Highly valued for its beautiful homes, its gorgeous natural surroundings, and its zoning for the esteemed Eanes Independent School District, Westlake is one of the most prized regions for homebuyers in central Texas. Stretching westward beginning about three miles west of downtown Austin, “Westlake” commonly refers to the approximately 31-square-mile area that feeds into Westlake High School, including the cities of West Lake Hills and Rollingwood and a portion of Austin. Only ten minutes from downtown Austin, Westlake residents are able to enjoy both the benefits of a major metropolitan area and the relative seclusion of a smaller community.
Types of Homes in Westlake
Buyers will find that homes for sale in Westlake are some of the most elegant in the Austin area, and Westlake’s many neighborhoods include an ample selection of luxury homes. Custom building comprises a large portion of Westlake development, and, as a result, homes are of many styles, ranging from Mediterranean to modern and from older homes to new construction. A uniting factor for the area is that most neighborhoods enjoy mature oak trees, along with hills, creeks, or the lake.
Westlake is bordered by Lake Austin to its north, and many Westlake homes have lakefront properties or lake view properties. Hundreds of acres in Westlake also are part of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, which provides wooded and hill views. Select homes also feature views of downtown Austin, Mount Bonnell, the Texas State Capitol, and the University of Texas tower.
Schools
Many homebuyers choose the Westlake area specifically for its school district. Eanes ISD serves approximately 8,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools, and Westlake High School. About 99 percent of Eanes graduates enroll in college, and the district is well-regarded for its academic, extracurricular, and sports programs.
Life in Westlake
From meeting neighbors at Eanes or nearby private schools, to seeing friends at Westlake’s shops, grocery stores, and restaurants, residents of Westlake find themselves part of a community. Many enjoy the Austin Country Club on Westlake Drive. One of the oldest country clubs in Texas, it offers an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, boat slips, fitness facilities, and restaurants. The Loop 360 boat ramp also offers three public boat ramps onto Lake Austin, and Westlake Beach offers numerous recreational activities, such as a roped off swimming area, large picnic areas, barbecue grills, a volleyball court, a water volleyball net, a fishing area, and a horseshoe pit. The Lake Austin marina, a full-service marina with 168 boat slips, is another resource for Westlake homeowners. Red Bud Isle is popular with those who have dogs, with its 13-acre off-leash dog park with lakefront. The 227-acre Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is a lovely hiking area, in addition to serving as a stunning backdrop for many Westlake homes.
For shopping, Westlake residents have close access to Barton Creek Square Mall, with a Nordstrom’s, Dillard’s, and over 170 stores. The outdoor Hill Country Galleria is just west of Westlake and offers an outdoor amphitheatre in addition to its multitude of stores. Westlake also offers smaller shopping centers, such as Davenport Village, the Village at Westlake, and the many centers along Bee Cave Road.
Those who live in Westlake also can appreciate such cultural offerings as One World Theatre, which showcases world-renowned talent, in addition to more localized features such as Westbank Library and the Laura Bush Library, both of which serve as community gathering spots. And, of course, the bright lights and entertainment of Austin proper are only ten minutes from Westlake homes.