Anderson Mill - Austin, TX

Anderson Mill received its name from a gunpowder mill that Thomas Anderson set up in the area. After his passing, the area lay unused until the late 20th century. A settler named Henry Rhodes established Jollyville but the neighborhood gained its name from John Jolly, a blacksmith who operated in the area.

One major public attraction in the area is the Austin Aquarium, which hosts many annual events such as a public sleep-over.

Mexican food has a heavy influence on the restaurants in these neighborhoods, although healthy options can be found easily due to the popularity of veganism among locals. Restaurants are located mainly within easy access of Highway 183 and along Anderson Mill Road.

One small chain with just four locations spread around Austin is Vazquez Restaurant, located in this neighborhood at the intersection of Lake Creek Parkway and Highway 183. The food proves a major selling point at this Mexican eatery with locals claiming their beef fajita tacos as the best in the area. Try their daily specials or, if you choose to visit early in the day, the satisfying breakfast tacos.

Kerby Lane Café also has a few locations around Austin. This place, which serves food 24 hours a day, lets you have a hearty breakfast whenever the mood strikes. Kerby Lane caters to residents by offering a dog-friendly patio and an impressive pancake menu, with the pumpkin and cinnamon roll pancakes standouts among many great choices. With a menu that indulges vegans and changes constantly, this café truly embodies the Austin spirit.

These two neighborhoods have their fair share of bars and a few nightclubs, though most of the action can be found in downtown Austin. One venue located in the area, the Anderson Mill Tavern, hosts live music and open mic nights while providing bar games such as pool and darts. Stompin’ Grounds Bar gives locals a place to relax and watch a sports game on a big screen.

Highway 183 provides a major link to the greater city of Austin as well as cities to the north. Quite a few major roads run through the neighborhood as well, making travelling by car simple. Even with this ease of using a car, Austin remains environmentally friendly, providing plenty of access to public transportation and bicycle lanes. The Capital Metro, the major bus service in the area, runs through various parts of Austin. Bringing your bike along when using buses is highly encouraged, and combining cycling and travelling by bus makes getting around Austin easy. A few public parking lots can be found between the two neighborhoods. Hailing a cab is possible in this area, though taxis are more abundant toward downtown Austin. Locals who want to take advantage of ride-sharing services keep Uber and car2go on their mobile phones.

Quite a few parks are located in Anderson Mill and Jollyville, spread throughout different locations. The Parks and Recreation department runs a variety of programs for residents, including a recreation and workout center and a dog off-leash area in Old Stage Park, which charges residents $25 a year for a key to the area. Old Stage Park also features a tennis and basketball court and a perimeter path perfect for jogging or walking.

El Salido Park, one of the largest parks in the area, has a number of amenities for locals including sports fields, playgrounds and a splash park for kids, trails for hiking, and many others. The El Salido Greenbelt which runs in tandem with the park hosts a fitness station as well. Springwoods Park located on Anderson Mill road provides a sand volleyball court and two play stations for children of all ages.

The cost of living in Anderson Mill and Jollyville runs only slightly lower than the city as a whole. The average rent for a one bedroom apartment costs about $845 per month. Gas prices generally run about 10 percent less than the national average. Getting a pint of beer in a local pub costs about $4. Using public transportation remains fairly cheap. The best value to get to the city center involves purchasing an all-day pass for $3.

As with the restaurants in the area, you'll find shopping concentrated along Highway 183 and Anderson Mill Road with an abundance clustered in the intersection of Highway 45 and 183. A wide variety of shops can be found with many of them being high-value stores. Wonko’s Toys and Games caters to all science fiction fans, hosting a unique selection of collectibles and vintage games. Wonko's also hosts game nights for those seeking companionship in their adventures.

The Just Between Us resale store offers a selection of name-brand clothes at reduced prices. Shoppers can also find vintage clothes and other treasures unearthed in thrift stores. Consignment services let you earn a profit from previously-loved items.

Residents shop at major grocery chains such as Walmart and H-E-B located in the neighborhoods. International meat markets are available in the area as well, including Mediterranean, Indian, and Cajun markets. Just to the north of the neighborhood Cedar Park Farmers Market sets up every Saturday, selling local produce as well as an assortment of other items.