Barton Hills, Austin, TX

Barton Hills is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Austin, once originally being a settlement and more akin to a small town. First discovered by William Barton, this area of Austin boasts gorgeous landscapes, varied architecture and loads of personality.

The area's roots can be traced back as far as 1837, when William Barton set up his home near the natural springs that were abundant in the area. The neighborhood and the famous natural springs attraction both bear his name today. The actual neighborhood bloomed in the 1940s, and things really picked up speed in the 1950s when the annual Austin's Parade of Homes was held there and the slogan "the largest air conditioned suburb in the world" adorned the proud neighborhood.

Today the neighborhood features an array of architectural styles, from ranch homes, to mid-century gems by architect A.D. Stenger to more modern homes. Located next to the Mopac Expressway, the area is convenient to reach from other parts of the city, and is also closely located to the downtown, South Lamar and South Congress neighborhoods.

The biggest draw to this neighborhood has to be the abundance of things to do in the area. Located in the neighborhood are sports fields, parks, trails and of course Zilker park and Barton Springs, both of which draw huge number of Austinites all year long. And again, the close proximity to downtown means you'll never be bored in this neighborhood.

The downside of living in Barton Hills? Well, you're sure going to pay for all the history, beauty and convenience of this neighborhood. It's certainly not the most expensive neighborhood in the city, but houses can be pretty pricey. Smaller apartments do exist, but they tend to be a bit on the pricey side as well. Overall though, the price you pay to live in this neighborhood will be well worth the expense.