North Lamar, a neighborhood in north Austin, is a bustling area, home to about 6,500 residents. The neighborhood is bordered by I-35 and North Lamar Boulevard, so commuting to the rest of city and downtown is just about a 15 minute drive. The North Lamar area offers a great urban mix atmosphere, with lots of restaurants coffee shops, and parks.
This neighborhood profile is brought to us by Smart City, which is a totally free, hyper-personalized apartment locating service. You tell them what you want in an apartment, and they’ll give you a custom list of places that tick your boxes. Once you land on that perfect spot, they’ll help you navigate the leasing process and connect you with utility, internet, renter’s insurance, and other services once you move in. Scroll down to find out how Smart City can help you find a new place to live.
And now, here’s your complete guide to living on North Lamar!
Eat and Drink:
For Mexican cuisine, check out Taqueria Rafi’s and Maudi’s. Taqueria Rafi’s is a food truck specializing in tacos, tortas, flautas, and more. For a great patio and margarita, Maudi’s is your place. If you’re in the mood for a gyro, head to Santorini Cafe for all things Greek food, another great patio, and fabulous lunch specials. For a Austin classic since 1973 try Dan’s Hamburgers.
If you catch yourself on a weekend, looking for a place to watch football, Shoal Creek Saloon is home for the New Orleans Saints and the LSU Tigers. Order a burger, fried catfish, or their boudin balls, and wash it down with a cold beer from their extensive beer list.
For more places to watch college football around Austin, click here.
Lastly, if you’re looking to venture out of your usual food palate, we recommend trying Balkan Cafe & Grill. This family-owned restaurant open in the 90’s and proudly serves authentic Serbian cuisine, like Ćevapi (beef sausages), Pljeskavica (burger-style dish), and Gulas (beef stew). Outside, you can find a sand volleyball court, dog-friendly patio, and a playscape for the kids.
For a coffee or boba tea, check out Gen Bobabee & Coffee House or Merit Coffee
Shopping:
There’s plenty of shopping areas in the North Lamar neighborhood! North Park Shopping Center, Northgate Shopping Center, Northwend Shopping Center, Central Park Shopping Center, and The Crescent. If you’re looking for a local shop, head to Kick Pleat or Blue Elephant Boutique for women’s clothing, all things Texas, and fun gift items.
Outdoor Activities:
Get your hike on at one of Austin’s most picturesque views of the city, Mount Bonnell. Take the steep steps up to the lookout over the lake, especially at sunset. If you’re looking for a trail to run or walk on, Lady Bird Lake is our favorite trail in Austin. Parts of the trail are paved with dirt, while the brand new section of the trail, the Boardwalk, is paved concrete. The trail does get busy with runners, walkers, and bikers on the weekend and nice days!
Pease District Park is a great park for a trail, picnic space, and sport courts. The park also hosts the infamous annual party in honor of Eeyore!
Take your dog out to Shoal Creek Greenbelt to their spacious dog park and walk along their super shady trails.
Family-Friendly Activities:
To get your Texas education on, check out the Bullock Museum! Just a short drive to downtown from North Lamar, you can learn everything there is to know about the history of Texas and more. Exhibitions rotate, so even if you’re a local, the museum is great to go to. The museum also features an IMAX Theatre so you can view America’s wild or sea turtles on a massive screen. After taking a tour of the museum, we recommend venturing around the University of Texas’s beautiful campus.
Jump Party USA is a great place to take the kiddos for them to enjoy an indoor trampoline and sports park with soccer, bungee jumping, dodgeball, basketball, ping-pong, and more.
Living
The North Lamar area is a highly-sought after neighborhood of Austin to live in. It’s super walkable, with access to restaurants, grocery, bars, and entertainment all within walking or scooting distance. It’s about 10-15 minutes from Downtown, so the area tends to be more quiet than other ultra-walkable parts of town. In general, North Lamar is higher-priced than suburban Austin because of its proximity to so many local hotspots. There are many newer apartment buildings for those who want modern finishes, and some smaller garden-style communities built during the 70s and 80s for those who prioritize price over aesthetics.
For smaller, classic-style apartments with white appliances, carpeted living rooms, and W/D connections, one bedroom units on North Lamar start at around $1300/mo. There are only a small handful of properties like this, and availability is super limited. In contrast, there are plenty of newer apartment complexes that start their one bedrooms around $1500/mo, and two bedrooms around $2000/mo. There are even a few brand-new complexes and others under construction that are pre-leasing, which tend to offer specials like 1 month free and waived fees to help incentivise prospective tenants.
Living in North Lamar means you get a taste of all Austin has to offer — from new to old. The Domain and Downtown are only a short drive away, while some of the hottest eats, treats, and drinks are steps outside your door. One can even get a taste of historic Austin, as North Lamar is close to Hyde Park and the UT Campus.
It’s clear to us why so many apartments are popping up in this highly-desirable area of town. Reach out to Smart City Locating if you are looking for a new spot on North Lamar! They’ll find you an apartment that ticks all of your boxes, and the service is 100% free.
