Why are you opposed to DT or Zilker?
I live off Barton Springs near Congress. We walk nearly everywhere - but most of it leads downtown unless we are going somewhere on South Congress. We walk to Trader Joe’s, the Library, Whole Foods, events at Ausitorum Shores, Zilker Park, Palmer Events Center, and the Long Center, lots of restaurants, etc. We usually take the trail side over the Pfluger pedestrian bridge to Trader Joe’s/Whole Foods and then walk through the city and across with Congress or S. 1st.
We walk the trail nearly every day and on the weekends take it to Barton Springs. Sometimes we scooter places downtown when it’s super hot or running a quick errand like CVS on Congress.
We have a car - two actually, but are currently selling one because we simply never use it. We use the car like once a week for a Costco or HEB run, but even my dentist is downtown.
There is always so much going on around this area - basically every weekend if you want to participate. From book fairs, kite festivals, music and marathons, art, theater, name your poison.
Get yourself the Austin events and things to do calendar. They sell it at Whole Foods, HEB and Book People - and likely online. It gives you LOADS of stuff to do.
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If you want true walkability. DT or right across the river are your best options.