Bouldin Creek

Austin has a reputation as a quirky, fun, unique, open-minded city, and no neighborhood I can think of embodies that spirit better than Bouldin Creek. Just south of Town Lake, Bouldin Creek offers a distinctly unique, distinctly weird, distinctly Austin experience, to both residents and visitors alike.

From pizza parlors to tattoo shops and every conceivable business in between, Bouldin Creek has a little bit of nearly anything. Public transit is stellar in the area, and due to the crowded streets and lack of parking, traveling by bus can even be beneficial for a lot of people.

This isn’t necessarily the kind of place you want to settle down and raise a family, but if you’re young, artistic, in school, or even an old-school Austin hippie type, there are few places that will have more to offer you. Rents and home prices are fairly reasonable, and house shares are pretty common, especially with younger people who are just striking out on their own.

Despite the proliferation of things to do, the neighborhood is still safe and clean. Personally, I find it one of the best places in town to just wander around on foot, exploring any local shops that catch my eye and getting some serious people-watching done.

One of the older neighborhoods in the city Austin, Bouldin Creek had homes that date back to the turn of the 20th Century. There is most definitely some historic charm here as some homes from that era remain along wither other homes that were constructed in the 1920's and 30's. Homes in this neighborhood range in price from $250,000 up to $750,000 and this is considered one of the safer areas of the city of Austin. It is also one of the most culturally and architecturally diverse neighborhoods of the city, making this a neighborhood you can find only in Austin, Texas.

Bouldin Creek is close to several of the best amenities in the Austin area. It is a short walk or bike ride to the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail and the Downtown Austin area, with all of the great live music venues and vibrant nightlife it has to offer. There are quality private and public schools in the area, so this a great place to raise a family. This is also a great place to take a walk and meet the neighbors and admire some of the ornately decorated older homes.

Located south of Town Lake (or Lady Bird Lake, as it was named in 2007), the Bouldin Creek neighborhood is yet another area in Austin that strives to retain its roots, both the historic and eclectic kind. Extending from the lake south to Oltorf Street, and bordered by South Congress Avenue to the east and South First to the west, this neighborhood dates back to the turn of the century. The historic Green Pastures Restaurant, located in the heart of the neighborhood, occupies the former 1894 mansion home of John Henry Faulk, a famous Austin writer and activist.

With its long history, one can still find some of the original 1920s and 1930s style bungalows along the tree-lined streets. Many hip young couples and families are attracted to this neighborhood, with chickens frequently being seen in the yards of neighbors alongside a new million dollar remodel. The local schools include Becker and Travis Heights Elementary Schools, Fulmore and O. Henry Middle Schools and Austin High School.

Bouldin Creek residents enjoy close proximity to Auditorium Shores (site of the annual Austin City Limits music festival) and the many hike and bike trails found in the nearby greenbelt. Also nearby is the Long Center for the Performing Arts and the Palmer Events Center, so residents can enjoy the annual reggae festival one week and the opera the next.

While Austin’s explosive growth has resulted in gentrification in almost all areas of the city, Bouldin Creek has managed to retain much of its funky, old Austin feel. Residents pride themselves on supporting local businesses, from coffee shops and cafes promoting organic and local flavors to Mexican bakeries and tattoo parlors. With its eclectic mix of businesses and residents, there is not once ounce of suburban feel to this neighborhood.