Central allandale By Jackie Potts

Tarrytown

For Austin Realtor Debbie Gainer, who has lived and worked in Tarrytown for the past 20 years, the answer never changed to the question, "Why Tarrytown?" "You just can't beat it," Gainer said, describing her neighborhood as a quaint little town centrally located in the middle of Austin.

Gainer said she returned to the area where her husband had spent his childhood, and the two have enjoyed the convenience of living in Central Austin, with easy access to North Austin, South Austin, and downtown. Tarrytown, considered by many to be Old West Austin, is bordered by West 35th Street on the north and Enfield Road on the south. MoPac Boulevard is considered the east border, and Tarrytown is bordered on the west by beautiful Lake Austin.

Gainer describes the makeup of the neighborhood as mostly families of all ages with some college students renting in the area. Many of the homes are cottages from the 1920s, and Tarrytown blends Southern style homes along with more modern designs. The homes vary in size in the neighborhood with its smaller cottages and many larger homes, although many of the smaller homes are being torn down for new larger houses. Nearly all are owner-occupied. "It's a friendly neighborhood, where people run into each other all the time and are always friendly," Gainer said.

Among the many amenities of Tarrytown are Deep Eddy Pool, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Mayfield Park, Reed Park, Triangle Park, and Lions Municipal Golf Course, where pro golfer Ben Crenshaw plays when he's in town. After your 18 holes, you can head down to the Hula Hut, a local favorite restaurant, and sip margaritas on Lake Austin. Other celebrities such as Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey, as well as Governor Rick Perry and President George W. Bush have all called Tarrytown home.

"The schools and churches are very important to all of us," Gainer said, citing Tarrytown's outstanding schools and churches. Casis Elementary is a four-star, parent-oriented school that gives its kids a great start before they go on to O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School. "All of the schools are every parent-oriented," Gainer said. Tarrytown United Methodist Church is where President George W. Bush worships with his family when he is in town.

A favorite of Tarrytown residents, the West Austin Youth Association is a privately funded organization that provides athletic activities for kids and places for active kids to go and play. "It's like a "Y" in the middle of our neighborhood," Gainer said, "We have really enjoyed it." Recreational activities for boys and girls include soccer, baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, and gymnastics, just to name a few.

Tarrytown is considered the most expensive real estate in Austin, with houses ranging from $300,000 to $3,000,000, but the amenities, location, schools, and charm make Tarrytown a strong candidate for any homebuyer.

What makes Tarrytown the best place to live? Debbie Gainer answered, "The convenience of where we are, the fact that we are a little community within the city, and all of the things to do here. You really just can't beat it."

Zone: Central

Zip Code 78703

At the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, visitors can tour the restored 1916 Italianate-style villa, view art exhibitions, and stroll the grounds overlooking Lake Austin

See for yourself at www.tarrytownnews.com

Visit the West Austin Youth Association at www.waya.org

Visit the Old West Austin Historic District at www.owahd.org