The Most Walkable Neighborhood (Austin, Allen: rental, condo, house)

[G Grasshopper]

Any opinions on what is the most walkable neighborhood of those around downtown? I'm talking Rollingwood to Holly, Travis Heights to Barton Hills, Tarrytown, Allendale (I don't know them all) -- everything except right in downtown. I know there is a walkability site, but I'm looking for some personal experience here.

[artsyguy]

riverside...just kidding..don't ever walk there..

[centralaustinite]

Hey, i lived for seven years off Riverside! Maybe you wouldn't go walking late at night but I regularly walked to the grocery store, drugstore, and the movies when I lived there. And it is full of pedestrians. Soon it will be condo-fied and made fancy but lots of regular, hard-working people and students lived (and live there). I never felt unsafe.

s

[clockwise5]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Hey, i lived for seven years off Riverside! Maybe you wouldn't go walking late at night but I regularly walked to the grocery store, drugstore, and the movies when I lived there. And it is full of pedestrians. Soon it will be condo-fied and made fancy but lots of regular, hard-working people and students lived (and live there). I never felt unsafe.

s

Riverside from Congress east to Zilker is hands down the nicest stroll in Austin...all the eateries, peaceful vibe....just really pleasant....

6th is nice early on sundays, about the only time it isn't packed.....

South Congress is very decent from the bat bridge south to say Edwards
University or so........

[txgal78]

I love Rosedale for walkability - can walk to the shops and restaurants off Burnet, Medical Pkwy, Central Market, etc...There are a variety of neighborhood shops, a great neighborhood park and pool, and beautiful, shade trees along all of the streets.

[twange]

Do you require sidewalks? Just kidding...no, actually, I'm not.

Some of the areas in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood are really nice places to walk, but you might be walking in the street on/off. I like S 5th(Dawson) south of Barton Springs to Oltorf, including all of the side streets between S 5th and S 1st. Also, the area between S 1st and Congress from Oltorf to around the School for the Deaf. Some beautiful older homes, trees and landscaping.

Of course Travis Hts, Hyde Park, Clarksville, Tarrytown are all really nice.

[TexasHorseLady]

From Barton Hills, you can walk to Sun Harvest, to Target, to Half Price Books, to assorted tasty restaurants, to Blockbuster Video, to Brodie Oaks Shopping Center, to Zilker Park and Barton Springs (and the restaurants on Barton Springs Road), to the Barton Springs Greenbelt.

[G Grasshopper]

You all have been quite helpful! We are just about 2 weeks away from our big exploratory trip to Austin. Any information helps us in our quest to find the right place for us. We love being out in the country, but have lately decided that it is better (for us) to be in a place where services are walkable, or at least close, in a nice friendly neighborhood. We can always drive to the country (or paddle out in our canoe). Can't wait to spend some time in Austin!

[atxcio]

Considering you like to paddle, Barton Hills really seems like the perfect fit for you. Ladybird lake (via Zilker Park) is within easy walking distance, you wouldn't even have to cross any major streets.

Check out this map of Zilker: http://apachecon.com/2006/US/images/...kerParkMap.pdf. A great place to put in would be where the canoe rental spot is (near the bottom of the map). Barton Hills is directly to the south of where the map ends, adjacent to the park. Plus, there is free parking there during weekdays if you are bringing your own stuff... You could throw your mountain bike in the car too and canoe, mountain bike, and hike/run different trails all from that spot. DIY adventure race!

[G Grasshopper]

Sounds wonderful! Plus, I am a naturalist by trade, and would love to work part time at the Austin Nature Center. (I now teach some summer camps at our local Audubon Sanctuary, and work part time for an organization that takes school kids on hiking/naturalist adventures.) Now if we can just get a house that won't break the bank! We are looking for an older house that needs people like us to give it a facelift and energy efficiency. We have lots of time before moving, and a brother in law who is a carpenter. Thanks again for all your suggestions and help. I hope we meet new friends who are as giving as you all.