Many of my clients start their search in Austin and then find that a nearby city fits their budget, commute, or space needs better. Here’s a quick orientation to each area I serve. For any of them, I’ll help you weigh the commute with real routes and times of day, not guesses.
North along I-35
Round Rock
Directly north of Austin on I-35, Round Rock is home to Dell Technologies’ headquarters, Round Rock Premium Outlets, Old Settlers Park, and the Dell Diamond ballpark. SH 45 and SH 130 run nearby. Options include garden-style apartments, newer mid-rise communities, and plenty of single-family rental homes.
Georgetown
North of Round Rock on I-35, Georgetown is the Williamson County seat. It’s known for its historic courthouse square, Southwestern University, and Lake Georgetown and the San Gabriel River trails. SH 130 connects to I-35 here. Expect a mix of newer apartment communities and rental homes.
Northeast
Pflugerville
Northeast of Austin, Pflugerville sits along the SH 130 and SH 45 toll corridors. Lake Pflugerville is a local favorite for trails and paddling, and Stone Hill Town Center anchors shopping. Apartment communities and newer rental-home neighborhoods are both common.
Hutto
East of Round Rock along US 79, with access to SH 130, Hutto has grown quickly and has many newer homes. It’s often a good fit for renters who want a rental home and don’t mind a longer drive.
Northwest
Cedar Park
Northwest of Austin along US 183 and the 183A toll road, Cedar Park includes the Lakeline shopping area near the Austin line and the H-E-B Center event arena. There are many garden-style communities and rental homes, with access to the Brushy Creek trail system.
Leander
North of Cedar Park along 183A, Leander is the northern end of the MetroRail Red Line (Leander Station and Park & Ride). Most rentals here are newer apartment communities and single-family homes.
South along I-35
Buda
South of Austin on I-35 in Hays County, Buda has a small historic downtown and City Park along Onion Creek. It offers newer apartment communities and rental homes with easy I-35 access.
Kyle
Just south of Buda on I-35, Kyle includes the Plum Creek neighborhood and Lake Kyle park, and sits between Austin and San Marcos. Newer apartment communities and rental homes are the most common options.
A note on commutes
I-35, MoPac, US 183, and the toll roads can vary a lot by time of day. Toll roads may save time but add a recurring cost. Before you choose a suburb, I’ll help you test your actual commute and weigh those costs.