New Homes in South Austin

South Austin is unique, vibrant and diverse. In addition to the modern homes and quiet residential streets, you'll also find South Congress, the epicenter of weirdness that gives Austin its oft-quoted slogan: "Keep Austin Weird." South Austin can be a lot of things at once, but it's always unique. All in all, it's one of the best neighborhoods to find new homes in Austin, Texas.

South Austin attractions and lifestyle

There are a handful of places in America where—no matter how much time you spend there——you can never run out of new things to see and do. South Austin is one of those places. Whether you want to catch a live concert, go record-shopping, browse for antiques, grab lunch on the go from a local food truck or sit down at a fine-dining restaurant, South Austin delivers. The options are endless, so be sure not to miss these local favorites:

  • The Continental Club: From rock to country and jazz to blues, this legendary venue hosts live music seven nights a week, featuring national touring acts and promising local up-and-comers. If you're a music fan, it's one of the best places in town to catch a show. And if you're a musician yourself, you might want to drop the club a line.
  • Uncommon Objects: If there were an award for world's weirdest antique store, you safely pin it on Uncommon Objects. Looking for an old-timey belt buckle? Some vintage taxidermy? Antique musical instruments? Or simply something really bizarre that you never even knew existed? Yeah, you can probably find all of the above at Uncommon Objects.
  • Magnolia Cafe: The South Congress location of this classic Austin eatery serves just about everything you could ever want at a diner, with a focus on Tex-Mex comfort food. Oh, and breakfast is served 24 hours a day. You can't go wrong.
  • Radio Coffee & Beer: Coffee? Good. Beer? Also good. Needless to say, this Manchaca Road hot spot is the perfect place to stop before work—and then again after work. Plus, Radio Coffee & Beer offers some great late-night events, from live music and karaoke to comedy nights.
  • End of an Ear: Struggling to choose which South Austin record store to visit first? End of an Ear is a great place to start, whether you're looking for the latest release from your favorite indie band or classics by local Austin heroes like Blaze Foley and Townes Van Zandt.
  • Austin Murals: Mural hunters have a lot of iconic spots to check out in South Austin parts, notably the Greetings from Austin mural at the corner of 1st and Annie Street and the Willie for President mural on Elizabeth Street. There are dozens more, so you’d better be ready to take a whole lot of selfies.

Top-notch schools

Most of the new homes in South Austin fall within the Austin Independent School District, which includes a wide range of highly rated schools such as Barton Hills Elementary School and William B. Travis High School. The latter earned six out of seven academic distinctions from the Texas Education Agency in 2015, which landed it among the top 8 percent of high schools in the state.

South Austin is also home to the Texas School for the Deaf, the Austin School of Music and Texas Health and Science University. St. Edward's University, which was named the 12th best college in the West by U.S. News and World Report, is also located in the area.

Endless outdoor and recreational activities

Austin is one of the best cities in America for nature lovers, and some of its greatest outdoor resources lie south of the Colorado River. When you choose a new home in Austin, Texas, you’ll find adventure awaits around every corner. With parks and trails that offer endless opportunities to explore, there's never a dull moment. When you're ready to go for a hike, run, bike ride or kayak trip, be sure to head for these South Austin outdoor favorites:

  • Zilker Park: Spanning an incredible 350 acres, Zilker Park has been Austin's outdoor hub since it was built during the Great Depression. The hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake is a great starting point for anyone to get out and enjoy the outdoors. And if you're around in October, be sure to check out the Austin City Limits festival, which is held in Zilker Park every year.
  • Barton Springs: This man-made spring-fed pool is kept at a constant 68 degrees year-round thanks to the natural spring water it contains. It's the perfect place to beat the Texas heat on a summer day.
  • Barton Creek Greenbelt: Encompassing more than 12 miles of trails throughout south and central Austin, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is perfect for an early morning run, an afternoon hike or a peaceful bike ride. The trail runs parallel to its namesake creek, which makes for some gorgeous scenery and plenty of opportunities to do a bit of fishing along the way. Many of our new homes in Austin, Texas, are just footsteps away from the greenbelt.
  • The Colorado River: The Colorado River is the central artery that flows through the heart of Austin, separating South Austin from the rest of the city and providing some of the region's best recreational opportunities. The river is a kayaking mecca—head to Austin Paddle Shack to rent a kayak and hit the water—and it's a rare day that the river isn't swarming with kayaks and paddleboards. The river also just so happens to be one of the best spots in the area for bass fishing.
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: With more than 800 native Texas plant species growing in a variety of natural and garden settings, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas, and it's simply stunning.

Ample opportunities for employment

It's no secret that Austin's economy is booming—in fact, that’s what’s been driving up rents and leading more people to consider buying a home in Austin in the first place. Simply put, this is a great place to get a job.

Austin's economy is the best it's been in two decades, and unemployment rates continue to dip well below the national average. Patch recently reported that Austin has the strongest metropolitan economy in the United States, and Austin routinely ranks at or near the top of Forbes' annual listing of the best U.S. cities for jobs. It's all happening right here, and it shows no signs of stopping.

An impressive amount of Austin's recent growth has been centered around South Austin, where major companies ranging from computing to biotechnology have taken root. By some estimates, it's the fastest-growing part of the city for new business. Even when some forecasters worried that Austin's economy was slowing down in recent years, business owners in South Austin reported steady growth.

Whether you're looking for a new home in Austin, Texas, because of the economy, the culture, the lifestyle, the climate or that indefinable "cool" factor, we're confident that we have what you're looking for. And if we don't, we'll build it.

Contact MileStone today to learn more about new homes in Austin, Texas.