Living in West Lake Hills

Experience refined country living in West Lake Hills, TX. With elegant homes, gorgeous scenery, and reputable schools, it’s one of Travis County’s best-kept secrets. If you’re looking for a community to set down roots in the Austin area, you’ve come to the right place.

WELCOME TO WESTLAKE/EANES ISD

Discover the beauty of Texas Hill Country in this small but affluent suburb just five miles northwest of Austin. Set amidst gently rolling hills, ranchland, rustic roads, and a thick foliage of mimosas, oaks, willows, and hackberry trees, West Lake Hills transports you to a pastoral landscape with plenty of space to roam.

This small but affluent suburb encompasses four square miles on a bend in the mighty Colorado River. As one of the wealthiest areas in Greater Austin, West Lake Hills is known for having established households and a high rate of homeownership, which brings further stability to this close-knit community.

Its bucolic setting makes it one of the most desirable places to live, retire, and raise a family in South-Central Texas. West Lake Hills is home to just 3,444 residents as of the 2020 census. Despite its small town feel and seeming remoteness, the city offers convenient access to downtown Austin and major highways. The closest major airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS / KAUS), which is located roughly 20 miles from the city.

Incorporated in 1953, West Lake Hills came into its own as a premier real estate destination on the southern banks of the Colorado River between the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it’s one of the most coveted addresses in Greater Austin, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, luxury living, and homespun charm, making it the perfect choice for those who want the best of both worlds.

LIFE IN WEST LAKE HILLS, TX

Lifestyle

The West Lake Hills lifestyle is characterized by the city’s natural beauty, upscale homes, and sense of community. Residents enjoy a relaxed pace of life with little to no traffic within city boundaries. Except for a few select areas with light commercial development, the community is almost entirely residential.

Residents

A sizable portion of West Lake Hills’ population work in sports, media, and entertainment. The community is also home to families and retirees. Most residents prefer to keep a low profile in the community, which offers privacy and enhanced security.

Cost of living

Despite the city’s reputation for affluence, Payscale reports that the cost of living is 3% lower than the national average with utilities and groceries being 2% and 14% lower, respectively. However, transportation costs like gas prices are 7% higher than the national average.

Although its home prices are some of the highest in the nation, West Lake Hills, TX is among wealthiest ZIP codes in Greater Austin, with a median household income of $151,488 as of 2022, which helps to offset much of the area’s living and housing costs.

Business and employment

Aside from professional sports, media, and entertainment, many residents are in business, medicine, and legal and financial services. The city’s location between Dallas and Fort Worth makes it appealing to high-income earners who want to be in the middle of everything. The West Lake Hills community also supports approximately 200 businesses, making it a top choice for those who want to start or expand their own business in the city.

Recreational activities

Despite living in a primarily residential community, West Lake Hills residents have easy access to a variety of outdoor activities with neighborhood parks, community centers, nature trails, and about 40 miles of well-maintained public streets. Popular activities include:

• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding
• Bird watching
• Nature photography
• Fishing
• Boating
• Swimming
• Golf
• Tennis

Shopping and dining

West Lake Hills has a variety of shopping centers with major retailers, upscale boutiques, specialty stores, coffee shops, casual dining options, and farm-to-table restaurants:

• Barton Creek Square Mall is an indoor shopping center with over 180 stores, including Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Sephora. It also has a movie theater and several restaurants serving Thai, Japanese, and Italian fare. The mall is located in southwest Austin, just outside of West Lake Hills.
• Hill Country Galleria is an outdoor shopping center with 75 shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It features major retailers like Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Bath & Body Works, Dillard’s, and Whole Foods Market as well as a Cinemark 14 Theater and outdoor amphitheater.
• Davenport Village is located west of West Lake Hills and features several shops, restaurants, and health and wellness establishments offering barre training and massage services.
• The Village at Westlake offers upscale retail and dining south of West Lake Hills. Anchored by H-E-B and Gold’s Gym, it features several specialty stores and restaurants serving Japanese, Mediterranean, and Tex-Mex cuisine.
• Lake Austin Boulevard Shopping District is a small and eclectic shopping district east of West Lake Hills. It features an array of local businesses and chain stores, including vintage clothing stores, art galleries, specialty shops, and supermarkets.

Entertainment

• Westlake Community Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility featuring the finest local talent. Opened in 1985, this multipurpose performance venue is located on West Lake Hills High School campus. It hosts technical theater classes and live performances.

Festivals and events

• The Westlake Chaparral Parade is an annual parade that takes place every September. It features marching bands, colorful floats, and community groups celebrating the city’s history and its community.
• The Westlake Women’s Club Charity Luncheon is an annual fundraiser that takes place in the spring and benefits local charities and non-profit organizations.
• Westlake Hills Fourth of July Parade & Celebration is an annual celebration with a lively parade, live music, delicious food, and stunning fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
• Westlake Wonderfest is a seasonal festival with sumptuous food, live music, fun games, and activities for all ages.
• The Westlake Artisan’s Market is held every fall season and features handmade items, gifts, and artworks by local artisans and craftspeople.
• The Eanes Education Foundation Gala is an annual event traditionally held in the spring ro raise funds for the Eanes Independent School District.

Attractions

• Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is a 227-acre nature preserve on the Balcones Fault Line. It features scenic hiking trails and is home to native wildlife like deer, coyotes, and more than 150 species of birds. Visitors can join guided tours and educational programs.
• Rollingwood Park features a lower and upper play area along with athletic fields, picnic tables, and a walking trail.
• Red Bud Isle is a picturesque off-leash dog park on Lady Bird Lake. It features walking trails, picnic areas, and designated swimming areas for dogs.
• Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is a waterfront park on the banks of Lake Austin. It has hiking trails, a playground, picnic areas, and a boat ramp
• Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 7.9-mile trail that winds through South Austin. Popular with hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts, it features waterfalls, swimming holes, and gorgeous water views.
• Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls is a secluded and dog-friendly swimming hole with clear, cool waters located within Austin. As part of the Barton Creek Greenbelt and the Edwards Aquifer, it’s also a popular hiking spot with a five-kilometer out-and-back trail.
• Bee Cave Sculpture Park is a seven-acre park on the outskirts of West Lake Hills. It features serene walking trails, picnic areas, and outdoor sculptures by local artists.
• Zilker Metropolitan Park is one of the largest parks in Austin. At 350 acres, it features a botanical garden, hillside theatre, volleyball courts, natural spring-fed pools, hiking trails, and picnic amenities. The park hosts festivals throughout the year.
• Lake Austin provides opportunities for largemouth bass fishing, boating, and water sports.
• Lake Austin Spa Resort offers plush accommodations with a beach area and luxury spa with steam rooms, whirlpools, and saunas.
• Lost Creek Country Club features a championship golf course, putting green, driving range, and practice facility for a full experience. It also features a lap pool, fitness center, and tennis and racquet courts.
• Westlake Athletic & Community Center is a climate-controlled, 70,000-square-foot sports complex with 10 volleyball courts, five basketball courts, and 50-yard indoor turf field that can be reconfigured into two soccer and lacrosse fields.
• Westlake Aquatic Center & Peterson Pool has 5,700-sq. ft. a lap pool, plunge pool, lazy river, water slide, and splash pad.

Arts and culture

• The Contemporary Austin promotes the work of contemporary artists from around the world. It features two museums, the Jones Center and Laguna Gloria, along with an outdoor sculpture garden, the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park.
• Blanton Museum of Art spans 189,340 square feet with permanent collection galleries, rotating exhibits, a print study room, auditory theater, gift shop, and cafe. It is one of the largest university art museums in the nation.
• Eanes History Center was founded in 1986 and hosts exhibits on local history. Housed in the Rock Schoolhouse on the Eanes Elementary School campus, it serves as a museum, learning center, and research library with more than 1,200 students and residents participating in its programs each year.
• The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) organizes studio tours, seasonal events, and rotating exhibits by Mexican-American and various Latino artists

HOMES FOR SALE IN WEST LAKE HILLS, TX

West Lake Hills is known for its gated communities and luxury homes on oversized lots with manicured lawns and stunning views. Most properties are custom-built homes with high-end amenities like swimming pools, guest houses, and expansive outdoor living areas.  It’s also one of the more exclusive housing markets in the Austin area with just around 1,000 homes.

Home prices are generally higher than the national average. According to Realtor, the median home listing price is $2.9 million, $900 per average square feet. The limited inventory of homes for sale contributes to high prices and competition among buyers.

For those who can afford it, West Lake Hills offers a luxury lifestyle in a highly desirable location. Despite higher prices, the demand for homes has remained strong, partly due to the city’s esteemed schools, natural beauty, and proximity to downtown Austin. Its homeowner associations actively work to preserve the community’s character and maintain a high standard of living for residents.

West Lake Hills offers a wealth of architectural styles, including Ranch, Contemporary, Traditional, Mediterranean, French Country, and of course, Hill Country, which often features spacious covered porches and sprawling outdoor space as well as natural materials like wood and stone.

Notable neighborhoods and developments in Westlake, TX

Each neighborhoods has its own flavor and identity with luxury real estate and breathtaking views:

• Bee Caves Woods offers a fine selection of Ranch and Mediterranean-style homes with the majority of the housing stock having been built in the 1980s.
• Cortona is synonymous with modern mansions, Mediterranean villas, and other stately homes along Cortona Drive and several sections of Buckeye Trail.
• Crystal Mountain borders scenic Barton Creek and offers luxury properties on acreage lots south of Bee Cave Road.
• Cueva de Oro is a private community with estate-style homes featuring lap pools, wine cellars, and other high-end amenities.
• Cuernavaca is an eclectic neighborhood with rising property values and a bohemian flair.
• Davenport Ranch is located on the city’s western edge with single-family homes and townhouses and a selection of shops and small businesses.
• Las Lomas is the quintessential Westlake neighborhood with spacious properties and architecturally significant homes, many of which were built in the 1990s.
• Lost Creek is located on Loop 360 and offers an excellent selection of cliffside and hilltop homes. It was named a Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction for its beautiful night sky.
• Parkstone is a gated community with luxury properties, many of which were built between the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• Patterson is an exclusive neighborhood with spacious and exquisitely crafted homes.
• Rollingwood is one of the most sought after communities in Westlake with prime real estate set amidst rolling hills, mature trees, and gorgeous flower beds.
• Rob Roy is an exclusive gated community with custom-built homes and larger properties offering hilltop views and plenty of privacy.
• Rivercrest is a waterfront community situated along the shores of Lake Austin and offers homes in a variety of architectural styles.
• River Hills is an upscale community and a recognized Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction for its night sky and remarkably low level of light pollution.
• Seven Oaks is a scenic neighborhood offering custom-built homes on acreage lots within proximity to downtown Austin.
• Sienna Hills is a sought-after community with a limited number of properties situated along gently sloping streets and gorgeous hill country.
• Stratford Hills is located in the northern part of the city with Traditional and Contemporary-style homes, many of which have been updated to include modern amenities over the years.
• Sundown Parkway/Westlake Oaks offers estate-style properties with spacious yards amidst peaceful and tree-lined streets.
• The Summit at West Rim on Mount Larson is a lavish community with Modern and Contemporary-style homes featuring glass walls, spacious balconies, and outdoor pools.
• The Summit at Westlake Hills is an assisted living community with private and semi-private rooms for a select number of residents.
• The Terraces is a mixed-use development with offices and a wide range of amenities, including a health club, lounge, food hall, and sprawling outdoor space.
• Toro Canyon offers gorgeous homes on spacious hilltop lots with sweeping views of the countryside.
• Treemont offers spacious homes on oversized lots amidst mature oaks and rolling hills.
• West Lake Hills is an established neighborhood in the center of the city with luxury properties and panoramic views.
• West Rim is a gated community with luxury homes on large lots with mature landscaping. It provides easy access to Lake Austin and has its own community park.
• Westview on Lake Austin is a fairly secluded neighborhood with breathtaking views of the water and hill country.
• Wildcat Club is an exclusive community with estate-style properties and newly constructed Contemporary-style homes designed by notable architects.
• Woods of Westlake is an established neighborhood offering mostly single-family homes located west of Loop 360.

Get in touch with me, Darin Walker, for more information on West Lake neighborhoods and residential developments.

Schools

West Lake Hills is served by the Eanes Independent School District (Eanes ISD), a top-ranking school district in the state. The schools in and around West Lake Hills are known for academic excellence, first-rate facilities, and robust arts and athletic programs, making them an excellent choice for parents who value education.

Public schools in and around West Lake Hills include:

• Eanes Elementary School (PK-5)
• Cedar Creek Elementary School (PK-5)
• Hill Country Middle School (6-8)
• Westlake High School (9-12)

In addition to these schools, Eanes ISD operates several schools in nearby communities, including Barton Creek Elementary School, Bridge Point Elementary School, Forest Trail Elementary School, and Valley View Elementary School.

Residents also have access to highly regarded private schools in the West Lake Hills area, namely Trinity Episcopal School of Austin (K-8) and St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (6-12).

Higher education institutions within proximity of West Lake Hills include:

• Concordia University Texas
• Gemini School of Visual Arts
• Huston-Tillotson University
• Southwestern University
• Edward’s University
• Texas Health and Science University
• The University of Texas at Austin

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN  WEST LAKE HILLS, TX

New real estate developments are fairly rare due to strict zoning regulations and limited available land in West Lake Hills. As a result, the community has retained much of its peaceful and rural character over the years and remains an attractive market for luxury homebuyers.

West Lake Hills continues to improve its infrastructure with residents approving a bond that will improve drainage for flood-prone roads in the city, therefore increasing the accessibility and overall safety and quality of its roads in the coming years.

The city has allotted $11.8 million for permanent public improvements to six major roads. These include general road repair, drainage upgrades, and ditch improvements with the city limiting the impact construction on residents.

WORK WITH A LEADING LUXURY REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE TODAY

Explore your options in West Lake Hills, TX and the nearby communities of Rollingwood and Tarrytown. Get in touch with me, Darin Walker, at 512.560.7633. You can also sending me an email or fill out this contact form to get started.

As a Luxury Real Estate Specialist and Registered Investor Advisor with 11 years of experience, I’m Kuper Sotheby International Realty’s #1 West Austin agent with over $300 million in sales.

As part of an elite group of agents who sell privately, I have a knack for finding off-market inventory. My expertise in ultra-luxury, new construction, and architecturally significant homes helps me find the best homes. I offer unique insight into the luxury market, local land use, and building codes as a West Lake Hills City Council member and Austin native.

Some of my recognitions include:

• #5 Luxury Realtor, 2019 Austin Business Journal Residential Real Estate Awards
• Top 15 luxury agents city-wide, Austin Business Journal
• Elite 25 Austin Member
• Luxury League Member

Contact me today to set up a consultation. I’d be more than happy to answer your questions about West Lake Hills.