Hutto

Located on the southern end of Williamson County, about 30 miles from Austin, Shiloh is a community that offers quiet country living. This southern Hutto community is distinguished by the many custom-built estates on spacious lots of land, many of which share ownership with fishing ponds that are parsed throughout the area. Long rural roads dominate the streetscape in the area, with much of the land on the outskirts used as farmland. Many homes in the Lookout at Brushy Creek subdivision sit on spacious lots, with real estate prices ranging from $650,000 to $950,000 for estates that sit on multiple acres of land. Homes in this subdivision are perfect for prospective residents looking for privacy, as many properties feature a private lake that can be used for fishing or a weekend picnic. Other houses throughout the area can be priced past the million-dollar range, often sitting on multiple acres of land perfect for a pasture or growing trees that can bear fruit. The Hutto Independent School District oversees public schools in the area, all with overall Niche grades of B-minus and above. Children in the neighborhood will likely begin their education at Ray Elementary School, which offers a dual language program in addition to clubs, including robotics, garden club and ballet, among many others. Students will then attend Farley Middle School, which has a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 according to Niche and an awarded cheer team that recently won the National Cheerleaders Association National Championship, followed by Hutto High School. Many of the homes in the area have undisturbed views of the lakes throughout the community, but there are also plenty of parks nearby. Residents are just five miles from Lake Pflugerville Park, which offers various waterfront activities, including swimming, fishing and boating, as well as a walking trail and playground. However, there are options close by, including the 65-acre Adam Orgain Park, which offers access to Brushy Creek and several pavilions that are perfect for a picnic or party. Dog parents can take their pup to Brushy Creek Dog Park to make new friends. The Brushy Creek Amphitheater hosts several events throughout the year, ranging from the 4th of July celebration, food festivals, night markets and more. Musicians often come to Hutto to perform at the amphitheater as well, as the venue is home to several music festivals, including the Spirit of Orgain festival and National Night Out, among others. Though residents are just minutes from the many shops and dining options along the Texas 685 highway, there are also some options nearby. Rockabilly Brewing is a popular spot in the area for its expansive outdoor space and tasty craft beers. Residents can take a quick drive down Rowe Lane to reach the Stone Hill Town Center, which has several big box retailers, including Target, The Home Depot, At Home and more. H-E-B is also nearby, offering fresh produce, deli items and fruit.

Unbeknownst to many people, the cottonwood tree has a special significance in Texas lore. The tree’s name in Spanish is álamo de Virginia, which lent its name to a particular chapel in San Antonio that was surrounded by groves of cottonwood trees. To this day, the name of the Alamo is lodged in the memory of every self-respecting Texan. The tree also served as the inspiration for the name of the Cottonwood neighborhood in Hutto, an area tucked into the northeast corner of the intersection of Highways 130 and 79, about 30 miles north of downtown Austin. “Convenience is one of the primary attractions of the neighborhood,” says Realtor and Hutto resident Kimberly Dale, who has been representing transactions in the area for more than a decade. “It’s so easy to get on the highway to go to Austin, which is where most people who live here work. You literally have quick access to everything.” That includes easy access to any of the neighborhood’s multiple parks and other amenities, as well as to the nearby Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Taylor, which is less than 15 minutes away by car. The median price of real estate in Cottonwood is about $390,000, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $200 per square foot. Both of those amounts are far below what buyers in Austin should expect to pay, and that affordability is another attractive feature, according to Dale. “Price points are a huge draw for people who are moving here,” says Dale. “I am seeing a lot of families moving here from Austin, especially people who work in the tech industry. They love their jobs but want to live outside the city and not have a terrible commute." A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow can sell for $237,000, and a spacious four-bedroom/four-bathroom farmhouse-style home can sell for $850,000. Cottonwood is districted to the Hutto Independent School District, which earns a B rating from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Cottonwood Creek Elementary, Hutto Middle and Hutto High School. Cottonwood Creek earns a B from Niche, Hutto Middle earns a B-minus and Hutto High School earns a B-plus. Students at Hutto High School can participate in any of over 30 school-sponsored clubs, and they have the opportunity to play more than 20 varsity-level sports. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of several private schools in the area, including St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, which is rated as the best private school in the Austin area by Niche. For outdoor recreation, residents of Cottonwood have multiple parks to choose from, including Fritz Park, which features a playground, a basketball court, a horseshoe pit, tennis courts and a walking trail, all spread out over 33 acres. For those who prefer their recreation to be indoors, Patriot Sports and Fitness is located in the northern section of the neighborhood, offering personal training, group classes and fitness machines. But arguably the most popular outdoor attraction in Cottonwood – and probably in all of Hutto – is the statue of Henrietta the Hippo, the unofficial mascot of Hutto (and the official mascot of Hutto High School). While a hippo might seem an odd choice for a small Central Texas town, there’s a story here. In fact, there are several stories. The most popular version involves a traveling circus that stopped in Hutto in 1915, and a hippo took the opportunity to escape from the train that was carrying her. The ensuing chaos shut down rail service throughout the state while the hippo was lured back onto the train, a process that took several hours. Today, visitors flock to see the statue of Henrietta and have their picture taken with her on East Street. When it’s time to stock up on groceries, neighborhood residents head to Hutto Grocery Store, less than a mile south of the neighborhood. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s are in the neighborhood, making it easy for residents to get their home essentials. Walmart Supercenter is located about four miles west of the neighborhood for other shopping needs. When it’s time to dine out, the Texan Café and Pie Shop is a favorite destination for classic American fare and homemade pie.