Brentwood - Austin, TX

Though relatively trendy now, many of the area's bungalow-style homes were actually built and purchased by military GI's returning home after WWII. Since then, the area has experienced periods of boom and bust, but with the early 2010s came investment, helping to revitalize the Brentwood-Highland area substantially.

The Texas DPS Museum & Research Center's content is a bit drier than your average museum, primarily preserving the history of the Department of Public Safety. You'll need to travel just beyond the northeast corner of the neighborhood to reach the Republic of Texas Museum, which showcases and celebrates the lives of many of the founding mothers and fathers of Texas history.

Art is in no short order, with numerous art galleries, studios, classes, and schools located here. Whether the Slavin-Nadal School of Ballet or Glass Blowing Austin, there is plenty to be seen, and learned, about art in Brentwood-Highland.

Nestled in Austin's north central sprawl, Brentwood-Highland residents have ready access to many locally owned eateries to satisfy their every wish. Austin favorite, Threadgills, proudly boasts its rich history as a cultural mainstay, serving up delicious cornbread, home cooked meatloaf, and collard greens. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and one would expect nothing less from Janis Joplin's stomping grounds; live music continues here even today.

For evening entertainment, residents of the Brentwood and Highland areas are happy not to travel too far for interesting drinks and relaxing environments. Apothecary serves the best of the A.M. and P.M. under one roof, with an unbeatable wine-focused happy hour and a small, but stout, beer list.

Nearby are other local favorites like the Texas Sake Company, whose commitment to Eastern tasting is unparalleled in Central Austin, and maybe beyond.

Transportation for residents or commuters is simple in Brentwood-Highland. Capital Metro Buses are plentiful and run extensive hours, and Austin's Metro Rail passes through the Highland area, which allows residents to head directly downtown for an evening out on Sixth Street or a daily job.

Cabs are a little bit harder to come by, however, as eastern portions of the area have seen better days. If calling ahead, it would be easy to hail a cab, and an Uber would still do the trick, but visitors have significantly more trouble in some areas of the neighborhood than in others.

Fortunately, parking is plentiful and free. Few neighborhoods are close enough to UT Austin's campus that they require neighborhood permits, so for just about anywhere you need to be, you can find a parking spot within close proximity. And once you leave Brentwood-Highland, major highways like 183 or Interstate 35 provide easy departure routes.

Biking and walking are certainly possible in many of the quieter neighborhoods, but both pedestrians and cyclists should use caution on the major roads such as Airport, Lamar, and others. Most larger streets still do not have bike lanes, but aside from those issues, other areas within the neighborhood are solid for cyclists and walkers alike.

The Brentwood-Highland neighborhood is a veritable goldmine of quiet parks and outdoor activities. Patrons flock to green spaces such as Brentwood Park, to play outdoor sports such as baseball, basketball, and tennis, have picnics and events, or enjoy the occasional walking path.

All public parks in the area are free, though reservations can sometimes incur a fee and others have mild availability issues as they reside next to elementary schools. Few have been decked out with any sort of exercise-specific equipment, but a quick jog down the walking paths or a game of basketball can keep any residents in tip-top form.

Cost of living in the area is marginally higher than the city average, but your cost of living will vary substantially based on your location in the neighborhood. Living in the Brentwood portion runs about 6% higher than the city average, while the Highland portion is about 5% cheaper than the Austin average. Overall, that sets the median rent for a one-bedroom residence at $772.69.

Other prices vary greatly, such as the price of a beer at a local bar. Depending on the area, you might be attending one of Brentwood's high-end wine bars or quirky dives where the prices can skyrocket, while certain locales near Highland may get you down to $2-4 per beer.

Public transportation is still cheap. At $1.00 per bus pass and $2.00 per day pass, the only question is whether you'll want to fork out quite a few more dollars for a train pass. And with gas prices coming in at around 6-7% cheaper than the national average, the cost is well worth putting miles on your car here if you need to.

Strip malls and individual stores line many of the neighborhood's primary streets, from Lamar to Burnet and Airport Boulevard. Try Empire BMX, where skater culture makes a flashy home in this hip retail stop. Whatever your preference, or even if you just want a cool T-shirt for a best friend or relative, a stop here proves interesting.

ABC Blind & Drapery provides some of the best window treatments in Austin thanks to a wide selection of cloth drapes, blinds, shutters, shades and outdoor spaces. Whether you want Roman shades, roller shades or motorized shades, this shop's employees help you pick out the best style for your home.

Nearby chain grocers serve the area, but plenty of corner stores keep Brentwood-Highland residents well stocked and well fed. Han Yang Market features everything you need to prepare Asian cuisine at home. Midtown Grocery & Cafe remains a local favorite, while tons of international options are available in the area at locations like Mom's Taste or Asahi Imports.