Meredith Powell's Austin, Texas, rental gives her a yard and easy access to downtown culture. Photo by Meredith Powell.

Austin, Texas

As executive director of an arts organization, Meredith Powell lives for culture. Her city is famous for its annual SXSW music festival of up and coming bands. Powell's Victorian-style rental -- complete with stoop, patio and garden -- gives her unexpected access to the vibrant scene. "There is live music daily down the street," says the 31-year-old. "I'll sit on my stoop, hook into the wireless internet and do my work while listening to live bands." When she wants a front row seat she simply strolls to the nearby ballet. For still life, she visits the Austin Museum of Art.

Living in a historic district affords Powell a rare mix of old architecture in a downtown increasingly dominated by high-rise condos that go for a median price of $175,300. She also enjoys walking her golden retriever in one of several public squares. "I once trained for a marathon and did all my training downtown," she says.

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