Downtown Austin Living

Many residents of Austin would agree that downtown is the best place to live. At least, 5,900 people would. That’s the number of people who call downtown Austin home. The unique neighborhood boasts a variety of living options from single family homes to spacious lofts, to more typical rental apartments. There is something for every lifestyle.

Downtown Austin attracts residents for many reasons. The size of the community is small enough not to overwhelm, yet large enough to provide a true city atmosphere. The welcoming, if slightly eclectic feel of the neighborhood invites everyone to explore.

Getting around the downtown area is easy if you understand the street system. The East-West streets run numerically from 19th (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) on the northern edge to 1st (Cesar Chavez Street) at the Southern edge. City planners named the North-South streets after the names of Texas rivers from West to East, starting with Rio Grande and ending in Sabine. Know Texas geography and you cannot possibly get lost.

The cleverly named streets of downtown Austin are alive with pedestrians, runners, dog walkers and bikers. All have the right of way over vehicles to encourage the active lifestyle of residents and visitors.

For downtown residents, walking is always an option for getting from place to place. For tourists, the charming street car ‘dillos can be a fun way to explore the area and a good way to avoid parking costs.

Town Lake, on the Southern boundary of downtown Austin offers the community members a great recreation area. Rowers paddle through the calm waters of the lake and hikers and runners flock to the many trails. The area is also great for simply relaxing to enjoy the weather and scenery.

For entertainment and nightlife, no other area of the city can compete. For music, bars, and restaurants, the Sixth Street, Warehouse District, and Red River areas provide everything. Austin’s famed live music scene centers on the downtown area, including the South by Southwest and Austin City Limits festivals. The residential areas of the downtown community are far enough from the entertainment scene to entice without disrupting daily life.

Shopping in downtown Austin is always interesting. The city takes pride in having no chain stores or large department stores. However, many small and unique boutiques abound, inviting exploration.

Whether your interests are music, shopping, dining, or recreation, downtown Austin has something to offer you.