When visitors come to Austin, one of the first areas they ask to see is the tourist hotspot along South Congress Street as it passes over the Colorado River into South Austin. South Congress Street, known for music, hip stores, and trendy restaurants, lends its name to the entire area on both sides of the road – from South 1st Street on the west to Interstate 35 to the east and from the Colorado River on the north to Highway 290 on the south. Austinites love cultural diversity, and it is more apparent in the South Congress community than perhaps anywhere else in the city. Neighborhoods like Dawson, Travis Heights and those surrounding St. Edward’s University make up the South Congress community. They also represent a cultural map that, at its core, celebrates the Keep It Weird movement and draws newcomers to this town. As the road continues south out of the tourist area, there are more service businesses, food trucks, and restaurants that flank each side of the street. Behind these, are suburban neighborhoods with an eclectic mix of homes built during the decades following the 1950s. Many of these residences have been renovated or expanded taking advantage of their prime Austin location. Buyers searching for South Congress homes for sale have a wide variety of houses from which to choose. Texas ranchers, craftsman, cottage bungalows and newly constructed industrial-style homes co-mingle with apartments and condos creating vibrant and dynamic neighborhoods. Many of these structures have brick, stone, siding or stucco elevations and range from as tiny as 1,000 square feet to over 3,000 square feet. Most are shaded by beautiful oak trees and have built a patina appreciated by those who love mid-century homes. Parks, bus lines, and sidewalks make many of these neighborhoods extremely pedestrian-friendly and bike riders are commonly found commuting to work or play along many of these streets.
SoCo
South Congress homes for sale are sought out for the lifestyle they offer. Only 3 miles from Downtown Austin in Travis County’s 78704 zip code, the journey down South Congress Avenue begins with crossing the South Congress Avenue bridge. Leaving behind the formality of the State Capitol, law offices and high-end hotels and restaurants, the trip down South Congress Avenue heads into the hip and happening SoCo area. At its heart, SoCo offers vintage boutiques like Uncommon Objects, historic barbershops and boot stores, and eateries like Hopdoddy’s. Many a celebrity has been spotted wandering up and down South Congress Avenue in town for film or music events.
Austin ISD serves students living in South Congress. Travis Heights, Galindo and Dawson Elementary (K-5), Fulmore Middle (6-8), and Travis High (9-12) are the assigned schools for this community. Private school options include Parkside Community School (3-12 years), San Juan Diego Catholic High School (9-1), and St Ignatius Martyr Catholic School (PK-8). St. Edwards University and the Texas School for the Deaf are also nearby.