Zilker
Ranked 6th best neighborhood in Austin
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Great for
- Parks & Recreation
- Clean & Green
- Neighborly Spirit
- Resale or Rental Value
- Safe & Sound
Not great for
- Gym & Fitness
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Singles
- Retirees
- Tourists
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Zilker
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
Editors Choice
"Everything great about Austin is here"
Austinites have very strong opinions on what is the best neighborhood to live in, but it is hard to beat Zilker for how it epitomizes what makes Austin so loved and so livable. Located in central south Austin, just below Lady Bird Lake, the Zilker neighborhood has the best of all that Austin has to offer right at its doorstep. Close to downtown and next to Zilker Park, the jewel of Austin’s renowned park system, residents enjoy both the benefits of an urban location and access to prime green space, all within easy reach.
The boundaries for the Zilker neighborhood are Lamar Boulevard to the south and east, Lady Bird Lake to the north, and Rabb Road and Robert E. Lee Road to the west. Homes vary widely here, and one can find small bungalows as well as historic estates and very modern new construction. The convenience and many amenities of this neighborhood come at a steep price, and a medium-sized home will average in the $400s, although it is possible to find a small home for under $300K. This is a great neighborhood for kids, and area schools include Zilker Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School.
Much of what makes Austin popular is found in and along this neighborhood. Barton Springs Road is home to many local favorites, including Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant, Flipnotics, where one can get great coffee and great local music and Shady Grove, popular for its outdoor seating and live music. Traveling down Lamar Boulevard brings you to Uchi, a high-end, nationally-touted and local favorite Asian-inspired restaurant. But what sets the Zilker neighborhood apart is nearby Zilker Park, the ultimate outdoor-lovers paradise. Here one finds acres of green space, miles of hike and bike trails, Lady Bird Lake where one can canoe, kayak or learn how to use a standing paddle board, the latest craze. Zilker is home to the Botanical Gardens and Auditorium Shores, where the annual Austin City Limits is held. Also found in Zilker is Barton Springs Pool, the much-cherished spring-fed pool whose constant 68 degree waters keep Austinites cool during even the hottest of summers. Besides the high price tag on housing, there is nothing negative about the Zilker neighborhood, making it a perfect representative of what makes this town stand out from the rest.
The boundaries for the Zilker neighborhood are Lamar Boulevard to the south and east, Lady Bird Lake to the north, and Rabb Road and Robert E. Lee Road to the west. Homes vary widely here, and one can find small bungalows as well as historic estates and very modern new construction. The convenience and many amenities of this neighborhood come at a steep price, and a medium-sized home will average in the $400s, although it is possible to find a small home for under $300K. This is a great neighborhood for kids, and area schools include Zilker Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School.
Much of what makes Austin popular is found in and along this neighborhood. Barton Springs Road is home to many local favorites, including Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant, Flipnotics, where one can get great coffee and great local music and Shady Grove, popular for its outdoor seating and live music. Traveling down Lamar Boulevard brings you to Uchi, a high-end, nationally-touted and local favorite Asian-inspired restaurant. But what sets the Zilker neighborhood apart is nearby Zilker Park, the ultimate outdoor-lovers paradise. Here one finds acres of green space, miles of hike and bike trails, Lady Bird Lake where one can canoe, kayak or learn how to use a standing paddle board, the latest craze. Zilker is home to the Botanical Gardens and Auditorium Shores, where the annual Austin City Limits is held. Also found in Zilker is Barton Springs Pool, the much-cherished spring-fed pool whose constant 68 degree waters keep Austinites cool during even the hottest of summers. Besides the high price tag on housing, there is nothing negative about the Zilker neighborhood, making it a perfect representative of what makes this town stand out from the rest.
Pros
- Zilker park in your backyard
- Strong community spirit
- Great location
Cons
- A bit expensive
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Tourists
- LGBT+
- Hipsters
- Students
- Trendy & Stylish
Zilker
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Laid Back Living Close To The Heart of Downtown Austin"
The Zilker neighborhood is located in south central Austin and is one of the more coveted addresses in the city. Located just south of Lady Bird Lake, homes here run from $250,000 and up and residents enjoy being close to some of the best amenities Austin has to offer. This neighborhood embodies everything weird and fun about the city of Austin.
The neighborhood is most often associated with nearby Zilker Park, which is host to the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the world-famous South by Southwest Music Festival. The Hike and Bike Trails of Lady Bird Lake is always buzzing with activity and downtown is only a few minutes away. Public transportation is close by with rail and bus lines by Capitol Metro and several excellent public and private schools are in the area. This is a friendly and safe neighborhood that's ideal for a jog or bike ride. Love great Tex-Mex food? You're in the right place as Chuy's is one of the most popular dining establishments in the city. Want a good cup of coffee? Flipnoics is the place to go and it also has a selection of fine used clothing.
The neighborhood is most often associated with nearby Zilker Park, which is host to the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the world-famous South by Southwest Music Festival. The Hike and Bike Trails of Lady Bird Lake is always buzzing with activity and downtown is only a few minutes away. Public transportation is close by with rail and bus lines by Capitol Metro and several excellent public and private schools are in the area. This is a friendly and safe neighborhood that's ideal for a jog or bike ride. Love great Tex-Mex food? You're in the right place as Chuy's is one of the most popular dining establishments in the city. Want a good cup of coffee? Flipnoics is the place to go and it also has a selection of fine used clothing.
Pros
- South by Southwest Music Festival
- Austin City Limits Music Festival
- Close to Barton Springs
- Great location
- Laid back neighborhood
- Strong community spirit
- Zilker park in your backyard
Cons
- A bit expensive
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Tourists
- LGBT+
- Trendy & Stylish
Zilker
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Whats not to love?"
Zilker offers absolutely everything Austin is best known for—great shopping and trendy hangouts, fantastic, historic homes and streets, lush green areas with incredible opportunities for enjoying the outdoors, conveniently near most any place you’d like to visit… and a pretty hefty price tag.
But just like anywhere else, you do get what you pay for, and your fairly substantial investment in Zilker real estate will pay dividends in the form of sheer Austin enjoyment and coolness. Here, you’re a stone’s throw from amazing Zilker Park as well as the super-popular Barton Springs Pool.
The neighborhood’s charm is lost on virtually no one, and it draws in a pretty broad range of folks, from students to families to retirees. The local schools are some of the region’s finest, the neighborhood is safe, green, and clean, and transit is simple both within the area and to points beyond. You will never run out of new restaurants to try or new shops to visit, and even on an ordinary night, strolling through the community, taking in the history and beauty of the older homes can be completely enjoyable. There’s nothing lacking, except maybe affordability, but if you can handle the cost of entry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to live.
But just like anywhere else, you do get what you pay for, and your fairly substantial investment in Zilker real estate will pay dividends in the form of sheer Austin enjoyment and coolness. Here, you’re a stone’s throw from amazing Zilker Park as well as the super-popular Barton Springs Pool.
The neighborhood’s charm is lost on virtually no one, and it draws in a pretty broad range of folks, from students to families to retirees. The local schools are some of the region’s finest, the neighborhood is safe, green, and clean, and transit is simple both within the area and to points beyond. You will never run out of new restaurants to try or new shops to visit, and even on an ordinary night, strolling through the community, taking in the history and beauty of the older homes can be completely enjoyable. There’s nothing lacking, except maybe affordability, but if you can handle the cost of entry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to live.
Pros
- Great location
- Zilker park in your backyard
Cons
- A bit expensive
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Tourists
- LGBT+
- Hipsters
- Students
- Trendy & Stylish
Zilker
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Great blend of nature and culture"
This neighborhood includes Town Lake Park and is right next to Zilker Park, where you’ll find Barton Springs. There’s also a sculpture garden and botanical gardens here which are great places to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. There’s even an off-leash dog park for the pooches. As far as non-nature related entertainment, there are some must-go places for the hipster or younger crowds, including Flipnotics coffee shop and thrift store, and Chuy’s—which has some of the best Mexican food in Austin. The South Austin Popular Culture Center is also a really fun place to hang out. They have exhibits celebrating things like Austin’s early punk scene, cartoons, and advertising from some of Austin’s most beloved music venues. It’s a great place to learn about the diverse history of this amazingly creative city. The Alamo Drafthouse has a theater here as well, which nicely duplicates the unique experience of brews and quirky flicks without the hassle of having to travel downtown and find parking. Overall, Zilker is a very laid-back area, with everything from small houses to large estates for sale. There’s a mix of old and new homes, so whatever suits your tastes should be able to be found here.
Pros
- Close to Barton Springs
- Laid back neighborhood
Cons
- Not great for public transit
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Hipsters
- Beach Lovers
