Potential homeowners everywhere are trying to get the most for their money, and in Austin’s housing market that means looking at homes in neighborhoods that aren’t just located in the coveted 78704. Young professionals willing to expand their housing search will find plenty of perks: ample green space, convenient commutes, and walkability to everything that keeps Austin “weird.” Whether you’re searching for a condo for you and your dog or a single-family home with enough space to accommodate a growing family, one of these Austin neighborhoods might just be perfect for you and your lifestyle.

Mueller

Billed as a “mixed-use urban village,” Mueller is the redevelopment of Austin’s former airport, east of IH-35 between 51st and Airport Boulevard. It’s a master planned community, so it truly has a bit of everything: shopping, dining and recreation (and soon, entertainment: Alamo Drafthouse is slated to open a location there in 2016). Austin’s children’s museum, The Thinkery, a weekly farmer’s market, and food trucks are some of the bigger draws, while Mueller Lake Park, with its ambling hike and bike trail and resident waterfowl, is the crown jewel of the neighborhood. Potential homeowners will find both single-family homes and condos, all built with an eye towards sustainability. Dell Children’s Hospital and the Austin Film Society also call the neighborhood home. Mueller is incredibly walkable and, should you need to leave the neighborhood, IH-35 is just a minute away.

Southwood

For those longing for the classic “keep Austin weird” vibe, the neighborhood of Southwood (located at the intersection of Ben White Boulevard and Manchaca) is a solid choice. It’s close to desirable neighborhoods like Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, and Zilker, but at a price that’s much easier to swallow. This is the neighborhood for a young professional hoping to share a backyard with chickens or looking to spend weekends bringing a home built in the 1960s into up-to-date. Southwood has an active neighborhood association that publishes a quarterly newsletter to help keep residents in the know. Residents are close to the South Austin Recreation Center as well as the shopping and dining options on South Lamar. Southwood also offers the perfect commute to downtown: simply bypass 35 altogether via South 1st.

Milwood

Located in Northwest Austin, bordered by Parmer Lane to the north and MoPac to the east, Milwood is an ideal neighborhood for young professionals with families. The highly-rated elementary school Summit Elementary, Balcones District Park, and the Milwood branch of Austin Public Library are all located within the neighborhood. Residents have easy access to both MoPac and Highway 183, and The Domain and the Arboretum are just minutes away for shopping, dining and entertainment. Northwest Austin is the favored location of many of the city’s tech companies, so those in the technology sector will find themselves with a not-too-shabby commute.

Allandale & Crestview

These adjacent neighborhoods are both located in Central Austin, between MoPac and Lamar Boulevard, south of Anderson Lane. Many of the homes were built in the 1950s and 60s and have been updated over the years, but potential homeowners not afraid of a DIY project or two should be able to find more for their money. There’s a healthy mix of single-family homes as well as condos for those wanting a more low maintenance lifestyle. Both neighborhoods are walkable. Crestview has the added benefit of a MetroRail station on North Lamar, providing easy and quick access to downtown. Nearby Burnet Road boasts an abundance of independently owned shops and restaurants, making it easy to shop local.

University Hills

Just west of 183 and south of 290, University Hills offers single-family homes situated on large lots with plenty of shade trees. The neighborhood is noted for its racially and socially diverse residents. The streets are wide and overall University Hills has a family-friendly vibe. Dottie Jordan Park provides green space and a pool to cool off in during the sweltering summer heat. Houses date anywhere from the 1950s to the 1970s, and while many have been updated, there’s still fixer-upper inventory, too. Location wise, University Hills is a little far from the action, but convenient to downtown, the airport, and the artsy and eclectic East side.

--- Bryn Huntpalmer is a mother of two young children living in Austin, Texas where she currently works as an Editor for Modernize and nurtures her HGTV obsession. In addition to regularly contributing to Home Decor and Design websites around the web, her writing can be found on Lifehacker, About.com and on her personal blog withherownwings.com. Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:

• These Are The 10 Trendiest Neighborhoods In Austin
• These Are The 11 Best Austin Suburbs
• These Are The 11 Most Affordable Austin Suburbs To Live In