Austin has seen some exponential growth over the past few years. Along with this growth has come a shift in neighborhood sales figures. Because the neighborhoods closer to Downtown have been desirable for some time now, there is little inventory available there anymore.

“When people are where they want to be, they tend to keep their homes and simply remodel, alternatively, people who are not in their desired certain location will pay more for a home there,” said Keith Dunham, C.E.O. at HomeCity Real Estate.

Newcomers and people looking to move up at a more affordable price are forced to look outwards of central Austin. Places like Austin’s east side, Southwest Austin, and Northwest Austin are blowing up.

“Many areas that used to be starter home neighborhoods are now priced well above 300k, making them more ‘move up’ neighborhoods,” said Dunham. “As jobs become more and more plentiful in Austin, families are able to move to the more desirable of these locations.” These locations are the ones in the higher rated school districts that have the most amenities, and are in closer proximity to downtown.

HomeCity compiled data on the five MLS areas that had the lowest average days on market (DOM) in November 2014. Inside each MLS area is between 4 and 6 neighborhoods. We’ve listed each neighborhood in order from most affordable to most expensive, and explained why they are so desirable.

1. MLS area 10S (South Austin) = 18.65 Average Days on Market

• Tanglewood Forest: Homes in Tanglewood Forest range from the High 100’s to mid 200’s, and most of these are single-family homes or duplexes. The streets are lined with tall trees, and homes in the area come in all kinds of styles and builds. The great thing about Tanglewood Forest is the park throughout the neighborhood providing plenty of green space to its residents. Nearby there is also a pool, playground, tennis courts and jogging trail, as well as shopping centers, restaurants, and movie theaters.
• Buckingham Estates: With homes ranging from the high 100’s to the mid 200’s, Buckingham Estates is a fairly affordable option in South Austin. Located off Slaughter lane, most of the homes here are either single family homes with some duplexes peppered in between. Residents of Buckingham Estates can enjoy the neighborhood pool, as well as parks and walking trails located nearby. In such a perfect location, no wonder these homes are going quickly!
• Sendera: Sendera (and Sendera South) homes range from the mid to high 200’s, and range in size from 1,500 – 3,500 square feet. Larger on average than the homes in Buckingham Estates or Tanglewood Forest, homes in Sendera are a great deal for anyone looking for a nice home in a great location. Most of the neighborhood is located in between Davis lane and West Slaughter lane, and is extremely close to shopping centers and the Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter. Known for it’s family friendly environment, Sendera offers a community pool and park within the neighborhood, as well as access to Dick Nichols Park, which is also close by. Students in Sendera can attend Bowie High School, which is one of the best in the Austin Independent School District.
• Maple Run: Maple Run, first built in the early 80’s, is in a prime location. With homes ranging mostly from the high 200’s to the low 300’s, this is one of the more desirable neighborhoods in south Austin. Close by is Arbor Trails shopping center, and easy access to the Mopac expressway for getting downtown quickly. Nearby parks include Dick Nichols District Park, as well as Goat Cave Karst Nature preserve. While these are the priciest homes in this MLS area, they are also some of the nicest, with most of them ranging in size between 1,300 and 3,000 square feet. Students can attend some of the best Austin ISD schools including Bowie High School. It’s not surprising homes in this area sell fast, as there is a great mix of green space and modern conveniences in the area!

2. MLS area N (North Austin) = 20.44 Average Days on Market

• Lamplight Village: In Lamplight Village, homes range from the mid to high 100’s, with floor plans ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Close proximity to the Domain, the Round Rock Outlets, and the Arboretum make this a great area to live in if you like shopping and dining. Residents are also near Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park where they can swim, hike, and explore the green space. Since it’s situated right in between Mopac and Highway 35, getting downtown is easy. Homes move fast in this region because of its prime location and affordable pricing!
• Scofield Farms: Homes in Scofield Farms range from the high 100’s to low 300’s, and offer residents a wide variety of home choices ranging from town homes to large two story homes. Located just north of Parmer Lane, this peaceful neighborhood is in close proximity to Mopac, I-35, and the tech corridor of Austin (home to Dell, IBM, Motorola, and more). This area is popular because of its affordable prices, while still maintaining a close proximity to work and all of its area amenities.
• Wells Branch: Homes in Wells Branch typically range from the mid 100’s to the mid 200s’ and are usually more modest homes with more affordable prices. Being a fairly large neighborhood, Wells Branch offers a wide range of amenities and shopping choices, as well as outdoor amenities. Residents can enjoy Katherine Fleischer Park, which has volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts, a jogging trail, swimming pool and a great playscape for the kids. There is even a community library in this family-friendly neighborhood! Its close proximity to everything in North Austin makes Wells Branch the most popular neighborhood in this MLS area. Another great thing about Wells Branch is that many homes in the neighborhood feed into Round Rock Independent School District, one of the best districts in the Austin area!
• Willow Run: Willow Run, located off Shoreline Drive just east of Mopac, offers homes for sale in the mid 200’s. Most floor plans are spacious (around 2,000 square feet) and homes in the area have a traditional feel. Being close to shopping, great restaurants and activities, as well as parks makes Willow Run a desirable area in North Austin. Another reason Willow Run is so desirable is its highly rated schools. All homes in the neighborhood feed into the award winning Round Rock ISD.

• Legend Oaks: With homes mainly in the mid 300’s, Legend Oaks is a family friendly neighborhood with hill country and green belt views! Legend Oaks is a popular place to live because of its easy access to Mopac, 290 and Downtown, as well as convenient shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, and activities. Different varieties of homes from condos and apartments to starter homes, to larger homes make Legend Oaks popular with homeowners on all walks of life. Amenities include two pools, tennis courts, BBQ grills, playscapes and walking trails for residents to enjoy, and students attend Austin ISD schools (Bowie High School).
• Western Oaks: Homes in Western Oaks vary, but most are in the mid to high 300’s. This large neighborhood includes smaller subdivisions like Beckett Meadows, the Village at Western Oaks, and Deerfield Village. Homes in this area are spacious, ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 square feet on average and most have large back yards with mature trees. Residents have access to several hiking trails that run alongside the neighborhood, as well as Dick Nichols Park, which boasts a swimming pool, sand volleyball court, and more trails. Students in Western Oaks feed into Austin ISD, with high schools being either Bowie or Austin high depending on the side one lives on.
• Circle C: Circle C is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in south Austin, with homes ranging in the high 300’s to over 500k! Circle C is attractive because of its country feel, yet short commute downtown. Many homes have spacious lots and floor plans, with the average size being 2,985 square feet. Additionally, the neighborhood is close to grocery stores, shopping centers, movie theaters and restaurants. Residents also enjoy tennis courts, a swim center, Grey Rock Golf Club and it’s Child Development Center. Students in the area attend Austin ISD schools, with the high school being the exemplary Bowie high.
• Granada Estates: Homes in Granada Estates average in the mid 300’s, but you can find homes for as high as 500k. Most homes sit on very large lots, which are lined with mature trees and lots of greenery. Granada Estates is an established neighborhood, with most homes having been built in the 1970’s and 80’s and ranging from 1,700 to 3,00 square feet. Residents of Granada Estates enjoy access to Granada Hills’ park and pool, as well as close proximity to the Slaughter Creek preserve hiking trails. Nearby shopping centers in Sunset Valley have everything one could ever need, and downtown is just 15 minutes away! Students in Granada Estates attend Austin ISD schools, with Bowie being the high school for the area.
• Shadowridge Crossing: Homes in Shadowridge Crossing range from the mid 300’s to over 500k. Located off Convict Hill Road, the neighborhood is secluded from Legend Oaks, and has it’s own community pool and amenities. Featuring a mix of stone and brick exteriors, homes in Shadowridge Crossing average about 2,500 square feet. Area amenities include access to nearby hike and bike trails in Dick Nichols Park, a lap pool, easy access to nearby shopping at the Hill Country Galleria or Sunset Valley Village and more! Students in the area also attend Austin ISD and go to the exemplary Bowie High School.

5. MLS area NW (Northwest Austin) = 28.00 Average Days on Market

• Milwood: A more affordable option in this MLS area is Milwood, with homes ranging from the high 100’s to the high 200’s mostly. In an excellent area near West Parmer Lane between Anderson Mill Road and Amhearst Drive, Milwood covers a fairly large area. There are a wide variety of homes in the area from older 1980’s homes to newer subdivisions for potential buyers to choose from in the area. This close-knit neighborhood is close to Lakeline Mall, The Arboretum, The Domain, and countless dining options and activities, making it now a coveted spot in North Austin. Students attend either Round Rock ISD or Austin ISD, depending on the side of the subdivision they live on. Round Rock ISD is one of the best in Austin, so homes in that area sell extremely quickly!
• Anderson Mill: Homes in Anderson Mill range in price from the high 100’s to the high 200’s, and were built between the 1970’s and 1980’s for the most part. This neighborhood is an established community and boasts 60 acres of parks and greenbelt as well as six miles of hike and bike trails. Additionally, residents enjoy two year-round heated pools, six parks with playscapes, tennis and volleyball courts, soccer fields, and a softball diamond, as well as an indoor fitness center. Homeowners in the area enjoy easy access to plenty of shopping centers, and a pretty short commute downtown. Adding to the desirability of this location is the school system. Children in the area attend award winning Round Rock schools, particularly Westwood High and McNeil High School.
• Hunters Chase: Hunter’s Chase is located near Anderson Mill Road and features homes in the low 300’s on average. A newer neighborhood than some in the area, most homes feature all brick exteriors and large windows. Also close to the tech corridor, this is a great neighborhood for families and young professionals alike. Being close to major roadways like Highway 183 and the Highway 45 toll make Hunters Chase easily accessible and close to many dining and shopping options. Children in this neighborhood also attend the excellent schools in Round Rock ISD, with Live Oak Elementary located right in the neighborhood!
• Balcones Village: With homes largely in the high 300’s, Balcones Village is full of mainly remodeled homes from the 1970’s and 80’s. This tight knit community features common grounds, clubhouse, pool, jogging biking paths, and many green areas with mature trees. With downtown less than a half an hour away it’s not too far of a commute, and there are tons of restaurants and shopping centers nearby. Students in this neighborhood also attend award winning Round Rock ISD, with its exemplary Westwood High School.
• Canyon Creek: Homes in Canyon Creek are on average spacious, averaging about 3,500 square feet and priced in the high 300’s to the high 400’s. The neighborhood’s close proximity to Austin’s tech corridor (and it’s jobs) makes this a desirable place for people working in that field, as well as families who want spacious floor plans and large back yards. Residents enjoy two parks, onsite sports facilities (complete with pool, baseball diamond, basketball courts and soccer fields) as well as easy access to Lakeline Mall, Lake Austin and Lake Travis! Additionally, students in the area attend either Round Rock or Leander ISDs, both of which are exemplary. Canyon Creek Elementary, one of the highest rated in Austin, is located within the neighborhood!
• Spicewood: Spicewood is a luxury community, with homes for sale mostly over a million dollars. Being out in the country a ways, but still in close proximity to downtown makes this area highly desirable for those wanting spacious yards and scenic views. There are plenty of outdoor activities to participate in including the 115-acre Krause Springs Park and swimming hole, the Briarcliff Marina, fishing excursions, as well as watersport rentals. Also easily accessible is an 18-hole golf course, a couple of nine-holers, three area wineries, and delicious country eateries, making this a great location for those able to afford higher home prices.