Meadowlakes is a clean, safe, guard-gated city in central Texas
Meadowlakes is a gated community of more than 2,000 nestled into the attractive landscape of the Texas Hill Country. It was developed around Hidden Falls Golf Club, which opened in 1973. The community was incorporated into a city in 1985. One side of this appealing destination is taken up by the golf course and the other borders Lake Marble Falls. The latter offers a unique, tree-filled setting, as homes sit amid a pecan grove. The residential community is conveniently located to the amenities of Marble Falls, which features a charming downtown district. “It’s very peaceful,” says Michael Thelen of Thelen & Associates, who grew up in Meadowlakes. “You don’t see many small communities that are that clean and safe.”
Community of appealing single-family homes is "pretty much built out"
About 900 homes of varying shapes and sizes line the city’s quiet streets. “When my family moved there in the 1980s, there were about 50 lots,” Thelen says. “Now there’s probably about 20 lots left. It’s pretty much built out.” Homes are concentrated in a wooded neighborhood setting bordering Lake Marble Falls, while residential pockets are built around the golf course. Single-family options comprise a mix of older ranch-style homes and contemporary designs that come standard with driveways and attached garages. Townhouses are included in the golf course offerings. Prices typically range from the high $200,000s to about $600,000. However, large homes on oversized lots and waterfront homes list from $700,000 to more than $1 million. “For what you get, the price per square foot is the best value around,” says Thelen, who adds that POA fees are only about $500 per year. “The POA funds all the improvements in the city,” he says. Many homes feature brick and stone construction to adhere to the POA’s architectural guidelines. These elements also help keep electric bills down during the winter. Summers are hot and humid.
Community golf course presents one of the best challenges in the area
The 18-hole course at the center of the community is two layouts in one. The front nine at Hidden Falls Golf Club is built amid pecan and oak trees, while water is prominent on the back nine. Water crosses the fairway on four of the final holes, presenting one of the most challenging stretches in central Texas. Golf course membership is not bundled with homeownership, and the course is open to the public. Additional club amenities include a pool and courts for tennis and pickleball. Lakeside Park is the largest of the community’s green spaces and a popular spot for recreation along the waterfront. Boaters and watercraft enthusiasts enjoy appealing access to the river, and the park also includes areas for fishing and picnics. The community’s POA hosts holiday events throughout the year, including a Memorial Day barbecue and a Christmas decoration contest.
Shops, restaurants in nearby Marble Falls
Old Oak Square is an indoor mall that is the featured attraction of the shopping options along Marble Falls’ historic Main Street. Nearby Blair’s Western Wear & Boutique stands out among the district’s eclectic mix of stores. Ginger & Spice is a signature restaurant. Other popular destinations include several coffee shops and breweries. Dockside restaurants anchor the dining options along Lake Marble Falls. There's also an H-E-B grocery store in Marble Falls. Closer to home, there’s a restaurant at the golf course.
Community served by a well-rated school district
Students can attend a trio of nearby public schools under the direction of the Marble Falls Independent School District, rated B-minus by Niche. Marble Falls High School, which earns a B, is the highest rated of the three. Marble Falls Elementary and Marble Falls Middle schools are rated B-minus and C-plus, respectively. The district’s open enrollment program allows students to apply for inter-district transfers. Spicewood Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche, is the highest-rated school in the district, but it’s more than 15 miles away. “Meadowlakes used to be a place for retirement, but so many young families have moved in to this area that it’s probably about 65/35 retirees now,” Thelen says.
Residents can travel the community by golf cart
Golf carts are a popular method for getting around the community. This part of central Texas is relatively isolated, so a car is required for local and regional travel. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Marble Falls is about 15 minutes away via U.S. Route 281. Austin, the nearest big city, is about 50 miles away. It takes more than an hour to drive to the state capital via Highway 71 East. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the closest facility offering commercial service. However, nearby Granite Shoals is home to Bob Sylvester Airport, a public-use facility.
The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2-out-of-10, below the national average. “There’s no violence or crime,” Thelen says. “It’s very serene.”
Written By
Matt Pallister
