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From Cali to ATX: Quick guide to finding your perfect Austin neighborhood
From Cali to ATX: Quick guide to finding your perfect Austin neighborhood
With a 10 year history working closely with Musk industries here in Austin, Texas, including founding the Tesla owners Club of Austin: www.teslaownersaustin.com, Matt Holm and the Holm Team are your one stop shop for relocation. We specialize in seamless relocation from California to Austin. We have been the go to relo experts for a number of tech companies including Google, Oracle, Tesla, Starlink and SpaceX. As a California native, Matt understands what it’s like to transition here and the importance of needing to understand the pros and cons of each area quickly
When exploring the Austin area, it's essential to know a few key details about the landscape. The iconic I-35 highway runs along an edge of limestone, and traditionally, the area west of I-35 has been the prime spot for building because of the sturdy limestone substrate. On the other hand, east of I-35 sits on expansive clay soil, which can make foundations a bit less stable due to the limited bedrock. If you're eyeing an older home on the east side, it's worth being extra careful in your site selection to ensure stability
Downtown Austin is like the Wilshire/Sunset district in LA—full of life and things to do. It’s a vibrant, safe area perfect for high-rise living. Imagine having music, dining, coffee shops, and shopping all within walking distance! The only downside? Parking can be tricky, and traffic during rush hour might require some patience. Condos range from $400K to multi millions depending on size, view, and quality
Austin’s Trendy Hotspot (ZIP Code 78704). This area is the perfect mix of Melrose, Santa Monica, Silver Lake, and West Hollywood—all rolled into one! South Congress is arguably Austin's most iconic street, offering everything from high-end restaurants and shopping to low-key dive bars and live music venues. It’s also home to the Equinox gym, Soho House, and Hermès. While the neighborhood is super walkable and full of life, living here means you'll also deal with plenty of foot and auto traffic, along with some noise. Homes start around $700K and up
Imagine Beverly Hills or Brentwood in SoCal, or Palo Alto and Los Altos in Northern California—that’s Westlake and Rollingwood. These neighborhoods boast some of the best public schools in Texas, as well as large treed lots, views, and peaceful, safe environments. Many neighborhoods in this area are failry close to downtown as well making it exceptionally convenient. Home start around $1.5 million
Tarrytown and Clarksville are like the quieter parts of Santa Monica, with historic homes and a few charming shops within walking distance. Just across the Mopac Freeway from downtown, these areas are also on the pricier side, with homes starting at $1.5 million.
If you’re looking for affordability close to Tesla and just 18 minutes from SpaceX, Manor and Del Valle are great options. Think of these areas as similar to the Inland Empire. Homes here are priced between $300,000 to $600,000, but keep in mind that eastside means caliche clay soils, so be mindful of foundation stability, especially with older homes. Fortunately, there are plenty of new home options popping up in the area that use newer foundation tachnologies to mitigate for that.
Think of East Austin as similar to East LA or Echo Park. It’s an area with great dive bars, lots of art and music, trendy spots, and a variety of restaurants. You’ll find charming bungalows and cozy small residences. But, keep in mind, it's still a transitioning area, so checking out crime stats for specific streets you're interested in is a smart move. Homes raneg from $400K - $1.5M
Bastrop feels like the original city of Orange, with a quaint main street and plenty of commercial spots along the freeway. If you're looking for acreage just outside of town, this could be your spot. Plus, it’s an easy commute to new facilities and SpaceX. The trade-off? A limited selection of restaurants and a 30-minute drive back to Austin for nightlife. Homes start in the $300K-$400K range.
If you’re thinking of Irvine or Orange County, West Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander will feel familiar. These areas offer affordable, newer housing with lots of shopping centers and easy access to highways. The only con is that it’s about a 40- minute drive to SpaceX, and some may find the suburban vibe a little too quiet. Homes start in the $300K-$400K range.
