The Best Suburbs in Austin

Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options—house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, and the convenience of location—it all can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve researched the best suburbs in Austin, so you don’t have to.

The Best Suburbs in Austin (A 2022 Guide) Bellhop Blog

You’ve no doubt seen our Austin City Guide, which includes a short section on a few of Austin’s most popular neighborhoods. This list is a more in-depth neighborhood guide meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—Austin movers and movers throughout the country).

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A Little About Austin and its Neighborhoods

Tucked into the greater Texas Hill Country, Austin was first given the charming title “Waterloo.” Soon after, this Texan capital was renamed to honor the “Father of Texas” and first Secretary of State, Stephen F. Austin. Looking for a good place to live outside of metropolitan Austin? Check out Round Rock!

But a lot has happened since 1839. At this point, if you don’t hop on Austin quickly, it will ride away without you. Austin is now the fastest-growing large city in the country. People are moving here to get a taste of the year-round warm weather, nature oases, incredible food, live music, and laid-back culture.

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The city’s 100+ neighborhoods are divided up into general regions (ex: Southeast Austin, Central Austin, West Austin, etc.). And these regions are separated by boundaries like Hwy. 1, Interstate 35, and Lady Bird Lake. Surrounding Austin’s perimeters are neighborhoods and mini-cities like Kyle, Wimberley, and Round Rock. And many people living in the area lump these neighboring areas in with the city.

So now that you’ve got the lay of the land, look a little further with our list of the best suburbs in the city.

Pflugerville

This little area has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country in recent years. Located about 18 miles northeast of downtown Austin, residents often travel to and from the city by car. There is one bus route, which will push your commute time to an hour. Pflugerville is home to its own charming attractions and has numerous parks, community events, restaurants, and shops.

What’s Happening in Pflugerville

Pflugerville has over 40 parks and recreation facilities and 21 undeveloped parks and greenbelts. It’s a nature wonderland out here. One of our favorites of the list is Lake Pflugerville Park, which features a gorgeous 180-acre reservoir.

For local events, be sure to check out the Deutschen Pfest packed with vendors and entertainment. And for a taste of the area’s local grub, check out the Pflugerville Taco House and the Pecan Street Station Deli & Grill.

Schools in Pflugerville

Schools near Pflugerville include Pflugerville High School, Cele Middle School, and Murchison Elementary School among others. The Pflugerville Independent School District is ranked in the top ten districts in the Austin area.

Homes in Pflugerville

Pflugerville has a variety of house styles, but the neighborhood is speckled with the notable prairie-style homes. The median sale price of a home is $415,000, and the average rental cost is $1,638 per month.

The Best Suburbs in Austin (A 2022 Guide) Bellhop Blog

Round Rock

This gorgeous suburb-city is just 20 miles north of downtown. On weekdays, a bus line is available from Round Rock to downtown with a trip time of 50 minutes.. Round Rock is known for its incredible outdoor opportunities and 19th-century history. The area is gaining attention and growing rapidly, with affordable living, good schools, and a thriving downtown.

What’s Happening in Round Rock

Round Rock is home to some great, unique restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bars. Check out Wine Sensation, Fuego Latino Gastropub, and Round Rock Donuts.

Join locals during Round Rock’s regular community events. Pop into Something Marvelous or The Dowdy House for some local shopping. Play and exercise in one of Round Rock’s 30+ parks. Or visit the Round Rock, where cattle drivers and wagons crossed the river in the 19th century.

Schools in Round Rock

The Round Rock Independent School District is ranked the second-best district in the county. Schools in the district  include Cactus Ranch Elementary, Walsh Middle School, and Westwood High IB World School, which is ranked as the number one school in the county.among others.

Homes in Round Rock

What’s most notable about the housing in Round Rock is its beautiful historic architecture. But Round Rock also features contemporary homes with unique shapes and textures to mix up the feel. Homes sell for around $465,000. A rental will cost an average of $1,598 a month.

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Cedar Park

Cedar Park is about 20 miles north of downtown and has grown rapidly over the past several years. The MetroRail tram travels round trip from the Lakeline station in Cedar Park to downtown Austin hourly. The town offers so many fun community events, which has helped to make the community here close-knit. Locals gather together for markets, fireworks, Christmas tree lightings, live music, art shows – the list goes on.

What’s Happening in Cedar Park

Cedar Park has plenty of options when it comes to eating, drinking, activities, events and great outdoor spots. Locals enjoy yoga days at Whitestone Brewery, the annual Heritage Festival, and the Arts & Crafts Festival at the rec center. And the popular spots, Local Slice Pizza, The Dig Pub, and Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill, offer some tasty local dishes.

Schools in Cedar Park

Many residents of Cedar Park are served by the Leander Independent School District, which is ranked as the best district in the county.  Schools include Cedar Park Middle School, Rutledge Elementary School, and Cedar Park High School.

Homes in Cedar Park

Cedar Park features beautiful contemporary houses and craftsman-style homes with an average sales price of $530,000. The monthly rent for an apartment in Cedar Park is $1,691.

The Best Suburbs in Austin (A 2022 Guide) Bellhop Blog

The Hills

Located about 20 miles northwest of downtown Austin, The Hills is the largest village in Texas. With lush green fields, golf courses, and long lakes running throughout the residential area, The Hills is a peaceful and scenic place to live.

What’s Happening in The Hills

The most prominent feature of The Hills is its beautiful golf courses nestled against Lake Travis. The area’s recreational club also offers tennis, fitness centers, swimming, dining, and social events. But outside of the club, there are a number of natural attractions, including the amazing Hamilton Pool swimming hole.

There are some great places to eat in the area as well! Check out The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen and 1417 French Bistro.

Schools in The Hills

Schools near the Hills include Lakeway Elementary School, a highly-rated public school with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, Hudson Bend Middle School, and Lake Travis High School, which ranks in the top ten high schools in the county.

Homes in The Hills

The Hills neighborhood creates an interesting mixture of farmhouse-style homes and contemporary urban housing. It is one of the more expensive neighborhoods to live in, with the average home starting at $799,999. A rental will cost around $2,000 a month.

Hutto

Hutto, one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, is about 30 miles northeast of downtown. Its small-town charm peaks at Old Town with its unique shops and restaurants and many historic homes in the area have been restored. With affordable housing, friendly neighbors, and a quiet getaway just far enough from the hustle of Austin, Hutto has made a wonderful home for many Texans.

What’s Happening in Hutto

Many locals enjoy the quirky shopping opportunities in the area, as well as walking through historic downtown. Hutto is home to one of the state’s best public golf courses, The Golf Club at Star Ranch. The Cottonwood Trail wraps for three miles throughout the neighborhoods. And the Hutto Lake Park offers fishing, boating, kayaking and hiking opportunities.

Schools in Hutto

Schools in the Hutto Independent School District include Hutto Middle School and Farley Middle School and rank high in diversity and college prep.

Homes in Hutto

This manicured neighborhood offers large family homes that have been recently built. These homes have a median sales price of $395,000. Apartments rent for an average of $1,661 per month.

There you have it: the best suburbs of Austin!

We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. Need to move quickly? We also provide last minute moving services in Austin!

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Other Austin Guides

Hungry for more information? Check out our other Austin guides below:

Harrison Stevens