In North Austin is a quaint little neighborhood of about 10,000 people called Crestview. This area offers a great mix or urban and suburban feel. There are tons of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and parks. See what all the neighborhood has to offer!
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.
Here’s your complete guide to living in Crestview.
Restaurants:
For the best sandwich in, dare we say all of, Austin go to Little Deli & Pizzeria. This small restaurant serves up hand-made hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, and sides that take you back in time to those charming deli spots in New York. Our favorite sandwich is the Harry’s Perfect Pastrami but we also love their meatball sub and pizza. While the inside dining is small, they have plenty of outdoor space with picnic tables.
Looking for Nashville-style fried chicken in Austin? Head to Tumble22. They offer super moist, spicy chicken sandwiches, fries, mac and cheese, as well as milkshakes to cool off your mouth. The atmosphere of Tumble22 is great for lunch or dinner, as they have a full bar menu with local beer and craft cocktails.
Open since 1971, Top Notch Hamburgers is a vintage drive-in burger joint where you can order from their large menu that includes burgers, tots, onion rings, and more. This spot became an Austin icon after it was featured in Dazed and Confused and it continues to be a fun dining experience with their car-hop stalls and vintage feel. PS, it was also featured in Varsity Blues (Jules works there).
Chicken Salad Shoppe is our favorite place for lunch, with their affordable sandwiches, wraps, and salads. You pick up your order inside their catering restaurant, Vanilla Orchid, so don’t be confused if you’re thinking you’re in the wrong spot. Pro tip: their cookies are amazing.
Bars and Drinks:
For those of you who like to be entertained while you imbibe, check out Vigilante Gastropub & Games. Play every kind of board game you can think of while sipping on a craft cocktail or beer. The tables at Vigilante are perfectly set up for gaming while eating/drinking, featuring pull out leafs and cupholders to get all sips off the board game.
Beer loves need to head to Growler Room off Brunet. This craft beer bar features a growler filling station so you can have a beer there and then take it home with you.
If you’re with your dog and looking for a drink, Yard Bar is Austin’s first and only off-leash dog park with a full bar and kitchen.
Coffee Shops and Something Sweet:
Vegans and non-vegans alike can get their caffeine fix at Fat Cats Organic Coffee & Desserts. This no frills coffee shops features homemade vegan pastries, ice cream, and other treats as well as organic, fair-trade coffee and tea.
For a coffee drink in the evening, we love Genuine Joe Coffeehouse. The neighborhood shop hosts open mic night and live music events, so check out their events calendar!
La Patisserie is a cute, homey French-style bakeshop where you can get French sweets, croissants, and of course, macarons. During those hot, Texas summers, cool off your taste buds at Lick Honest Ice Cream. A hip ice cream shop that turns out unique flavors like goat cheese and thyme, horchata, and more.
Parks, Green Spaces, and Outdoor Activities:
Brentwood Neighborhood Park is one of our favorite parks in Crestview. This spacious spark has plenty of picnic tables, green space, playscape, basketball courts, tennis courts, a walking trail, and even a small pool. We also love Wooten Neighborhood Park for playing and picnicking.
Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park is a popular Crestview park that features a playground and picnic area, as well as a basketball court and three tennis courts. The 31-acre park also has a municipal pool and walking trail.
These Are The Best Parks in North Austin
Family Fun:
If you’re looking for a fun night where everyone in the family can have fun, check out Violet Crown Clubhouse. A cute, local shop featuring ice cream, coffee, and adult beverages, you can also play arcade games or watch a live show in their front patio area. Novel Escape is fun experience to get all the family involved too, located off West Anderson.
Toybrary is a unique, toy-based library and play scape where kids can check out educational toys! Designed for children ages six months to five years old, Toybrary charges a monthly fee to check out toys or you can drop in for playtime for a small fee. They also host tons of class, special events, and parenting classes!
Chaparral Ice is a family-owned and operated ice skating rink in the Crestview area. They offer a fun and safe skating environment for all levels of skaters, from kiddos to professionals!
Renting:
Looking to rent an apartment in Crestview? You’ll have walking access to some of Austin’s most iconic eats and drinks, with close driving proximity to Downtown, Mueller, and the Eastside. This is a popular spot to rent an apartment due to its abundance of complexes in all shapes and sizes.
Renters who care more about location and less about unit size and finishes are in luck – older properties in and around Crestview built in the 70’s and 80’s with early 2000’s renovations start at around $1000. There are even super small studios (400sqft or less) in the $900s for minimalists. Expect to have white appliances and cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, few and small community amenities, shared laundry facilities, and open parking lots.
If you want to be in the thick of Crestview with high walkability and a modern feel, there are many apartments built in the 2010s that satisfy those needs. However, those studios and 1 bedrooms will start in the $1400s, and the newest, nicest apartments of this caliber will start in the mid-$1600s. These types of apartment complexes have spacious, updated community amenities and come with W/D in-unit, carpet only in bedrooms, and often have select units with concrete floors, vaulted ceilings, or loft spaces. These apartments will also have gated or garage parking and restricted FOB access.
If you’re considering a move to Crestview, let Smart City Locating help navigate your options. You tell them what you’re looking for in an apartment, and they’ll put together a custom list of options that check your boxes, completely free to you! Connect with Smart City to get started on your search today.
Housing Market:
According to Redfin, the housing market is fairly competitive, with houses generally on the market for about 22 days. The average price of a house in Crestview is about $725K and has steadily been increasing over the past few years.
Most of the residents in the area are families and young professionals. The neighborhood is walkable and bikeable, and the public schools are highly rated. There’s even public transportation, which is a rarity in Austin. The Capital MetroRail can quickly get you downtown or to any other stops!
On the hunt for more quirky North Austin finds? Check out these posts!
- Get to Know Some of the Best Neighborhoods to Live in Austin
- Keep It Local! These Are Some of The Best Local Businesses in North Austin
- These 10 North Austin Happy Hours Are Waiting For You
Featured photo via @midtowncommonsapts on Instagram
