Find a One-Of-A-Kind Vintage Home in These 5 Austin Neighborhoods
Austin first became a permanently-settled city in the mid 19th century, and even today, many Austin neighborhoods still contain plenty of historic blocks and vintage houses. If you’re on the house hunt and have your heart set on a home with old-school charm, we recommend these five areas.
Hyde Park
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Ranked among Austin’s most venerable historic districts, Hyde Park boasts an enviable central location within the city. It’s especially popular among students and faculty of the University of Texas—it’s just north of the school’s main campus. Also, its small-town feel and picturesque housing stock make it a great choice for Austin families.
Hyde Park is best known for its turn-of-the-century Victorian houses, but the neighborhood actually includes a diverse range of vintage homes with prices ranging from the mid $100s to high $700s. In addition to the more ornate landmarked Victorians, Hyde Park has a wonderful (and less publicized) selection of mid-century single-family homes.
Clarksville
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Vintage homes are especially plentiful in the classic Austin neighborhoods surrounding the city’s downtown center. Clarksville, a desirable enclave directly adjacent to the major nightlife drag 6th Street (better known as Dirty Sixth), serves as a prime example. Beloved for its small mom-and-pop businesses, super-walkable streets, and easy commute to Downtown Austin, Clarksvlille’s historic district features older homes dating back to the late 19th century.
Clarksville’s old-fashioned houses range from the low $300s to just over $1 million, with a sizable inventory including this 1920 two-bedroom home and another charming two-bedroom dating back to 1935.
Old West Austin
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As its name suggests, Old West Austin takes pride in its historic character and impressive assortment of vintage houses. This neighborhood can be found directly south of Clarksville, and it shares that area’s commitment to indie shops and restaurants, urban amenities, and quaint small-town charm.
Vintage-home enthusiasts will find plenty of mid-century specimens in Old West, with architectural styles like American Craftsman, Dutch and Spanish Colonial, and Greek Revival. Prices start in the high $300s and go all the way up to $3.8 million, and include residences like this 1941 four-bedroom, this grandiose 1965 four-bed-three-bath, and this brightly-painted 1948 three-bedroom with lots of curb appeal.
Judges Hill
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Because Austin first developed around the current Downtown center, it stands to reason that the largest concentration of historic homes can be found in residential pockets surrounding the central business district, such as Judges Hill. Founded in 1851, this neighborhood is known as the last truly residential district in Downtown Austin, and its historic appeal is bolstered by nearly two dozen officially-designated landmark buildings.
If you’re interested in purchasing a vintage house in Judges Hiill, you’ll be looking at a price range in the high $100s to $2.5 million, such as this 1899 four-bedroom beauty.
Travis Heights
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South Austin also plays host to its fair share of historic neighborhoods, such as the outdoorsy and highly walkable Travis Heights. Located on the southern shores of Lady Bird Lake, Travis Heights benefits from close proximity to Auditorium Shores, easy access to Downtown Austin as well as the hip bars and restaurants of South Congress, and a number of vintage homes dating back to the late 1920s.
Travis Heights’ housing market spans a wide price range from the high $400s to $3.4 million, with available homes like this sweet 1937 four-bed-four-bath, or this 1947 three-bedroom classic, or this compact two-bedroom 1947 ranch home.