This guide compares ten Austin, Texas neighborhoods for people relocating to Austin or buying their first home here. For each neighborhood, it covers where it is, what daily life is like, how walkable it is, what kinds of homes you'll find, and what to check before you buy. It's written from years of helping buyers in these neighborhoods, including the tradeoffs listing descriptions usually leave out.
Austin is organized around Lady Bird Lake, a dammed section of the Colorado River that runs east–west through the center of the city. Downtown Austin sits on the lake's north shore. Interstate 35 runs north–south along downtown's east edge, and neighborhoods east of it are generally called East Austin. MoPac Expressway (Loop 1) is the main north–south highway on the west side. The 78704 ZIP code, directly south of the lake, is so closely tied to South Austin's identity that locals call it "the 04." Most central neighborhoods are 5 to 15 minutes from downtown outside rush hour; during rush hour, those times can double.
Neighborhood | Area / ZIP | Distance | Walkability | Best for buyers who want | Typical homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travis Heights | South Central, 78704 | ~1–2 mi | Moderate to high near South Congress | Central location with trees and quiet streets | Historic cottages, mid-century, modern infill |
Bouldin Creek | South Central, 78704 | ~1–2 mi | High | Walking to restaurants and coffee | Cottages, bungalows, modern infill, condos |
Barton Hills | Southwest Central, 78704 | ~3 mi | Low for errands, high for trails | Barton Springs, Zilker Park, Greenbelt access | 1960s–70s ranches, remodels, new builds |
Hyde Park | North Central, 78751 | ~3–4 mi | High | Historic homes and a walkable neighborhood center | Victorian, Craftsman, bungalows |
Rosedale | North Central, 78756 | ~4–5 mi | Moderate to high; very bikeable | A calm, central, flat neighborhood | Cottages, bungalows, mid-century, infill |
East Austin | East of I-35, 78702 and nearby | ~0–4 mi | High near downtown, low farther east | Restaurants, nightlife, modern architecture | Historic bungalows, modern infill, townhomes |
Northwest Hills | Northwest, 78731 | ~7–8 mi | Low | Larger lots, views, Hill Country scenery | Mid-century ranches, custom homes |
Westgate | South, 78745 | ~6–7 mi | Low to moderate | More house for the money near central Austin | 1960s–70s ranch homes |
Oak Hill | Southwest, 78735 / 78736 / 78749 | ~10–12 mi | Low | Space, nature, Hill Country access | Older homes on large lots, newer subdivisions |
Balcones Village | Northwest, 78750 | ~12–14 mi | Low | A suburban setting near a country club | Ranch and traditional homes on larger lots |
By Hannah Edwards, Real Estate Advisor, Compass RE Texas, LLC · Texas Real Estate License #764789 · Last updated September 2026
Oak Hill is a large area of Southwest Austin (78735, 78736, and parts of 78749) where US-290 and State Highway 71 split, about 10 to 12 miles from downtown. It's where Austin begins transitioning into the Texas Hill Country, with larger lots, oak trees, rolling terrain, and easy access to trails and Hill Country day trips.
Quick facts: ZIPs 78735, 78736, parts of 78749 · ~10–12 miles to downtown · Walkability: low
Oak Hill feels spread out, green, and suburban. Heritage oaks, limestone, creeks, and rolling hills define the landscape, and housing ranges from older homes on large lots to newer subdivisions. It's close to the lakes and small towns of the Hill Country.
Oak Hill is car-dependent. Some subdivisions have sidewalks and trails, but shopping and dining usually require driving. For Oak Hill buyers, rush-hour commute time matters more than walkability, so test your drive to work before you decide.
The Violet Crown Trail runs through the area and connects toward the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Convict Hill Quarry Park, Windmill Run Park, and Williamson Creek provide local green space. Restaurants, grocery stores, and services are concentrated along US-290 and SH-71.
Oak Hill has older detached homes, remodeled ranch houses, newer subdivisions, Hill Country-style homes, luxury properties, and homes on large lots.
A multi-year rebuild of US-290 through Oak Hill has caused significant construction delays, so check its current status. School district, city limits, and utility providers vary by address in this area. Wooded lots near open land may affect insurance because of wildfire risk.
Oak Hill offers more land and nature than Westgate at a greater distance from downtown.
Among the neighborhoods in this guide, Bouldin Creek, Hyde Park, and the western parts of East Austin are the most walkable for daily errands and dining. Travis Heights and Rosedale are walkable in many locations.
Barton Hills has the best access to Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Travis Heights has parks and creeks within the neighborhood. Northwest Hills and Oak Hill offer Hill Country trails and green space.
Westgate (78745) often offers larger homes and lots for the price than 78704 neighborhoods. Oak Hill and Balcones Village also offer more space, with longer commutes.
78704 is the ZIP code directly south of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake. It includes Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Barton Hills, and Zilker. Locals call it "the 04," and it's associated with South Austin's laid-back culture, South Congress Avenue, and Barton Springs.
Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, and parts of East Austin have many historic homes. Parts of Hyde Park fall under local historic district rules that restrict exterior changes.
Search any address on the City of Austin's FloodPro map, and ask your agent and insurance provider about flood history and insurance costs. Properties near creeks, including Blunn Creek, Shoal Creek, and Williamson Creek, deserve extra attention.
The City of Austin protects trees 19 inches or larger in diameter, and heritage trees of certain species 24 inches or larger receive additional protection. This can limit remodeling, additions, and new construction on tree-heavy lots.
Several school districts serve addresses in Austin. Check the specific address using the school district's boundary lookup tool, since boundaries can change and neighborhood names don't always match district lines.
421 people live in Oak Hill, where the median age is 28 and the average individual income is $33,739. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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There's plenty to do around Oak Hill, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Hair by Sara Jurdi.
Oak Hill has 248 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Oak Hill do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 421 people call Oak Hill home. The population density is 9,687 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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