With a rich history dating back to the turn of the 20th century, Bouldin Creek is a treasure trove of beautiful homes, immaculately manicured outdoor recreational areas and popular local dining spots. Its proximity to Downtown Austin and the other residential neighborhoods are certainly an advantage, but this is just scratching the surface of what Bouldin Creek has to offer.
History of Bouldin Creek:
Austinites know that their city has been through a number of changes over the past century. Bouldin Creek is no different, and has had a long history of development and progress since its inception in 1877. The Texas School for the Deaf, opened initially in 1857, still operates in the same location that it has since it was founded. As the area became more populated through the turn of the 20th century, it experienced a significant boom in housing and development projects. The 1920’s and 1930’s saw an impressive amount of homes being built, many of which survive today.
Their presence, as well as their inclusion among the newer buildings from over the last half-century, are a perfect combination of historic charm and legacy mixed with modern and contemporary design. This, along with the variety of cultures, cuisine and recreation make it perfectly aligned with Austin’s general philosophy of growth and inclusion.
The area’s diversity and varied history is reflected in the homes and buildings of Bouldin Creek. The composition of historic Victorian homes dating back a century, smaller bungalows and contemporary homes adds to the charm of the neighborhood. It also has the result of providing a great number of options for prospective homeowners or renters looking at the area. Whatever your tastes and budget, there is likely a perfect place for you to settle down. It is also worth mentioning that the majority of residents are renters.
Location:
The first place you may want to visit when travelling through Bouldin Creek is the Greetings from Austin Mural. Inspired by a similar postcard from the 1940’s, this mural has welcomed visitors to the Texas capital since 1998. It remains a popular destination for photos and selfies to this day, and is always a great way to start your trip to the area.
Bouldin Creek lies within the heart of South Austin, giving residents an unparalleled level of access to Downtown Austin and the Zilker and South Lamar neighborhoods. Surrounded by popular commercial destinations, there is no shortage of places to shop and eat. This, plus the fact that Bouldin Creek is adjacent to major routes such as Barton Springs Road, Oltorf Street, South Congress and South Lamar Boulevard, ensure that you can get wherever you want to go—fast.
Recreationally, Bouldin Creek is in the middle of a number of terrific locations. Just south of Lady Bird Lake and Auditorium Shores at Town Lake, Butler Park and the Long Center for Performing Arts, there is always a place to go to enjoy the beautiful Texas sunshine.
Lady Bird Lake, created in 1960 and named after former First Lady, “Lady Bird” Johnson, is currently used mostly for water recreation and flood control. Often with kayaks and small fishing boats floating around, Lady Bird Lake is also surrounded by plenty of hiking and biking trails. On the south bank of the lake lies Butler Park and Auditorium Shores at Town Lake. These are great, spacious outdoor areas open to the public.
Also in this area is the Long Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera and Ballet Austin. After nearly ten years of construction, the building was officially opened and remains a popular destination for locals and out-of-towners alike.
There is also the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt bordering the neighborhood from the west. This is a great opportunity to escape from the more urban areas of the 78704 zip code and enjoy the serene natural beauty of central Texas. This is a very popular spot for hikers and joggers, as it features a one-mile trail loop offering safety and security to residents who want to spend some time outdoors.
Other Amenities:
One of the more recent additions to the neighborhood is the Twin Oaks branch of the Austin Public Library. This has been a very popular addition to the area, featuring a fantastic children’s area, public computers and even a small silent reading room where phones and talking are prohibited.
Becker Elementary School has received high marks in recent years and is located centrally in Bouldin Creek. From there, students generally attend Fulmore Middle School and Travis High School as they grow older.
Also located in Bouldin Creek is the campus for the Texas School for the Deaf. This is actually the same location that it has occupied since its founding over 150 years ago, and it has gradually grown into its footprint as time has gone on. Today, the sprawling campus continues to be one of the best resources for deaf students K-12 and actively improves its facilities.
Saving the best for last, there are also plenty of fantastic places to go for great food in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Ranging from local institutions that have been in operation for decades to new pop-ups that have enjoyed immediate local success, there’s no shortage of places to eat. The great part about living in such a diverse community is the abundance of different types of cuisine. From Tex-Mex to BBQ and even Ice Cream shops, you’re bound to find something to love.
As we mentioned before, the types of homes for sale and rent in Bouldin Creek vary widely. Some are historic, others are more modern and updated. That being said, even many of the historic homes have been recently updated to include modern amenities. Many have also seen major remodels and expansions. If you’re looking to join the robust community of Bouldin Creek, it may be worth looking at the available homes in the area.
