The Colony

There's a sprawling section of untouched land outside of Lake Lewisville, hidden in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Austin Ranch is one of The Colony's serene communities, close to nature preserves and a convenient commercial district. "It's just a good location- close to the airport and 121. It's a few minutes to the nature preserve," says local Realtor Rusty Pierce with RE/MAX, who has over 23 years of experience. "The preserve is huge, and there are a lot of popular hiking and biking trails." In addition to its location, Austin Ranch offers spacious new homes and A-rated schools, drawing families and those seeking a convenient Metroplex suburb. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a scenic 200-acre park with plenty of room for walking, jogging, hiking and other outdoor activities. The preserve has 3 miles of natural, unpaved hiking trails and 2.8 miles of off-road cycling trails surrounded by sagebrush and mesquite trees. The observation tower looks east, offering sweeping views of Plano and surrounding areas. The playground has several climbing features and slides for kids to enjoy, making this a great place to spend time with the whole family. Residents also enjoy access to Lewisville Lake, less than 5 miles from the neighborhood. "The lake is a huge part of life in this area," says Realtor Bryan Edwards. Edwards is with eXp Realty and has 12 years of experience. "People are always taking out the boat, kayaking or fishing. It's a popular place." Visitors can visit any of the lake's waterfront parks, including Stewart Creek Park. The park features a swimming beach, a fishing pier and a boat launch. Most of what residents find in this growing community are subdivisions, giving it a classic suburban feel. Contemporary Craftsman styles and Colonial Revivals tend to be close together, while more established brick and stone New Traditional homes are more spread out. Backyard pools and entertainment spaces are common, while front yards are tidy and adorned with well-maintained sidewalks and picture-perfect landscaping. Prices here typically range between $700,000 and $1 million, with larger traditional homes listed on the upper end. Austin Ranch also offers townhouses and condos in the neighborhood's eastern edge. These new developments have many units mixed in among small parks, pools and community spaces. Prices here typically cost between $400,000 and $475,000. The community is also known for its two mixed-use apartment developments in the neighborhood, The Hudson and Austin Square. The A-rated Lewisville Independent School District serves Austin Ranch families. Students start at Tom Hicks Elementary, which earned an overall A grade on Niche, before filtering into Arbor Creek Middle, which also earned an A. Secondary students will attend Hebron High, which earned an A-plus on Niche. The school is known for its successful athletics program, with its volleyball team winning five state championships. Prestonwood Christian Academy is a private school that serves the neighborhood, earning an A+ rating from Niche. Along Highway 121, residents can access many dining and retail options in various shopping centers. There are big box stores like Target, grocery stores like Kroger and several restaurants. Burning Rice is a build-your-own-bowl Korean restaurant, while Rockfish Seafood and Grill is an upscale surf-and-turf bistro perfect for date night. Less than a mile away, Grandscape Mall offers a movie theater, furniture stores, boutiques, coffee shops and breweries. There's also a pavilion with live music and seasonal holiday lights. Other gems in the neighborhood include The Shacks, a food hall with a dog-friendly patio and a dog park. Truck Yard Beer Garden has a ton of open, outdoor seating, live music and regular food trucks. Highway 121 and Sam Rayburn Tollway borders Austin Ranch, connecting to Interstate 35 and I-635. Its position close to the highway makes it easy to commute to work or connect to the offerings of other Metroplex communities. Plano is about 15 miles from the community, while Dallas is 25 miles away and Fort Worth is 40 miles away. Several medical centers are nearby, including the neighborhood's Colony ER Hospital and Medical City Lewisville, 6 miles away. When residents need to travel outside the DFW Metroplex, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is only 15 miles from Austin Ranch.