Is Spicewood a Community? (Austin: salon, house, to live in)

[G Grasshopper]

I'm just wondering if Spicewood has any community life. There doesn't appear to be a downtown, but is there a community center? Is there a social life there, or is everyone commuting to Austin, and just coming home to sleep? Just wondering if it is a place to retire to, or just a bedroom community for Austin.

Thanks

[AustinTraveler]

We checked out Spicewood a few months ago and it is basically just an address. There is no town or anything resembling a community. You will go to Austin for everything. It's a nice place for people who want to live outside the city but close to the lake. My problem with it was that it seemed like it would be really hot in the summer and there were noticeably more bugs. We live in Central Austin and have tons of pecan, oak, etc. trees around us. Spicewood is definitely out in the Hill Country where small cedar trees/bushes dominate. Shade is a very good thing in the summer.

[G Grasshopper]

That is a really interesting point. We have been looking (from a distance, on internet) for acreage to get ourselves a little nature. And we are basically struggling with our desire to be in the country vs. our desire to live in a community. But you are right that the absence of large trees could make summer uncomfortable. Are there places in Austin where you can get a wooded, close-to-nature feeling, even though you are in the city?

[jimmyjack]

The community center in Spicewood is called Poodie's. Not only do they have good live music, on occasion you can get free dental work done there also.

[austin-steve]

I owned a house in Spicewood in 2002. There is in fact a community of people in Spicewood, but not a well defined way to connect. The gas station on 71 at the corner is probably the main hub of people seeing each other coming and going. Also, the post office and the BBQ joint.

But it's a "community" in the loosest sense. My experience is that unless a big issue is happening that requires people to come together, little communities like this remain somewhat disconnected.

Pay attention to the drive in on Hwy 71 and make sure it's an appropriate daily commute. It's a very curvy highway.

Steve

[jenkirk]

I get my hair done in Spicewood, and when I am in the salon I always hear about bunco night, dinners, and going to hear live music. All of the people seem very very nice. Seems like a large portion of the population gets their hair done at Salon 71.

The salon is amazing, so if you need a cut you should make an appointment. You might also get a feel for the neighbors.