Moving to Austin with your family? The Texas state capital offers safe neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and tons of family-friendly activities. Check out these five best Austin neighborhoods for families!
Allandale
Photo via @wgrouprealestate
- Home Price: $295,242 median purchase price; $695 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Austin neighborhoods
Want to live in one of the best places in Austin to buy a home? Check out Allandale! This affordable neighborhood in north-central Austin has a quieter, suburban feel, with a mix of Mid-Century Modern homes as well as newly renovated, Craftsman-style houses. Often noted as one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families to live, Allandale offers amazing schools, including Gullett Elementary School, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. Plus, this safe ATX neighborhood is a close-knit community, with a neighborhood association that hosts family-friendly activities throughout the year, like the annual 4th of July parade.
Things to Do in Allandale
Go to Beverly Sheffield Park and enjoy a family picnic, play tennis, or go swimming in the pool. Enroll the kids in a basketball program or art class at the Northwest Recreation Center. Spend a family night out bowling, axe-throwing, arcade games, and more at High Five Entertainment. Shop for vintage records, furniture, and clothing at Top Drawer Thrift. Eat a healthy breakfast of Pear-Bacon-Scallion Sprouted Wheat Pancakes or a Beef Hash Plate at Pacha Organic Cafe. Head to Lucy’s Fried Chicken for Deep Fried Deviled Eggs, The Revival Fried Chicken Sandwich, and West Texas Red Chili. Go out to dinner and try traditional Mexican food like Chuleta, Cordero, and Pollo Rotisado at Fonda San Miguel. Or have date night and enjoy a delicious meal and drink pairing from the rotating menu at Barley Swine.
Cherrywood
Photo via @audrey_negley_cb_realtor
- Home Price: $295,020 median purchase price; $1,147 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 52% of Austin neighborhoods
Cherrywood is a safe and affordable Austin neighborhood, making it an ideal neighborhood in Austin for families! This ATX neighborhood is filled with cozy cottages, ranches, and even some newly-built Modern homes for you to settle down and grow in—with yards large enough to host neighborhood cookouts or let the hooligans burn off steam. Also, there are many great Austin ISD schools in this East Austin neighborhood within walking distance, like Maplewood Elementary School. If you’re looking for a neighborhood in Austin that’s quieter with plenty of parks, coffee shops, and family-friendly fun, Cherrywood is the place to be!
Things to Do in Cherrywood
Go walking, jogging, or biking around Mueller Lake Park. Join an adult tennis league or enroll the kids in junior lessons at the Pharr Tennis Center. Have a family day at Austin’s children’s museum, and explore Train Town, Light Lab, and other interactive exhibits at the Thinkery. Get tickets to new releases, cult classics, vintage films, and more at the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In. Step into Cherrywood Coffeehouse for your morning coffee fix and order a Mocha Au Lait or Cuban Con Leche. Pick up some biscuit sandwiches like the Firebird, Bird Bird Bacon, or Little Dipper from Bird Bird Biscuit. Enjoy a meal of Truffled Devil Eggs, Candied Pork Belly, and Banana Fosters Beignets at Salty Sow. Or explore Cajun cuisine with dishes like Blackened Catfish, Red Bean Fritters, and Gumbo at Vic & Al’s.
Hyde Park
Photo via @kenneygrantrealty
- Home Price: $438,283 median purchase price; $1,033 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Austin neighborhoods
Sometimes referred to as Austin’s first suburb, Hyde Park offers residents looking to buy or rent in Austin lovingly maintained bungalows and cottages from the early 1900s, as well as colorful homes with wrap-around porches and Craftsman influences. An historic yet cool neighborhood for families to call home, Hyde Park is a walkable neighborhood with easy access to many locally-owned restaurants and unique shops. More things to do are offered by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, which works hard to keep the community close with a number of annual events. If you’re looking for a laid-back lifestyle with quiet streets, consider living in Hyde Park!
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Book a tee time and play a round of golf at Hancock Golf Course. Head to the Wright-Whitaker Sports Complex and practice soccer, archery, pickleball, and more! Shop retro jewelry, clothing, and other nostalgic knick-knacks at Room Service Vintage. Get to know your Hyde Park neighbors at upcoming community events. Grab Vietnamese food like the Tofu Banh Mi, Beef Belly Bao, and Chicken Pho at Bun Belly. Try seafood dishes like the Daily Ceviche, Lobster Roll, and Buttermilk Fried Shrimp from Mongers. Have an Italian dinner at Asti Trattoria and try some Bianca Pizza and Lamb Sugo Pappardelle. Or pick up a snow cone treat from local treasure Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs and try flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake and Boston Cream Pie.
Old West Austin
Photo via @organicgardendreams
- Home Price: $439,620 median purchase price, $1,195 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of Austin neighborhoods
Old West Austin is a great ATX neighborhood for families thanks to its proximity to Downtown Austin and the University of Texas at Austin, which keeps the area bustling with young adults frequenting local cafes and shops. Of course, many children attend high-quality Austin ISD schools, but the neighborhood also offers options like St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. This neighborhood is also great for families who like to get outside, as there are a good number of parks and trails nearby to relax at and explore. Whether you want to live in a newly-built Modern home, renovated historic house, or luxury apartment, Old West Austin has it all!
Things to Do in Old West Austin
Visit Pease Park Conservancy and look for wildlife along the walking trails, or hang out in The Observation Pod treehouse. Bike the nearly-six-mile trail along the river on the Shoal Creek Greenbelt. Join a tennis league or enroll the kids in private lessons at the Caswell Tennis Center. Schedule a tee time at Austin’s first public golf course, Lions Municipal Golf Course. Order the Pastry Board, Classic BLT, or Southwestern Salad for lunch at Tiny Boxwoods. Go out for Italian Pork Meatballs, Pumpkin Ravioli, and Squash Risotto at Olive & June. Have a dinner of Green Gazpacho or Roasted Dewberry Chicken at Josephine House. Or get a sweet treat like Funfetti and Coffee Cookie Chunk Ice Cream from Cold Cookie Company.
South Lamar
Photo via @kentravis.sells.austin
- Home Price: $282,267 median purchase price; $1,122 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Austin neighborhoods
South Lamar, a trendy ATX neighborhood called “SoLa” by locals, offers residents spacious townhomes, modern bungalows, and charming ranches. Just south of Downtown Austin, South Lamar offers families a range of dining and entertainment options that are all within walking or biking distance, as well as a number of parks and nearby hiking trails. Plus, as a well-established neighborhood, SoLa is home to popular landmarks like the Broken Spoke and close to Stephen F. Austin High School—the oldest high school in the state of Texas.
Things to Do in South Lamar
Go hiking, biking, rock climbing, and more at Barton Creek Wilderness Park. Head to the South Austin Recreation Center and sign your kids up for a Summer Camp or to watch a Movie on the Field. Visit iconic Broken Spoke, a live music venue that’s featured famous musicians like Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, and The Dixie Chicks. Go shopping for some new outfits at upscale Austin thrift store, Stardust Vintage. Start the day with a Cold Brew Coffee, Sweet Latte, or Iced Hot Chocolate at Patika Coffee. Have seafood bites like the Best Seafood Gumbo, Fried Catfish, and Shrimp Fried Rice at Deckhand Oyster Bar. Eat Austin neighborhood-themed burgers like The Allandale, Brentwood, and Travis Heights at Phil’s Ice House. Or head to Austin Beer Garden Brewery Co. for Wagyu Ground Beef Pizza and a Superliner IPA.
***
Moving with your family to Austin? Extra Space Storage has conveniently located storage facilities throughout the Austin metro area. Find self storage near you!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
