Quiet, creekside corner of downtown with trails and hidden history
Just off downtown Austin, West End is a small, woodsy area sliced in half by the green trails of Shoal Creek. Once home to a Freedmen community, and still home to a masonry arch bridge that outdates the Texas State Capitol, the neighborhood and its rich history are sometimes overshadowed by historic neighborhoods across the street, like Judges Hill. In fact, a growing volume of park amenities and modern community spaces signals the direction this small community is heading. A holdout from the rest of Austin's rapidly developing core, this collection of cutesy single-family homes is gradually joining the trend, as an increasing number of modern condos take root between the tall oaks and hickories.
The West End neighborhood is located in the heart of downtown.
West End attracts young professionals.
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Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail is expanding
In the heart of the neighborhood, Duncan Neighborhood Park offers a playground, nature trails and a BMX track. Its main artery is the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail, Austin's oldest hike and bike trail. Over the last 10 years, the trail length expanded from its original 4-mile stretch to include an additional 5.5 miles, with plans to add even more. Some sections — like the stretch that passes through Pease District Park, just north of the neighborhood — offer lush natural escapes, while others are more urban. Plans are moving forward to connect the trail with Austin's many other hike and bike trails, meaning more car-free access to the rest of the city. "The trail system that Shoal Creek Trail connects to is actually in the process right now of becoming a 30-mile big loop of trails around Austin, with Shoal Creek being the western side of that loop," says Ivey Kaiser, executive director for the Shoal Creek Conservancy.
Hike-and-bike trail nearby in the West End.
Shoal Creek flows through West End.
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Neighborhood saloons in walking distance of 6th Street nightlife
Shoal Creek Saloon is among the most beloved businesses in the West End. Serving Cajun and Southern Louisiana delicacies like crawfish and gumbo, the saloon doubes as a quasi-community space. "It's an institution. We love it. I've been there twice in the last week," Kaiser says. "It's right on a bend in the creek, so if we have a ton of rushing flood water, it really picks up its momentum and speed right there at that bend, and then the bend in the creek causes the water to back up. It always goes up to Shoal Creek Saloon's patio." As in elsewhere in the neighborhood, flooding can be an issue. "In 2015, it knocked out a kitchen wall and flooded the whole building. It was really, really damaging for that business, but they've bounced back wonderfully." Other neighborhood businesses include quiet wine bars and family-friendly beer gardens — a notable contrast to the raucous energy of 6th Street a few blocks east. “This part of downtown Austin is great because it's within walking distance of 6th Street, which is a really popular destination,” says Realtor Kim Fodor with Compass RE Texas. “Part of 6th Street has a younger crowd of University of Texas students, and the other part is more upscale. It’s where you’ll find a lot of trendy bars, restaurants and entertainment. It’s a really eclectic pocket of the city.” As for home-cooked meals, residents cross 6th Street to shop at Whole Foods or a Trader Joe's two blocks further.
Lively atmosphere of West End.
West End residents can enjoy fine dining at The Grove Winebar and Kitchen.
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Modern condos and established 20th-century homes
Architecture in the West End sits somewhat outside Austin's residential trends over the last two decades. A few remaining Prairie-style and Craftsman homes from the 20th century now compete with modern condos as well as high rises closer to the river. Not many single-family homes have sold in the last few years; instead, the newer condos are all the rage. Most were built after the early 2000s and now sell for a price range of $1.5 million to $3 million, depending on the number of bedrooms, location and amenities offered, such as garage parking. Although there are some outliers that go for lower prices, often around $800,000.
West End condos offer urban living, amenities, community.
Bungalow homes are charming in West End.
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Skipping gridlock with bikeshare and nature trails
Mornings and afternoons in the car-dependent city are often subject to commuter gridlock. However, the West End and other downtown neighborhoods are highly walkable, with wide sidewalks, separated bike lanes and paths on the Shoal Creek Greenbelt. There are also two ATX Metrobike stations in the neighborhood for residents who don't own a bike. CapMetro buses serve the neighborhood, heading a few blocks east to the downtown light rail station.
STEM programs at Austin high School
Students in the West End begin their education at Mathews Elementary, which is located across Lamar Boulevard and serves grades K through 6 with a Niche rating of A. The next step is O. Henry Middle School, rated A-minus. For the last four years of school, students attend Austin High School, an A-rated school that is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Mississippi River. Despite its age, Austin High School keeps things modern as a member of Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit group that helps develop STEM-based courses such as engineering and biomedical science.
Austin High School, a historic and prestigious public high school in Austin, Texas.
Mathews Elementary in historic Clarksville, Austin.
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Park cleanups and cartoon character birthdays
Residents tend to stay connected through community organizations like the Shoal Creek Conservancy, which holds monthly volunteer activities and educational programs. "Some folks want to get involved through hands-on volunteer projects. So twice a month we'll do trash cleanups. Twice a month we'll do planting workdays along the bank of the creek," Kaiser says. "We also do a monthly tour that's always free and open to the public, and that's a way for us to introduce people to a new place to park and access the trail in a guided setting. But it's also an opportunity for us to bring in another local nonprofit to share some expertise." Pease District Park is also the site of Eeyore's Birthday Party, a popular citywide fundraiser for local non-profits that occurs on the last Saturday in April, featuring live music, food vendors and a variety of kid-friendly activities, all celebrating the famously despondent character created by A. A. Milne.
Things to consider
Being downtown means the West End has city noise to contend with, especially along Lamar Boulevard. But a more significant factor is flash flooding, as a special hazard flood zone slices through the center of the neighborhood. Like many of the creeks and rivers throughout Austin, Shoal Creek is prone to flooding, and the notorious 1981 flood demonstrated just how destructive flash floods can be. "There's still a significant floodplain in lower Shoal Creek in and around the 9th and 10th street area, so that's something we have to watch and manage through our flood early-warning system and our public safety and homeland security partners," says John Beachy, downtown division manager for the city's Watershed Protection Department. The neighborhood also has a higher than average CAP Index Score of 8, mostly due to nonviolent crimes like car break-ins.
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Welcome to the Nokonah, an exceptional residence perfectly located just steps away from Austin's picturesque Duncan Park and the scenic Shoal Creek Trails. This spacious and beautifully remodeled condo offers a harmonious balance of downtown living and lush greenspace. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a stunning Tantimber Thermo Ash wood accent wall and sleek Italian tile flooring, providing a
Fabulous downtown Austin Condominium in a very quiet and highly walkable area of 11th and Shoal Creek. Imagine walking only a few steps to the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail, the shopping at 12th and Lamar and going to any one of the 80+ things to do near the community. This gorgeous remodeled 2 bedroom - 1-1/2 bath condo has a fireplace, enclosed yard and lots of light! $100/person utility fee
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
747
Median Age
41
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
10.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$96,577
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$113,892
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
88.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
61.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
95/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
66/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
