Neighborhoods in Austin for First-Time Homebuyers
In a desirable market, buying your first home can seem overwhelming. Check out our guide to some neighborhoods in and near Austin for first-time homebuyers.
When it comes to buying a home in Austin, the market is becoming increasingly competitive for everyone. But first-time homebuyers are especially feeling the increase in median home price and the lower inventory. While first-time homebuyers' needs and price ranges differ from person to person, some first-time homebuyers focus on listings with prices that are lower than the average home price, some look for neighborhoods in Austin for families, and others focus on proximity to their office or nightlife.
Though prices have increased steadily, especially in the last two years, buying a home in Austin is still doable. Keep in mind that you’ll have the most success as a first-time homebuyer if you work with an experienced agent to keep up with the competition. You’ll also want to keep an open mind and stay flexible with some of your priorities. According to data from Realty Austin agents, many first-time homebuyers are looking to the outskirts of the city to get the amenities they want at a better price.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep in mind that while Texas doesn’t have state income tax, Austin and the nearby suburbs have higher property tax rates than most of Texas. This can impact the decision-making process when purchasing a house. With all that in mind, here are some of the popular Austin neighborhoods, suburbs, and nearby small cities that are attracting first-time homebuyers.
Median sale price: $510,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 5.7 miles
School district: Austin ISD
This neighborhood near Downtown Austin is known for having a mix of urban and suburban feel. Windsor Park boasts a disc golf course, ball fields, picnic shelters, basketball courts, a splash pad, a newly renovated pool, a library, and multiple parks, as the name implies. The houses here tend to be ranch-style homes lined with trees, large yards, and wide streets. The neighborhood also has well-maintained bike lanes, which make transit more accessible. Buyers in this area will appreciate the easy access to major roadways, too.
With so many amenities, Windsor Park is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Austin for families. For first-time homebuyers with kids or those planning on having a family, there are various nearby schools, such as Harris Elementary School, Pearce Middle School, and Reagan High School.
Windsor Park is also one of the great Austin neighborhoods for young professionals due to its proximity to Downtown Austin and the many coffee shops where they can get work done. Nearby, Mueller is just a short one-mile away, so residents of Windsor Park can easily enjoy the local farmer’s market, movie theater, and other amenities at that master-planned community.
Median sale price: $526,333
Distance from Downtown Austin: 10 miles
School district: Del Valle ISD
Easton Park’s tax rate is almost 3%, which may be high for some first-time homebuyers. That said, one of the draws for first-time homebuyers is the master plan community. Many buyers in the current Austin housing market are facing a lack of available inventory, so purchasing a newly built home is a potential route for buyers with some budget and time flexibility.
The Easton Park neighborhood is one of the most popular Austin neighborhoods near the downtown area. It also has a variety of parks, playgrounds, and green spaces for pets. If finding an engaging neighborhood with a huge variety of amenities and events is your top priority, this is a great choice.
Median sale price: $687,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 4 miles
School district: Austin ISD
For the first-time homebuyer who wants to be close to Downtown Austin and is willing to sacrifice some space, South Lamar and the South Central area of Austin are good places to look if you are open to purchasing a condo. This hip area of town is filled with restaurants, shops, and of course, classic establishments like The Broken Spoke. While the housing in this area is mainly apartment complexes and rentals, the area is also home to a variety of available condos. Buyers looking in this neighborhood will find it to be bustling with activity and things to do, including enjoying the nearby Barton Springs Greenbelt. This is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Austin, and residents will find they are close to everything.
Median sale price: $475,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 6.3 miles
School district: Austin ISD
Located in South Austin near the vibrant and popular South Congress area, this neighborhood is another mix of urban and suburban elements. This Austin neighborhood tends to be quiet and calm despite the proximity to the city, and residents don’t have to go far to find restaurants, cafes, shops, and food trucks. The area draws a variety of buyers, but it’s particularly popular for families with school-age children. There are multiple elementary, middle, and high schools close by, as well as the popular Garrison District Park that’s loved and frequented by local families. Many of the homes have spacious yards, and the area is dog-friendly.
Median sale price: $365,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 9 miles
School district: Austin ISD
Heading north, you’ll find Windsor Hills, one of the popular neighborhoods in Austin to buy a house. This peaceful suburban neighborhood has many parks and is removed from the urban city feel without getting too far from downtown. The area is mainly residential, so those looking for a vibrant nightlife scene may find a better fit elsewhere.
Buyers in the Windsor Hills neighborhood will find that the commute to many different parts of the city is easy and relatively quick. For example, it is 13 minutes from Downtown Austin and The Domain, 7 minutes from Mueller and the Walnut Creek Greenbelt, and around 20 minutes from the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The area is also home to the Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center, a large 20,000-square-foot facility with basketball courts, rock climbing walls, and more.
Median sale price: $500,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 20 miles
School district: Leander ISD
First-time homebuyers looking to find more space and available listings may want to look at Cedar Park. This city and suburb of Austin has multiple parks, like 90-acre Brushy Creek Lake Park, making it a great area for those who love hiking and biking. In 2013 and 2014, the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Cedar Park the Fourth Fastest-Growing City in the Country, and it has remained in the top 20 ever since. This growth has attracted a variety of businesses and created a thriving local economy. According to WalletHub, Cedar Park is one of the best small cities to live in in the U.S., and the categories they used to decide this were a variety of livability predictors like housing costs, school-system quality, and restaurants per capita.
Median sale price: $355,026
Distance from Downtown Austin: 15 miles
School district: Manor ISD
A common misconception about Manor is how far away it actually is from Downtown Austin. It’s closer than most people think! The Austin MSA is quickly becoming a lower-priced option is great for first-time homebuyers. According to the Austin Board of Realtors, Manor’s population has jumped 187% from 2010 to 2019, and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down. Manor is also home to the 273-acre East Metropolitan Park, where people enjoy disc golf, fishing, swimming, and more.
The suburb is close to the State Highway 130 toll road, so getting around is easy. Additionally, there is a plan to create a rail line between Austin and Manor called The Green Line, which would further connect buyers in the Manor area to Austin. Those looking to get a lower price on a home than they would see closer to the center of Austin should definitely pay attention to Manor.
Median sale price: $456,295
Distance from Downtown Austin: 26 miles
School district: Georgetown ISD
Situated north of Round Rock, many first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Austin are turning their sights on Georgetown. This city utilizes its taxes to support education, and it shows in its 16 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools. There is also the private Southwestern University.
Georgetown may be for you if you’re looking for a neighborhood with plenty to do, so you won’t need to head into Austin traffic. It’s sort of like its own bubble, complete with 40 parks, a lake, plenty of trails, a stunning town square, restaurants, coffee shops, and festivals. The area maintains a small-town feel despite rapid growth.
Median sales price: $369,000
Distance from Downtown Austin: 33 miles
School district: Bastrop ISD
Those looking to be in the Austin area but enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle should look to Bastrop. Rich with history, buyers in the Bastrop area can choose from a variety of homes. There are colonial-style houses situated on plenty of land and surrounded by rolling hills, but there are also master-planned communities like Cassena Ranch and The Colony if you’re looking to be closer to a variety of amenities. The city is smaller than other ones on this list, with a population of around 8,700 people. Bastrop is perfect for people who don’t mind being a bit farther on the outskirts of Austin and who want to get more property for their dollar.
Median sales price: $360,104
Distance from Downtown Austin: 30 miles
School district: Hutto ISD
You can enjoy the quirky weirdness of Austin out in Hutto, too. The city is known as the “Hippo Capital of Texas,” and local lore has it that a hippo escaped from a circus train that stopped in Hutto in 1915. Now, the hippo love is seen in the many statues across town, including Henrietta, a 14,000-pound concrete statue that stands in Hutto’s Old Town. Dell Diamond is not far from Hutto if you're a sports fan. This is another great choice for people looking for more options in a home without sacrificing some of their wants, like space.
Median sale price: $358,946
Distance from Downtown Austin: 15 miles
School district: Austin ISD, Lockhart ISD, or Hays ISD
With a variety of smaller neighborhoods in Buda, students could end up attending one of three school districts. The city of Buda is located at the far end of South Austin, and it’s most well-known for attracting people who love the outdoors. The number of parks, trails, and rivers has earned Buda the nickname of “The Outdoor Capital of Texas.”
Buda is part of Film Friendly Texas, making it a good choice for homebuyers in the film industry. With a suburban feel and a comparatively lower-than-average median sale price for the Austin area, Buda is a popular choice for first-time homebuyers looking to start a family. Buda also made Austin Monthly’s list of Best Austin Suburbs, where they point to Buda as a popular choice for empty nesters, too.
Median sale price: $303,134
Distance from Downtown Austin: 19 miles
School districts: Elgin ISD and McDade ISD
Head east from Downtown Austin, and you’ll find the historic town of Elgin, which is quickly becoming a popular choice for first-time homebuyers. The National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Elgin as a National Main Street Community, which recognizes the value in the economic value and historic character of an area. Buyers can find a variety of homes to choose from, including ranches with plots of land and residential communities.
will be happy to learn that Elgin has some of the best BBQs around, and the city has been dubbed the “Sausage Capital of Texas”. The suburb's personal motto is “Perfectly Situated,” and buyers in this area will find Hill Country charm while still having access to nearby Austin, Bastrop, and Manor.
Median sale price: $335,040
Distance from Downtown Austin: 22 miles
School district: Hays CISD
Buyers open to moving a bit further south but remaining in the Austin MSA should consider the city of Kyle, located between Austin and San Marcos. As the Austin and San Antonio population continues to grow, many speculate that this will be a new metroplex that could rival the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This rapidly growing city offers a small-town vibe with country elements and lots of potential. The location allows residents to take advantage of all that Central Texas has to offer, as well as direct access to Austin and San Antonio via Interstate 35.
There’s plenty to do in Kyle, from shopping to entertainment to outdoor activities. Steeplechase Park is a 31-acre park with basketball courts, playgrounds, disc golf, and the city dog park. Residents don’t have to travel far to enjoy the San Marcos Premium Outlets, Circuit of the Americas, McKinney Falls State Park, and the San Marcos River.
Median sale price: $319,999
Distance from Downtown Austin: 34 miles
School district: Taylor ISD
Situated at the edge of the Austin MSA, Taylor is attracting the attention of many first-time homebuyers. The area has a mix of older ranch homes to new residential developments. While this city is known to be on the smaller and quieter side of things, that may soon change as major tech companies like Samsung set their sights on the area. CultureMap Austin reported that Samsung will build a $17 billion factory here, which will bring economic growth to the area. Samsung builds chips for Tesla, and the area between the two factories will likely gain traction with homebuyers working in these industries.
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