Bouldin Creek - Austin, TX

Bouldin Creek traces its origins to the beginning of the century, a fact emphasized by its charming historic homes. Thanks to its diversity, the neighborhood developed a reputation for a wonderful quirkiness. For example, a famous resident by the name of David Ansel became known as The Soup Peddler by serving soup to his community by bicycle. Some treasures of the community include activist John Henry Falk’s home, the Texas School for the Deaf and historic churches. These establishments mix with contemporary tattoo parlors, yoga studios and vibrant aesthetics, making it a very interesting microcosm. Austin holds a solid reputation for music and arts of all kind, and Bouldin Creek delivers; take a trip to one of its many art galleries like Austin Garage Art or Roadhouse Relics to peruse contemporary pieces. Bouldin Creek also features the South Austin Popular Culture Center, a museum of relics from Austin’s music scene.

Famous for its shrimp and grits with a gourmet twist, Little Barrel and Brown pleases hipsters and foodies alike. Come for brunch or happy hour, when the best entrées shine and the drinks taste more than worth their price tag. The luminous hanging chandeliers complete the low-key atmosphere, although revelry can be had any night of the week. Similar trendy joints with innovative food include Barley Swine, which sports a more upscale menu, and Odd Duck, where grilled dishes take center stage.

Along with New American gastropub fare, Bouldin Creek eateries purvey cuisine from south of the border and overseas. The street food vendor Flying Carpet cooks up classic yet original Moroccan eats, like beef, eggplant and falafel kebabs that keep patrons more than satisfied. Another nondescript non-restaurant calls itself Torchy’s Tacos. This Tex-Mex food stand serves creative tacos with amusing names, like The Democrat, The Republican and The Damn BP. The neighborhood also hosts great sandwich and burger cafes, Italian dining rooms, Thai houses and even African and German eateries.

Nightlife in Bouldin Creek features both chic and upscale jaunts for after-hours fun and laid-back but rowdy venues for music and dance. Each place has its own vibe and identity, but all have the southern elements of passion and charm. Here you can find wine bars like Opa and Barlata, along with dives, lounges, dance soirées and more, all centered around great music.

Hotel San Jose may be a hotel, but it houses one of the areas only true lounges, complete with a Spanish-style courtyard setting, candles and jazz music that make for a romantic evening or a casual night with friends. C-Boys Heart and Soul promises a fun night. Although the casual ambiance makes it feel like a dive bar, it has a classy vibe due to the stylish decor and plush booths. Unlike those of most dives, the drink menu pays tribute to cocktails more so than drafts, and although the venue is not pricey, it collects a cover charge on weekend nights. A more dive-y bar with the requisite karaoke and random location (under a parking garage) is Ego's, where you can get the crowd going with your vocal stylings after a few very cheap drinks. Come to dance under the Christmas lights and throw back a few with a group. One-2-One Bar’s ambiance lies somewhere in the middle of the aforementioned watering holes; it has a coveted rooftop deck and always buzzes with the tunes of local bands. Locals drop by to avoid the mayhem of downtown and dance the night away.

The neighborhood benefits from great public transportation, but parking proves more difficult, as the area’s popularity subjects it to overcrowding. Capital Metro serves the neighborhood, with several stops running north and south on Congress Ave, allowing you to trek around town or cross the river to visit the downtown area. Locals can walk or bike in comfort, thanks to the neighborhood's accessible layout. Interstate 35 and Highways 1 and 290 run close by, providing easy access to the rest of the city and state.

Butler District Park, situated between Long Center and the Dougherty Arts Center, serves as the main city park for the neighborhood. Most outdoor activities can be enjoyed here, such as running along the surrounding trails, sunbathing on one of the grassy areas, sweating in a boot camp class or simply gazing at the lake. The park welcomes dogs and visitors alike. Bring your swimsuit during the summer to run through the fountain that lights up at night. Even better: the park features a hill that you can sit on and enjoy the sounds from shows at Auditorium Shores and the panoramic views of downtown. In addition to this great park, the neighborhood sits just near the Colorado River, inviting you to take a riverside hike or bike ride.

The local median household income in the neighborhood is about $59,000 which is higher than that of Austin. However, the median rental rate stands at $820 per month, slightly lower than in the city. A one-way ticket to downtown will only cost you $1.75, and a beer will set you back around $6. Gas prices average 9 percent less than those nationwide. Overall, the neighborhood offers affordability as well as proximity to the heart of Austin.

Bouldin Creek is known for vintage and consignment stores filled with unlikely finds. Some resident favorites include MOSS Designer Consignment for clothes and Uncommon Objects for antiques. Any other items your heart desires can also be found: Mana Culture sells gems, jewelry and women’s clothing; Monkey See Monkey Do provides fun toys and games and The Stitch Lab is the place to go for fabric and crafts. Check out South Congress Books for used and new novels and prints, or peruse End of An Ear for vinyls.

Along Congress Ave and 1st Street, you can pick up whatever your shopping trip requires and more. For groceries or your other essentials hit up local stores such as Thom's Market on Barton Springs Road or Farm to Market Grocery on South Congress.