Warm weather, incredible food, and live music. No wonder Austin was ranked #1 on CNBC’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2019 report. Fresh out of college and thinking of joining the 150+ people who move to the Texan capital every day? We’ve picked out the best hoods for recent grads. Have a read and pick your favorite.
Hyde Park
This historic, residential area in northern Austin is just a short distance from Downtown, off Guadalupe (pronounced Guada-loop) and I-35. Artists, students, and young professionals reside in Craftsman and Victorian-era homes along Hyde Park’s tree-lined streets. The University of Texas is also just a short drive away, for those considering grad school. There are cute little coffee shops and eateries, like the Hyde Park Bar & Grill and Julio’s Cafe, where you can enjoy a breakfast taco or pitcher of sangria on the patio (pro tip: bring cash!). There are also a couple of grocery stores nearby, including H-E-B and the neighborhood mainstay, Fresh Plus Grocery. Built in 1893, the castle like Elisabet Ney Museum showcases the sculptor and artist’s work in her former residence and studio, which is nestled alongside Shipe Park, a neighborhood spot for festivals and weekend gatherings.
North Loop
Just north of Hyde Park is the North Loop, bounded by North Lamar Boulevard, Koenig Lane, and Airport Boulevard. While the eclectic postwar neighborhood is still home to families and longtime residents, students and young professionals are drawn to this North Austin district for its close proximity to I-35, Downtown, and UT. An influx of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife have made the North Loop one of Austin’s trendiest neighborhoods. Bike to hip local shops, vintage boutiques, cool coffee shops, and cocktail bars in this laid-back ‘hood. Monkeywrench Books is a community-run indie bookshop, which also serves as a social space. Enjoy a local draft on Workhorse Bar’s pooch-friendly patio. Bungalows, prairie, mission revival, and foursquare houses populate the tree-lined streets of the North Loop and Burnet Road.
East Austin
Image via BYOD 
Image via Galvan Productions
Evolving, diverse, artistic, gritty, and colorful are just a handful of words to describe East Austin. Historically a working-class neighborhood, this area just a mile from downtown is now one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Austin, packed with bars and food trucks. Have a tallboy (or two) with friends on the patio at Lustre Pearl East. The White Horse is a great place to end an evening out, with live music every night and whiskey on tap. Another great place for live music is the Historic Scoot Inn. Established in 1871, it is the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas. East Austin is also the home of Southern-style eateries, including the iconic Franklin Barbecue. Check out Suerte, one of Austin’s can’t-miss restaurants, for Mezcal cocktails on their patio overlooking East Sixth Street. Hipsters swarm to East Cesar Chavez for drinks, art, and entertainment. Modern condos have cropped up next to refurbished bohemian bungalows in this ever-growing district.
The Arboretum
The Arboretum is a “New Austin” neighborhood that grew up around the open-air shopping mall of the same name. A bit farther from the downtown action, this northwestern neighborhood is centered around the convergence of U.S. Route 183, Capital of Texas Highway, and Mopac Expressway, granting easy access to almost any area of the city. In addition to its close proximity to retail shops, the area is overwhelmed with amenities. You won’t have to go far to the dry cleaner, pharmacy, gym, or Trader Joe’s. Nestled among beautiful hills, The Arboretum is a short distance away from the Texas Hill Country and offers gorgeous views of Lake Austin. Plus, it’s SUPER close to The Domain (“Austin’s Second Downtown”) and all of its shops, restaurants, and bars, but much more affordable.
The Domain
Ever been to a mall and think, “I could just live here”? This relatively new northwest Austin ‘hood might be for you. Also developed around an outdoor retail space of the same name, The Domain now encompasses residential communities, offices, and hotels in addition to retail shops and restaurants in walking distance to loads of amenities. Conveniently located in Austin’s northwest corridor, this is a central spot to be if you work in tech near Research Boulevard, but still want to be an affordable Uber ride away from Downtown and Zilker Park. Enjoy happy hour or brunch at The Park, window shop at luxury stores and go hit some balls at Topgolf.
South Congress
Image via South Congress 
Image via munchatx 
Image via South Congress
Also known as SoCo, South Congress is the lively and trendy street just south of Lady Bird Lake. Filled with local eateries, boutiques, and music venues, this happening spot is the place to be, if you can afford it. SoCo comes alive on First Thursdays when shops and restaurants stay open late for a big street party. Buy some cowboy boots at Allens Boots, then walk over to The Continental Club for some live music. Head to Torchy’s Tacos for a Peg Leg (Corona in a margarita) and some “damn good tacos,” or hit up Home Slice for some killer pizza.
South Lamar
This South Austin neighborhood/street is popular with recent grads for its relatively affordable housing (read: cheaper than neighboring SoCo). The closer you get to Ben White Boulevard, the more affordable the apartments will be. The opposite is true of the pricey new builds closer to Barton Springs Road. Restaurants, bars, shops, thrift stores, food trucks, cafes, markets, galleries, and one-of-a-kind shops dot South Lamar, or SoLa for short.
Decorate your new place with local handmade art from Austin Art Garage. Fill your new closet with affordable office garb from Moss Designer Consignment. Make reservations to see what all the fuss is about at Uchi or try some Asia-meets-Austin Japanese street food at East Side King. Order the seasonal pancakes at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which serves breakfast all day. Red’s Porch has a mean burger and one of the best brunches in the area. They also have a Torchy’s, a Shake Shack, and an In-N-Out Burger. Needless to say, you won’t have trouble finding some good eats here.
Two-step to the Broken Spoke dance hall (open since 1964), or relax outside with a beer at the Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. The nearby Greenbelt provides abundant green space for hiking, while the blue waters of Barton Springs are just a hop, skip, and a jump off the diving board away. Or stay in the A/C, kick up your feet, and have a drink while watching the latest blockbuster at the Alamo Drafthouse.
As you can see, South Lamar’s endless amenities make it one of the most attractive neighborhoods for young professionals in the heart of Austin. Luckily, apartments are cropping up everywhere keep up with the demand. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, after all.
Downtown
Austin is pretty expensive, and Downtown is no exception. But, if you’re looking to live in a high-rise in the thick of things, it’s the place to be. Home to the Texas State Capitol building and the Driskill Hotel, downtown is the historical, yet hip, heart of Austin. Shop 2ND Street District’s trendy boutiques, bounce between bungalow bars on Rainey Street, see a band at Stubb’s BBQ in the Red River Cultural District, rock out at the Mohawk, party on Dirty Sixth, or watch a drag show in the Warehouse District. In Downtown, the world is a recent grad’s oyster.
Hopefully, we’ve helped show you where to Keep Austin Weird once you’re ready to call it home. Search thousands of apartments on Zumper and find the one you want; you’ll be grabbing happy hour drinks and bbq at your neighborhood spot before you know it.
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