Considered a “village” rather than a town due to its small population, The Hills is an excellent option for homebuyers seeking a close-knit community vibe without sacrificing easy access to Austin’s city center. With a housing stock largely dominated by master-planned communities, The Hills offers buyers premium amenities, secure developments, and top-notch educational options for families with children.

Home Styles and Prices

Single-family homes make up the majority of The Hills’ housing inventory. Contributing to The Hills’ family-friendly image, homes with three to six bedrooms and sizable backyards are particularly popular here. 

Master-planned communities (MPC) play a major role in The Hills’ desirability among Central Texas homebuyers. The Hills of Lakeway, an upscale MPC built around a private golf club, features access to the golf course and use of the community clubhouse among its amenities. These homes feature Mediterranean-style architecture, three to five bedrooms, four to six bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and private spas and pools.

If you’re looking for a home with smaller square footage (and lower prices), The Centerpiece at Academy Place is a solid option. The villa-inspired homes in this neighborhood start at 630 square feet, and the median sale price is in the high $200s. 

While home prices in The Hills vary depending on your particular MPC or area of town, prices start in the mid $300s and range up to the high $800s.

Schools and Family-Friendly Amenities

Homebuyers who choose to send their kids to public school will be well-served by the Lake Travis Independent School District (LTISD). This highly esteemed school system earned high grades from the Texas Education Agency, and all LTISD campuses reached “Met Standard (100 percent)” status in their 2018 evaluations. Also, Lake Travis High School, the district’s only high school, has a 95 percent graduation rate.

Families who love waterfront activities and outdoor adventures can make the quick jaunt to Lake Travis to boat, fish, hike, or cruise on ziplines. Hiking can be found nearby at the Mt. Lakeway Trail, and in neighboring Rough Hollow, active kids can enjoy the outdoorsy day-camp activities offered at Kidventure. 

Shops, Restaurants, and Entertainment

Golf enthusiasts throughout Central Texas flock to The Hills of Lakeway for a leisurely afternoon on the course or a bite at the lovely eateries on the premises, such as the relaxed Creekside at the Hills or the casual-yet-refined, Tuscan-inspired Flintrock Falls Grille. Club members can also enjoy 16 professional-grade tennis courts, year-round pool access, and a fitness complex with cardio machines, weight benches, and a yoga studio.

Due to The Hills’ small-town atmosphere and highly residential vibe, shopping and dining choices within the village borders are limited. However, Lakeway is a mere ten-minute drive away, and this larger community contains plenty of restaurants to keep The Hills residents satisfied.

Chic bistro and beer garden Hops and Thyme features a beautiful outdoor seating area and inventive, global-influenced fare like Pork Belly Fried Rice, Goat Cheese Polenta Cakes, and Barton Springs Mill Fried Cornbread with whipped brown butter, honey, and sea salt. If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, head to Cafe Lago for impeccable breakfast tacos or a stack of buttermilk pancakes. Local favorite taco mini-chain Torchy’s Tacos also has a Lakeway outpost, making it a reliable spot for The Hills residents to score queso, fried-chicken tacos, and Mexican-style street corn.

For major shopping excursions, The Hills denizens can make the 15-minute drive to Bee Cave, where they’ll find Shops at the Galleria, an outdoor mall featuring popular brand name retailers. Indie shoppers may prefer Lakeway’s ADORN Boutique, a quaint clothing and gift store featuring items made by local artisans. 

Easy Commute To Austin

The Hills is a very car-dependent suburb, with limited public transit options. Most of the residents living in The Hills commute to Austin in their own vehicles, and they benefit from a comparatively quick drive time. The trip from The Hills to Austin’s downtown business district takes about 30-35 minutes each way.

What It’s Like to Live Here

Individual neighborhoods and MPCs within The Hills each pride themselves on strong community spirit and a welcoming atmosphere ideal for growing families. 

The Hills residents living in MPCs generally have access to fitness centers, like the clubhouse gym at The Hills of Lakeway. For others living in town and seeking places to work out, Lakeway Elite Fitness and Anytime Fitness in Bee Cave make solid  options.

The Hills features multiple small parks (typically designed by MPCs), and homeowners looking for a larger greenspace to explore can head to Lake Travis, which offers several play fields, hiking trails, and aquatic sports just a 15-minute drive from The Hills.