5 Reasons to Move to New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels is a German-rooted town with a Texas-size soul. Located in the Texas Hill Country about one hour from Austin and San Antonio, the suburb is a coveted place to live for groups and individuals from all walks of life, from professionals to young families to empty nesters. Over the past few years, New Braunfels has experienced a population boom, which has propelled growth of the local economy and job market.
In fact, the New Braunfels City Council approved $9.4 million in economic development projects dedicated to supporting job growth, developing a healthy housing market and improving quality of life for residents in 2024. But while the city continues to evolve, residents are also dedicated to honoring its history and German heritage. Read to learn more about New Braunfels and why it’s an excellent place to call home.
Top Reasons to Move to New Braunfels
The location is prime.
Established in 1845 by settlers from Braunfels, Germany, New Braunfels is just a quick drive away from the big-city attractions of Austin and San Antonio, which both have international airports offering nonstop flights to and from dozens of destinations. The tasting rooms, vineyards and wineries of Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Wine Country, are also just a 90-minute drive from New Braunfels.
The city brims with convenient amenities and small-town charm.
While the median home value in New Braunfels is about $329,600 (10% higher than the Texas average of $297,800), the city has lots of community-centric features that contribute to a higher standard of living. There are more than 280 restaurants, including several in charming Downtown New Braunfels, a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. In the area, visitors and locals can browse for everything from antiques and clothing to groceries. There’s also a bevy of restaurants and cafes serving barbecue, Tex-Mex, German fare, and other types of cuisine, plus bars and pubs slinging cocktails, wine and beer. (Bonus: There’s lots of free parking.)
The Gruene Historic District, a 15-acre neighborhood on the banks of the Guadalupe River, is also worth exploring. There, you can see some of New Braunfels’ original buildings and shop for antiques, hats, boots, toys and other unique finds at locally owned businesses. Plus, Gruene Hall, the oldest continuously operated dance hall in Texas, is a historic hot spot for live music.
Residents can stretch their legs and soak up sunshine at the city’s 16 parks and gardens and let the children burn off energy at 10 playgrounds. Meanwhile, Das Rec—a 77,000-square-foot fitness center, the city’s largest recreation city—offers tons of fitness classes and exercise space. That includes a 25-foot competition pool, a nearly 6,000-square-foot leisure pool and two full-size gyms. It also offers a free child watch program for members who need someone to care for their kids while they work out.
New Braunfels is a riverfront paradise.
Tucked at the intersection of the Guadalupe and Comal rivers in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels offers access to a bounty of splash-worthy activities. Swimming, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are beloved pastimes year-round, but particularly popular activities during the hot summer months. If you’re a fan of angling, the Guadalupe River is one of the Hill Country’s top trout-fishing destinations and Landa Park and Fischer Park also have lakes teeming with trout, bass and other coveted catches.
New Braunfels is also home to Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort, a 70-acre destination with 45 attractions, including water slides, rides, wave pools, lazy rivers and swim-up bars. The park is open from mid-April through mid-September and season passes start at just $105, making the park a great spot for water-loving crews to beat the heat. It’s the hottest, coolest time in Texas (iykyk)!
There’s lots of kid-friendly attractions.
While Schlitterbahn is a big draw for families, there are plenty of other things to do for households with kids in tow beyond water activities. Natural Bridge Wildlife Range is an African Safari–themed habitat for more than 500 animals, while Animal World & Snack Farm Zoo offers opportunities to see crocodiles, gators, foxes and other wild creatures. Or venture underground to see otherworldly rock formations at Natural Bridge Caverns, which has the largest explorable caverns in the Lone Star State, as well as ziplining, gem and fossil mining and other grin-inducing fun.
The award-winning New Braunfels Public Library also has many free community events and programs for parents and little ones. Moms and mothers-to-be can attend regular prenatal breastfeeding classes, while kids love Art Afternoons, Curiosity Club and Storytime Yoga. There’s also Chess Club for Teens and Tweens and Sit and Stitch for anyone interested in crafting with needlework and yarn.
The residents know how to party.
New Braunfels has an events calendar packed with festivals and other happenings, so there’s always something to look forward to. Attend Troutfest, a gathering of fly-fishing enthusiasts and advocates for cold water fisheries, in February; Folkfest and Saengerfest, must-have experiences for live music lovers, in April and May, respectively; and Wurstfest, a multi-day celebration of German food and culture, in November. In March, the Fischer Park Dog Rodeo, an afternoon of dog races, costume contests and vendors from local businesses, is popular with pet parents.
Every first Friday of the month (March through October), the town’s creative community sets up shop in Downtown New Braunfels for First Friday. The event boasts late night shopping, opportunities to mingle with local artists, live music and more. Additionally, many venues Downtown such as the Brauntex Theatre and Krause’s Cafe, host live bands throughout the year.