Welcome to Central South Austin
Home to everything weird and/or wonderful about Austin.
Everything weird and/or wonderful to love about Austin is found within the 78704 ZIP code and just along the southeastern shores of Lady Bird Lake. Classical homes emulating southern hospitality, brand-new compounds featuring modern finishes, and quiet residential enclaves nestled within the hills can all be found where the city’s “keep Austin weird” motto truly comes to life.
While Central South Austin is one of the city’s more vibrant, busy neighborhoods, residential streets are lined with towering, mature trees which have been protected by strict city ordinances. Residents are never far away from a park or greenspace, with Big Stacy Pool, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, and the Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake being favorite spots to enjoy Austin’s 300+ days of sunshine, striking views of downtown, and the natural beauty of Central Texas.
What to Love
- The epitome of the “keep Austin weird” lifestyle
- Great mixture of funky, older bungalows and modern, sleek homes
- Home to some of Austin’s most iconic outdoor parks and recreational sites
- A very short distance from downtown bars and restaurants
- At the farthest point, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is only 12 miles away
Local Lifestyle
From young professionals to older folks, to families and empty-nesters, South Austin has something to offer everyone. Those living along East Riverside in the South Shore neighborhood are close to new homes, eateries, and other convenient businesses, with older homes bringing character and flair. Beyond the quiet residential streets, locals are never more than a few minutes' walk from one of the major thoroughfares. Lamar Boulevard, Congress Avenue, and South 1st are lined with some of Austin‘s most iconic restaurants, bakeries, boutiques, and funky food trucks.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
South Austin is home to both Texan dining staples and a few more unique culinary options. Upon its opening, 1618 Asian Fusion was met with rave reviews and also named one of Yelp's top 10 new restaurants in the nation. Pineapple fried rice, spicy red curry duck, and the most flavorful tom yum soup in town have attracted some of Austin‘s most notable residents, like Elon Musk, to dine in.
An abundance of Tex-Mex cuisine for all budgets and occasions can also be found here. “Damn Good” tacos and creamy queso accented with guacamole and diablo sauce from Torchy’s Tacos have satisfied the appetites of longtime locals, newer neighbors, and even former President Barack Obama. Güero’s is one of Soco’s most famous Tex-Mex establishments, also attracting a former President. Patrons can order the El Presidente special, The exact combination of a la cart options devoured by Bill Clinton upon one of his many visits to Austin.
A patio brunch is enjoyed beneath a dense treetop covering at Perla’s. Those who dine inside or at the bar enjoy the views of the raw bar where dozens and dozens of oysters are shucked by the hour. The grilled octopus, breakfast crabcakes, and crab Florentine Benedict are some of the best ways to start off the weekend, especially when paired with one of their colorful house cocktails.
Things To Do
South Austin is separated from downtown by the Colorado River, and the Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail is one of Austin‘s favorite places to get in a workout. Just east of the neighborhood, the trail branches out over the water onto the boardwalk, before continuing on and looping around the other side of the river, going on for 11 miles. Nearby, Zilker Park is an Austin icon where guests enjoy picnics, frisbee, kite-flying, or off-leash fun and fresh air with their four-legged friends. Zilker Park hosts several festivals and celebrations throughout the year, with the Austin City Limits Fest being the largest, attracting over 400,000 attendees each year. During Austin‘s toasty summer months, Barton Springs Pool is the best place to cool off and zen out. The pool itself is about three acres large, fed from an underground spring, and usually hovers around 70 degrees year-round.
Schools
Some of Austin Independent School District’s best schools and a few top-notch private options can be found in South Austin, just steps away from home.
Some of the neighborhood’s best-performing schools consist of:
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Zilker Elementary School, prekindergarten-5th grade; students enjoy low student-teacher ratios at one of the state’s highest-ranking elementary schools
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Travis Heights Elementary School, prekindergarten-5th grade; the first charter school within Austin Independent School District has made exceptionally high levels of progress year after year
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