With a 2023 population of 966,292, it is the 4th largest city in Texas and the 10th largest city in the United States. Austin is currently growing at a rate of 0.11% annually and its population has increased by 0.33% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 963,121 in 2020.
There are a lot of great reasons to move to Austin, including the job market, a lower cost of living than other appealing U.S. cities, beautiful weather, and a great culture.
If you’re moving to Austin with your family, though, you probably have a list of must-haves and would-be-nices when it comes to finding a new home in the area.
For that reason, we’ve compiled this list of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families. Let’s take a look at some of the Austin spots that are popular choices for young families.
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1. Cherrywood
This is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in East Austin. That means that you might have some competition if you’re looking to buy a home here for your family.
Cherrywood is a centrally located neighborhood in East Austin. Many of the houses in this area were built for families after World War II, and the architectural styles of the area include Craftsman-style houses, wood-frame houses, and bungalows.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find a mix of professionals, retirees, service workers, and students. Because of its proximity to the University of Texas campus, this is an attractive spot for students. However, it still manages to maintain a quieter vibe.
Living in Cherrywood might be a good fit if you’re interested in prioritizing walkability throughout East Austin. This helps to create a sense of strong community within Cherrywood. Unlike other central neighborhoods in Austin, Cherrywood has managed to maintain its residential core.
2. Downtown Austin
If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families on the smaller side, you might be interested in living downtown. If an urban lifestyle is what you’re looking for, this is the perfect spot.
There are a lot of great ways to spend time outdoors downtown. There are lots of recreational activities that are accessible including biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. There are also a variety of museums, a diverse culinary scene, and plenty of opportunities for entertainment.
You’ll find that real estate is typically more expensive in Downtown Austin than in other neighborhoods. However, many people feel that the cost of housing is worth the experience of living in urban Austin. There are both great charter and private schools downtown and the public schools are a part of the Austin Independent School District.
3. South Manchaca
If you’d rather avoid the tourist scene and high prices of downtown, South Manchaca might be a good spot for you. This is a charming neighborhood in south Austin that is well known for its old town charm, slower-paced lifestyle, friendly community, and affordable homes.
This is a reasonable compromise if you’d like to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city but you don’t want to be far from popular attractions. There are also a number of shops and low-key bars in the neighborhoods that help contribute to the low-key vibe of the area.
You will find that much of the housing stock in this neighborhood is made up of smaller single-family homes. Many of these homes were built between the 1950s and now. Typically densely spaced, you’ll find the listing prices of homes here are lower than other neighborhoods in south Austin, though the home values are increasing in the area.
(Are you hoping to add value to your home before listing it for sale? If so, check out this article!)
4. Crestview
Crestview is one of the most beloved neighborhoods in Austin. Once farmland, this north-central Austin neighborhood is known for its walkability to local businesses and smaller scale.
Here you’ll find lots of families and young professionals that are looking for a peaceful, small-town lifestyle without giving up access to big city amenities. There is a strong sense of community in Crestview and the residential atmosphere is quite relaxed.
Many of the homes in Crestview were built between 1940 and 1960, though you will also find recently built contemporary homes here. The housing stock is largely made up of small to medium ranch houses. Brentwood and Allandale are nearby neighborhoods that offer a similar low-key atmosphere.
5. North University
North University is in close proximity to the campus of the University of Texas. For this reason, some newcomers might love the college town vibe while others might not enjoy all the hubbub.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find some of Austin’s favorite bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. This Austin neighborhood was once considered the countryside. Nowadays, it maintains an old-school feel while being home to people of all ages involved in academics.
If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin to buy a house, you might consider North University. The homes here are small and medium-sized that range from Crafstman-style designs to quaint bungalows. While prices have been rising in Austin in general, home prices are more reasonable here than elsewhere in the metro area.
You can also find tons of gorgeous historic homes in this area. This helps create the sophisticated feel of this Austin neighborhood.
6. Mueller
Located in East Austin, Mueller is a great neighborhood for families that are looking for a more modern community feel. You can find local retailers, lake paths, offices, and community centers in Mueller. As far as housing stock goes, you can find townhouses, apartments, and lofts.
There are also new homes and condos for sale in the master-planned community. Along with shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, there is also a children’s museum and vision and dental care services. You can also find a weekly farmers’ market and grocery store in Mueller.
7. North Loop
North Loop was historically the stomping grounds of bohemian creatives and the working class. Back in the day, it was located underneath the flight path of the old airport. Nowadays, this area is booming with coffee shops, restaurants, vintage record stores, bars, and a number of other local businesses.
This is a walkable neighborhood with beautiful treed streets. It’s also one of the less expensive neighborhoods in Austin.
If you’re looking for one of the best neighborhoods in Austin to rent, you might take a closer look at North Loop. Rentals are quite common here. You can find both old and new multifamily complexes in North Loop.
The housing stock is a mix of 1940s bungalow homes, traditional craftsman-style homes, and newer contemporary homes.
(Do you need to sell your house fast before moving to Austin? Check out this guide to learn how to speed up the process.)
Before Moving to One of the Best Neighborhoods in Austin For Families: Do You Need to Sell Your Home?
If you’re making the move to one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families, there’s a good chance you need to sell your current home first. Selling a home can be an incredibly stressful and time-consuming process, not to mention an expensive one, too.
When you choose to sell your home to an iBuying service, selling your home can be fast, convenient, and hassle-free. You won’t have to worry about making repairs to your house or getting it spotless for countless showings and open houses. You also won’t have to lose sleep at night worrying about whether or not the buyer’s financing will come through.
When you sell to an iBuyer, you’re selling to an investor who will pay cash for your home. They purchase your home in as-is condition and save you all of the hassles that come along with the traditional home sale process. It also means that you don’t have to worry about paying a realtor commission fee.
Are you wondering how much an iBuyer would buy your home for? If so, check out our home valuation tool today!
