EXPLORE THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Welcome to South Austin

South Austin is emerging as an exciting new submarket to rival the more established CBD and Eastside areas of office space. South Austin is an eclectic and expansive submarket filled with many of the things that make Austin special. From the wide open green spaces of Barton Springs, to the culturally rich areas around South Congress, you can expect to find trendy boutiques, stand alone stores, laid-back coffee shops and a wide variety of restaurants ranging from fine dining to food trailers all around the south side. South Austin has something to offer everyone. South Austin has seen tremendous growth and development over the past few years, but has been able to keep its “Keep Austin Weird” feel. This area of Austin is definitely a place that will continue to experience rapid growth in the next few years.

Characteristics

Bars, Fine Dining, Walkable, Tourist-Friendly, Historic Roots, Austin Culture, High Restaurant Density, Class-A Office Space, Green Spaces, Public Transportation

Location

MULLER

Average 5PM Commute Times

ABIA

THE DOMAIN

CEDAR PARK

SW CIRCLE C RANCH

GARRISON PARK/CROCKET

ROUND ROCK

LOST CREEK/WESTLAKE

OAK HILL

BARTON CREEK

12-20 min.

18-30 min.

24-40 min.

12-22 min.

8-18 min.

24-40 min.

12-24 min.

9-16 min.

7-14 min.

Boundries

Located south of the river, the boundaries of South Austin are Lady Bird Lake on the North, I-35 on the east, Mopac/Loop 1 on the West, and Slaughter Lane on the south. The district is composed of a few smaller neighborhoods, such as Barton Hills, Zilker, South Congress, South Lamar, Bouldin Creek, and St. Edward’s.

GOOD TO KNOW

The average commute time in Austin in 40 minutes

THE PERKS OF SOUTH AUSTIN

The Run-Down

Eclectic is practically South Austin’s middle name

South Austin encompasses many of the key things that make Austin, well, Austin. From the lush green spaces of Barton Springs and Zilker Park, to the trendy districts in and around SoCo and South Lamar, to the ethnic, culturally rich urban landscapes and areas around St. Edward’s University, to the quiet, middle-class residential communities by Highway 290.
The west side of the area is home to Zilker Park, Austin’s favorite park and home to the annual Austin City Limits music festival as well as our very own natural spring water swimming pool, Barton Springs. Close to the area, nooked between the hills and abundant trees, are upscale apartments and condos, and homes dating from the 1950s-1980s. The region is close to the many shopping, dining, and entertainment options just to the north and has a wide mix of residents including artists, local shopkeepers, professionals, singles, and families. This section provides many of the advantages of west Austin without the steep price tag. In addition to this, many new developments for office space have slowly begun to appear, creating the perfect refurbished spaces for creative and techy tenants looking for something new.
Traveling east, soon you will run into the ever-changing South Congress Ave. This is one of the most well-known areas in Austin for its local shops, cafes, live music, and nightlife. Developments here for new living complexes and hip new office space seem to be in development all the time. Strolling through Congress, it would seem as if a new building appeared once a month. Just east of Congress are residential neighborhoods with starter homes, friendly communities, kid-friendly activities, schools, and other fun amenities favored by young families in their 20s and 30s.

The Vibe

A Mix of Vintage and New Cool.

Parts of South Austin still preserve the Old-Austinite aesthetic that long time residents boast of. Eclectic houses, old-school boutiques, long-running vintage restaurants and new eateries by some of the city’s top chefs and restaurateurs populate this lively area. Within South Austin, perhaps its most famous destination is South Congress. This vibrant area south of Lady Bird Lake is a must-see for visitors and a popular hangout for Austinites. South Congress Avenue exudes “Old Austin” character and tells the story of Austin’s past in its boutiques and eateries.

The Outdoors

Take a walk on the green side.

Perhaps one of the best amenities in the city (and best unspoken bragging rights) is the access to green spaces that South has over any other submarket in town. Full of expansive and green spaces, South Austin is host to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park, Auditorium Shores, Zilker Park, and the Greenbelt. The South is a great place to get away from the crowds and decompress in Austin’s largest city parks. Enjoy some time in Zilker Park, relaxing in the grass as locals lounge and enjoy a summer afternoon, strolling through Zilker Botanical Garden and UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, or taking a dip in Barton Springs Pool. With multiple entrance points in this area, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, is the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and runners in the city.

The Life

Among the things that separate Austin from other cities is the plethora of delicious foods and tastes that can be found all over town, specifically those in the south side. Among the many fantastic food options around, you can begin your day with an iced turbo coffee at Jo’s Coffee and a photo op with the famous “I love you so much” mural. Down the Avenue, Hopdoddy and Home Slice pizza are home to some of the best burgers and pizza in the city, respectively. For a long time, Home Slice Pizza was the only game in town, and they continue to rival other pie shops with their giant, cheesy pies worth waiting in line for. Enjoy a refreshing meal at Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar patio, or enjoy a sunday at one of the many new beer gardens such as those in the St. Elmo Public Market. The options are endless. On South First Street, a number of jewelry stores, vintage shops, and modern boutiques line the street with a wide array of artisanal products. Between Barton Springs Road and Elizabeth Street, the busy street is lined with tables featuring all kinds of interesting finds. For some live music kick back with a margarita and catch live performances Wednesday through Sunday evenings at the Oak Garden at Güero’s Taco Bar, The Continental Club, Hotel San José, and other spots on Congress. You’ll find bluegrass, Americana, blues, funk and everything in between. For Entertainment, The Long Center for the Performing Arts is a go-to for everything from contemporary dance to opera, along with annual iconic Austin events. ZACH Theatre hosts multiple original productions, as well as camps, classes and workshops. During the Summer, enjoy live concerts at Blues on the Green at Zilker, or set your picnic and watch a movie on the lawn of the Long Center. All in all, South Austin has the right thing for anyone.

EXPLORE OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES