3610 S 2nd St, Austin, TX 78704

In the heart of 78704, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home delivers modern comfort wrapped in South Austin charm. A grand red oak greets you out front, shading a modern take on a Victorian cottage, playful turret and charming porch trim included. Inside, the layout is open and welcoming. Wood floors and high ceilings carry through the open living and dining area, anchored by a kitchen that impresses with polished gray quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, a center island, and a breakfast bar. Stainless steel appliances tie the look together. The spacious primary suite sits quietly at the back of the home, with backyard views and a sliding barn door leading to an ensuite bath. Echoing the kitchen’s clean lines and modern edge, the ensuite features dual vanities, gray quartz counters, and an oversized walk-in shower with dual shower heads. Upstairs, two secondary bedrooms and a full bath offer plenty of flexibility for guests, work, or creative space. The backyard is made for relaxing and gathering, a raised deck rests under the canopy of a century-old oak while mature trees beyond the fence add shade and privacy, creating a backyard retreat that makes you forget you are in the city. But what really sets this home apart is the location. Then there’s the location: one of South Austin’s most walkable, dog-friendly pockets. Grab your morning coffee at Summer Moon or Radio Coffee & Beer, walk to Galindo Elementary, stroll to nearby parks, or bike to Zilker, Barton Springs, or the Greenbelt in minutes. Groceries, dining, and local favorites on South Lamar and South 1st are just around the corner, with easy access to St. Edward’s, St. David’s South, and major highways for commuting. Living here means the eclectic, laid-back vibe that defines 78704 living, is right outside your doorstep. Roof replaced, July 2024

South Congress is the only street in Austin where you can buy custom cowboy boots, eat handmade sushi at a ten-seat counter, and watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take flight from a bridge - all within a half-mile walk. That density of experience makes this neighborhood different from every other part of the city. It is a real neighborhood where people live full lives, and the commercial strip at its center happens to be the most photographed street in Texas.

The corridor runs along Congress Avenue south of Lady Bird Lake, roughly from the bridge to Oltorf Street, with residential streets extending east and west. Downtown is a ten-minute walk across the Congress Avenue Bridge. The Texas Capitol is visible from the north end. Perla's does coastal seafood on a patio that becomes a scene on weekends. Home Slice Pizza has had a line since the day it opened. Aba serves Mediterranean with a rooftop view. June's All Day handles the all-day cafe role. Otoko is one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Texas. Magnolia Cafe remains a late-night institution. Jo's Coffee is where the famous mural lives, and Lenoir offers a prix fixe wine garden.

Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s through 1940s give the neighborhood its character, with front porches and mature pecan trees. Modern condominiums line the avenue itself. Contemporary townhomes fill spaces between. Bungalows on decent lots start around $700,000 and can exceed $1.5 million. Condos range from the mid-$400s to over $2 million for luxury high-rise units with downtown views. Lot sizes for single-family homes are small, often under a tenth of an acre, which keeps the density high and the walkability real.

Travis Heights Elementary serves many addresses and carries a loyal following among families wanting a diverse, walkable community. Fulmore Middle School and Travis High School are the secondary feeders. The schools are urban public schools in the truest sense: diverse student bodies, active parent organizations, and programs that benefit from a central location. Some families supplement with Austin Montessori and other private options nearby.

The street itself is a walking experience: vintage clothing, record shops, galleries, and restaurants on both sides of a wide sidewalk. Barton Springs Pool is a short walk west. Blunn Creek Greenbelt cuts through the residential streets. The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk puts residents on the water trail system without driving. The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony draws crowds March through October. Social energy peaks on weekend evenings when the avenue fills and patios at Perla's and Home Slice spill onto sidewalks.

South Congress is not directly comparable to suburban luxury neighborhoods because the product is fundamentally different. East Austin has more new construction and grittier energy. Travis Heights is quieter with larger lots. Rainey Street has been consumed by high-rises. South Congress maintains a balance between commercial energy and residential livability none of those can match. The bungalows have proven to be strong long-term holds.

South Congress is for buyers who want to live inside Austin's cultural heartbeat. It works for couples, creatives, and professionals who prioritize walkability and social energy over square footage. It works for investors who understand that a Craftsman bungalow on a South Congress side street is one of the scarcest asset classes in the city.