East Oak Hill

In Austin, it’s not considered a bad thing to run for the hills, especially if you’re talking about East Oak Hill. This Hill Country community combines convenience and quality with the calming power of nature to create a pocket of peace just outside the city.

Homes at the north end of the community rest on sloping streets, with large lots boasting massive properties ranging from steep-gabled Queen Anne stunners to Spanish-style villas with sand-colored stucco and red tile roofs. Unlike other South Austin communities, “these homes are slightly newer, mostly from the 1990s,” says Realtor Nick Podrebarac. “There are some older homes to the south, but it’s a big difference from areas like Lake Austin where houses can be almost 100 years old.” Most of these more mature builds are south of Interstate 290, where three- or four-bedroom homes are modestly priced at $500,000 to $700,000.

In the Regents community, homes are more like compounds, spread across wide plots of land. Winding driveways disappear under the tree canopy, creating a sense of privacy. These multimillion-dollar properties are usually around 3,500 square feet and don’t pop up on the market often. You’re more likely to see available properties in the Travis Country community, where homes sit closer together on cul-de-sacs shaded by tall oaks. It’s not uncommon for these houses to pass the million-dollar mark, but most hover closer to $850,000 to $950,000. Sidewalks are plentiful here, and some even connect to paved trails that lead to rocky routes along Sycamore Creek — just a taste of the extensive local trail network beloved by East Oak Hill residents.

“Most of the people who move here enjoy spending time outdoors,” Podrebarac says, and that’s not surprising, considering there are more than 12 miles of trails to explore in neighboring Barton Creek Wilderness Park. There’s even a popular swimming hole, where you can bask in the sun on rocks smoothed by the water before taking a dip in the cool creek. There are also designated mountain biking trails and limestone bluffs perfect for some light rock climbing. At Gaines Creek Neighborhood Park, rugged dirt trails carve through the thick brush, offering a less populated area if you’re looking for a quiet hike in the shade.

Although most of the parkland is best for hiking or biking, baseball and softball are still popular pastimes. The Oak Hill Youth Sports Association has been a fixture of the community since 1967 and has grown to accommodate thousands of kids from the surrounding communities. Just south of I-290, a cluster of manicured fields welcome families for local games on the weekend. Some of these kids will attend Patton Elementary School nearby, but the majority of the community attends Oak Hill Elementary. Operating since the 1970s, Oak Hill keeps kids engaged with nature by offering a gardening club, where students cultivate and care for their own crops in raised beds.

After elementary school, most students will move on to Small Middle School and Austin High School. But there are a few popular private school options as well. St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a private religious school that emphasizes fine arts and music education. The 64,000-square-foot performing arts complex hosts performances by students throughout the year, although the school’s choir has also performed at the National Cathedral and Carnegie Hall.

While nature is definitely the spotlight in East Oak Hill, everyday necessities are surprisingly easy to find nearby. A large shopping center just across the MoPac Expressway has everything from The Home Depot and Home Goods to Walmart and casual eateries. There’s also a Target in the community, and Costco can be found at the popular Shops at Arbor Trails, a walkable complex with dozens of shopping and dining options. For a bit of local flavor, stop for fresh crème-filled and sprinkle-coated donuts or savory breakfast tacos at Donut Taco Palace. And in the evening, the smell of sun-dried tomatoes and basil wafts from Milano Café, a family-owned Italian restaurant where you can get rich veal marsala with homemade fettuccine. Finish off the meal with a slice of sweet limoncello cake before returning to your new home in the hills.

Downtown Austin may be just minutes away, but the serenity of living in East Oak Hill makes this community perfect for nature lovers.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Saeid Zare

Video By

Emily McNamara