Imagine a neighborhood of adorable medium houses seated comfortably on shady streets lined with trees. But then splash a rainbow across the entire area. That could get you close to what the Hyde Park neighborhood in central Austin is like. This old part of town has a lot of history, and was one of Austin's first developments north of the Capitol. Many of the houses are over fifty years old, but are lovingly cared for by tenants and successive owners, often with a heavy dose of their personality thrown in for good measure.



Spanning the area from Dean Keaton street in the south to around 45th street or so to the north, and from I-35 to the east and Guadalupe street to the west, Hyde Park is a fairly large neighborhood. As it is located comfortably between many of the major thoroughfares in Austin, Hyde Park has long been a staple area for college students at the University of Texas, which has contributed heavily to the area's looks and atmosphere. Many of the houses are painted exuberant colors with eye-catching designs and artistic sensibility, a legacy of many resident's desire to "keep Austin weird." This also contributes refreshing diversity when compared to the cookie-cutter houses that so many other neighborhoods primarily consist of.

The biggest advantage of owning a house over an apartment or condo is the lot on which it lies, and Hyde Park has this attribute in spades. While many of the houses are modest in size, with most in the 1-to-2 bedroom range, the expansive yards more than make up for it. With more privacy and more space, Hyde Park houses are cozy and comfortable. The larger back yards also lend themselves to Austin ingenuity, with expansions, garage apartments, and other conversions being common. This also contributes to the value of each house without changing its character.

And what character! Most of these houses were built in a time when different trends were popular, and these designs have often proven to endure to maintain their popularity in a way that more modern houses cannot. While most houses built in recent years have good design behind them, one often gets the impression that a house is devoid of personality and designed to be as inoffensive as possible. While this approach is safer for an architect, it makes houses like those in Hyde Park that much more desirable. Some features that were often viewed as necessary in years past have either become unfashionable or become viewed as excessive, such as high ceilings and large porches.

However, these aspects of houses are very important to many prospective homeowners.

This is evident by the continued value of the neighborhood over many years. Many houses in Hyde Park have higher ceilings than newer houses, especially because many are one story. This contributes to a feeling of space that many newer homes lack. Hyde Park houses also often have a disproportionately large number of windows, which provide increased sunlight and adds to the increased sense of spaciousness. The characteristic large porches also make the homes seem cozier, more inviting, and help to connect neighbors. I personally think one of the best benefits to having a house over an apartment is having a large porch on which to relax, and this seems to be an attractive attribute to many potential homeowners as well. So, with these positives in mind, I encourage you to check out Hyde Park if you're looking for a home in Austin. I don't think you'll be disappointed.