Are you thinking of moving to Austin and coming from a place like New York or San Francisco or maybe Portland where you can live without a car, walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, and more?

Walkable neighborhoods in Austin are some of the most in demand neighborhoods with many of my clients. 

I’m Nick Garcia, your favorite Austin REALTOR and in today’s article we’re going to look at the top walkable neighborhoods in Austin.

Not surprisingly many of the most walkable neighborhoods are close to downtown, but if downtown isn’t your vibe, there are plenty of other places to live that you can walk to restaurants, coffee shops, bars, shops, and more.

Is Austin Walkable?

Austin is largely a car-dependent city. 

Most of the city’s residents will find a car necessary for day to day activities, but not all neighborhoods in Austin require an automobile. 

The most walkable neighborhoods in Austin are Downtown and neighborhoods near the University of Texas at Austin where you’ll find a thriving arts scene and a wide variety of restaurants and bars.

So, let’s get right into 10 of the best walkable neighborhoods in Austin, TX and I’ll also give you an idea of housing options.

West, North, and main University of Texas area

College kids need to be able to walk places, but unless you’re looking to live near a slew of college kids, you might want to keep looking.

East Cesar Chavez

East Cesar Chavez, stretching to Holly, stands out as one of Austin’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Living here is a fantastic experience, provided you can secure a property in this sought-after area. The neighborhood boasts exceptional beauty and retains many of its original Austin houses, preserving a unique charm.

Situated just a few blocks away from Lady Bird Lake, East Cesar Chavez offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature on a daily basis with a leisurely walk to the lake. Additionally, its proximity to notable eateries such as Launderette, Las Trancas Taco Stand, Gati Ice Cream, La Barbecue, and numerous others makes it a culinary haven.

While the neighborhood is remarkably walkable, it’s essential to note that it experiences considerable traffic, especially in the vicinity of I-35, close to downtown Austin. Expect a constant flow of vehicles, including both local residents and tourists in Ubers, throughout the year.

Downtown

You can find amazing condos with endless views. 360 condos, the Independent, Seaholm, and more. If you like to be around the hustle and bustle of the city, downtown is the place to be

Central and Old West Austin near Tarrytown

Tarrytown and Clarksville is where you’ll find some of the most expensive homes in the Austin area. 

If you want classic Austin homes or a fresh remodel of a 1940s or 50s home, this is the area for you. Clarksville is many people’s (including) my wife, dream area.

Clarksville has some of the original bungalows from the mid-1900s, but a lot of them have been torn down to create new custom homes. So the neighborhood is an eclectic mix and new and old.

Keep in mind that the streets are quite small, and they’re typically packed with parked cars. But if you want to be able to easily walk to coffee shops, restaurants, wine bars, and more and you don’t mind paying up for the real estate, then Clarksville is perfect for you.

And finally Bouldin Creek near Zilker

One of the hottest zip codes in Austin, 78704 is classic Austin. Coffee shops, food trailers, delicious food, music, and more….

North Loop

Explore a variety of enjoyable eateries and shops conveniently accessible on foot in the North Loop neighborhood. N Loop Blvd stands out as a walker’s haven, boasting gems like Foreign and Domestic, a charming farm-to-table restaurant, Drink.well, a renowned cocktail bar, and Workhorse Bar, a beloved local watering hole. Airport Blvd, intersecting with North Loop, leads you to Home Slice Pizza, Kome Sushi Bar, Jewboy Burgers, and numerous other beloved Austin restaurants, all within walking or biking distance.

The original residences in North Loop, constructed during the post-WWII era in the 1940s and 50s, are modest, typically around 1,000 sq ft, with a single bathroom. Given the spacious lots, many of these houses are undergoing redevelopment to make way for more expansive and contemporary living spaces, catering to the needs of modern families.

But what about further from downtown? Are there walkable neighborhoods outside of Austin?

There are other great neighborhoods all over Austin where you can talk to restaurants, coffee, music, shops and more…Other areas where you can drive short distance and walk the day away like the Domain area or Bee Cave Galleria.

Arboretum and The Triangle and Mueller have shops, restaurants, bars, and more within walking distance.

As Austin grows, it’s becoming more and more walk friendly.

Right now you can find condos for under 300,000 in areas close to UT.

Condos around the downtown area vary in price from 500,000 to over 3 Million

Right not the median house price in Austin is around $540,000 and depending on where you live you can get to downtown in less than 20 minutes if you have an Austin zip code.

If you’re in the market for a new place I’m always here to help you!