirkier parts of the city also encourages people to overlook it as an option. Still, housing is affordable, and despite some sketchier spots, it tends to be a safe and clean place to live, with a strong sense of community that’s incredibly appealing to small families, retirees, and anyone who wants to pitch in and get involved with making their neighborhood a better place to live.

Not great for medical care, and schools aren’t the most fantastic, but as far as diverse, welcoming, cozy communities go, you could do much worse. The ceaseless work toward improvement keeps the atmosphere on par with pricier quiet areas closer to the heart of town, at a much lower cost.

I went to college in New York City, myself, and it was a strange experience compared to that of my friends who'd gone to smaller schools with more traditional, closed campuses. UT reminds me a lot of that experience, and if the 50,000 (give or take) students enrolled at any given time are any indication, it's a surprisingly popular way to get your education on while exploring and taking advantage of everything a great city has to offer.

You’re going to want to ditch the automobile and get a bike or a transit pass for getting around easily. Parking and traffic are both a nightmare in the neighborhood, but it’s an easy place for a commuter to live, with ample access to shopping, nightlife, restaurants, and entertainment. Some students might prefer to commute in from other parts of town, but part of the college experience is living as close to the center of the action as you can manage. On the other hand, once you’re through with your own college days, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to move into a more adult neighborhood—and hopefully, you’ll have had the opportunity to explore Austin well enough to find the best fit for you.

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.

Not everyone who settles down and has children wants to give up all traces of their former life. Galindo makes a good case for settling down, but not settling down too hard.

Good schools and ample recreational areas, coupled with fairly typical housing prices, make this an excellent destination for young families looking to put down some roots but unwilling to move out to the suburbs. Downtown, SoCo, and South Lamar are a super-quick trip away for continued adult times, but their boisterous environments don’t really seep into Galindo at all. Galindo is quiet, calm, and safe, instead.

Plenty of park space makes it ideal for more outdoorsy types. Older houses in need of repair come onto the market pretty regularly for great prices, and with the right amount of work, they can make amazing investments. Students might also be drawn to the vibrant natural spaces, peaceful atmosphere, and relative safety, especially when taken into consideration with the ease of access to more exciting parts of Austin. Finding solid values here isn’t especially difficult, and in all truth, this is the kind of neighborhood it is easy to settle into and feel at home in, comfortable, moderate, affordable, and charming in its own quiet way.

Franklin Park is affordable and largely inoffensive. In being largely inoffensive, however, it lacks any kind of charm or personality, instead presenting as little more than an industrially-driven suburb.

For the value-conscious, any of the elements that add up to make Franklin Park a less than wonderful place to live might be irrelevant. This is one of the few parts of town where affordable housing is plentiful and the neighborhood is not actively in a state of chaotic disrepair. It’s reasonably safe, and reasonably quiet. The scenery leaves a lot to be desired, comprised mostly of flat land and desolate parking lots. Shopping and nightlife will require trips to other parts of the city, which you will need to do by car. Public transit is lacking, and the proximity to major highways makes getting around by bike a pretty unsafe option.

Personally, if I can’t think of a reason to visit someplace, I can’t find good reasons to live there, either. The price may be right for many people, but the inconvenience and lack of character combine to make it a bad fit for me. Anyone who really wants to absorb and enjoy Austin culture and charm would be well served to give Franklin Park a pass, no matter how attractive the real estate prices are.

A lot of wealthy people like living in lush, luxurious spaces, with ample shopping, large, well-appointed homes, superior schools, and an overall high quality of life, and plenty of wealthy people in Austin like those things, too. For them, East Oak Hill was born and developed.

Even rents in this upscale neighborhood are not for the faint of heart, and house prices can easily reach the million-dollar mark. In exchange for a rampantly elegant lifestyle in a beautiful community, though, you are trading practically everything that makes Austin… well, Austin.

Students, artists, and hippies can’t begin to afford the cost of entry, so the funky Austin vibe they lend to the rest of the city is conspicuously absent here. Shopping is dominated by high-end stores rather than small, local treasures.

This is a great place to raise a family, as it’s safe, quiet, and secure, with top schools. The mini-mansion décor of the neighborhood in general makes it feel more like an affluent suburb of any city in America, but it’s true that the Real Austin is always just a drive away, and for those who value opulence and quiet over charm and funk, it certainly can seem like an idyllic place to live. And if you can afford it, well, more power to you!

Sometimes, we all find ourselves in positions to make pretty hefty trade-offs in efforts to find solid middle grounds. Living in East Congress, for the right person, could be either the best or worst of both worlds.

Off the beaten path and removed from the noise, action, and bustle of trendier, more happening parts of town, East Congress is safe, quiet, and kind of barren. Shopping is limited, and the landscape leaves a bit to be desired, consisting largely of industrial spaces and small but unattractive retail lots, like used car dealerships. Rental prices and home purchase prices come in under Austin averages, and the neighborhood attracts a broad swath of people of all ages and walks of life, but never manages to really pull together the kind of community environment similar neighborhoods often tend to do really well.

East Congress can be an affordable alternative to more hip locations, and a quiet respite from the funky noise Austin’s hotter neighborhoods tend to generate. But it does achieve this at the expense of local color and community feeling, making it feel less like a place to make a long-term home and more like a stop-gap place to land in between more interesting homes.

When you’re talking about the heart of downtown in any city, it’s a given there will be pros and cons. Like so many people say about New York, in my opinion, downtown Austin is a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there—and not only because the million-dollar condos will likely be out of my price range for the rest of my life.

The action absolutely cannot be beat. Sixth Street is where it’s all happening, all the time. From fine dining to dive bars to live music to comedy shows, nearly anything you could possibly want to do on any given night is something you can find with ease downtown. Downtown is also pedestrian- and public transit friendly, which is a plus since driving can be frustrating, with lights on practically every corner, and parking can be difficult or expensive.

Austin has worked hard to make downtown a great place to live, with ample shopping, fitness, and dining options available right in the neighborhood. Still, it takes a particular kind of person to want to be right in the middle of the action with no quiet place to go.

The area tends to be pretty well maintained and policed, and except for the darkest hours of the night, it’s so heavily populated that it feels safe most of the time. Personally, I’d rather save a few dollars, my hearing, and my sanity by living someplace a little less raucous, but for people who thrive on being right at the center of things, there’s absolutely no better place to live than right downtown.

Dawson is taking off, but so far, it’s managed to hang onto a a good chunk of its laid-back, tucked-away scene. Peppered with funky local eateries and businesses, and populated by a broad range of ages and types, Dawson is the perfect middle ground between the boisterous nightlife and popularity of SoCo or downtown and the quiet residential areas that make up farther-flung parts of town.

Housing remains pretty consistently affordable, with fairly stable and average rental and home prices. The neighborhood is safe, friendly, and quiet, and welcoming to all the different types of people who pass through. It’s got something of a reputation for being a haven for longtime Austinites who want to hang on to the old-school, funky dynamic of the Austin of decades ago, but in all truth, the neighborhood is an ideal setting for pretty much anyone. Affordability and easy access to St. Edwards, downtown, and UT make it perfect for students looking to get off-campus, artists looking for a free-wheeling, accepting space, and even young professionals or small families.

The neighborhood isn’t going to remain a secret forever, though, and prices will only continue to rise as its popularity continues to grow and more and more people demonstrate a demand for housing in this nearly-ideal location.

Rosewood is a small neighborhood on the northeast side of town that’s been targeted pretty hard for revitalization. There’s no doubt the area is ripe for gentrification, being pretty centrally located, close to downtown, near major roads, and offering plenty of transit options. Rosewood also has some spectacular green spaces, and residents tend to be pretty loudly proud of their neighborhood.

The area is overrun by poverty, however, with nearly half the population living at or below the poverty line. This level of poverty manifests itself in numerous ways, including run-down homes, higher-than-normal crime rates, and poor school systems and healthcare options. And while downtown isn’t too far away, Rosewood itself offers little by way of nightlife, fine dining, or shopping.

The community is predominantly African-American. Housing prices are far below Austin averages, for both rentals and purchases. The neighborhood does seem to be on an upswing lately, which might make it worth considering as an investment; if revitalization efforts pay off as well as they already have in some neighborhoods on the east side, housing prices and rental demand could jump considerably over the next couple of years, especially as students and artists discover the gritty charm of this little nook.

Following popular trends, “SoLa” seems to be taking off as a shorthand name for this stretch of Austin. Once a fairly desolate strip of mostly used car lots, South Lamar has evolved into a trendy, eclectic neighborhood with a little bit of everything for everyone.

An influx of local businesses along with fairly steady housing prices have contributed in large part to making this neighborhood the trendy success story it is. A walk down South Lamar will open your eyes to a dizzying world of retail, coffee, and dining options, along with tattoo parlors, boutiques, salons, and funky gift shops.

You’ve got easy access to the rest of Austin from here, but why will you need to go there? You can meet pretty much all your life and entertainment needs without ever setting a foot outside the boundaries of the neighborhood. Residents are a fairly mixed group, predominantly white and Hispanic, and tend to be about average in income and education. Local schools are solid, public transit is plentiful, and housing options are pretty broad, ranging from single-family homes to apartment complexes and everything in between. There are tons of duplexes here, and the neighborhood is populated by a majority of renters. For investors, this is a great neighborhood to buy in due to the consistent demand for housing.

Nestled between Congress and I-35 just south of Town Lake is the hip, desirable enclave of Travis Heights. Featuring a great blend of old architecture and newer housing, really easy access to downtown and the recently revamped SoCo district, and plenty of amazing green space, Travis Heights is easily one of the better places to live in Austin.

Locals are loyal and frequently active in Austin politics. In particular, people have been fighting the slow takeover of the area by “McMansions,” seeking instead to preserve older, smaller homes and their unique character.

Travis Heights is perfect for students, artists, families, tourists, and pretty much anyone who’d like to really experience life in Austin. Enjoy time outside in any of the numerous parks, travel with ease on foot, by bike, or by bus, and take advantage of the central location that allows exploration of the greater metro area with ease. Housing prices can vary pretty widely depending upon the home and the living situation—this is one part of town where upscale easily coexists with more mid-range and accessible. Old houses have often been converted into apartment-style living, but standalone apartment complexes are few and far between.

Dog lovers in particular should take their best friends to Norwood Park for fun, leash-free frolicking with other neighborhood pups.

Southeast Austin, or Dove Springs, is at a pretty critical point right now. The area has long been saddled with a reputation for high crime and high poverty, but it has also seen major changes in the past and major changes are underway now, as well.

Real estate, either rentals or purchases, is extremely affordable. The neighborhood is predominantly Hispanic—in fact, it is home to more people of Hispanic descent than any other Austin neighborhood. While its residents tend to be living at the poverty line, juvenile crime has been falling and high school graduation seems to be on the rise. A new breed of community-minded activist types have infiltrated the area as well, and were even instrumental in having a clinic built in the past couple of years, allowing residents to get treatment locally without having to travel to other parts of Austin.

Public transit is strong, and again, housing is affordable, which may make it an appealing choice to many different types of people. While crime is still a problem, it does seem to be on a downward trend, and previous successful positive changes make it seem more than possible Dove Springs could experience a strong revitalization, given enough time.

McKinney is tucked away in the corner of town, sandwiched as it is between the state park of the same name and Austin-Bergstrom International. The park is one of the true jewels of the city, enough that having local access to it might even make up for living so close to the flight path. In all honesty, noise from the airport can be a bit of an issue here.

The neighborhood itself is a little on the shabby side, but considering some of the places that it shares a border with, you could do worse if you are looking to live in this part of town. Getting into and out of the neighborhood can be a real problem, as traffic will be bad on any of the major streets. During peak commuter hours, you might find it more than a little challenging to cross town. There are a few points of interest in South Austin that aren't so difficult to get to, but trying to make it up north or even into downtown might not always be worth the effort, especially during rush hour.

All in all, McKinney could still be worth looking into, particularly if you work nearby, or find the perfect house among the reasonably-priced homes on the market here.

This neighborhood is going to be an all around win if you are looking to live in South Austin. Not as newly developed as some of the other places to live down south, it instead offers the benefit of a more central location. Traffic can create some choke points during peak hours, but with so many important streets it's pretty easy to find a solid work around no matter which way you're headed.

Pricing isn't too exclusive, and considering the incredible convenience of the location and the general charm of the area, it's a pretty serious value. There aren't a whole lot of downsides to consider if you want to choose this neighborhood to settle down into. It's scenic without being too secluded, central to south Austin, and a short distance away from downtown.

There is a lot of value to be found around Manchaca, and it's just an all around good bet if you are looking for a place south of the river. Even without a car, the bus service should be all you need to get anywhere you want to go without too many problems. If you are looking for a home, this is a good place to start your search.

Hancock manages to strike a nearly perfect balance in every way, offering easy access to almost all that the north side of town offers, but still in a quiet and shady hideaway tucked away from the traffic. Major shopping centers are easy to find, and some of the best coffee houses in the city scattered throughout the neighborhood. On top of that, the neighborhood tends to remain reasonably affordable, making it a good landing point for nearly any kind of resident.

The only real drawback is that the neighborhood can get bottlenecked at times from some of the thicker bits of traffic. Other than that, the bus service in this area is more the adequate, and the streets themselves are very pleasantly charming. If you are looking for a spot in north Austin you could do much worse than finding yourself a cozy place in Hancock.

With so much going on, there hardly seems a reason to leave the neighborhood. It's a great place to walk through, and just enjoy some of the nearby restaurants and the plentiful shade. Just make sure you factor your commute time into any decision you make. Being stuck on I-35 during rush hour can be a pretty serious commitment.

St. Edwards brings the college-town vibe to Austin. This is a friendly, tight-knit community with plenty of green space, easy walk-ability, and quick access to the very heart of downtown. Home to artists, musicians, gardeners, and the terminally quirky—some of Austin’s best-known personality types—the college and surrounding neighborhood manage to capture a small community feeling that’s part of, yet distinct and separate from, the city all around it.

This is a great place to walk or bike around, to explore, and to generally feel at ease in. The streets are fairly safe and clean, and a quick walk down the street in pretty much any direction will yield something fun to do. Rents and home prices are slightly lower than Austin averages in the area, and rentals in particular can be surprisingly affordable, especially in roommate situations.

St. Edwards is home to a great selection of locally-owned eateries and shops, which contributes even more to the cozy, comfortable feeling of the neighborhood. This is the kind of place you don’t need to live in long before feeling completely at home there, and at the same time, you’re never very far from anything else Austin has to offer. Great place for students, obviously, but singles, artists, and young professionals would also be well-served to explore it.

Holly has been one of the neighborhoods targeted with the east side renovation. While the efforts here haven't been as far reaching as you can find elsewhere, the presence of the occasional new, high end condos have brought a face lift to a faded neighborhood.

Most of the value that can be found here is with its proximity to downtown. Being able to walk into the nightlife of 6th Street, as well as all the business and dining and shopping opportunities that can only be found in downtown Austin, can't be understated as a selling point. The neighborhood's appeal tends to be rather hit or miss from street to street, though. Unless you are very serious about living as close to the downtown area as possible without having to spend what you would expect to do so, you might do better to look someplace else.

Traffic can be a real problem during peak hours, and as far as shopping or finding a bite to eat without leaving the neighborhood, you are in for a bit of a challenge. It might be just what you are looking for, if you are searching for nothing but location and price.

Right on the cusp between the good parts and the less desirable places in North Austin, Highland walks a fine line. It's not a bad neighborhood by itself, with all kinds of old Austin charm to spare. Living so close to the train tracks is never ideal, but things don't start getting bad until you cross I-35. That being said, there is plenty of value to be had in Highland if you take a look for it. Quick access up and down Lamar will bring you to most points of interest that you can find in the north end of town, and the blocks themselves are quiet and well maintained.

Here you can find most of the biggest benefits of living north without having to pay out the nose for them. Provided that you aren't killing yourself with a cross town commute, this place might be just what you are looking for. There is a lot going for it, and without having to pay too much you are in a position to relax and concentrate on all the other little things that make life enjoyable. Ease of access and a pleasant environment more than make up for any minor drawbacks of choosing this neighborhood.

On the surface, St. Johns might not seem like the most savory place to live. Schools have long faced problems, and poverty levels across the area are astonishingly high. However, what St. Johns does have going for it is an incredible, determined community that is actively working, all the time, to make positive changes and elevate the neighborhood and its residents in every way it can. Make no mistake—this is still an impoverished area that faces huge problems in infrastructure, quality of life, and stability, but improvements are being made all the time, and they are the kind designed to be long-lasting and far-reaching.

The area is predominantly Hispanic, and largely comprised of small families. Child poverty in the neighborhood is at the highest rate in Austin, and, despite marked improvements over the past few years, local schools fare poorly. On the flip side, what little the community does have, it works hard to maintain and beautify, and the neighborhood association has made a point of hosting regular community events. It’s also been recognized and awarded by the Keep Austin Beautiful campaign.

To me, it seems this would be a perfect place for someone with an activist bent and a strong feeling of community spirit. There’s a lot of work to be done in St. Johns, and slowly but surely, it is being done, but the changes that need to take place are extremely long-term.

Located on the east side of town, Govalle is not the place you want to be calling home if you have much of a say in the matter or any better options available to you. It's run down, and for all the attempts to renovate the east side on the whole, they haven't found much purchase this far from downtown.

Crime here is about as bad as it gets in the city, and there are a lot of poorly maintained houses that contribute to a neighborhood that would be best described as shabby. Just south of 7th street you start to find a lot of business that deal in the heavier side of industry, so there isn't a great deal of quiet to be had.

With all that being said, it doesn't pose too much of a challenge to the more seasoned urban residents. Quick access to downtown is always a plus, and for all the poverty it is actually still a fairly safe place to be out and about. If you are looking for a cheap neighborhood this is the one, but you do get what you pay for in the end. Make an effort to find something else if you can.

North of 183 can offer a lot of difference from neighborhood to neighborhood. Georgian Acres is not the best location for a number of reasons. The neighborhood itself is on the poor side of average, and crime can occasionally be a bit of a problem here. It's not the worst part of town, but if you are looking for someplace quiet and peaceful you might do well to look elsewhere. If it's the only place that will fit your budget, you could do worse than to live here. If you are used to this sort of environment, you might find that you can fit right in.

On the whole, the community seems friendly enough, and you do have access to most of the major streets of north Austin. Trying to shop at most of the larger stores will have you in long lines, and the bus routes here attract quite a crowd for most parts of the day, but by the same token, you do have convenient access to plenty of shopping and ample bus routes. There is a lot of difference in the standard of living from block to block, so if you don't mind the rest you might be able to find a few diamonds in the rough here.

It’s not trendy, or the next big thing, but Crestview is still a deeply appealing neighborhood, and its residents work hard to keep it that way. This is a fantastic place for the extroverts among us to live, as the main vibe of the neighborhood is actually focused on being a neighborhood—it aspires to be the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and everyone lives in harmony.

Pricing trends toward Austin averages for rentals and purchases, and the neighborhood is simple, quiet, clean, and friendly. What it lacks in downtown-style nightlife it more than makes up for in character and local color. This is the kind of place that manages to feel like a small town, even as it’s situated in the middle of a bustling metropolis.

The neighborhood association prides itself on community involvement and aspires to get everyone working together to make Crestview an even better place to live. They even maintain a regularly-updated website with the latest news in events and community projects.

While people really looking to bask in Austin’s hipper sides might be turned off by the relative peace of Crestview, the openness and friendliness go a long way toward making it a great destination for anyone who doesn’t mind being a bit off the beaten path.

Even though it is a bit more spread out than the south side of the city, north Austin still has a lot to offer. Situated between two major streets, Gateway offers all the advantages of this side of town with very few drawbacks, and even those are fairly minor in scope.

In addition to close access to both Loop One, and Highway 183, there is major shopping available at hand whenever you need it. A trip to Whole Foods, or an afternoon spent strolling the Arboretum will always be within reach. Several green belts can be found if you roam just a little further out, and there is always the scenery from the West Texas hill country to be enjoyed down Highway 360.

The neighborhood itself is quiet and upscale without being too exclusively priced. The only real downside of this location is that traffic congestion can stretch your daily commute into something less than comfortable. This can be especially true if your work place is located in another part of town, or you find your drive time overlaps rush hour. On the whole, this is a very comfortable spot of North Austin to call home, offering comfort and convenience on the north side of things.

Garrison Park offers the best in plenty of different ways. An older neighborhood, it has one really great, specific benefit for long Texas summers: shade. Most of the old growth trees have been at full maturity for decades, so the entire neighborhood has become a great place to beat the heat. Access to both the large Garrison pool and the park itself are handy perks as well, especially in warmer months.

In addition to all this, it's just a short trip to downtown and all the features and points of interest that can be found there. With easy access all around south Austin, this is a great neighborhood that won't be too costly to call home.

Major points of shopping as well as all the great landmarks of south Austin are all easy to access from this sleepy and centrally located neighborhood. Convenient bus service and quiet streets allow for lots of ways to get around. Traffic isn't much of a problem here, so no matter if your destination is a few miles away, or even north of the river, you won't find it a difficult commute. There is a lot here to be enjoyed, and the cost of living won't break the bank.

If you live in Austin because of its art scene, its music scene, its openness and vivid, weird personality, Coronado Hills is not the neighborhood you want to settle into. On the other hand, if you’re in Austin largely because of work, or habit, or convenience, and you’re looking for a safe, affordable haven, or a solid and consistent place to raise a family, it’s worth a second look.

As Austin neighborhoods go, Coronado Hills is barely identifiable as one. It has a general suburban feel to it, and it’s an easy enough drive to more active parts of the city, which can go a long way toward mitigating any feelings you have of being out of the loop. The schools are okay and it’s a relatively safe place to live. Housing is eminently affordable here, and this may be one of the best places in Austin for a young family to really settle down and establish themselves due to the low cost of entry.

For entertainment, fun, music, and art, you’re not going to find it here, but it’s not far away, either. For quiet, comfort, and affordability, you can’t go too wrong here. Essentially, you’re sacrificing the signature Austin vibe for suburban sprawl—but for some, that may be exactly what they’re looking for.

Chestnut is a sweet little residential enclave that’s long struggled with poverty and disrepair, but is slowly coming into its own. Its proximity to downtown, good public transit options, and general friendly atmosphere made it a good candidate for an eventual revitalization, and that revitalization is well underway.

For now, housing prices are still extremely low compared to the rest of Austin, but as more and more homes are updated and repaired and the neighborhood’s appeal continues to grow, that will surely change. For homebuyers, this is a particularly promising area to consider investing in, as real estate is bound to boom over the next few years.

The neighborhood itself is tiny and contains little in the way of shopping, schools, or other amenities, but it is conveniently located to nearly anything you could need. It’s also charmingly diverse, and the people are down-to-earth and friendly as a rule, the type of neighbors who say hello when they pass on the street.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens here over the course of the next few years. My only real concern is in long-time residents, most of whom live under or near the poverty line, being forced from their homes and left with nowhere to go as prices continue to rise.

Austin has a reputation as a quirky, fun, unique, open-minded city, and no neighborhood I can think of embodies that spirit better than Bouldin Creek. Just south of Town Lake, Bouldin Creek offers a distinctly unique, distinctly weird, distinctly Austin experience, to both residents and visitors alike.

From pizza parlors to tattoo shops and every conceivable business in between, Bouldin Creek has a little bit of nearly anything. Public transit is stellar in the area, and due to the crowded streets and lack of parking, traveling by bus can even be beneficial for a lot of people.

This isn’t necessarily the kind of place you want to settle down and raise a family, but if you’re young, artistic, in school, or even an old-school Austin hippie type, there are few places that will have more to offer you. Rents and home prices are fairly reasonable, and house shares are pretty common, especially with younger people who are just striking out on their own.

Despite the proliferation of things to do, the neighborhood is still safe and clean. Personally, I find it one of the best places in town to just wander around on foot, exploring any local shops that catch my eye and getting some serious people-watching done.

Barton Hills has everything you could possibly want in a place to live, and it’s a hot destination for tourists and Austinites alike as well. Safe, clean, green, and fun, with great schools, lots to do, and easy access to the rest of Austin either by car or by public transit.

Barton Springs Pool, a public space fed by natural springs, and Zilker Park are both right on the boundary of this neighborhood, and excellent reasons to visit all on their own. Zilker is, of course, home to the annual Austin City Limits festival, and those lucky enough to live in Barton Hills can often make some substantial extra money renting their couches or spare rooms to out-of-towners during the music fest.

It’s a quick trip to downtown and to great shopping and nightlife in south Austin. House prices in the area are a little higher than the city average, and rents tend to be higher as well, but the area is by no means out of most people’s reach. You’re simply paying a premium to live in a fantastic neighborhood.

In large part because of the number of public spaces and events happening in and around Barton Hills, it tends to be well-policed and quite safe. This is an excellent place for pretty much anyone to live, from students to young professionals to families.

Barton Creek Square has plenty to recommend it. Beautiful natural spaces, beautiful homes, beautiful shopping, and on top of that, it’s one of Austin’s safest and most peaceful neighborhoods. Naturally, a neighborhood with this much to offer doesn’t come cheap. This is upper-crust living at perhaps its finest in the region.

Most of us won’t be looking to rent or buy here most of the time, but we can all still enjoy the ample upscale shopping any time we like. The mall is anchored by Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, and Sears, and has over 180 different retailers, from Abercrombie to Zales and everything in between. Retail therapy ahoy!

Schools are strong and four different private schools are in and around the Barton Creek area. Luxury homes abound, along with the requisite golf course and country club.

While living here may be out of reach for many of us, it’s a truly spectacular neighborhood, opulent and lush, and might well be one of Austin’s premiere destinations for the elite and well-to-do. To maintain the community’s natural beauty, homeowners are encouraged to build and landscape in ways that complement nature instead of struggling against it. The peace, quiet, safety, and beauty of the land all combine to make this a marvelous place to live or visit.

It's really promising, what they're doing at the site of the old airport, now a burgeoning neighborhood that aims to be diverse, self-contained, and ecologically sound. Mueller has plenty going for it already, with over 140 acres of green space, including hike and bike trails, playgrounds, and even an open-air amphitheatre at Lake Park. Retailers are gradually moving in, and a wide range of housing has already been developed, the goal being to create a neighborhood accessible to people from a broad economic spectrum.

The Town Center and the Market District are still in the planning stages now, but when completed, they will form the heart of the community, offering shopping, nightlife, dining, and more right in the neighborhood. I envision the completed Mueller neighborhood as a small town within a big city. Austin is still just outside the walls, but everything you could possibly need on a day-to-day basis will be just outside your door, and this very thing seems to be one of the driving goals of the developers tasked with Mueller’s growth.

For entrepreneurs and artists, one of the most exciting projects underway at Mueller is the development of “shop houses,” homes intended to be used for both living space and work space. All told, though it may still be a little barren at the moment, Mueller has pretty huge potential, and could very well be the place to be within the next few years. For right now, it is probably a solid choice for professionals who are looking for quiet, quality housing.

Every city has its problem areas, and Montopolis is definitely one of Austin’s. What it’s got going for it, in spades, is cheap housing. What it’s got working against it, basically, is everything else imaginable, and even if plans to spruce things up a little bit ever do come to fruition, the area is never going to be a particularly desirable place to live.

The airport ensures the neighborhood is noisy and polluted at all times, which is bad for both mental and physical health. The crime index here is astronomical, and the area is notoriously impoverished. The schools are in abysmal condition, making this a pretty uniformly terrible place to raise children. Students and younger folks might be drawn in to Montopolis by the low rents and reasonably high availability of housing, but the cons of living here are too numerous—and serious—to ignore.

There is no real nightlife to speak of, the location is inconvenient, and even the parks and green spaces are run-down and dilapidated. Sadly, most of the problems Montopolis faces are directly related to the area’s poverty, and things seem unlikely to change for the better simply because anyone who can afford to live anywhere else in Austin will do so.

Allandale is the upper-middle-class suburban American dream, with the usual Austin touch of weird. Offering spectacular outdoor amenities, convenient shopping, and some of the area’s highest-ranked schools, this is essentially the perfect place to raise a family.

The neighborhood is quiet and extremely safe. Housing prices, both homes and rentals, are still affordable even if they are a little above average. Bus routes here are lacking a little bit, so this is not a great location for struggling artists, students, or anyone else who might be inclined to rely on public transit. Access to nightlife is a little limited as well, with downtown about a 15 minute drive in good traffic.

Nestled amidst the seemingly endless stretch of big chain stores are plenty of local treasures worth exploring, and there’s a little something for everyone here. The population is pretty broad-ranging, encompassing everyone from students to retirees, but in all, the neighborhood is best-suited to professionals and families, if only due to the relative peace and quiet and the superior school options, but younger people, artsy or partying types, and students may feel somewhat stifled by the distance from most of the action in town and the suburban feel of the whole neighborhood.