West Austin (West Lake Hills, Barton Creek, Rollingwood: rental, house, neighborhoods)

[antonini]

When one speaks of West Austin, where are they referring to? due west of downturn? what are the boundaries?

[love roses]

West of I 35, which is the freeway running North and South.

[Raskolnikov]

Hmmm, but most of downtown Austin (or all) is west of I-35 but it can't all be considered "west Austin". I think that downtown and it's immediate surroundings are "Central Austin". And, west of something like Lamar or even Mopac would be considered West Austin.

When I hear the phrase West Austin I think of Pemberton, Tarrytown, Westlake, Balcones, etc.

[car957]

I would say West of Lamar, East of FM 2244, North of Oltorf and South of 45th.

I however live in South Austin. Therefore I am both superior and happier in the over all scheme of things.

Those folks in 78704 are so confused but they do enjoy a long commute into downtown Austin.

[TexasHorseLady]

Pretty much west of Mopac.

Here's a good map on the Austin American Statesman site that shows the various areas and has info on the neighborhoods.

Oh, and my house (that is now a rental property) in 78704? Five minutes from downtown - 78704 begins just south of the river.

[Biscuits]

My strict definition of West Austin would be:

North of Town Lake

West of Lamar

East of Lake Austin

South of 35th Street

[TexasHorseLady]

A big chunk of that (from Lamar to Mopac) would be Central Austin to me.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

A big chunk of that (from Lamar to Mopac) would be Central Austin to me.

Maybe the area you are referring to needs to consider changing the name of their neighborhood association.

OWANA - Old West Austin Neighborhood Association

[Trainwreck20]

The (aptly named) 'old' west Austin was divided by MoPac when it was constructed. So the OWANA is now often considered part of central Austin.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

The (aptly named) 'old' west Austin was divided by MoPac when it was constructed. So the OWANA is now often considered part of central Austin.

I don't think a freeway or the term 'old' can geographically change a location relative to downtown. It simply is the oldest part of West Austin (i.e. the first homes built to the 'far' west of downtown).

If we are to use MoPac as the dividing line, then your definition of 'West Austin' is about 2 miles wide, which seems a little odd.

If we are considering other municipalities and unincorporated Travis County as the judge, then fine, everything within 10 miles of the Capitol is Central 'Austin' (even if it is in the municipality of Rollingwood or West Lake Hills) and when someone refers to 'West Austin' they either mean the small incorporated area around Barton Creek Country Club or somewhere entirely outside the city limits of Austin.

IMHO, the postal zip codes have it correct insofar as the "City of Austin" is concerned.

78701 = Central
78702 = East
78703 = West
78704 = South
78705;51;56 = North
78731 = North West
etc....

To specifically answer the OP's question; if someone is referring to West Austin and they are an informed and longtime resident of the City of Austin, then they are most likely describing 78703.

If they are not a longtime resident or are just simply less educated regarding the city boundaries and its history, then they probably describing all of Western Travis County as 'West Austin.'

Do yourself a favor and join the former of the two groups.