Where it is
East Austin generally refers to the neighborhoods east of I-35, directly across the highway from downtown. The name covers areas along East 6th Street, East Cesar Chavez, East 11th and 12th Streets, Holly, and Govalle. Mueller, a planned neighborhood built on the site of Austin’s former airport, lies to the northeast and is often part of the same search.
Housing styles
East Austin has one of the widest mixes in the city:
- Newer mid-rise apartment buildings along major corridors
- Smaller, boutique-style communities
- Older bungalows, duplexes, and newer infill homes. These are useful if you’re open to a rental home.
Nearby amenities
- Independent restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, and breweries, especially along East 6th and East Cesar Chavez
- Mueller Lake Park and the trails and shops in Mueller
- Easy access to downtown, Rainey Street, and the Lady Bird Lake trail
Getting around
Much of East Austin is a short drive or bike ride from downtown. The MetroRail Red Line stops at Plaza Saltillo, near East 5th Street, and at MLK Jr. station. Many CapMetro bus routes run through the area. For drivers, I-35, US 183, and SH 71 connect toward North Austin and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Things to ask about
- Construction nearby: East Austin continues to see new development, so it’s worth asking what’s being built around a community.
- Parking and garage access: these vary widely between buildings.
- Home rentals vs. apartments: the terms, fees, and pet policies can be quite different. I’ll help you compare them.