Living in West Lake Hills, TX
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

West Lake Hills, also known as Westlake or West Lake, is an independent city located just five miles away from Austin, Texas. It’s known for its wealthy population, which includes some famous people like well-known athletes and executives. They reside in gorgeous, massive estates with contemporary aesthetics and luxury amenities. The quiet suburb is highly sought-after by affluent families, and it might be the perfect place for you to live near Austin.

Living in West Lake Hills, TX, comes with privacy and opulence. If you’re after a serene atmosphere and an extravagant home, without being in the middle of nowhere, Westlake is a fabulous option. Learn everything you need to know about living in Westlake in this complete city guide.

Why You’ll Love Living in West Lake Hills

West Lake Hills is one of the most desirable suburbs because it’s close to Austin, but feels luxurious and secluded. It offers incredible views of the Texas Hill Country, with easy access to nature, including trailheads and Lake Austin along the Colorado River. The pastoral landscape provides residents with a peaceful, breezy atmosphere and plenty of sunshine. Streets are lined with thick foliage made up of oak, willow, hackberry and mimosa trees, creating a lush, whimsical area.

It’s an idyllic place for you if you want a large estate with plenty of room and privacy. There are gated communities and hillside estates that are out of the way, making it easy to retreat into a stunning modern mansion. People love living here mostly because of this private environment. Locals feel safe and sound, but they can still drive into Austin for exciting nightlife and outstanding food.

Display these facts on your site.

West Lake Hills is located in Texas Hill Country to the northwest of Austin proper. It sits on a bend along the Colorado River, encompassing about four square miles of land. It’s closest to Austin neighborhoods like Tarrytown and Old West Austin, which are teeming with amenities and culture. The city is approximately 20 miles and 25 minutes away from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is the closest airport. One of the major perks of living in Westlake is its proximity to Austin. This is how far it is from a few major Texas cities:

• Austin: Austin is around five miles away and takes about 15 minutes to reach via car. It’s wonderfully close, allowing locals to enjoy the perks of the city while having more space and peace in the hills.
• Houston: Houston is 170 miles away, taking about two hours and 40 minutes to drive to. People visit to go to the Houston Zoo, one of the many museums, or dive into the food scene.
• Dallas: Another major Texas city, Dallas is 200 miles and three hours away. It’s an excellent destination for history, museums, art and, of course, BBQ.

Classified as a humid subtropical climate, Westlake is generally a hot place to live. The summers are long and steamy, but the winters can be quite cold and windy. Temperatures range from 43ºF in January to 96ºF in August, with those being the coldest and hottest months, respectively. The city usually sees about 35 inches of rain annually and just one inch of snow. It rains roughly 75 days out of the year, offering enough moisture to keep the greenery vibrant, but not so much that it’s always gloomy.

Those living in West Lake Hills, Texas, can typically be classified as high-income earners. The cost of living is about 3% below the national average, but the median household income is over $200,000, roughly 60% above the national average. So many enjoy a very comfortable, luxurious lifestyle. Much of the population works in sports, media, and entertainment sectors, often in executive or high-level management positions. Most people own their homes, and many also own their own businesses, making for a strong, stable economy for the city.

Westlake has some of the most impressive schools in the state, with schools frequently being rated in the top 10 of Texas public schools. It’s part of the Eanes Independent School District, and the public schools are exceptional.

Families in the city can send their children to public schools like the Liberal Arts & Science Academy, Westlake High School, Eanes Elementary School, Hill Country Middle School, Cedar Creek Elementary School, and Bridge Point Elementary School. There are also fantastic private schools in the region, such as St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin Peace Academy, Griffin School, and Headwaters School, to name a few.

The city is wonderfully close to popular higher education institutions, namely the University of Texas at Austin. People can also enroll at St. Edward’s University, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Community College, or Concordia University Texas.

When living in West Lake Hills, TX, you have excellent access to medical care. Right in Westlake, there is the Victory Medical Urgent Care Center and Westlake Medical Center, and the latter has a hospital with an emergency department. Along Bee Cave Road, there’s a little complex with dentist offices, specialized medical offices, medical labs, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities.

If you can’t find the care you need in Westlake, then Austin is a short drive away. And some of the major health facilities are in South Central Austin, right by Westlake. This includes the Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, Heart Hospital of Austin, and Austin State Hospital.

A lot of West Lake Hills has the same vibe, but there are a few slight differences worth noting when exploring where to live. Learn more about the different neighborhoods and the West Lake Hills real estate market.

Best Neighborhoods

For those who want to indulge in Texas Country Hills nature, neighborhoods like Lost Creek and Davenport Ranch are ideal. Lost Creek sits beside the Barton Creek Greenbelt, so you can walk to popular trailheads and large, open green spaces. Davenport Ranch is another outdoorsy spot, with inspiring views of the Texas Country Hills that go on for miles. It’s also near Pennybacker Bridge, which makes it a breeze to reach Lake Austin for fun on the water.

If you want the pinnacle of luxury, Rob Roy or Seven Oaks are the neighborhoods for you. Rob Roy is an ultra-exclusive gated community with gorgeous custom homes. These are lavish estates nestled among trees and hills, offering maximum privacy and peace. Seven Oaks is similarly opulent, with properties that go on for acres, lovely views of the hills, and top-notch privacy.

Housing Profile and Market

In Westlake, the median house price is around $2.85 million. But there are homes that can cost over $5 million. These are hillside estates that overlook the Country Hills, featuring panoramic views and modern amenities. It doesn’t have the historical vibes that you see in Austin neighborhoods like Tarrytown and Hyde Park. The city has a high rate of homeownership, with few renters. The market has a tight inventory, with usually around 30 or 40 active listings at any given time. Homes usually stay on the market for less than two months.

The area has a strong residential vibe, so the best things to do in West Lake Hills are along the borders of the city. The easiest way to find fun activities is to travel a little to the east and hang out in the Tarrytown area. You’ll find waterfront coffee shops, boat launches, and beloved taco restaurants just across Lake Austin. Play golf or enjoy a few tennis matches. Red Bud Isle Park is also in that area, which is a large green space where dogs can run around off-leash.

In the western part of West Lake Hills, there’s the Village at Westlake shopping center. Here, you can find a range of stores, fast food restaurants, bars and more. There’s also a convenient grocery store in the complex. If you need more shopping options, hop on Highway 360 and go to Davenport Village. Along Bee Cave Road is another stellar place to find dining options, like The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen or The County Line.

For outdoorsy adventures, there’s Boulder Trail Park, as well as scenic trails like Lost Creek Trail or Hill of Life. These boast wide-open views of rolling hills, creating a distinct pastoral vibe that feels far, far away from any major city. Amazingly, you’re still just a few minutes from Austin. Walk around the 227-acre Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, or make the easy climb up the stairs at Mount Bonnell.

With just 3,400 residents, Westlake has a small-town vibe that attracts many people to it. People get to enjoy a peaceful, quiet atmosphere, near outdoor amenities, shopping, dining and more. Many residents indulge in water activities on Lake Austin, or simply enjoy their expansive properties. While people here are friendly and the community can be convivial, Westlake locals do value their privacy. The secluded atmosphere means you might not see your neighbors daily. But when the community does come together, they’re extremely supportive of school functions, charity events, local performances and other events.