Best Places to Live in Austin, TX | Dream Finders Homes

Austin, Texas, has long held a reputation as a cultural, economic, and lifestyle hub. The city’s unique blend of thriving tech and business, legendary live music, and incredible outdoor recreation makes it one of the best places to live— and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. For many prospective homeowners, however, the rising housing costs and increasing traffic within the immediate city limits have made the surrounding communities more appealing, offering an ideal balance of Austin access and small-town affordability.

This shift in focus reveals a collection of incredible towns that are quickly becoming the best areas in Austin to live. These burgeoning communities provide new construction homes, fantastic local amenities, lower housing costs, and an easy connection to everything that makes Central Texas special. These exceptional areas include: Elgin, Taylor, and Jarrell. These locations represent the future of Austin-area living, offering fantastic value without compromising on the lifestyle perks Texas is known for.

Before diving into the incredible suburban options, it’s worth highlighting what draws so many to the Austin area. The economy, often referred to as "Silicon Hills," is booming, anchored by major tech employers like Apple, Tesla, and Dell, ensuring a robust job market for all sectors. Beyond the professional opportunities, the lifestyle is unparalleled. From swimming at Barton Springs Pool to kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, the city offers a continuous celebration of the outdoors under nearly 300 days of sunshine a year.

Austin is also the self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World," a title earned through its abundance of live venues and world-class festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits. Combine that with a foodie scene that boasts everything from legendary Texas BBQ to innovative global cuisine, and you have a cultural landscape that is diverse, dynamic, and undeniably fun.

The desire to maintain this high-quality lifestyle while finding more attainable home prices has led homebuyers to the vibrant towns just outside the city. These best neighborhoods in Austin's greater area provide spacious living, a close-knit community feel, and a more relaxed pace of life while keeping the metro area within easy reach.

Located just east of Austin, Elgin offers a delightful blend of small-town charm and growing modern convenience. Known historically as the “Sausage Capital of Texas” (home to famous Southside Market & Barbeque) and the “Brick Capital of the Southwest,” Elgin maintains a strong sense of local heritage while actively embracing growth. This makes it an especially attractive destination for those seeking a more rural, laid-back atmosphere without sacrificing the amenities that make an area desirable.

Elgin is a prime example of why the outer areas are becoming the best places to leave in Austin Texas’ high-cost housing market. The median home values here are significantly lower than in central Austin, allowing families and first-time buyers to purchase spacious, modern new construction homes for a fraction of the cost.

Dream Finders Homes' community in Elgin, Briarwood, offers floor plans designed for today’s families, with all the energy efficiency and modern finishes that come with new construction. Community perks often include amenities like parks, playgrounds, and walking trails, building a strong, family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Furthermore, Elgin Independent School District (ISD) provides a strong foundation for education.

The town itself is a hub of activity with its historic downtown district offering local shops, eateries, and annual events like the beloved Hogeye Festival, fostering a true sense of community and belonging that can be hard to find in larger cities. The commute to Austin is reasonable via US-290, making it feasible for those who work in the city's eastern employment centers, including the growing tech corridor.

Northeast of Austin lies Taylor, a town that beautifully merges its rich historic past with a dynamic, forward-looking future. Taylor is quickly establishing itself as a major economic player in Central Texas, most notably with the announcement of the massive Samsung Semiconductor plant. This development is driving significant growth, creating a powerful local job market, and transforming Taylor into a true destination for modern living.

Schools, the economy, and lifestyle are all connected. They influence each other in many ways. Schools shape the skills of students. These skills help them get jobs in the economy. A strong economy can provide better resources for schools. This leads to improved education for students. Lifestyle choices also affect how well students learn. Healthy habits can boost focus and performance. Overall, schools, the economy, and lifestyle work together to create a better future.

The economy in Taylor is expanding rapidly, providing residents with opportunities closer to home. This growth is complemented by a charming and historic downtown area, featuring local art, unique shops, and, of course, some of the state's most revered BBQ joints. Residents in Taylor enjoy a classic small-town Texas lifestyle with big-city proximity. For those who love the outdoors, nearby Lake Granger offers fishing, camping, and boating, ensuring plenty of weekend adventure.

Dream Finders Homes' community in Taylor, Castlewood, gives buyers the chance to own a new home in a community poised for tremendous appreciation. These new construction homes provide an excellent combination of value and modern living, a key reason why Taylor is considered one of the best areas in Austin to live for future-focused buyers. Taylor ISD is dedicated to serving the growing student population, adding to the appeal for families looking to plant long-term roots.

For buyers prioritizing affordability, new amenities, and easy access to major transportation, Jarrell, located north of Austin right off I-35, is an exceptional choice and one of the most affordable best places to live in Austin Texas’s extended metro area. Its position along the major interstate makes it an ideal commuter location for those traveling to Georgetown, Round Rock, or the northern tech hubs of Austin.

Jarrell is a community experiencing explosive growth, characterized by thoughtfully designed master-planned neighborhoods offering a true suburban feel. The area is known for its incredibly affordable housing market, with new homes available at a value that is increasingly rare near the Austin metro. This affordability is often what convinces people that this is one of the best places to leave in Austin Texas’s immediate vicinity to find a more comfortable home budget.

New communities in Jarrell are amenity-rich, often including community pools, playgrounds, and walking trails, creating a lifestyle focused on family and recreation. Jarrell ISD serves the local students, and the small-town atmosphere offers a lower crime rate and a quieter pace of life than a major city.

Jarrell offers a desirable balance: a peaceful community environment with new-home amenities, positioned for maximum convenience to the wider Central Texas employment centers. It represents a fantastic opportunity for young professionals and families to enter the thriving Austin housing market without overextending their budget.

The search for the best places to live in Austin naturally extends to the vibrant, growing communities of Elgin, Taylor, and Jarrell. These towns offer a superior blend of affordability, modern new homes, excellent local schools, and an authentic Central Texas lifestyle, all while keeping the cultural and economic opportunities of the Austin metro within easy reach.

If you are looking for a community that offers the excitement of a growing region combined with the peace of a more established town, exploring the new home opportunities in Elgin, Taylor, and Jarrell with Dream Finders Homes is your ideal next step.