Thinking about moving to Austin? Not only is ATX one of the best places to live in the South and even one of the best U.S. cities for jobs, but Texas’ capital city also offers singles and young professionals affordable housing options, great employment opportunities, and plenty of things to do. Check out these five best Austin neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
| Neighborhood | Downtown Austin | North University | Old West Austin | South Lamar | Zilker |
| Safer than % of City | 97% | 75% | 62% | 54% | 69% |
| Median Home Price | $1,359,199 | $644,277 | $1,908,542 | $842,853 | $1,221,209 |
| Median Rent Price | $3,010 | $1,914 | $2,097 | $2,148 | $2,733 |
| Median Household Income | $160,833 | $60,584 | $123,071 | $104,185 | $176,708 |
| Median Age | 40.9 | 26.0 | 40.3 | 30.4 | 35.9 |
Downtown Austin
- Home Price: $1,359,199 median purchase price; $3,010 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 97% of Texas neighborhoods
For singles and young professionals looking to live in Austin, check out Downtown Austin’s variety of renovated bungalows, apartments, and condos. This ATX neighborhood is home to trendy bars, lounges, shops, and entertainment options for residents to enjoy—making it one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for young adults. Those looking to start their career in Austin can find jobs with the City of Austin, the Medical District’s Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, and more. Austin’s downtown area is also home to colleges and universities like The University of Texas, DeVry University, and Austin Community College, making it an ideal place for college students, as well!
Things to Do in Downtown Austin
Learn the history of Austin while visiting the Texas Capitol and the Texas Governor’s Mansion. Go for a walk, attend an outdoor concert or yoga session at The Moody Amphitheater, or enjoy a picnic with friends at Waterloo Greenway. Join a taping of iconic PBS music series Austin City Limits (ACL) at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. See over one million bats fly out when you take an evening walk from April to October on the Congress Avenue Bridge. Embrace Austin’s weirdness and explore a variety of oddities like shrunken heads at the Museum of the Weird! Enjoy classic Italian favorites like Rosemary Focaccia, Fettuccini Alfredo, and Margherita Pizza at Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria. Stop by for Fresh Guacamole, Blackened Redfish, or the Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin at the Roaring Fork. Feast on traditional BBQ favorites like Beef Ribs or Brisket paired with Corn on Cobb and Potato Salad at Cooper’s Old Time Bar-B-Que. Have a night on the town and enjoy locally-crafted cocktails and beers while playing bar games on the patio of Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden.
North University
- Home Price: $644,277 median purchase price; $1,914 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Austin neighborhoods
Not only is North University one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for young professionals, it’s also a popular neighborhood in Austin for college students and those working in the education field, thanks to its location near the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. North University is also ideal for those who want to buy an older home with more character—the area is known for its tree-lined streets, large lots, and unique architecture. North University residents love the neighborhood’s wide range of restaurants, bars, and trendy shops, as well as the availability of public transit and quick 15-minute commute into Downtown Austin.
Things to Do in North University
Find some of the best sneakers over at Nice Kicks Shop. Upgrade your closet with some vintage clothing from Flamingos Vintage Pound Austin. Enjoy playing popular Japanese and Korean arcade games at Arcade UFO. Play a game of basketball or baseball with friends at Adams-Hemphill Park. Enjoy classic Thai favorites such as Beef with Broccoli, Thai Hot Fried Rice, or Pad Thai at Thai Kitchen. Meet up with other Longhorn fans to eat, drink, and cheer on your team over at Posse East. Feast on Mediterranean favorites like Grape Leaves or Gryo Wrapor, and be sure to save room for a piece of Baklava at Kabobzi Mediterranean Grill. Head down to Crown & Anchor Pub for the Big Basket of Cheese Fries and craft beers on tap. Or stop in for a Longhorn Iced Tea or KumBack Cheeseburger over at Dirty Martin’s, which has been around since 1926.
Old West Austin
- Home Price: $1,908,542 median purchase price; $2,097 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 62% of Austin neighborhoods
Looking to live in an area with an easy commute into Downtown Austin? Consider living in the ATX neighborhood of Old West Austin! Less than ten minutes away from city center and job opportunities at places like Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for singles and young professionals who want the convenience of an urban area mixed with the spacious properties of a suburban area. You can find everything from modern townhomes and condos to historical homes and modest single-family ranches here. Residents also have access to plenty of green space with local parks like Hartford Park, Pease District Park, and the Shoal Creek Trail.
Things to Do in Old West Austin
Treat yourself to a Deep Tissue Massage or a facial at Viva Day Spa 35th. Find your next acoustic guitar or sign up for lessons over at Fiddler’s Green Music Shop. See murals, public art displays, and works by local street artists at the HOPE Outdoor Gallery. Give your closet a makeover with fresh finds from boutiques like Valentines and Capra & Cavelli. Enjoy some of the best brunch in Austin with a Pastry Board, Blueberry Pancakes, or Turkey Avocado Club at Tiny Boxwoods. Get Chicken & Pancakes, Breakfast Tacos, and other savory breakfast dishes at Kerbey Lane Cafe. Order the Rainbow Roll, Texas Road Kill Roll, or the Good Time Roll at Japanese restaurant Musashino Sushi Dokoro. Enjoy signature cocktails like The West Egg or Whiskey Business with Cheese & Charcuterie at Nightcap.
South Lamar
- Home Price: $842,853 median purchase price; $2,148 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 54% of Austin neighborhoods
The South Lamar neighborhood in Austin—also known as SoLa—has seen a bit of a resurgence, thanks to new construction, local business growth, and more singles and young professionals moving to the area. With affordable single-family homes, a ten-minute drive into Downtown Austin, and outdoor recreation spots like Barton Creek Greenbelt, SoLa is one of the best places to live in Austin for young adults. It’s also a great neighborhood for those who have plans to start a family in the near future, as the area’s schools in the Austin Independent School District are well-rated.
Things to Do in South Lamar
Listen to live music and get in on the next line dance at Broken Spoke dance hall. Explore the eclectic antiques and vintage treasures at Uncommon Objects. Play a game of pool or darts while tossing back a couple of cocktails at Casino South Side. Try unique sweet and savory crepes like the Lemon Zest Dust, Peanut Butter Heaven, or Chicken Basil Pesto at Crepe Crazy. Relax with a latte, cappuccino, or an IPA at the coffeehouse-bar combo Radio Coffee & Beer. Hang out with your dog while you order a burger and some beer at Black Sheep Lodge. Or get your Mexican cuisine fix and order everything from Burritos and Fajitas to Nachos and Chile Rellenos at Matt’s El Rancho.
Zilker
- Home Price: $1,221,209 median purchase price; $2,733 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Austin neighborhoods
Just across the Colorado River from Downtown Austin is the neighborhood of Zilker. Known for its chill vibe and plenty of things to do, it’s no surprise Zilker is one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for singles and young professionals. Not only does this area have tons of new construction with modern houses and condos, but the neighborhood is also next to Zilker Metropolitan Park—home of the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival, which attracts thousands of music lovers from across the country each year. If you’re looking for quick commutes into downtown and an area that features a good blend of Austin’s natural beauty and eccentric culture, Zilker is the spot for you!
Things to Do in Zilker
Go for a run, take your dog for a walk, or ride your bike along the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail, which runs along the Colorado River. Go for a hike, spot wildlife, or enjoy a picnic with magnificent views of downtown at Lady Bird Lake-Butler Shores. Admire a mixture of indoor and outdoor art exhibits at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. Get in a round of putt-putt and BYOB at Peter Pan Mini Golf. Enjoy daily specials like Service Industry Tuesday or Double Fistin’ Fridays at Corner Bar, an after-work favorite. Try interesting menu items like the Pork & Quail Corndog or the Mesquite Bean-Peanut Ice Cream at locavore joint Odd Duck. Get a scoop of hand-rolled ice cream from the Holla Mode food truck. Or sample biscuit-based dishes like The Gloria Gaynor or The M.C. Hammer at Biscuits & Groovy.
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The team at Extra Space Storage understands that moving to a new city can be stressful, which is why we’ve created our Best Places to Live selections to help make the process easier. We’ve done the research for you—considering factors like cost of living, job market, local attractions, and education—to provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area. Check out our methodology page today to learn more about how we select the best places to live.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
