Welcome to the Ultimate East Austin Apartment Guide!
Why should you trust our guides?
We’ve toured hundreds of apartments and we’ve helped tons of people find places to live. We’ve seen a lot, and our clients tell us a lot. We have a totally different perspective then what you’ll get from Google or Yelp.
But we do have our limitations. We haven’t lived at every apartment complex (because that would take hundreds of years). We’ve been to most apartments, but not all. Our guides aren’t objective. Our tastes & opinions may vary from yours. But we hope that we can give you the best insight possible before choosing a place to live.
Why do this?
Our business is to help people find apartments to live in. The goal is to provide so much f(#*$ing value as possible that you’ll reach out to us to help you find your next apartment. We’re 100% free to work with. Soooo……squid pro row?
What to expect when renting in East Austin
Biased Opinion Alert: I live in East Austin. I love East Austin. This is the part of town where I have the most experience working in, and where most of my clients wind up leasing. If you’re looking for objectivity, you won’t find it here.
East Austin was the part of town people didn’t want to live. It was poor, run down, dangerous, under-invested, etc. Bad stuff.
Now it’s the opposite. People are moving here like crazy.
East Austin’s proximity to Downtown made it an obvious choice to invest in once Austin’s boom began. Since 2007, over a dozen apartment complexes & condos have sprung up; adding thousands of people to the neighborhood. A barrage of new businesses have opened up too. Bars, restaurants, shops, food trucks, music venues. I’ve been living here for two years and it’s hard for me to keep track of.
I know what you’re thinking: Gentrification. Oooooo I said the naughty word. Let’s talk about it.
There’s no other way around it. East Austin has gentrified. It isn’t even up and coming. It’s here. Yes, there are people who used to live here that don’t anymore. Crummy gas stations have converted into breweries. Old barbershops into overpriced cocktail bars. Warehouses into hip coffee shops. New hotels. New corporate offices. All of it.
People fear losing East Austin’s unique character. To go from a neighborhood with unique style, charm & personality to a generic hellhole of bland overpriced modernity (ie: The Domain). I get it. But I think East Austin has proved you can have both. Instead of said bland national chain flavored modernity; you’ll find a thriving and mixed community.
Rather than forsaking that unique eastside charm, the community here has embraced it. The reality is that bland shit just won’t fly. Even the new hotels are cool. Like worth-hanging-out-on-the-weekday-with-your-friends cool.
Scratch the surface even a little and you’ll discover the charm of the eastside hiding in plain sight. You’ll find beautiful murals, old blues music joints, locally owned food trucks, boutique art studios, etc.
My favorite part of East Austin is it’s walkability. You can get anywhere in the area by walking or biking. More than any other part of the city, it feels like an actual neighborhood. You can leave your home to go for a nice stroll, say hi to your neighbor, become a regular at the local bar or coffee shop. It’s a place that is more than a scattered group of buildings, but an actual community.
Types of Apartments in East Austin
You’re getting two types of apartments here. Modern Mid-rises, and older student housing. I hope you like modern midrises apartments! That’s what I’ll be focusing on.
City ordinances prevent construction tall buildings here, so you won’t find any Downtown style swanky highrises here. They are straightforward. Once you’ve seen one, the rest aren’t substantially different. Expect standardized floor plans. Modern appliances like in-unit washer & dryers. Community pools, gyms, onsite leasing offices, elevators and private garage parking.
Cost
Sorry, but this place ain’t cheap anymore!
Studios
$1600+
1 Bedrooms
$1800+
2 Bedrooms
$2500+
3 Bedrooms
Nope! Gotta look for houses instead.
This list will go through each building in East Austin and what to expect from each one. By the end, you’re going to be a *#&$damn expert. Hopefully you’ll still want to hire us to find you your next place to live! We’re super free!
The Ultimate East Austin Apartment List!
Indie
Pros
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Very modern
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Well designed interiors
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Super awesome location in the heart of East 6th
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A million things to walk to
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Cute micro units made for minimalist living.
Cons
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Units are super small (studios under 400 sqft)
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Prices aren’t much lower than nearby buildings.
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Parking is expensive
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Right next to some dive bars which can get loud.
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Have to rely on on site laundry
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This is the only place in East Austin where this is the case.
Overall thoughts
Not worth it. I think they missed the mark here, but not by too much. The units are too small. The amenities are barely existent. Parking costs wipe out savings of lower rents. I almost never bring clients here. But if you don’t mind super small units, you don’t have a car, and don’t mind community laundry, it may be worth a shot, assuming you can find a reasonable price.
Candela
Pros
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Great location
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Downtown style luxury design
Cons
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Small and awkward floor-plans
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You have to use the gym at the Arnold next door instead.
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Tiny pool
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Small amenities.
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It looks and feels like a place that was made by people who have never been to East Austin. They made it look and feel like a generically luxury Downtown property without giving it any East Austin personality.
Overall thoughts
Like Indie, I think Candela misses the mark. While it’s East 6th location is great, It’s priced and styled like a Downtown building, yet has inferior amenities compared to the competition. If you want to be in a swanky Downtown building, go Downtown. If you want to feel like you’re living in East Austin, go somewhere else nearby.
7East
Pros
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Modern building
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Nice rooftop community space
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Big dog park
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Some very nice floor plans
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Cool wine bar downstairs
Cons
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Right along East 7th which the busiest traffic street on East Austin.
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Tiny pool
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Not super competitive in any one category
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Not much style in the building.
Overall thoughts
7East is a middle-of-the-pack building in East Austin. Unless you have a dog, It has no defining trait that puts it above any other building in the area. Conversely, it doesn’t have any major flaws. I wouldn’t put this place very high on the list unless they have really good prices.
Corazon
Pros
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Awesome location at the beginning of East Austin, and across the street from Downtown. A million places to walk t
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Big pool area!
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Great amenities like Gym, work space, rooftop deck
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Attached grocery store!
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When Whole Foods opens up, you’ll be able to get groceries across the street.
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Cons
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Style feels a bit off and outdated.
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Dark hallways.
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You will go broke when Whole Foods opens up next door.
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Many units leased by a short term rental company which sometimes makes the building feel like a hotel. I’ve clients leave specifically because of this.
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Some very small floor plans.
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The new building next door, Residences at Saltillo is better in almost every category.
Overall thoughts
You can’t skip the Corazon. It’s an awesome location with great amenities, but the competition in this area is fierce! With all the new buildings in the area, the design and feel of this building may very well feel outdated. Also, the presence of the Guild has caused problems for some of my clients who don’t like the constant influx of visitors that can be rowdy.
Residences at Saltillo
Pros
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Awesome building!
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Walkable to everything in East Austin
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Great interiors & artwork everywhere.
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Great floor plans like their 1 Bedroom + Den
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Perfect location between Downtown and East Austin
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A ton of new ground floor stores popping up like Juiceland, Snooze AM Eatery, Tarka and of course, Whole Foods.
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Solid pool & gym
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Leasing staff lives on site, so they have extra skin in the game to keep the community strong.
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Lot’s of community events!
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Free parking which is amazing for this location.
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Excellent leasing staff.
Cons
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Amenities will depend on which building you’re in.
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Limited parking. Only 1 parking spot per bedroom allowed. No option to buy more spots.
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The electric train goes right by the building. It’s not loud, but some units will hear the rails lowering occasionally.
Overall thoughts
Ever since the building opened up, I’ve had a frick-load of clients move here. The location is perfect, the prices are reasonable (at least so far), and pretty much everything about the building is on point. I’m super impressed by the building and even their leasing staff. I see it as one of the top apartments buildings in all of Austin. If you’re looking in East Austin or Downtown, this is a must-visit.
Eastside Station
Pros
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Great location on East 4th/5th which is quieter than East 6th
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Hyper walkable to everything in East Austin.
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Great floor plans
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Good pool, gym, community space, and courtyards
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Fun fact: used to be a tortilla factory!
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Nearby bike paths and access to the train. A cool way to work in North Austin and live in East Austin.
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Usually has good prices.
Cons
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Other than the murals by the parking garage the overall style of the building is bland and unexciting.
Overall thoughts
Eastside station is often overlooked since it’s not on East 6th, but it’s a very popular building with my clients. The prices are comparatively good, the location is great, and with the train you can feasibly work in North Austin and live here like some of my clients. Eastside Station is always a contender with my clients.
Arnold
Pros
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One of the best locations in Austin.
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A ton of stuff to walk to in the area!
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Great place to have an active lifestyle.
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One of the best designed buildings in the city.
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Awesome gym, fun pool, great community space.
Cons
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Management has a ton of turnover and has been a consistent problem since they opened up.
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Prices can be very high.
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Pool can get rowdy in the summers
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Rooftop is not much to be excited about.
Overall thoughts
I’ve had a ton of clients lease here at the Arnold. It’s an excellent location, great amenities, and a perfect place to have a socially active lifestyle. It can be a bit too socially active if you catch my drift! But overall If you can afford it, it will be one of your top options in East Austin.
E6
Pros
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Close enough to all the cool stuff on East 6th
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Quieter than the rest of East 6th
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Small Community
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Some great floor plans, especially their 2 bedroom
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Some units have awesome Downtown views.
Cons
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Often overpriced for it’s location further down East 6th
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Usually has high prices
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Sometimes the freight train goes nearby which can get loud for a few minutes.
Overall thoughts
Since is further down East 6th, it may not be your first choice, but it can be a sneaky good pick. It’s a smaller community which means it’s less likely to have units available. Some of it’s floor plans are extremely well designed and well equipped with technology. Compared to others on East 6th like The Arnold, it’s less festive and quieter. Sinces prices have gone up after the building opened, it’s fallen down my radar, but for the right price it’s worth taking a look at.
Eleven by Windsor
Pros
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You may get me as your neighbor!
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Ridiculously cool sky lounge with Downtown views.
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Awesome location between Downtown and East Austin.
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East 11th if a really cool street and less busy than East 6th.
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Can walk to my favorite bar, Nickel City!
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Great big pool area that get lots of sunlight
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Great community
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Huge dog park!
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Very convenient community work space.
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Right across the street from Franklin Barbecue!
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Since it’s so close to I35, getting around anywhere in Austin is super easy. Almost everything I’d want to drive is under 20 minutes away.
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High ceiling floor plans.
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No carpet ever! Only wood or concrete.
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Cheap parking for the area.
Cons
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Interior design of the building isn’t anything special
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Gym is mediocre
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Some units are too close to I35 which can make it noisey.
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Windsor leasing agents feel more corporate than other management teams.
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Prices can get very high depending on the season.
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Not in the middle of East 6th which can be a pro or con.
Overall thoughts
I’ve lived at the Eleven for almost 2 years, and can easily see myself living here for much longer. It’s a super cool location, great people, great amenities that actually get used, and a ton of cool stuff to walk in the neighborhood. If you can afford East Austin, this will easily be one of your top choices.
AMLI Eastside
Pros
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Great location on East 11th
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Very big floor plans
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Nice pool with a big live oak tree
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Solid functional amenities
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Quieter neighborhood than East 6th.
- Walk to Nickel City and Franklin BBQ.
Cons
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The oldest modern building in East Austin.
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Usually well priced
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Many units have old appliances and carpet throughout the unit, but are going to lots of renovations.
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Like many AMLI properties, they do a very poor job on style.
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Hallways are very dark.
Overall thoughts
AMLI Eastside is one of the best practical apartments in East Austin. It’s near the bottom on overall style and visual appeal, but it’s big floorplans, competitive prices, and great East 11th location make it a really good option.
Guthrie
Pros
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Cool location in a quiet residential area of East Austin. Very good place to walk around.
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They did a great job with the amenities and finishings
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Awesome gym
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Big pool
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Wide open community spaces
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Good prices
Cons
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Not as walkable to all the cool East Austin stuff on East 6th
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Local freight train comes nearby.
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Small dog walking area
Overall thoughts
I really like the Guthrie, and so have many of my clients. They’ve done a great job with this building. The floorplans are solid. The amenities like the gym, pool, community areas are actually worth using. While it’s further away from the rest of East Austin, it’s a great area in it’s own respect. Can’t skip this place!
Platform
Pros
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Excellent overall building
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Right next to the train station at MLK (Hence the name Platform) which gives you easy access to East and North Austin
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Ridiculously nice pool area (multiple pools!)
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Lots of space to bring friends to hang out.
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Solid overall gym
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Houndstooth Coffee at the bottom is a cool place to hang out, drink coffee and work.
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MLK and Manor both have great food and places to hang out.
Cons
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Deeper into East Austin
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Not a very walkable area
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You’ll have to walk to the main building to get access to the amenities.
Overall thoughts
Platform is one of the most overlooked apartments in East Austin due to its location. But you can’t overlook it! It’s got great amenities (especially the pool) and large floor plans, and is still a quick drive to the core of East Austin and Downtown. The train station right at the property gives you super easy access to North and East Austin. Sometimes prices are really good too.
Elan East
Pros
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Very stylish building
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Nice amenities
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Great palm tree lined pool area
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Manor Road has a ton of cool food and places to hang out
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Sometimes has very good pricing
Cons
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I tend to like Platform more overall nearby
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Small units
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Outdoor parking
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Lower build quality than other modern buildings
Overall thoughts
I do like Elan East alot, but given the high quality of competition in the area, it’s main advantage is price. There is nothing glaringly bad about it, but it’s not as compelling as the other options in East Austin. If you can afford to lease at one of the other buildings in East Austin, do so. If you can get a good deal on a unit here, don’t count it out.
Trailhead
Pros
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One of the best pool areas in East Austin
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Right outside an awesome neighborhood park/trail (hence the name Trailhead)
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Big floorplans and living areas
- Quiet location (at least compared to most other East Austin options)
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Moderate pricing
Cons
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Not as much of a walkable neighborhood compared to places on East 6th
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Pricing may not warrant the distance
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Units facing Airport Blvd may be a bit noisey
Overall thoughts
Trailhead is one of the best new properties in East Austin. It has one of the best pool areas, gyms, and trail access than anywhere else in the city. However if you’re looking for something more central and walkable, this might not be the right option.
Lenox 7th
Pros
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Cool residential neighborhood to hang out in nearby.
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All the expected amenities a modern building should have
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Quick drive to Downtown Austin & the Airport
Cons
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Along a busy road
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Not super walkable
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No amazing features
Overall thoughts
Lenox 7th fits in with every other modern mid-rise apartment complex in East Austin. It’s nice, modern, and has all the amenities you’d expect. It’s not as walkable as some of the other ones like Arnold or Saltillo, but it’s a quick enough drive to get to all the action so it won’t feel like you’re too far.
Nexus East
Pros
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Super nice complex & with great pool, hang out space and rooftop deck.
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Quick drive to Downtown Austin & the Airport
Cons
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Along a busy road
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Not walkable
Overall thoughts
Nexus East is a super nice midrise complex that came on the market in 2021. It’s a bit nicer than it’s neighbor Lenox 7th, but also further from Downtown. You won’t be able to walk much anywhere, but you will enjoy the time you spend there.
Avenir East Austin
Pros
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Giant Rooftop pool/amenity area. + Movie screening area
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Great walkability along East 11th and the local neighborhood
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Options of Downtown or Residential views
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The only building I know of with a basketball court
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Podcast Studio
Cons
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Pricey
Overall thoughts
I remember when this location was a run down CVS. Now it’s grown up! It’s a little early to tell how it’s going to shake out, but it will definitely be the fanciest building in East Austin given the amenities it’s bringing to the table.
Bonus! Alexan Waterloo
Pros
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Stunning rooftop area with pool and amazing views of Downtown
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Great walkability along East 11th and the local neighborhood
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Options of Downtown or Residential views
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Very walkable to East Austin & the brand new Waterloo Park
Cons
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Expensive Parking
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Expensive amenity/cable fee
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Just expensive overall
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Not as close to the core of Downtown
Overall thoughts
This is technically a Downtown Austin building, but it’s location along I35 means it might as well be an East Austin location which is great if you like East Austin, but not as great if you want to be in the core of Downtown. It’s easily one of Austin’s most stunning new buildings given how tall it is. It’s going to be a strong competitor in the top price range for Downtown and East Austin.
Conclusion
Alas! We’ve arrived at our conclusion! East Austin is the most popular neighborhood with my clients who want to be near downtown, not pay downtown prices, and have a high quality walkable lifestyle. And so they can live near me, which is a pretty great perk.
So yeah, East Austin is pretty great right? Aren’t you super pumped to live here? I hope now you’re all like, “Damn! This guide was badass!” “I’m definitely going to hire them to help me find my next spot”
The Map!
Here’s a google map that I made for you with all of the East Austin apartments I mentioned above. You can pull this map up on your phone when you’re walking around the neighborhood. So you can have my highly opinionated apartment thoughts in your head when you’re touring around. Pretty awesome!
