Info on Austin Texas?

I think if you are wanting shops, restaurants and public transportation you should be considering living in Austin proper. Especially if you don't have to worry about schools.

Tarrytown is very nice, as is the Belmont, Pemberton Heights and Clarksville neighborhoods. Also some nice areas near Zilker Park.

It is a fantastic town (though beware - summer is HOT). I went to grad school there and my sister currently lives there - she lives in the Belmont neighborhood and loves it. It's my favorite Texas town.

Take a weekend trip there and hook up with a realtor that handles houses in one of those neighborhoods. Or just explore the areas on your own.

Is this where you found the "South Central area" designation?
https://www.mapsofaustin.com/austin-neighborhoods
I'd never seen this site until I was looking up something for this answer, and the neighborhood maps are wonderful.

One place you might want to shy away from is East Austin (east of I-35). It was bad when I was there, but that was 20+ years ago. I know many people have been moving over there because of cheaper house prices, but it is probably a little more "urban pioneering" than what you are looking for.

Good luck!

I lived in NW Austin for a few years and really liked the area. We lived in an apartment (rent was around $1100/month, so be prepared for high rental prices), but our complex was right by some very nice neighborhoods. South central is pretty vague, do you want to be north or south of downtown? The really nice houses are in the hill country west of downtown or directly north of downtown (think half a million to millions to get into those areas). South and further north are more affordable but still nice areas. Bus runs all through Austin, there isn't light rail. Northeast Austin isn't a good area, I'd avoid it. Cedar Park is a nice suburb, it is NW of downtown, Round Rock is also nice (directly north). There isn't a close suburb south of Austin, it is growing more north so that is where I would direct you to look. There are toll roads leading from the suburbs, to get around Austin you really need a car. Public transport isn't set up to be a sole means of transportation. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions I can help you with! We moved due to my husband's work, but I would move back happily if given the chance.

I live in Georgetown, which is 30 minutes north of Austin. The population of Georgetown is ab out 50,000, but that is just within the city limits. If you add all the developments OUTSIDE city limits, the population would be much larger, but I really can't say how much larger.

We have a very nice community up here... a lot of stores, businesses, good schools (I realize you said that the schools weren't a consideration, but in a way they are). We are a city and community of itself, rather than one that would be considered a "bedroom" community.

Georgetown is the county seat of Williamson county. One nice thing... they tend to be tougher on crime in Williamson county than Travis county where Austin is located.

I really don't know anything about the neighborhoods of Austin... we always said we wouldn't move there... but hubby was transferred to Texas 20 years ago... so instead, we moved to Georgetown! (He was also laid off 6 months after we moved down here.) It is close enough that we can go there for shopping or events if we want.....

There is no bus service in Georgetown, but there is bus service in Austin, as well as a very limited light rail. It is very easy to drive around Georgetown, though.....

South Austin. as in past UT, is beautiful, country small town suburb living like Kyle, Hays County, Buda, but the only access is the highway. South Central to me is a different story...very old urban but trendy with a mix of hillbilly run down (which Austinites are very proud of).

Maybe you are looking for something more like Georgetown.

Would move to Austin in a heartbeat if my 8 grandchildren were not close by. They all live within 15 minutes of me and that I could not leave. However, I love Austin!

Austin is said to be the San Francisco of Texas. It is very liberal.
I would really suggest you live as close to work as possible and you drive the commute before signing a rental agreement. You really can't fathom
the traffic until you drive it.