West Austin / Tarrytown, Austin

If I had access to unlimited wealth, I’d be absolutely unable to find fault with Tarrytown at all. Luckily, I do not have access to unlimited wealth, so I’m able to appreciate all the area has to offer, and suffer mild pangs of envy toward those fortunate enough to make their homes here.

Located right near the center of everything, featuring amazing green spaces, cultural opportunities, and art, it’s little surprise this is the neighborhood of choice for those who can afford the very best, but don’t want to leave their Austin roots behind. For the rest of us, we can get glimpses of how the other half lives by exploring everything the community has to offer, taking advantage of the great dining options, and salivating at some of the beautiful old homes.

If you can afford the price tag, I can’t imagine any reason not to move into this exclusive, upscale, totally enriching neighborhood. Great schools, great location, great shopping, great culture, and great eats—what else could you possibly need?

Before I moved to Austin, Magnolia Café was one of the few local joints I’d ever heard of, and it’s located here in Tarrytown. It’s a great place for Sunday morning brunch, people-watching, and leisurely trying to wake up from a long night.

The West Austin/Tarrytown neighborhood of Austin is for the most part a lovely upscale neighborhood located just north and west of the downtown area. It is a neighborhood well known for its elegant homes, quiet and peaceful parks, and old and ornate churches. Some of its more famous residents include Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConnaughey. Homes here when available, are listed in the range of $350,000 to over one million dollars.

There are plenty of things to do here in one of the safest and most exclusive neighborhoods in the city of Austin. If you love golf, you can get in 18 holes at Lions Municipal Golf Course while your wife and children play at nearby Reed Park and Pool. If you love fine dining, a 5-star restaurant Zoot is located near Lake Austin Boulevard. You can also enjoy nature at Mayfield Preserve and watch the tame deer and peacocks that live there. It's a safe, friendly place with a community feel like few other places in Austin. It's also close to downtown and all of the entertainment and fine dining to be found there.

While Austin prides itself on having deep hippie roots, it doesn’t mean there are no exclusive neighborhoods here. Of the higher-end areas of town, Tarrytown is probably considered the most venerable. While the far west end of Austin tends to attract new affluent Austin, Tarrytown is the choice of old Austin money.

Located in the heart of the city, Tarrytown is bordered by Lake Austin Boulevard on the south, 35th Street on the north, Lake Austin on the west and MoPac Expressway on the east. Being centrally located, it is convenient to downtown, the University of Texas, and Lady Bird Lake, the symbol of Austin’s heart and soul.

Because of the steep home prices, Tarrytown residents are generally high-end professionals and their families, as well as some old timers who have held on to their homes for decades. While it is possible to find one of the smaller homes in the mid-$300s range, most homes list at an average of $750,000. Schools serving this area include Casis Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School.

Many argue the price tag is fair for such a beautiful neighborhood, with its quiet, tree-lined streets and gorgeous homes. While shopping and eating spots are sparse within the boundaries of Tarrytown, it is close to many popular destinations, such as Hula Hut for margaritas overlooking the lake and Magnolia Café for 24-hour dining.

Ah, I wish I could say that I lived here, and at night my rich husband and I just hop in our boat and take it down the river to one of the awesome restaurants, but alas, I cannot. If you have the money, by all means, this is where you should live. But the rest of us can at least enjoy the Hula Hut, which has amazing mango jalapeno quesadillas and an awesome view of the river from the outside patio. The Magnolia Café also makes it worth it to hop in my not-a-Mercedes every Saturday for some Love Veggies. The Museum of Art is here, and Mozart’s Coffee is a great place to chill out and enjoy the scenery. There’s also a very nice-looking golf course here, if you’re into that sort of thing (I’m not, so I can’t give much info on that), and Deep Eddy Pool, which is the oldest and one of the coolest pools in Texas. A brand new mural has just been finished there, so it’s a great excuse to head over in this direction too. Until I win the lottery or find a neurosurgeon to marry, I’ll be happy just visiting and enjoying the atmosphere of Tarrytown.

Settled between the Mopac Expressway and the river, West Austin/ Tarrytown is the epitome of Austin style class with these tree lined streets that are just a walk away from the river. Close to Downtown and Zilker Park, there is nothing to love about this location except the expensive prices, but those who can afford it consider this neighborhood paradise. Restaurants back up to the water with deck seating from which one can dock onto a boat once finished with their meal and/or margarita. Most o the homes have plenty of yard space and range from $350,000 to over $1 million. Students and starting professionals can forget about living here, but well to do families and established professionals and retired individuals fill the vacant lots.

The nightlife is moderate since residents want some level of peace and quiet, but the hottest spots in the city are just a walk, bike ride or bus ride away. The old Austin charm is radiating in the architecture and street layouts and this neighborhood is situated perfectly between the urban sprawl and the rolling limestone hills the lay west. Residents enjoy access to a local golf course and ride their boats up the river all the way to Lake Travis or to many of the desirable country club and art spot along the way. Numerous public parks and access to the nature filled west provide a ride into the wild for locals who want to get in touch with the Hill Country and Lake Austin Blvd. provides a fast route to W. 6th and W. 5th streets. It is hard to do better than West Austin/ Tarrytown if you have the income to spare.