Is Lakeway a good place to live? (Center, Howe: renters, buying a home) - Austin - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

newie80 · 01-07-2011, 11:17 AM

We're planning on checking out the potential communities before our house hunt in spring thus we'd love to get tips/advices from ya'll.

We're looking for a bigger house that is in great school district, plus good amenities inside/around the community. We like westlake hills but with our budget of 700k, we can't get a big (3500+ sqt) and newer house. So we thought of Lakeway - thinking of buying a home near by the lake or in the hill area w/ a view to the lake would be wonderful but that might be out of our $ range.

I know that Lakeway is pretty out there but we work from home and it isn't a deal-breaker if we don't live close to downtown. We rather live in a community w/ good family-friendly amenities like Circle C and than more -we like the lake area. However we don't want to live too far out where shopping will be inconvenient- will that be the case if we move to Lakeway? How is the Hill Country Galleria Mall? What is Lakeway like? A good place to live?

Would greatly appreciate any input, thanks!

G Grasshopper · 01-07-2011, 12:21 PM

We are relatively new residents of Lakeway, although we are just renting at this point. We have no school aged children, so I can't comment on the schools. You are right that you can find large houses with large yards here. It has been a friendly community for us. As has been noted on other threads, Lakeway is very strict with speed limits, leash laws, the state of one's lawn, etc. As renters and non-dog owners, we haven't found that oppressive, although there might be home owners that could comment on that more completely. Shopping has not been a big problem, as there are many stores of all types both at the Galleria and on hwy 620. A big medical center is being built, which will be a community asset. A new library is also in the works. I can think of two areas that present a deficit to us. One is that there are no farmers' markets close by. Bee Creek says that they have one, but our experience so far is one booth stuck out along Hwy 71

. So the closest one is at Sunset Valley, and it is quite a small one. That is maybe 16 or 17 miles away. So if you are into organic/local foods, it is a little difficult. The second problem I can see is that you are pretty distant from cultural activities in town. So if you want to go to a choir concert, someone playing at a club, an interesting lecture, the ballet, or gardening programs at Zilker or the Wildflower Center, you will have to drive at least 20 miles and face the traffic. It depends on your sensibilities as to whether this is a problem. Personally, my husband and I are retired and don't have to commute to work. But those two problems are critical for us, so we are looking to buy closer in.

hoffdano · 01-07-2011, 12:40 PM

I lived in Lakeway from 1985-1998. Lakeway is a very "nice" area and has many of the things the OP wants. Great schools, super-safe, nice people, etc. Lakeway is also a very controlling area - the super-low speed limits are an example. If you are OK with that - then Lakeway could be a great choice for you. You can't buy waterfront in Lakeway for $700K but you can probably find lake view.

Shopping is not important to me so Bee Cave Galleria is more than enough. Whole Foods is coming (confirmed) so you have a great choice for expensive groceries. The movie theater is handy and the choice of restaurants has grown dramatically over the years.

One of the best music venues in Texas is nearby - The Backyard.

We moved out of Lakeway because it was too controlled for us. But it is a very fine community overall.

newie80 · 01-09-2011, 07:52 AM

Thank you for all your posts

.....though i think lakeway might be too out there for us. We thought that maybe living near the lake might be worth it but since the lake will busy in the summer and holidays then it kinder defeat the purpose of living far away from the crowd busy city to out in a quiet place....in the "nature"....

hoffdano · 01-09-2011, 08:37 AM

Lake Travis is busiest on summer weekends and the big holidays. It is surprisingly peaceful on summer weekdays. During the non-peak period - beginning after school starts in the fall to May - it is simply terrific.

movintoaustin · 10-02-2013, 11:30 AM

my husband and I and our two daughters (8 and 10) are looking at lakeway, hills, and falcon head. Curious to know where you ended up and if you are happy?

10scoachrick · 10-02-2013, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by movintoaustin

my husband and I and our two daughters (8 and 10) are looking at lakeway, hills, and falcon head. Curious to know where you ended up and if you are happy?

Looks like the OP was near Lakeway when we last heard from them...well over a year ago. You might try to PM them if they still hang out on the site.