Crestview

 

In the geographic center of Austin, you’ll find the Crestview neighborhood. Perhaps you could look at this as the heart of Austin because it is a residential neighborhood that is focused on community. It is an established place, its roots dating back to the 1950s when it was transformed into a neighborhood from an old dairy farm. If you’re interested in retro appearance and life, this is your place. 

 

Residents are protective of their 1950s inheritance, and the norm is quiet, tree-lined streets with vintage homes. Real estate includes modest single-family homes, bungalows, and apartments, and the locals are known for their gardens. Just a few miles away is downtown Austin with excitement, nightlife, bars, restaurants, and boutiques—but you wouldn’t know it because Crestview still has that suburban, small-town feel to it. Brentwood is just south of it, filled with many parks and green spaces when the locals want more than their garden.

 

• Vintage/retro homes and lifestyle
• A strong sense of community spirit
• The Urban Patchwork with shared planted crops on public land
• Close to upscale restaurants, boutiques, and shopping centers
• The North Austin Optimist club, volunteers who help children thrive
• Dynamic with lots of new additions to complement the old

Residents of Crestview look out for each other. The Crestview Neighborhood Association focuses on keeping the area close-knit and vibrant. In addition to vintage homes, there are older businesses such as the Crestview Barber Shop, giving haircuts since 1953. Locals support the companies in their immediate area because they know it keeps the neighborhood strong. At the SFC Farmers’ Market, residents can pick up the freshest produce and artisan bread and catch up on the latest gossip.

For the best sandwiches and pizza in Austin, head on over to the Little Deli & Pizzeria, where you’ll find a Reuben to die for. The only place in town that cooks burgers over charcoal is the Top Notch drive-in, where you pull up in your car to a speaker to place your order, and their fried chicken is delicious also. For date night and something special, the high-end fine dining at Bartlett’s is always good. You only live once, so try the 100-Hour Marinated Rib-Eye. Of course, there’s always the Fresh Plus Grocery, a boutique grocery store in the heart of the neighborhood.

 

The community-oriented Crestview Shopping Center is the heart and soul of the area. It was created in the 1950s and is still the place for household shopping. Every first Saturday of the month, folks head for Hot Rod Drive-In Nights at the Top Notch drive-in, where they enjoy live music, classic movies, and hot rods. There’s always downtown Austin not far, filled to the brim with restaurants, spas, jewelry stores, and boutiques for hard-core shoppers and fashionistas.

The Brentwood Neighborhood Park has tennis and volleyball courts, a playground, picnic areas, and a swimming pool. The Northwest Municipal Pool also offers a small wading pool and a serious lap pool. Both are equipped with outdoor showers and picnic areas. Over at the Violet Crown Clubhouse, you’ll find the perfect neighborhood hangout with an arcade and New Orleans-style food. Their Mardi Gras Parade/Fat Tuesday Party is not to be missed!

Crestview is served by the Austin Independent School District and is notable for the following schools.