North University - Austin, TX

In 1842, Mirabeau B. Lamar built the first permanent structure in what is now North University. Although the University of Texas wouldn't be established until 1883, a land grant had already established its future location. As a result, North University became a coveted residential area very early in Austin's history and has had subdivisions and resubdivisions built in different styles over the last century.

Residents and visitors know the historic Arts and Crafts style houses on 37th Street especially well as a result of the annual holiday light display known as the 37th Street Christmas Light Spectacular.

With seven museums, 17 libraries and countless public cultural events held regularly, the nearby University of Texas gives residents access to a packed arts calendar. In addition, UT sports, especially football, shape local life because of popular events like the annual homecoming game.

Those looking to dine in North University find plenty of options near campus, especially on main thoroughfares like Guadalupe and San Jacinto.

For an affordable and delicious meal, try Taco Joint on San Jacinto. Regulars rave over the fresh, homemade flour tortillas and spicy chorizo sausage. If you really need breakfast or lunch on a budget, bring your own mug to Taco Joint and get coffee and a two-topping taco for just $2.25.

Frying up everything sinful and soulful remains the goal of food truck Lard Have Mercy. Like the name, the food at this popular stop is unforgettable. Local favorites include the Three Little Pigs, deep fried mac and cheese balls with bacon; Porky's Revenge, chicken fried bacon with bacon gravy; and the Lard Have Mercy hamburger, the Juicy Lucy.

In terms of nightlife, North University residents can enjoy businesses in the neighborhood as well as quickly accessing the many bars on The Drag in the West Campus area and the dance clubs and music venues on Red River or 6th Street downtown. A great selection of beer and uncommon pub food attract locals to Hopfields, while those in search of something more exciting than a pub atmosphere can try Nasty's, a bar just south of 37th Street that hosts a legendary hip-hop dance night every Monday.

Because of its proximity to downtown, campus, and popular shopping and restaurant districts on both Red River and Guadalupe, North University attracts residents who want a walkable and bikeable neighborhood. Bikers especially love this area because of the many bike lanes and the absence of steep inclines in most of the neighborhood.

Public transit users delight in the many Capital Metro bus lines that service North University. Because Capital Metro operates several bus lines specifically for the UT campus, North University residents benefit from these local routes to travel in and around campus as well as using standard service lines such as 1, 3, 5, 7 and 19 to travel to other areas of Austin.

Residents can easily hail a cab or call Uber or Lyft if needed. Heavy traffic remains a hindrance to driving in many parts of Austin; North University has its share of back-ups. Easy access to Interstate 35, however, and ample parking on residential streets make driving in this neighborhood less of a headache.

Because of its relatively small size and proximity to the park-like spaces on campus, North University does not house any large public parks. Local families and dog-walkers can freely use the green space at local "pocket park" Sparky Park, however, and enjoy walking through the old trees and viewing the art wall on site.

Though not right in the neighborhood, Hancock Golf Course and the Eastwoods Park and Wading Pool are easily accessible to North University residents. In addition, the large open spaces, quads and footpaths on the UT campus nearby allow North University residents to easily enjoy time outdoors. Runners and walkers especially benefit from using the footpaths on campus during the summer months when students spend time away. Annual holiday activities open to the public, such as Longhorn Halloween and Orange Santa, allow local residents to enjoy this space on special occasions as well.

As a centrally located neighborhood in a growing, popular city, the cost of living in North University sits 12 percent higher than the national average and 8 percent higher than the greater Austin area. This increased cost largely results from higher housing costs; the average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence is $913. The cost of gasoline, on the other hand, sits 4 percentage points below the national average. Expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer at local pubs.

A popular area for shopping, Guadalupe Street houses many clothing stores that cater to the student population in the area, including thrift stores like Buffalo Exchange. For some higher-end finds, head to Cotone Clothing + Beauty Bar, a boutique selling jewelry, swimwear, and organic cotton clothing. The Burlap Bag delights locals with its uncommon jewelry and handmade home-decor items. After checking out the shops in North University, continue south on Guadalupe to hit The Drag, a shopping and business district in the West Campus neighborhood full of more boutiques, bookstores and specialty shops to discover.

North University residents benefit from the Wheatsville Food Co-op location right in their neighborhood for easy grocery shopping. With its local-centric groceries and delicious deli salads and sandwiches, Wheatsville Food Co-op attracts patrons from all over the city. North University residents can luckily call this their local grocery. While North University hosts no farmers' markets, residents can quickly find their way to the Sustainable Food Center Farmers' Market at the Triangle held every Wednesday afternoon, rain or shine, all year-round.