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The Drag

The Drag

$407,326 Average Value
$379 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale

The Drag is a campus-side hot spot for dining, shopping and living

The Drag, a stretch of Guadalupe Street bordering the University of Texas at Austin, earned its nickname from the horse-drawn trolleys that once dragged students along the dirt path to campus. Today, the area is a commercial district with casual restaurants, music venues and the legendary University Co-op book and clothing store. The signature "Hi, How Are You" mural remains a beloved neighborhood landmark, greeting passersby each day. A collection of condos and apartments here places you within walking distance of all the attractions and the UT campus.

The Drag provides a lively atmosphere right next to UT Austin.
The Drag provides a lively atmosphere right next to UT Austin.
Residents enjoy close proximity to campus.
Residents enjoy close proximity to campus.
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Target is a convenient stop for The Drag residents on their way home.
Target is a convenient stop for The Drag residents on their way home.

Where to find food, music, and daily essentials nearby

The Drag features a dense mix of businesses along Guadalupe Street. The selection has evolved a lot over the past century, but some of the stalwarts include:

  • Dirty Martin’s, a spot that dates to 1926 and is known for its burgers and milkshakes
  • Hole in the Wall, which is a music venue with three bars and two stages, that’s been around since 1974
  • Cactus Café, which opened in 1979, hosts intimate concerts, and serves alcohol and coffee
  • University Co-op, a store that dates to 1896, where you can grab your textbooks and burnt orange UT gear
  • Antone’s Record Shop, where you can dig the crates in a music store that’s been open since 1987
Guadalupe also has plenty of chains, including CVS, Target, Urban Outfitters, Chipotle and Wingstop. The Target includes a full grocery section, and there’s also a Wheatsville Food Co-op farther up Guadalupe for locally sourced items. Multiple houses of worship, including St. Austin Catholic Church and University Baptist Church, add to the thoroughfare’s convenience. The "Hi, How Are You" frog mural is one of the area's most recognizable characteristics. The simple piece was painted in 1993 by singer Daniel Johnston, and was inspired by one of his album covers.

What to expect from condo living in The Drag

Condos dominate the listings for sale in The Drag, including the Centennial Condominiums and Buena Vista Condos complexes. Both of the communities have gated entries and parking garages, and Centennial adds a pool. Inside, units often include open floor plans, hardwood flooring, in-unit washers and dryers, and private balconies or patios. One- and two-bedroom layouts are the most common, with roughly 600 to 1,000 square feet of space. Sale prices range from the mid-$200,000s to the lower $300,000s, and monthly HOA fees are about $190 to $500. “It’s a great area for investors or parents of students who want to avoid the hassle of renting an apartment every year,” says Steven Johnson, a local Realtor who’s with Central Metro Realty and has two decades of industry experience.

The Drag's condominiums blend comfort and city life.
The Drag's condominiums blend comfort and city life.
Condo complexes here typically come with on-site parking.
Condo complexes here typically come with on-site parking.
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Nearby campus brings seasonal buzz

UT Austin is The Drag’s next-door neighbor. The school is the second-largest in Texas with 55,000 total students, and its campus stretches 441 acres. The location means The Drag is the busiest in the fall, winter and spring, when school is in session. The school year also brings events, including football game days at the on-campus, 100,000-seat Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Young students in the neighborhood can attend schools in the Austin Independent School District. The Drag is zoned for campuses including Bryker Woods Elementary School, which maintains an A-minus grade on Niche and hosts after-school programming that covers topics from cooking to coding.

O. Henry Middle School is just a short drive from The Drag in Austin.
O. Henry Middle School is just a short drive from The Drag in Austin.
Bryker Woods Elementary has a variety of after-school programs.
Bryker Woods Elementary has a variety of after-school programs.
Austin High School is about 3 miles away.
Austin High School is about 3 miles away.
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The Drag residents can visit Pease Park's splash park to cool off on hot days.
The Drag residents can visit Pease Park's splash park to cool off on hot days.

Where to find green space near The Drag

While The Drag doesn’t have public green space, the UT Austin campus offers expansive lawns and shady groves for outdoor time. That includes the South Mall, a popular spot for relaxing or studying outside. You have to head a bit farther for traditional urban parks, but there are multiple in the vicinity, including:

  • Pease Park, an 84-acre space with a playground, a splash pad, basketball and sand volleyball courts and Shoal Creek Trail access
  • Adams-Hemphill Neighborhood Park, an 11-acre spot that’s home to a basketball court and plenty of open field space
  • Eastwoods Neighborhood Park, a 10-acre option featuring two tennis courts, a basketball court and a splash pad

Walkable streets with quick access to major highways

The Drag is walkable and bikeable, making it easy to run daily errands or head to classes without a car. Capital Metro runs bus routes through the area as well, and UT students, faculty and staff can ride for free. Drivers can reach Interstate 35 relatively quickly for trips to places like Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is about a dozen miles away.

Bus stops are a common sight on Guadalupe Street, helping students commute to and from class.
Bus stops are a common sight on Guadalupe Street, helping students commute to and from class.
The Drag is easily accessible by CapMetro bikes.
The Drag is easily accessible by CapMetro bikes.
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Wayne Epps Jr.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Saeid Zare
Photography Contributed By
Saeid Zare
Hunter Severtson
Video By
Hunter Severtson

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International

25 min drive

Bus

Ut Dean Keeton Station (Sb)

Bus

Guadalupe & W. 21st Street

Bus

Ut West Mall Station (Sb)

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime The Drag US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 8 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
116
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Median Year Built
1997
Months of Supply
21.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
7,178
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
18
Median Rent
$1,995
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,395
Median Condo Rent
$1,995
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,995

Demographics

Total Population
2,941
Median Age
24
Population Density
55 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$9,318
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$18,209

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.4%
College Graduates
69.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.4%
% Population in Labor Force
41.2%
Below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very bikeable

Bikeability®

80 / 100

Exceptionally walkable

Walkability®

100 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
The Drag
Steve Johnson
Realty Pros of Austin
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