Neighborhood Suggestions

You didn't necessary say you wanted a house, backyard or pool... They're building so many brand new luxury apartments and condos downtown, those might suit your needs the best: They're walking distance to Town Lake and Zilker Park, near the flagship WholeFoods and I think (?) there are farmers markets on the weekends at Threadgills and/or at West Lake High School and obviously living downtown wouldn't require much driving.

Otherwise, a little farther out from Zilker, you might like the West Lake area... and aound MOPAC & BeeCaves Road, Barton Creek Mall.

Here are some links. Hope it helps!
http://www.findaustin.net/
http://www.intownaustin.com/downtown_apartments.htm

1 mom found this helpful

If your husband works in downtown Austin and makes big $$$ why not get a new downtown condo? You can walk to Whole Foods and Zilker Park from any of the ones going up (and already ready) west of Congress Ave.
If you have less than a million bucks to spend go for the neighborhood by Central Market either north of downtown around Lamar and 35th street (would also be good for you if you get another hospital job) or the Central Market South that has a great little neighborhood just south of Ben White Blvd, west of Manchaca. Some friends of mine just sold their house in that neighborhood and loved it there (but moving for job), and the houses probably go for the $250-300,000 range. Either way your hubby's commute would not have to include I-35! My favorite neighborhood (but too pricey for us) is Travis Heights, and also very close to downtown, but not walking distance to Whole Foods or Central Market. Check it out: east of Congress Ave, south of the river and "ends" at I-35, as far south as probably Oltorf, possibly Ben White.
I have a terrific realtor friend...email me back if you want to get her number.

P. (mommy of three boys!)

The Allandale area is off of Burnet Road and if you head south off Burnet it takes you into Downtown, The Hyde Park area also very nice and even closer, both have good schools, the housing is higher in both areas but good communities near the downtown. Wouldn't have to move again from area if you got a house you liked, I have a friend and shes also a realtor that lives in the Allandale area and just loves the community. Good luck with your move back to Austin, we love it here and have been here for over 13 yrs.

SAHM off of 620(this is a nice area too but just far from downtown)

Hi H.,
Welcome to Austin. I love it here and hope you will too. I live in the Brentwood/Crestview neighborhood which is one just like you describe. I saw someone else recommended it and I agree. There is a tiny little farmers market with just a vendor or 2 on Burnet Road but you can take the bus or drive downtown easily on the weekend. While we are not very close to Whole Foods, the commuter train will be working soon and there is a stop right in our neighborhood and it should be easy to get to downtown. Also, there is an HEB Central Market not very far down Lamar and near Seton Hospital and the HEart Hospital of Austin.

The Northeast neighborhood by the old airport- Windsor Park.
You can get downtown without using 35. It's minutes away from a huge park (Bartholomew) and a children's hospital. It's also one of the last neighborhoods that is still centrally located and the rents are accessible. We have a great mom's group and it's a great neighborhood. here is a link to a map
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=windsor+park+Austin&sou...

Hi and welcome back to Austin! I definitely recommend the Crestview/Brentwood neighborhood. It is considered North Central Austin, and it is an old 50's neighborhood. We love it, there are lots of young families and it is close to everything! Here is a link to the neighborhood website:
http://www.crestviewna.org/

Good luck!

You might also look at the Bouldin Creek area and Tarrytown areas as they should have a lot of rent options from apartments to duplexes and houses. Both are family friendly and lots of parks and close to doentown. Also, you might look at the area around St. Eds, that neighboorhood is close to Stacy pool and has its own greenbelt. Welcome back to Austin.

Love our neighborhood...Western Oaks...close to Oak Hill...SW Austin...if you don't want to use Mopac (you have to cross a river somehow) you can head up Lamar, 1st, or Congress, depending on the time of day its either fifteen minutes from downtown or an hour (but this is really how it is for most of Austin.) I didn't think the commuter rail is any where close to being up and running, but may have missed something. You'd have to drive to a farmer's market or Whole Foods, but not far. There's a back way to get to Circle C's new HEB that has a solid organic and bulk selections etc. On the other hand our neighborhood is very family friendly, with a sweet well maintained park, swimming pool, and tennis courts, greenbelt around homes, can walk (very safe) to the library and bus stop, we walk to swim team in the summers.

My husband has figured out an express bus that will drop him off south of Seton Central Hospital after a fifteen minute bus ride (hmmm we shall see...)with his bicycle (you can attach it on the front of the bus) and allow him to ride safely to work...now he's dreaming of getting off the bus, taking a free dip in Barton Springs (5am-9am) and heading to work without breaking a sweat after riding his bike, since he'll be so cold. Figures his hair standing up from drying as he rides will make him look fast...that Austin weird it definitely wears off on you after 20 years. Welcome back!
:)

SoCo is hip 'South Congress'
Sounds like an area you might want to check out...
Welcome to Austin!!! its great here and still HOT!

What is the price range you're looking for? Everything that is closer into town is pretty darn expensive, but if you're expecting that anyway then it shouldn't be a problem! We currently live in the Crestview/Brentwood area and there is a wonderful park within walking distance next to the elementary school and TONS of families with young children in the hoods. Our farmer's market recently closed down, but there's a Whole Foods a few miles away. If you have a little more $ to spend, then just south of downtown, Travis Heights/Barton Springs area is wonderful. It is very close to downtown and south Austin is really the hot spot right now. Hope this helps a little :)

It sounds like south congress area might work for you. There is a farmers market, it isvery close to down town and extremely hip. There are luxury condos going up around that area, if that is something you would be interested in. The houses are pricey there. There is also a central market, HEBs whole foods concept, in south Austin, your husband could avoid highways for down town as well. You may like the escarpment, its a street, area best, considered South West. South Austin proper is a little alternative, not much like Dallas at all.

It's definitely normal! I've had three c-sections and have gone through the numbness with all three with the first one being the longest amount of time. No worries.

I live in Hyde Park and it would be perfect. It's not too far from downtown and there are lots of babies and families. It can be pricey, but I don't know your range. It's one of those neighborhoods with joggers, walkers, baby strollers, etc. everywhere at all times of the day and night. It's one of Austin's old original areas, so the homes are mostly Victorian and even the newer ones are often built in that style to fit in. There are lots of larger homes but many smaller ones too, especially as you go further north. Good luck! L.

They are building a ton of high rise condos downtown.. I lived in Chicago and found that downtown city life with kids is not easy at all.. As trendy as it looks and sounds, it is not worth it. There is West Lake and Rollingwood, but are very very expensive.. If you can afford houses in the upper 500's you may get lucky over there, if not you may find you will have to move a bit out of the city. There is the Barton Hills area that is very nice, not as expensive as Westlake, but it is getting up there. We live in South West Austin, my husband commutes to downtown and takes Mopac, but it is nothing compared to the commute we had in Chicago when we left the big city and moved to the burbs. It is a very easy commute and South West Austin is extremely family oriented. You will love living here regardless of where you end up.

I would recomend Travis Heights, Hyde Park, or anything in 78704 neighborhoods. The neighborhood around Mary and south 5th, Bluebonnet/ Rabb road area....all real nice...

Good luck,

C.

I love my neighborhood and it fits your criteria. It is a hidden gem that not many people know. The prices are extremely affordable for the location and it cute, well kept, and family oriented. Its only 15 minutes to downtown if you take Manchaca to Lamar. I've done it at peak hours and it never gets backed up!!! There are lots of rentals in the neighborhood too. Try it!! It's called Grand Oaks and its located at the intersection of Manchaca and Davis Lane in south Austin...