Circle D-KC Estates offers quiet living among the Central Texas pines
The sprawling, wooded community of Circle D-KC Estates offers a calm country lifestyle less than 10 miles from the City of Bastrop. The towering loblolly pines filling this part of rural Bastrop County are unusual in arid Central Texas, almost 100 miles away from the state’s Piney Woods region, but they’re a big draw for homebuyers. “Bastrop is famous for the Lost Pines Forest, which covers most of the county. The draw here is 100% the pine trees,” says Realtor Judah Ross of the Judah Ross Realty Group, a Bastrop local.
Single-family homes on spacious properties in rural Bastrop County
Split rail fences, grassy pastures and pines line the county roads lined with New Traditionals, cottages, manufactured and ranch-style homes. Long, curved gravel and packed-dirt driveways are common, as are barns and large, detached garages. “Most of the lots are at least an acre, but many are three, four, five or more. They also have an HOA there, but it’s not super restrictive,” Ross says. Home prices start close to $265,000 and rise to nearly $900,000, depending on size, condition and amount of land. Custom-built manors with multiple acres of land can sell for more than $1 million. Summers here are hot, with average high temperatures approaching 100 degrees; winters are typically mild, as average lows typically don’t drop below freezing. Bastrop County is vulnerable to tornadoes and wildfires. In 2011, a dead pine tree blew into an electrical line and began a fire that caused an estimated $350 million in insured property damage in the area. “It’s a very resilient community, and it’s been built back. And some areas of the forest that burned have already regrown,” Ross says.
Circle D-KC Estates students attend Bastrop ISD schools
Circle D-KC Estates is zoned to the Bastrop Independent School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche and allows school transfers by application. Students may attend Mina Elementary (B), Bastrop Middle (C-plus) and Bastrop High (B-minus). The high school offers a variety of career and technical education pathways, including animal science and cybersecurity.
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, Hicks Lake offer waterfront recreation
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park is a popular spot for waterfront recreation, with boat access points are scattered at intervals along the 900-acre lake’s shoreline. Swimming and fishing are also permitted. The sprawling, forested park also has a volleyball court, a playground and trails, as well as tent campsites, cabins and Airstreams for rent. Overlooking Hicks Lake, behind the fire station, there’s a park with a playground, covered picnic areas and disc golf.
Lots of shopping and dining options in nearby Bastrop
On State Highway 21, close to Circle D-KC Estates, there are a couple of gas stations, a Dollar General and a locally owned plant nursery called Graystone Gardens. Bastrop has more shopping options, including Walmart Supercenter, H-E-B, Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply. The Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market, with stalls of fresh produce, pasture-raised meats and more, is open on Saturday mornings year-round. The market is near the Lost Pines Art Center, which hosts classes and exhibits works by Texas artists. Film Alley, a movie theater, bowling alley, arcade and restaurant, is also nearby. Downtown Bastrop’s Main Street is home to stores like The Painted Porch Book Shop, owned by author Ryan Holiday. “It’s a beautiful place. They have events with famous authors or celebrities and what have you,” Ross says. Main Street also has some of Bastrop’s most popular restaurants. Ross recommends Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard and Store House Market & Eatery. “My number one is going to be Neighbor’s. It’s a beautiful restaurant on the water, and they do live music every weekend. And Store House is a true farm-to-table, fine-dining experience. It’s really upped the game in Bastrop’s dining scene,” he says.
Convenient commuting to Space X, Ascension Seton Bastrop and more
State Highway 21 connects northeast toward Paige and southwest to Bastrop. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 30 miles away via State Highways 21 and 71. Big regional employers, including the Ascension Seton Bastrop hospital, Ally Medical Emergency Room, SpaceX and The Boring Company, are within 20 miles of most homes. Capital Area Rural Transportation System, or CARTS, provides dial-a-ride bus service in Bastrop County.
