AUSTIN, Texas — As the demand for Central Austin neighborhoods like Tarrytown and Old Enfield grows to all-time highs, surrounding neighborhoods are reaping the benefits with increased demand and home sales.

The north-central neighborhoods of Brentwood, Allendale, and Crestview are no exception, with homes spending an average of only five days on the market with a median sales price of $558,000. These neighborhoods lie just east of Mopac, north of 45th Street and south of U.S. 183. Many of these homes are mid-century, ranch-style designs built in the 1950s and '60s, and most have been updated. The population here has grown 5.4 percent since 2010 and is estimated to be just over 22,000, with an annual residential turnover of 19 percent.

Food and Grocery:

North Central residents have access to top-rated public and private schools, and they enjoy quiet streets and close proximity to Burnet Road, which is bustling with great restaurants like Barley Swine, Picnik, and Uppercrust Bakery, along with a number of local boutiques.

Nearby off North Lamar you’ll find the incredible Central Market that features cooking classes and even live music on the patio.

Central Market is a great place to sharpen your knife skills and join a cooking class. The classes include wine pairings and learning different culinary techniques. You may even catch a celebrity chef appearance. The kids can join in on the fun, too. Classes are available for junior chefs 12 and under. All you need is an adult to sign them up.

If you're looking for someone else to cook up a meal for you, Central Market also offers weekly specials on chef prepared meals.

Nightlife:

Anyone new to Austin or not can receive some holiday cheer year round at Lala's Little Nugget.

Lala's is on Justin Lane between the Allandale and Crestview neighborhoods, and has been around for nearly 50 years.

Founded in 1972, Lala's Little Nugget has long been one of driving and endearing bars of Austin, Texas, for decades. With the halls decked with boughs of holly year-round, Santa and his reindeer perched on the roof and generations of Christmas memorabilia, Lala's is a North Pole oasis in Central Texas.

As soon as you walk in, you receive the Christmas spirit as the bar is covered in lights, garland and yuletide.

The Christmas theme dates back to the bar's beginnings.

"The very first December, that it was open in 1972, some Christmas lights went up, the original owner hung up some Christmas lights,” Jonny Evans, owner of Lala's Little Nugget said. “There's a story that her son was called up to the Vietnam war on Christmas Eve. She decided to leave the lights up until her son got back, her son never came back, so the lights stayed up."

The owners say they've enjoyed watching the area grow and welcome newcomers to their loyal fan base. If you want a little Christmas in June, Lala's is hosting a Half Christmas Party.

On June 22, you can enjoy Jingle Juice cocktails in Tiki mugs all day long on the patio.

Have ideas or suggestions for your new neighbor?

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Austin Newcomers@charter.com or you can tag us on social media with our hashtag #NewcomersNews.