As far as Austin neighborhoods go, South Lamar is an often overlooked option. It’s no wonder why, since it’s wedged between the wildly popular South Congress neighborhood and the elegantly historic Barton Hills. But South Lamar offers a subtle beauty all its own. It is home to top-rated restaurants, terrific shops, and the legendary Broken Spoke, a dance hall where toes have tapped since 1964. This venue has played host to a variety of country music legends when they were just starting out, including George Strait and the Dixie Chicks.

South Lamar sits just across the Colorado River from Downtown Austin, spanning about three square miles. The neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, South Lamar Boulevard, is lined with a broad range of shops and restaurants, so find your South Lamar apartment near this strip if you enjoy dining out frequently or like to be a short distance from shopping.