Bertram is a rural community northwest of Austin
Bertram has always been a small town in Central Texas. From when the first train tracks for the Austin and Northwestern Railroad were laid down in 1882 to now, Bertram has always had a noticeably slower pace compared to neighboring Austin around 45 miles southeast. “Bertram is quiet,” Austin Texas Homes Realtor Van Henry says. “It’s small and a little more homey. It’s the type of community where most people know each other.” While around 1,700 residents drive to surrounding cities for restaurants, retail and recreational amenities, Bertram’s elementary school, open space and low cost of living offers a countryside alternative to the traditional city lifestyle found in the greater metro area.
Roadside parks, sports complexes and a historical theater
The Highland Lakes system is just outside of the Bertram city limits, with locals going boating and fishing at either Lake Buchanan or Lake Travis over 30 miles away. “Bertram is a very small town,” Henry says. “It has a city park and a community pool, but most folks are going out into the Hill Country outside of Bertram or into the lake system.” The Roadside Park has a playground, an old tennis court and a community pool, while the Bertram School Park has more play areas and a walking loop. Adult and Little League games take place at the J.O. Wilson Sports Complex, which is named after a local World Series champion, and the Globe Theatre is a historic performing arts venue that’s been in the area since 1935.
Older and newer traditional homes built on acreage
While there are a lot of older homes built between the 1960s and 1980s in Bertram, there are some new subdivisions being constructed on the outskirts of the city, many of which are built on acreage. “This is a rural community with lots of open space,” Henry says. “That draws many, many people. A lot of folks like their neighbors – they just don’t want to be right on top of them." Some single-story traditional homes have less than 1-acre lots and range between $130,000 and $300,000. Lawns have small gardens and sheds with wooden and chain link fences, while some have extra space to park their four-wheelers. Two-story properties with 5-to-20-acre lots range from $300,000 to $600,000, while those with 40-acre lots, barns and horse stables cost $600,000 to $900,000. Three-story homes with up to 50-acre lots and 20-car garages will be most expensive between $1-2 million.
Bertram Elementary and Burnet ISD
The community is zoned for the Burnet consolidated school district, which has a B-minus on Niche. Bertram Elementary was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School and has a C-plus on Niche. Burnet Middle is set to get new schoolteachers and a new curriculum for the 2025 school year and has a B-minus. Burnet High School offers advanced placement courses and has a B.
One highway between Bertram and Burnet
Texas State Highway 29 is the main highway in and out of Bertram that connects 10 miles west to Burnet or 9 miles east to Liberty Hill. Driving around 40 miles south on U.S. Route 183 in Liberty Hill leads to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The Ascension Seton Highland emergency room is in Burnet and is open for 24 hours.
The Oatmeal Festival never gets old
Bertram has teamed up with the city of Oatmeal for its annual Oatmeal Festival since 1977. Held in the downtown area, the Oatmeal Festival features a grand parade, fun run, live music and a oatmeal bakeoff where entrants bake their best pies, breads, cakes, cookies, snacks and more for ribbon prizes.
Farm-to-market restaurants and food stores
Besides a few convenience stores and hotels, local restaurants also include the Krispy Krunchy Chicken Cajun joint and the Fratelli pizza cafe. The Standard On Vaughn is one of the newer upscale restaurants that offers signature entrees in a white tablecloth setting, while Flanigan's Distillery & Winery provides authentic charcuterie and cocktail experiences in its 1900s-style tasting room. Brisket and barbecue plates can be picked up at the Hill Country Smokehouse, and Magpie Mercantile is a local farm-to-market food store that sells locally grown produce. More shopping and dining will take place west in Burnet, which includes an H-E-B grocery store.
