Located in Central Texas, Austin is the capital of the state and is home to rivers, lakes, and waterways. It has nicknames including “Silicon Hills” because of many technology and development companies, “Live Music Capital of the World” referring to its many live music venues and musicians, and “City of the Violet Crown” due to the colorful light that come out across the hills right after sunset.
Settled in 1835 and incorporated December 27, 1839, Austin's area is 305.1 square miles. The population estimate in 2017 was 950,715. Austin is also Texas' fourth-most populous city, the 11th-most populous United States city, and the nation's fastest-growing large city.
Employment opportunities are numerous with Fortune 500 companies having their headquarters or regional offices in Austin. These include Amazon.com, 3M, Apple Inc., General Motors, eBay, IBM, Google, PayPal, Whole Foods Market,Texas Instruments, and others.
Austin's Unique Housing
According to Zillow's Home Value Index through January 31, 2019, the median home value in Austin is $364,100, having gone up 8.9% over the last year and expected to rise 1% in the coming year. The median rent is $1,695 a month.
Neighborhoods
There are numerous beautiful areas in Austin, and the city has been named “#1 place to live in the U.S.” for 2017 and 2018 by U.S. News & World Report, #1 on "Cities of the Future" by Forbes in 2016, "#1 Next Biggest Boom Town in the U.S." by Forbes in 2017, the “#6 best place in the country to live for 2017” by WalletHub, and other similar honors.
Some of Austin's best neighborhoods include:
Old West Austin
Old West Austin has been named by the American Planning Association as one of ten “Great American Neighborhoods” and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. With a median home value of $575,500, it has an extensive development timeline, having been built between 1886 and 1953, and therefore features a wide variety of home styles.
Rollingwood
This neighborhood offers small-town charm, award-winning schools, and year-round community activities and still has the convenience of Downtown Austin a few minutes away. It's known for the 1950s-style master-planned communities. Residents can walk to Zilker Park and enjoy its gorgeous botanical gardens or walk or bike on the renowned Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail.
Mueller
Just northeast of Downtown Austin, Mueller a walkable community of parkland, walking trails, retail and dining options, and other services. Residences are a mix of houses, condos, apartments, townhouses, and lofts. This is a master-planned community with the first homes having been completed in 2007.
Barton Hills
Barton Hills is a well-established neighborhood only minutes from Downtown Austin and close to the beautiful Zilker Park. With a median home value of $642,800, you can appreciate the historic feel of homes built as far back as the 1930s or prefer a modern twist of newer contemporary constructions.
West Lake Hills
West Lake Hills overlooks Lake Austin with its stunning luxury homes in the Texas Hill Country. The neighborhood grew in the 1970s and 1980s as some of the city's most exclusive real estate. Residents can enjoy outdoor amenities such as the Barton Creek Wilderness Park, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, the Lions Municipal Golf Course, and others.
To learn more about the outstanding housing in Austin and how the specific neighborhoods differ, register on 512area, your free guide to the Austin area.
