Premier properties

Architectural Digest draws up list of Austin’s 7 best Airbnb rentals

This cozy South Austin getaway caught the eye of Architectural Digest.

If you're looking to make the season a bit brighter, perhaps a staycation is in order.

Architectural Digest recently assembled a list of the city’s seven best Airbnb rental properties. They range from 1950s bungalows to a vintage trailer with charm to spare. Architectural Digest notes that all seven properties are certified as “Airbnb Plus,” meaning they deliver exceptional quality, comfort, and style.

A note, however, Airbnb is cracking down on house parties at rental properties in Austin as COVID numbers continue to spike around the nation. But if you are able to make a reservation for New Year’s Eve — or at any other time, for that matter — here are the seven local properties that caught the eye of Architectural Digest.

Bungalow in Windsor Park
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom rehabbed 1950s bungalow is tucked into the Windsor Park neighborhood, just north of the Mueller development near I-35 and U.S. Highway 290 East. Its nightly rental rate is listed at $152.

Architectural Digest raves that this home “is a sanctuary for anyone hoping to unwind and reset.” Amenities include sliding glass walls, a firepit, a 12-foot outdoor dining table, and a wood-lined bathroom featuring a chromotherapy bath. In addition, the home is decorated with intriguing art, eye-catching wall prints, and “gravity-defying book sculptures.”

Studio in Cherrywood
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom walk-up studio sits in the Cherrywood neighborhood in Central East Austin. The nightly rental rate is listed at $91.

Highlights of this sun-filled studio, nestled among lush trees, include a breakfast nook, a reading nook with sheepskin rugs, and a bedroom with a Tuft & Needle mattress, Snowe pillows, luxury linens, and blackout curtains. The rental listing says the studio exudes a “treehouse vibe.”

Bungalow in Brentwood
This two bedroom, two-bathroom 1950s bungalow is located in the Brentwood neighborhood, near Woodrow Avenue and Allandale Road in North Austin. Its nightly rental rate is advertised as $179.

Architectural Digest praises this property as offering “a getaway for guests looking for some true R&R.”

“Parked right off a quiet creek surrounded by native plants, the home’s modern updates refresh the already inviting space,” Architectural Digest says. “The original features such as the large panel windows provide more than enough light to fill the open floor plan … .”

Studio in Bouldin Creek
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse is situated in South Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood. The nightly rental rate is listed at $99.

Its clean, modern design features height ceilings, an “art studio aesthetic,” and welcoming décor.

“This studio is stocked with all of the essentials: think kitchenware, a work desk, a decked-out TV, and enough indoor plants to go around. If you’re looking for more square footage, book the main house out front for an upgraded experience,” Architectural Digest notes.

Guesthouse in East Austin
This four-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse is in East Austin, near East 12th Street and North Pleasant Valley Road, straddles the Chestnut and Rosewood neighborhoods. The listing shows a nightly rental rate of $98.

Architectural Digest emphasizes the property’s “inviting subway-tiled kitchen” with gold hardware that complements rounded wooden edges and wicker furniture. It also points out the inviting pebble-lined entrance, which leads to the bars along nearby Chicon Street. For those content to stay indoors, the guesthouse offers a curated collection of vinyl records.

Studio in South Manchaca
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom studio sits in South Austin’s South Manchaca neighborhood, bordered by U.S. Highway 290 West, South First Street, West Stassney Lane, and Menchaca Road. Its nightly rental rate is listed at $69.

The “hidden gem” couples a “cabin in the woods” vibe with the modern feel of a renovated art studio, Architectural Digest says. “With its weathered wood textures and sky blue accents, the South Manchaca spot is an oasis for any traveler,” according to the publication.

Amenities include a kitchenette and a private patio.

Vintage trailer in Ford Oaks
This remodeled Spartan trailer is in South Austin’s Ford Oaks neighborhood, near West Slaughter Lane and Menchaca Road. The listing puts the nightly rental rate at $131. A second trailer on the property is also available on Airbnb.

Located on a wooded and secluded three-and-a-half-acre plot, this “turquoise wonder is everything you need and more if you’re someone looking for an at-home adventure,” Architectural Digest says.

“Spend your evenings out on the private deck watching the deer and cozying up by the Chimenea fireplace. The wooded area makes for a peaceful and easygoing stay while the location keeps you only a 10-mile drive from the downtown craze,” the publication notes.

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small city livin'

5 Austin neighbors lauded as best small cities in America

Explore Pflugerville/explorepf.com

Pflugerville ranked in the 86th percentile of small cities in America.

Living in the big city isn't for everyone, which is why many are flocking to the suburbs and less-populated cities around Austin. To demonstrate the popularity of suburban and rural communities, a new study by WalletHub has identified five Austin suburbs on their 2024 list of the "Best Small Cities in America."

The extensive report compared over 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 residents based on 45 livability metrics across five main categories: Affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and overall safety. Cities were grouped by percentile, where the 99th percentile encompasses the top one percent of small American cities.

A total 19 U.S. cities all qualified in the top 99th percentile of best small cities in America, but the top three that stood out above the rest were Carmel, Indiana; Brookfield, Wisconsin; and Lexington, Massachusetts.

Leading the pack as the best small city in the Austin area is Leander, which is just 25 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The suburb ranked in the 97th percentile and had the No. 2 best "economic health" rank out of all U.S. cities in the report. Leander also earned a No. 49 rank in the national "affordability" category.

According to the city's website, Leander has a population of more than 72,000 residents. The North Austin suburb has enjoyed some time in the spotlight this year after being crowned one of the most livable small cities earlier in 2024. Plus, Leander's 78641 ZIP code was revealed as one of the hottest housing markets in 2023.

Besides the cost-saving benefits of escaping a big city, there's a lot more to enjoy living in a smaller community like Leander, according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

"On top of that, the best small cities offer strong job markets, high-quality education, good health care, safe living conditions, and plenty of local flair to help you achieve a high quality of life," Lupo said. "While small cities may lack some advantages of big cities, like robust public transportation systems, they make up for these shortcomings in other areas."

The only other Austin-area city to rank in the top 90-99th percentile range was Cedar Park, which ranked 95th. Cedar Park is situated just south of Leander, 20 miles northwest of downtown Austin, and has a population of under 83,000 residents. This safe suburb is a popular choice for Austinites and out-of-towners alike, and it was praised as one of the best Texas cities to move to in March 2024.

exterior of Cedar Park Center Texans love Cedar Park. Courtesy of Cedar Park Center

Other Austin-area cities that appeared in the top 50th percentile of the best small American cities list include Pflugerville (86th), Georgetown (83rd), and Kyle (61st).

The best small cities across the Lone Star State
The highest ranking Texas city in the report is Rockwall, a suburb located less than 24 miles northeast of Dallas. The city appeared in the 97th percentile (the same as Leander) with its highest rankings in the "safety" (No. 61) and "economic health" (No. 91) categories.

Rockwall has a Census-estimated population of just under 53,000 residents as of July 2023. Its consistent growth has planted seeds for some new fan-favorite grocery stores, including a Sprouts Farmers Market, plus new restaurants and sports bars galore.

Two additional Texas cities appeared in the 90-99th percentile range: The Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs of Allen (96th) and Flower Mound (93rd).

The top 10 best small cities in Texas, based on WalletHub's data, are:

97th percentile – Rockwall and Leander (tie)
96th – Allen
95th – Cedar Park
93rd – Flower Mound
89th – New Braunfels
87th – Southlake
86th – Pflugerville
85th – Little Elm
83rd – Georgetown

The full report and its methodology can be found on wallethub.com.

dallas dallasfort worth suburbs rankings rockwall texas small cities suburbs wallethub