Taco Street Locating’s South Austin Neighborhood Guide
A local renter guide to South Austin apartments, comparing South Congress, South Lamar, Zilker, Barton Hills, and nearby areas with dated rent evidence and building tradeoffs.
Report assembled 2026-10-22T15:30:50.267795+00:00. This static snapshot is dated; request current options before deciding.
41 buildings; 30 with recently checked prices when assembled.
What counts as South Austin in this apartment guide?
The core guide centers on 78704, including South Congress, South Lamar, Zilker, Barton Hills, Bouldin, and nearby central-south pockets. Far South Austin and East Riverside are separate searches because their commute patterns, apartment inventory, and day-to-day routines differ.
Should I choose South Congress or South Lamar?
Choose South Congress when the destination itself and its restaurants, shops, and character justify a location premium. Choose South Lamar for a larger apartment selection and convenient access to Downtown, Zilker, and Barton Springs, while recognizing that the corridor’s wide roads make many everyday trips less comfortable on foot.
Can I live in South Austin without a car?
A car-light routine is possible in selected 78704 pockets when the exact home is close to the renter’s usual destinations. Most South Austin apartment searches are easier with a car. Renters who need the broadest concentration of daily destinations should also compare Downtown and central East Austin.
How should I compare South Austin apartment prices and specials?
Compare the same bedroom type, lease term, move date, required fees, parking, and concession terms. The guide publishes only recently checked starting rents in its range summaries, dates each displayed price, and excludes undated or stale specials from current-offer counts. A starting rent does not confirm a specific unit is available.
What does it cost to start here?
Studio: $1,171–$1,696 (14 buildings)
1BR: $1,452–$1,872 (30 buildings)
2BR: $1,848–$2,649 (30 buildings)
3BR: $2,216–$4,466 (7 buildings)
Penthouse: Not enough recent data (0 buildings)
Middle 50% of building starting rents, not all available unit rents. One value per building per bedroom. Observations older than 30 days at report assembly, estimates, flagged prices and income-restricted buildings are excluded. Under two observations: range withheld.
South Congress is one of Austin's most famous streets. It's also it's most touristy street. While it does have some cool local energy and stores that have been here for a long time, South Congress has also been swarmed by large corporate businesses.
These days South Congress caters primarily to tourists rather than locals. I personally rarely spend time on South Congress.
The local apartments Muse and Lola are both older (from the 1990's), are expensive, and tend not to be very popular with my clients.
Travis Heights is a super cozy local South Austin neighborhood with great energy, strollable streets, and excellent access to everything in South Austin and Downtown. This area caters mostly to single family homes rather than apartments.
Cozy local residential neighborhood in South Austin with great energy. There aren't any apartments here, but it's a great area to go for a nice neighborhood walk.
South First is my favorite area in South Austin. It's way chiller, cooler, and more local than South Congress, and retains awesome charm compared to SoCo's corporate business take over and tourist orientation. There aren't really any apartments in this area to choose from, but it's a great area to hang out in.
West Riverside Drive is the northern edge of South Austin right before Downtown. This is mostly a commercial area with office buildings, hotels, corporate offices. There isn't much residential energy here, but it is easy to get to Downtown and the rest of South Austin from here.
This is a tiny nook in South Austin near Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and Lady Bird Lake. At first glance this is one of the best locations in Austin for this access along with proximity to Downtown. These are strong reasons to consider this location.
However on a deeper glance there's some reasons to not live here. This immediate strip of Barton Springs Road is a very small area with only a handful of good spots to eat/drink. Realistically, this area caters more to tourists than locals. The area just south of here is a great area to go for a local stroll, but it's mostly for single family homes.
This is a classic South Austin neighborhood. It's super nice, has cozy tree lined streets, and has great local energy. This area caters mostly entirely to the single family home experience.
This part of South Lamar is a dense cluster of apartments, shops, bars and restaurants. It's one of the most popular areas to look at for people who want to be close to Downtown. Areas like the Alamo Drafthouse corridor have some good shops and restaurants.
Personally, while South Lamar does have some cool stuff going on, I'm not a huge fan of it for living. South Lamar is a very busy road with a lot of traffic. This makes it very hard to have a cozy local neighborhood experience.
Technically, this is not core South Austin (78704), but given it's location, apartment quality, and reasonable pricing, it presents itself as a very compelling alternative to South Austin.
East Riverside in it's entirety does not have an amazing reputation, but this small sliver is largely an exception. Proximity to Lady Bird Lake, proximity to Downtown, and a nice cozy local feel make this are a very compelling option. Outside this zone is where Riverside starts to feel....Riverside-y.
Tucked between Mopac Highway and the Greenbelt, this area is a great neighborhood that gives you a classic older Austin feel from the 60's and 70's. Spyglass/Barton Bluff has great access to the greenbelt, Zilker and Barton. The main downside is having to use the highway and deal with a lot of traffic to get to the core of South Austin and Downtown.
Subarea labels are orientation points unless a curator boundary is provided.
Neighborhood and building photographsSouth Congress Avenue, photographed in 2014 · Photographed 2014-05-15. formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons Source · CC BY-SA 2.0. Shown without additional cropping.
Compare the buildings
1155 Barton Springs
1155 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Bouldin Creek
1155 Barton Springs is a very interesting apartment community. It's build to compete with Downtown high-rise buildings, even though it's a larger mid-rise. 1155 has super huge floorplans which are amazing.
Their amenities are strong, and there's a small amount of units which gives the community a nice small cozy community feel. Access to Butler metro park and the local neighborhood are great areas to walk around.
The main weakness here is Barton Springs Road which can get a bit busy
422 at the Lake
422 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Bouldin Creek
422 at the Lake is a modern mid-rise between South Austin and Downtown. The building itself is very nice. It has a decent gym, decent pool, nice floor plans, rooftop lounge, and easy access to Butler Metro Park/Auditorium Shores/Lady Bird Lake.
On the downside, 422 is flanked by West Riverside Drive and South 1st which are both loud and busy streets. Interior facing units will be quiet. Some north facing units will have nice Downtown views.
I would also check out this building's reviews before leasing.
AMLI South Shore
1620 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
AMLI Southshore has always been a strong contender in this zone. It''s on the better side of Riverside drive right near Lady Bird Lake. While much of the building may feel a bit dated, the newer side of the building closest to the trail is very nice. AMLI Southshore has a few super nice townhome options facing the lake, although they rarely hit the market.
AMLI Southshore is part of a larger complex of businesses, shops, restaurants, and even a local food truck/coffee shop park. If you like this area, but want something nicer and more modern, then check out Marlowe and Encore Lakeside
Alexan Riverside
1400 Royal Crest Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Similar to Alexan Rivercrest, Alexan Riverside is a slightly older building on the less attractive side of East Riverside Drive. Alexan Riverside makes a compelling case for people who want a strong quality of building near Lady Bird Lake.
Aria Grand
1800 S Ih 35 Svrd Sb, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Greater South River City
Bell Lakeshore is a very nice modern midrise, but suffers from consistently bad reviews. It's not a popular community with my clients given how management performs. Check reviews before checking the building
Bell South Lamar Apartments
2717 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · South Lamar
Studio from $1,325; 1BR from $1,610; 2BR from $2,380; 3BR from $3,323
Bell South Lamar is a strong modern mid-rise along South Lamar. Being slightly tucked away from South Lamar gives this building some quieter and peaceful energy.
Bell South Shore
1333 Shore District Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Bell Southshore is a very affordable modern apartment community that competes well with AMLI Southshore. Bell Southshore can be a great option for those looking for great value for the location. Other buildings like Marlowe and Encore will give you a much more luxurious feel.
Berkshire Riverview Apartments
1300 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
1BR from $1,587; 2BR from $2,209; Studio from $1,139
Berkshire Riverview is a very well priced older-modern midrise on the corner of East Riverside and Downtown. RIverview's amenities are nice enough. Decent pool. Decent gym. They have some very well priced studios and large 1 bedrooms. However many of the units feel very dark. Units facing South will have some road noise.
Berkshire's location is both a strength and weakness. It's right on Lady Bird Lake and close to Downtown which is great, but there's nothing in the immediate area. The closest neighborhood stuff is over near the AMLI Southshore, about a ten minute walk away.
reviews here are worth checking out before leasing
Brixton South Shore Apartments
2435 E Riverside Dr Suite #113, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Coldwater's location is amazing if you want to be near Zilker, Barton and Lady Bird Lake. Coldwater is relatively older in this market, but holds it's value well. Cole has better/larger floorplans, but Coldwater is a better overall complex.
Cole is an older mid-rise building near Zilker and Barton. Units facing South Lamar will have medium-high road noise. Cole has terrible amenities, but large floorplans.
Crescent
127 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Greater South River City
Studio from $1,425; 1BR from $1,695; 2BR from $2,180
Crescent is a very well priced mid-rise in South Austin. The building itself is fine, but a bit dated compared to other mid-rises. Personally I'm not a big fan of this location.
The road outside is very busy, and Crescent is tucked inside a boring strip mall. It's worth knowing about, but Crescent has not been popular with my clients
Debut SoCo
3809 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, United States · South Congress
Debut is a modern mid-rise on the southern edge of South Congress. The building itself is nice, and the floor plans are cheap and large. However this is a very busy commercial area right along South Congress. This area lacks any real neighborhood energy.
Encore Lakeside Luxury Apartments
1120 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Request current pricing
Price observation: 2026-09-11T13:49:28.819929+00:00; stale; source: synced floorplan records.
Encore is East RIverside's #1 luxury community ever since it opened. It's the newer and more luxurious version of Marlowe. Encore competes with downtown luxury buildings. Encore has an epic rooftop deck with gym, co-working space, and some great floor plans.
Only a handful of Encore's units face the river. Most of the units face other buildings nearby or the interior.
solid value older mid-rise garden style apartment community
Fifteen15 South Lamar Apartments
1515 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Zilker
Studio from $1,317; 1BR from $1,898; 2BR from $2,674
Price observation: 2026-10-17T09:47:50.226029+00:00; recent; source: synced floorplan records.
Fifteen15 South Lamar is a strong newer building in the core of South Lamar. Pricing here is much better than the nearby Bouldin. Reviews here have been an issue, and getting in-and-out of the building is annoying due to south lamar traffic.
Gables At The Terrace
2301 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746, USA · Barton Hills
Request current pricing
Price observation: 2026-06-29T16:13:42.506983+00:00; stale; source: Taco Street manual review.
Nice overall garden style mid-rise community, but I'm not a big fan of this location since you have to get on-off the highway to get anywhere
Gibson Flats is a strong local taller mid-rise in the heart of South Lamar. They have a nice gym, pool are with a super pretty tree, and solid floorplans.
Units facing South Lamar will be very loud and trafficky, but those tucked into the community will be quieter. This building doesn't give you much, if any neighborhood energy since it's right on South Lamar
Groves South Lamar
3607 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · South Lamar
Groves South Lamar is one of the strongest buildings in South Austin. They have great floor plans, a great on site dog park, great gym and modern amenities. However it's a bit father from the core of South Austin, there's a lot of traffic on South Lamar, and the building is tucked into a tight space.
Lamar Union
1100 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Zilker
1BR from $1,768; 2BR from $2,567; Studio from $1,149
Lamar Union is the coolest looking building in South Austin. Most of the building is tucked away from the core of South Lamar which is good for traffic noise. There's a cool collection of shops and restaurants, and of course, Alamo Drafthouse which is very cool.
If I were to live in South Lamar I would choose somewhere near here. Lamar Union's amenities are very strong, but they have had consistent issues with reviews. Check those out before touring.
MAA Barton Skyway
2901 Barton Skyway, Austin, TX 78746, USA · Barton Hills
1BR from $1,651; 2BR from $1,801
Price observation: 2026-10-08T21:16:48.762583+00:00; recent; source: synced floorplan records.
Mesh Apartments
2101 Elmont Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Studio from $760; 1BR from $1,072; 2BR from $1,288; 3BR from $1,933
Muse is an older mid-rise community in the core of South Congress. A little older, and less nice than Lola, Muse is going to be the cheaper of these two options. Muse works for people who want to live in the heart of South Congress, but will feel expensive considering the age/quality of the building.
Retreat is a strong older mid-rise community on the southern tip of South Lamar. Retreat gives you a classic South Austin feel with great access to the greenbelt.
Silver Creek Apartments
2900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States · Dawson
3401 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · South Lamar
Studio from $1,345; 1BR from $1,567; 2BR from $1,789
Price observation: 2026-10-22T14:14:51.666633+00:00; recent; source: Taco Street manual review.
The 704 is a middle-aged modern apartment,. older than Groves and Bell South Lamar. 704 doesn't win or lose in any categories. There are some ground floor commercial businesses, but nothing else really stands out here.
The Bouldin
1401 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Zilker
Studio from $1,897; 1BR from $2,434; 2BR from $3,677
I want to like the Bouldin more than I do. It's a super nice building with great amenities and nice floor plans. However many of the units have very compromised views. The South Lamar facing units have a lot of traffic noise. East facing units have great downtown and south austin views.
South facing units face a gas station. North facing units face the Lifetime Fitness building. (If you want Lifetime fitness access, this location is great). Bouldin has an on-site pickeball court which is cool.
Bouldin's main problem is their pricing. they're priced like a Downtown highrise which makes no sense. I definitely wouldn't pay downtown prices to live here.
The Breakers On The Lake
1500 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741, United States · East Riverside
Studio from $800; 1BR from $950; 2BR from $1,150; 3BR from $1,800
Breakers is a much older apartment community that doesn't really compete with the modern buildings nearby. You'll pay a lot of money for an older building, but you do get a great price for proximity to Lady Bird Lake
The Catherine
214 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Bouldin Creek
1BR from $2,565; Studio from $2,187; 2BR from $4,129; 3BR from $5,723
The Catherine is a very nice luxury highrise in South Austin along the river. Catherine has a great hotel feel to it with a professional concierge, rooftop deck with amazing views, and high quality units with great finishes.
However compared to other high-rises, Catherine will feel very dated. My main issue with the Catherine is it's location. There's virtually nothing interesting nearby. There's a hotel, office complex, and busy streets nearby, but virtually nothing catering to the residential experience.
There's a building on Catherine's north side which will likely block many of Catherine's best views. Overall, while Catherine is worth knowing about, it usually loses out to other luxury high-rises inside Downtown
The District at SoCo
501 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Greater South River City
District SoCo is a strong value play for South Austin. Prices here are usually very good. However this is not really a core South Congress area. This is a building tucked in a strip mall alongside Oltorf Road, which is very busy. Not much neighborhood energy here. Not very popular with my clients.
The Grove Apartments
3707 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · South Lamar
Lola is the fancier version of Muse. Lola is an older-renovated luxury building in the core of South Congress. They have a super nice pool area and solid overall gym.
Lola works well for people who want the South Congress walkability. However Lola, compared to much newer mid-rises in South and East Austin will feel very expensive for the age.
The Marlowe
1115 Town Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA · East Riverside
Marlowe is the older version of Encore. Marlowe ranks as the #2 building in this area. It has a great rooftop pool, gym, and co-working space. Units facing the river will have amazing views, but most units will have normal mid-rise views facing other apartments or the interior.
Solid modern apartment building down on South First street. Tree is an older-modern midrise, but holds it's aesthetic well. They have a nice pool, nice tree, and good tree lined property. Reviews seem to be an issue here. Tree could work well if pricing makes sense. While South First is a fairly busy street, this immediate area is cozier than South Lamar and South Congress
Water Marq
300 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Greater South River City
Studio from $2,424; 1BR from $2,684; 2BR from $3,483; 3BR from $5,303
Price observation: 2026-10-15T10:37:10.935591+00:00; recent; source: synced floorplan records.
Water Marq is a nice taller luxury mid-rise community on the edge of the Lady Bird Lake Trail. Water Marq has great trail access, great gym, great amenities and nice floorplans. However other than the trail there isn't much in the immediate area that caters to a cozy neighborhood experience.
Water Marq usually loses out to buildings in Downtown or East Riverside
Windsor South Lamar
809 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA · Zilker
Studio from $1,787; 1BR from $1,898; 2BR from $2,456; 3BR from $2,500; 4BR from $3,000
Windsor South Lamar is a very nice luxury mid-rise on South Lamar. They have a huge dog park and luxury amenities. However reviews lately have been terrible here. I strongly suggest reviewing the latest reviews to see how management is doing.
My original map notes
The Lola
Lola is the fancier version of Muse. Lola is an older-renovated luxury building in the core of South Congress. They have a super nice pool area and solid overall gym.
Lola works well for people who want the South Congress walkability. However Lola, compared to much newer mid-rises in South and East Austin will feel very expensive for the age.
Muse is an older mid-rise community in the core of South Congress. A little older, and less nice than Lola, Muse is going to be the cheaper of these two options. Muse works for people who want to live in the heart of South Congress, but will feel expensive considering the age/quality of the building.
1155 Barton Springs is a very interesting apartment community. It's build to compete with Downtown high-rise buildings, even though it's a larger mid-rise. 1155 has super huge floorplans which are amazing.
Their amenities are strong, and there's a small amount of units which gives the community a nice small cozy community feel. Access to Butler metro park and the local neighborhood are great areas to walk around.
The main weakness here is Barton Springs Road which can get a bit busy
422 at the Lake is a modern mid-rise between South Austin and Downtown. The building itself is very nice. It has a decent gym, decent pool, nice floor plans, rooftop lounge, and easy access to Butler Metro Park/Auditorium Shores/Lady Bird Lake.
On the downside, 422 is flanked by West Riverside Drive and South 1st which are both loud and busy streets. Interior facing units will be quiet. Some north facing units will have nice Downtown views.
I would also check out this building's reviews before leasing.
Coldwater's location is amazing if you want to be near Zilker, Barton and Lady Bird Lake. Coldwater is relatively older in this market, but holds it's value well. Cole has better/larger floorplans, but Coldwater is a better overall complex.
Personal notes have not been added yet.
Cole is an older mid-rise building near Zilker and Barton. Units facing South Lamar will have medium-high road noise. Cole has terrible amenities, but large floorplans.
Crescent is a very well priced mid-rise in South Austin. The building itself is fine, but a bit dated compared to other mid-rises. Personally I'm not a big fan of this location.
The road outside is very busy, and Crescent is tucked inside a boring strip mall. It's worth knowing about, but Crescent has not been popular with my clients
Groves South Lamar is one of the strongest buildings in South Austin. They have great floor plans, a great on site dog park, great gym and modern amenities. However it's a bit father from the core of South Austin, there's a lot of traffic on South Lamar, and the building is tucked into a tight space.
Solid modern apartment building down on South First street. Tree is an older-modern midrise, but holds it's aesthetic well. They have a nice pool, nice tree, and good tree lined property. Reviews seem to be an issue here. Tree could work well if pricing makes sense. While South First is a fairly busy street, this immediate area is cozier than South Lamar and South Congress
District SoCo is a strong value play for South Austin. Prices here are usually very good. However this is not really a core South Congress area. This is a building tucked in a strip mall alongside Oltorf Road, which is very busy. Not much neighborhood energy here. Not very popular with my clients.
Windsor South Lamar is a very nice luxury mid-rise on South Lamar. They have a huge dog park and luxury amenities. However reviews lately have been terrible here. I strongly suggest reviewing the latest reviews to see how management is doing.
I want to like the Bouldin more than I do. It's a super nice building with great amenities and nice floor plans. However many of the units have very compromised views. The South Lamar facing units have a lot of traffic noise. East facing units have great downtown and south austin views.
South facing units face a gas station. North facing units face the Lifetime Fitness building. (If you want Lifetime fitness access, this location is great). Bouldin has an on-site pickeball court which is cool.
Bouldin's main problem is their pricing. they're priced like a Downtown highrise which makes no sense. I definitely wouldn't pay downtown prices to live here.
MAA South Lamar is the cheapest building in this local South Lamar cluster. Like the other buildings, East facing units face South Lamar which are fairly loud. Prices here are reasonable, but reviews aren't the best.
Bell South Lamar is a strong modern mid-rise along South Lamar. Being slightly tucked away from South Lamar gives this building some quieter and peaceful energy.
Gibson Flats is a strong local taller mid-rise in the heart of South Lamar. They have a nice gym, pool are with a super pretty tree, and solid floorplans.
Units facing South Lamar will be very loud and trafficky, but those tucked into the community will be quieter. This building doesn't give you much, if any neighborhood energy since it's right on South Lamar
Fifteen15 South Lamar is a strong newer building in the core of South Lamar. Pricing here is much better than the nearby Bouldin. Reviews here have been an issue, and getting in-and-out of the building is annoying due to south lamar traffic.
AMLI Southshore has always been a strong contender in this zone. It''s on the better side of Riverside drive right near Lady Bird Lake. While much of the building may feel a bit dated, the newer side of the building closest to the trail is very nice. AMLI Southshore has a few super nice townhome options facing the lake, although they rarely hit the market.
AMLI Southshore is part of a larger complex of businesses, shops, restaurants, and even a local food truck/coffee shop park. If you like this area, but want something nicer and more modern, then check out Marlowe and Encore Lakeside
Marlowe is the older version of Encore. Marlowe ranks as the #2 building in this area. It has a great rooftop pool, gym, and co-working space. Units facing the river will have amazing views, but most units will have normal mid-rise views facing other apartments or the interior.
Berkshire Riverview is a very well priced older-modern midrise on the corner of East Riverside and Downtown. RIverview's amenities are nice enough. Decent pool. Decent gym. They have some very well priced studios and large 1 bedrooms. However many of the units feel very dark. Units facing South will have some road noise.
Berkshire's location is both a strength and weakness. It's right on Lady Bird Lake and close to Downtown which is great, but there's nothing in the immediate area. The closest neighborhood stuff is over near the AMLI Southshore, about a ten minute walk away.
reviews here are worth checking out before leasing
Lamar Union is the coolest looking building in South Austin. Most of the building is tucked away from the core of South Lamar which is good for traffic noise. There's a cool collection of shops and restaurants, and of course, Alamo Drafthouse which is very cool.
If I were to live in South Lamar I would choose somewhere near here. Lamar Union's amenities are very strong, but they have had consistent issues with reviews. Check those out before touring.
Bell Southshore is a very affordable modern apartment community that competes well with AMLI Southshore. Bell Southshore can be a great option for those looking for great value for the location. Other buildings like Marlowe and Encore will give you a much more luxurious feel.
Azul is basically Oracle's apartment complex. Very few apartments at Azul hit the market since their units are taken by employees. The units here are nice, but you probably won't see them.
Debut is a modern mid-rise on the southern edge of South Congress. The building itself is nice, and the floor plans are cheap and large. However this is a very busy commercial area right along South Congress. This area lacks any real neighborhood energy.
Similar to Alexan Rivercrest, Alexan Riverside is a slightly older building on the less attractive side of East Riverside Drive. Alexan Riverside makes a compelling case for people who want a strong quality of building near Lady Bird Lake.
The 704 is a middle-aged modern apartment,. older than Groves and Bell South Lamar. 704 doesn't win or lose in any categories. There are some ground floor commercial businesses, but nothing else really stands out here.
Thornton Flats is an interesting apartment community tucked into a single-family home district. Being here will be much quieter and peaceful than most of the other locations in South Austin, but comes at the cost of walkability to things like coffee shops.
Thornton flats has great reasonably priced floor plans, but lacks amenities like a pool or gym.
Encore is East RIverside's #1 luxury community ever since it opened. It's the newer and more luxurious version of Marlowe. Encore competes with downtown luxury buildings. Encore has an epic rooftop deck with gym, co-working space, and some great floor plans.
Only a handful of Encore's units face the river. Most of the units face other buildings nearby or the interior.
My personal favorite mid-rise community in this area. Pricing is strong. access to the trail and Taco deli is great. Skyline has an awesome pool to spend time in.
The Catherine is a very nice luxury highrise in South Austin along the river. Catherine has a great hotel feel to it with a professional concierge, rooftop deck with amazing views, and high quality units with great finishes.
However compared to other high-rises, Catherine will feel very dated. My main issue with the Catherine is it's location. There's virtually nothing interesting nearby. There's a hotel, office complex, and busy streets nearby, but virtually nothing catering to the residential experience.
There's a building on Catherine's north side which will likely block many of Catherine's best views. Overall, while Catherine is worth knowing about, it usually loses out to other luxury high-rises inside Downtown
Alexan Rivercrest is the newer phase building right next to Alexan Riverside. Alexan Rivercrest has some great downtown skyline facing units, great amenities, pool, gym, and co-working space. There's also a great taco spot right nearby.
While these two buildings are on the not-as-good side of riverside drive, the quality of these buildings make them worth considering.
Water Marq is a nice taller luxury mid-rise community on the edge of the Lady Bird Lake Trail. Water Marq has great trail access, great gym, great amenities and nice floorplans. However other than the trail there isn't much in the immediate area that caters to a cozy neighborhood experience.
Water Marq usually loses out to buildings in Downtown or East Riverside
Retreat is a strong older mid-rise community on the southern tip of South Lamar. Retreat gives you a classic South Austin feel with great access to the greenbelt.
Bell Lakeshore is a very nice modern midrise, but suffers from consistently bad reviews. It's not a popular community with my clients given how management performs. Check reviews before checking the building
Breakers is a much older apartment community that doesn't really compete with the modern buildings nearby. You'll pay a lot of money for an older building, but you do get a great price for proximity to Lady Bird Lake
Uchi is Austin's most famous sushi restaraunt. It's part of a larger restaurant group with Uchiko and Uchiba. This is the original location. Uchi is an epic sushi spot, but real ones know to go here for Happy Hour.
Tiki Tatsuya is an absolutely legendary Tiki Cocktail spot. Made by the Tatsuya restaurant group, Tiki Tatsuya is a super fun group cocktail experience with wildly over the top drinks. solid Polynesian food, and is an epic experience for anybody who loves tiki.
Don't go to Terry Blacks.
Yes, I put this on my recommendation, because I'm recommending you DO NOT eat at Terry Blacks.
Terry Blacks is tourist barbecue that is fine for people who have never had texas barbecue, but Terry Black's is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to well known Austin Barbecue spots.
Pricing, specials and availability can change. Prices may exclude fees. Concessions depend on lease terms and move-in dates. The service is free to renters; apartment communities pay Taco Street a referral commission when a client leases.