Zilker Real Estate: Charm and Personality on Every Tree-Lined Street
Zilker is a tree-lined neighborhood located in the rolling hills of south central Austin. Bordered by beautiful Lady Bird Lake to the north and bustling Lamar Boulevard to the south and east, this is one of the city’s liveliest, most active communities. A 6-minute drive from downtown and only 18 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Zilker’s convenient central location is also ideal for residents who work downtown or travel for business.
With so many opportunities to swim, cycle and hike in their own backyard, Zilker residents are often on the move. But when it’s time to slow down and take it easy, some of Austin’s finest shopping, dining and entertainment options are right around the corner.
Residential construction here dates back to the early 1900s, and Zilker’s eclectic mix of new and historic homes make it one of Austin’s most desirable neighborhoods. A testament to Zilker’s enduring appeal, new home construction still continues today, and many of the older homes have been updated and remodeled over the years. From small bungalows of under 1,000 square feet to spacious, luxury homes with more than 4,500 square feet of living space, the Zilker neighborhood tells its own unique story through the charm and personality of the homes on each tree-lined street.
“It’s intellectual, it’s quirky, it’s a place where people of all ages, from all walks of life can be passionate about the future and lead interesting lives,” says Cory Desha, a 27-year-old Austin local who works for Save The Children and volunteers at Zilker Park during large events like Blues on the Green. “It’s Austin at its most Austin, which means it’s Austin at its best.”
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Contact JohnBlues on the Green, a Musical Gift to Austin
Over a thousand music lovers have gathered in Zilker Metropolitan Park to enjoy the summer’s final installment of Blues on the Green, a free, weekly outdoor music series and beloved Austin tradition. Texas State and University of Texas-Austin flags wave in the late afternoon’s warm breeze, while the enthusiastic, all-ages audience enjoys the park’s natural beauty as they celebrate the sounds and spirit of the World’s Live Music Capital.
Scott Doughty, a 28-year-old Austin native and graphic designer, has just returned home from three years abroad in Egypt. He’s excited to start the night with great live music before venturing downtown. Sitting comfortably with friends under a shady tree on the gorgeously manicured lawn, they enjoy prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe and freshly baked banana bread before the music starts.
“Take a look at this place,” says Scott, propped up on his elbow as he straightens his handlebar mustache. “This is what Austin is all about, and it’s right in Zilker’s backyard. These shows are very much Zilker’s gift to all of Austin.”
Scott strikes up a conversation with a family that sets up lawn chairs behind him. He learns that the mother also spent time traveling in Egypt. This might be a strange coincidence if the conversation happened anywhere else, but in Zilker, everyone has an adventure story to tell.
Austin’s Most Beloved Park
Austin’s most beloved park is the jewel of the Zilker community. With 351 pristine acres, Zilker Park is home to a number of playground and picnic areas, a nature center, volleyball fields and a botanical garden teeming with both exotic and domestic flora. The Zilker Zephyr miniature train gently chugs kids of all ages across a diverse terrain of creeks, prairies and hills, and the Hillside Theater, a locally run outdoor venue, showcases musicals all summer long.
At the end of every summer, the Austin City Limits Music Festival draws hundreds of big-name musicians and thousands of fans from across the country and around the world to these grounds. But for the rest of the year, Zilker Park is a haven just for the locals, who love to spend a sunny afternoon here with friends, family and pets.
The north end of Zilker Park is home to the spring-fed Barton Springs pool. With a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees, the natural spring pool is a favorite amongst locals during Austin’s hot summers months and mild winters. Surrounded by grassy slopes and giant, shady trees, the springs is a perfect place to sunbathe, picnic, read or swim a few laps.
The Place You’ll Miss the Most
The last band of the night is deep into their new hit single, and the stage’s strobe lights, perfectly contrasted by the dark evening sky, are in full, mesmerizing effect. Enjoying the fun, the parents next to Scott lift their young daughters, bouncing them up and down on their shoulders to the beat of the music.
“Zilker is one of the places I missed most while I was traveling,” says Scott Doughty. “When my friends from all over the world wanted to know what Austin was like, I’d always describe this place. A few of them were so enticed, they moved here.”
