Condo Life In Downtown Austin

By Author: Curtis Reddehase
Total Articles: 15
Comment this article

When you hear downtown Austin you first think of its many entertainment districts, Sixth Street, the Warehouse District of 4th Street and the newly formed 2nd Street District. All of these areas are also within close proximity to the convention center, making it easy to mix business with pleasure. However, downtown Austin's famous nightlife scene is just one aspect of what keeps this vibrant city 24/7.

These entertainment districts are also close to the many new downtown condos sprouting up everywhere you look. In addition to these bustling areas, downtown Austin also has its quiet places and times, plus many art galleries and shops that offer a fabulous lifestyle to those who choose to reside in the burgeoning area.

Downtown Austin also caters to many athletes. The Austin Rowing Club is right on Lady Bird Lake and runners wind their way along the famous Hike and Bike trail of its shores. Those early to rise enjoy breakfast tacos at the legendary Las Manitas Café on Congress Avenue or many of the other long time favorites such as El Arroya. By mid to late morning the sidewalk coffee shops and pastry ...
... providers are filling up with guests. There are also numerous lunchtime spots in the downtown area ranging from fabulous steak and seafood to a quick burger. There are numerous places for picnics should that pique your interest, including lounging on the Capitol gounds!

Downtown Austin doesn't rest on the weekends; there are many festivals, art and film events, fundraising galas and family events galore. It also host a Saturday morning farmer's market which takes over the downtown Republic Square area. Other weekend events include taking a stroll up Congress Avenue or down into the SoCo area with numerous eccelctic shops, chic dining and live music venues. This area also comes alive on First Thursday, a monthly event with vendors, music and people watching galore.

Austin's downtown is an ever changing and growing expression of urbanism and pedestrian-friendly communities where residents can enjoy easy access to recreation, shops, cafes, galleries and nightlife. In fact, residents can find almost everything they need for daily urban living within the boundaries of downtown Austin including gasoline and groceries with small providers. There are also dry cleaners and pharmacies with walking distance to most of the new downtown condos. However, there are no department stores or big discount chains downtown, yet small boutiques selling clothes, home furnishings and artwork have emerged endlessly and some boast international goods from Latin America, Europe, Africa and even Asia. The downtown Austin area is also home to Whole Foods with their corporate headquarters in the immediate downtown area. This Whole Foods serves as an intersection of a grocery store, cafe and take-out mecca for the downtown neighborhoods.

Downtown living in Austin is of course ideal for anyone working downtown, but given easy access to major North and South freeways commuting from downtown is also a viable option. As with most any rapidly growing urban area, there is limited complimentary free parking in downtown Austin, but getting around is made easier with free Dillo buses, city buses and cabs.