Million-dollar homes in Texas Hill Country
Austin is the fastest-growing millionaire hub in the U.S., and West Lake Hills is answering the call for luxury. Dense trees, rolling hills, unspoiled waters and driving distance to Austin draw homebuyers to this suburban city in Texas Hill Country. Mansions of all shapes and sizes dot the verdant hills, which boast spectacular views of the city skyline and the Colorado River. The area is surrounded by wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, creeks and other natural amenities only six miles from the bustle of Austin. In addition to the natural splendor and sizeable homes, West Lake Hills is known for its award-winning schools and athletic program.
A variety of luxury estates
Properties in West Lake Hills vary from hilltop homes overlooking the city to waterfront estates on Lake Austin. Residences are surrounded by mature trees on winding streets, many on private lots in gated communities. Homes differ in size and style, ranging from 3,000-square-foot ranchers to modern mansions that sprawl across 9,000 square feet. City ordinances guide new construction so homes fit the surrounding landscape and preserve the natural habitat. Prices start around $2 million for a renovated 3,000-square-foot home on a modest lot to more than $11 million for a grandiose mansion with floor-to-ceiling windows on a 1-acre lot. Homeowners looking to build their dream home may also have an easier time building in West Lake Hills rather than the city of Austin. “If you can get into the city of Westlake or Rollingwood, it’s a lot easier to build,” says Crystal Olenbush, a Realtor with Austin Real Estate. “When you’re dealing with these smaller cities, there’s a lot less backup of people waiting for permits or inspectors, so it’s a little bit faster and easier to go through that building process.”
The No. 1 rated school district in Texas
Students living in West Lake Hills can attend schools in the Eanes Independent School District, the No. 1 school district in Texas. Kids can start at Eanes Elementary School before heading to Hill Country Middle School, both of which receive an A-plus from Niche. Teens can go to Westlake High School, another A-plus school and the No. 2 public high school in the Austin area, according to Niche. “It has a phenomenal football program,” says Vonda Ragsdale, the city’s finance director. “They’ve been to state so many times — and won. They’re one of the top contenders all the time.” The football program produced NFL stars Nick Foles, Drew Brees and Justin Tucker, and locals love to cheer on the team at their sold-out football games.
Close to Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Greenbelt
While the city itself does not have a park, West Lake Hills is a short drive away from Zilker Park, Austin’s crown jewel of outdoor recreation and the site of major events like Austin City Limits. The Barton Creek Greenbelt and its 12 miles of forested trails are popular among mountain biker, rock climbers and hikers. Locals boat on Lake Austin, dock at lakefront bars and restaurants, and drop anchor in so-called “party coves.” Residents also hit the links at nearby golf courses like Lions Municipal Golf Course and Austin Country Club.
Shopping and dining on Bee Cave Road
West Lake Hills is primarily residential, but the area is close to shopping centers and restaurants. Ample shopping and dining can be found along Bee Cave Road, one of the town’s major corridors. Residents might start their day at Trianon Coffee before driving into Austin for work or grabbing groceries from H-E-B. Texas Honey Ham is a popular spot for breakfast burritos in the morning and club sandwiches at lunch. The West Woods shopping center is the heart of the area’s retail community, with fast-casual dining options and big box stores galore. It’s also home to Las Palomas, a local favorite serving authentic Mexican food.
Six miles from downtown Austin
West Lake Hills is only six miles from weird and wonderful downtown Austin, and less than 15 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Westlake Drive and Bee Cave Road are major thoroughfares in the area, the latter connecting to Loop 360, a scenic 14-mile route through the hills of West Austin.
Environmental factors
Texas is hot. In the summertime, West Lake Hills has an average high of 97 degrees. During an extremely dry season, the dense forests and vegetation can create a fire hazard, so residents are required to remove all dead brush to prevent wildfires. Residents can also request the fire department to perform hazard assessments. Ragsdale notes that the area hasn’t had a wildfire recently, but the risk remains.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
