Northwest Hills Real Estate: A Distinctive Small Town Experience
Northwest Hills is a community of homes with picturesque views of Bull Creek Reserve and the Texas Hill Country built on a rolling landscape shaded by huge, majestic trees. Located only 20 minutes north of downtown Austin and about 30 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the neighborhood is known as a vibrant but established area with lovely homes, great schools, and a close sense of community.
Prior to the late 1950s, there were a few homes built in this area, but most of the land was owned by the Texas Crushed Stone company, which operated a quarry here. In the late 1950’s, brothers David and Edward Barrow bought the quarry, began building homes and transforming the former quarry into what is now known as Northwest Hills.
The home of the old quarry, now called Murchison Hill, is a popular place for sledding on Austin’s rare snow days.
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Contact BradLarge Lots, Exemplary Schools and a Strong Sense of Community
Although construction of the first homes in Northwest Hills began even before the Barrow brothers began development, the majority of homes were built between the late 1960s and the late 1970s. Many feature brick or limestone construction with high ceilings, and oversized lots of up to two acres are common.
Schools in Northwest Hills are a part of the Austin Independent School District. Doss and Highland Park Elementary Schools consistently receive “Exemplary” ratings from the Texas Education Association. Lamar and Murchison Middle Schools, as well as Anderson and McCallum High Schools, also enjoy superb reputations.
“You have the feeling when you get your roots down in Northwest Hills, that although we all have little quirks, your neighbors have your back,” says Wade Owens, a commercial insurance agent who has always considered the neighborhood “home.” Needing a larger home for their growing family, Owens and his wife, Jennifer, recently purchased Jennifer’s childhood home from her mother. “We have a very strong and specific sense of community. And that’s tough to beat.”
Buy a Home in a Community Where People Choose to Settle Down
People who buy real estate in this neighborhood tend to stay. They often prefer to make improvements and additions to their homes rather than relocating. Laura Burton, owner of Austin-based Laura Burton Interiors, has helped clients in Northwest Hills with a variety of home remodeling projects. Burton says because most homes in Northwest Hills have architecture with a traditional aesthetic, many residents streamline their home’s interior, improving kitchens and bathrooms, while adding a contemporary twist.
“The location has so many benefits,” Burton says. “Mopac and 360 are easily accessible, there are beautiful views, you are close to the hub of central Austin activities but not in the midst of them, and there are many stellar public and private schools.”
Another draw for the area is the active social scene. The Northwest Austin Civic Association organizes the neighborhood’s annual 4th of July parade that attracts thousands of residents every year. The parade features local Boy Scouts who lead the way for a procession of trucks, cars, a lawn chair brigade, dog parade, bands, Uncle Sam, and decorated tricycles and wagons.
A Balance of Charm, Outdoor Recreation and Convenient Location
Residents in Northwest Hills love the small town charm of the community’s everyday life. Neighbors frequently see one another while shopping or dining in the area. Nature surrounds the community, with the Bull Creek Preserve, and District Park and Greenbelt among the many idyllic locales nearby. Bike riders and dog walkers alike enjoy the hilly, sloping roads and scenic views. In short, there are plenty of parks, green spaces, restaurants, and entertainment options in the immediate vicinity to keep residents happy and active.
“It’s really all about location and schools,” says Jane Kovacs, a mother who has lived in Northwest Hills for the past three years and takes comfort in the fact that her children can ride their bikes to the library, school or park. “Everything’s close. This is the closest thing to a small town experience I can give them in the heart of Austin.”
