Small-town charm with fishing, barbecues and waterside recreation
Llano is a quiet Texas town known for its east-flowing river and charming square inside the historic downtown district. "It's just a country way of living, so it's a little bit slower. Everybody likes to have barbecues and hang out around the river for fishing and shopping," says Katie Simon, an experienced Realtor in the region with Lake Life Team-eXp Realty. "It's not very big, but everything around here has something to do with the lake, or around it." The dam adjacent to Ford Street forms the Llano River Lake in the small city center. The area is among the rocky plateaus and plains of Texas Hill Country. "It's a quaint town, but they are really building up around the square to bring in tourism," Simon says.
Llano offers a mix of national stores and homegrown favorites
Llano contains national retailers and several locally run storefronts. Miiller's Meat Market and Smokehouse sells produce in addition to fresh cuts of protein. Residents also pick up groceries at Lowe's Market. Farmer and Crafters Market is open on the first and third Saturdays of the month. The area's restaurants serve regional favorites, such as Mexican-inspired offerings and smoky grilled fare. Popular options include Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que and La Hacienda De Jalisco. The Llano Craft Distillery, in downtown, has bourbon, whiskey and vodka crafted from ingredients sourced across the state. The Falls is a local bar offering outdoor seating with riverside views of the Llano Truss Bridge.
River parks, rodeos and hunting in the Deer Capital of Texas
The Llano River is a prominent feature and source of recreation in the area. Robinson City Park contains a boat ramp, swimming pool and playground. Many visit the grounds for the Llano Crawfish Open in late April. Locals can fish along the water at Badu Park. John L. Kuykendall Arena & Events Center hosts live performances, rodeos and other livestock events. Hunting is a favorite pastime among many residents. The city is known as the "Deer Capital of Texas" for its large concentration of white-tailed deer. Simon says that locals often hunt on private property or ranches.
Housing includes a mix of 20th-century builds and newer homes
The city proper contains several ranch-style houses and minimal traditional homes from the 20th century. More recent dwellings built after the 2000s are throughout the area. Some residences have front porches and backyards with views of the Texas Hill Country. Simon says that the tourism spike has led to more short-term rentals near downtown. Further out are restored farmhouses and larger lots with more room for workshops and barns. Properties outside the city limits have fewer zoning restrictions. Pricing for Llano homes varies based on the build date and level of upgrades as well as additional structures on the lot. The area has a median single-family sale price of around $450,000. Buyers can also find parcels ranging in size from 1 acre to over 100 acres.
Llano ISD offers rated schools and summer athletic camps
Local children attend three of four academic locations within the Llano Independent School District. The school system provides athletic summer camps for grades one through twelve. Llano Elementary has an A-minus rating from Niche. Llano Junior High receives a B-plus. Llano High has a B. "There is a lot of school pride in Llano. During the school year, everything centers around the football games. In the square, they have pep rallies and parades," Simon says. Families may also choose the private option, Llano Christian Academy.
Llano residents can reach Marble Falls and Austin
Capital Rural Area Transportation (CARTS) offers bus services to Marble Falls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Commuters can also book trips on the CARTS Country Bus through a mobile app. Mid Coast Medical Center Central is a block away from State Highway 71. The route leads to Austin within roughly 75 miles. State Road 16 brings drivers to Interstate 10 in less than 60 miles.
Flooding and tornadoes are weather risks in Llano County
Llano County has a history of hurricanes and tropical storms, which may cause flash flooding. The Llano River overflowed in 2018 during Hurricane Sergio; the event resulted in loss of life and the destruction of homes. Properties in the region are also at risk of wind damage from tornadoes. Residents can receive weather alerts on mobile devices using the WarnCentralTexas notification system.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
