New Braunfels may be set in the Texas Hill Country, but life here often feels like a trip to Germany. Founded by German immigrants in the 1840s, the city has kept its heritage alive through annual festivals, long-standing businesses, historic architecture and food. Though New Braunfels stays true to its roots, it's also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. "I moved here when there were about 22,000 people. But our little two-river town has grown into a population of over 100,000," says Derinda Larned, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Don Johnson Co Realtors and a New Braunfels resident since the 1980s.
Much of the city's growth is thanks to the booming cities nearby. "Location is everything, and we are between San Antonio and Austin," says Matt Pierce, an associate broker with Anders Pierce Realty and longtime New Braunfels resident. Via Interstate 35, Austin is less than 50 miles north and San Antonio is about 30 miles in the opposite direction for easy commuting. But New Braunfels also has a growing local economy, heavily anchored in manufacturing, healthcare and tourism. Several automotive manufacturers are located in the nearby Holcan Industrial Park and the automotive supplier Continental recently built a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. New Braunfels' historic downtown and nearby Schlitterbahn Waterpark fuel the local tourism industry and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital is one of the city's major employers.
Willkommen to New Braunfels largest event of the year, Wurstfest.
Live music and great drinks are always around at the Pour Haus in New Braunfels.
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Small town living in Gruene Historic District
The median sales price in New Braunfels is about $360,000. According to Pierce, the market has been slow in the previous year due to high interest rates, but things are changing, and it's starting to bounce back. "We've seen prices fluctuate about 4%—nothing like a 15% reduction—because lack of inventory has kept prices steady despite the market slowdown," he says.
New Braunfels includes Gruene, which has mostly midcentury houses sprinkled in with newer homes. "Housing here is very limited," Larned says of Gruene. "It's family-friendly, and the motto is 'gently resisting change.'" Prices in Gruene can range from $400,000 to $700,000. Downtown New Braunfels is a historic area with homes typically built in the early 20th century, including Queen Annes, Tudor-style homes and Craftsmans. It's a sought-after area reflected in the higher prices, which range from around $520,000 to $700,000. Several master-planned communities like Veramendi and Mayfair have sprung up as the city grows, mainly south of I-35 and north of Loop 337. Homes here typically range from $400,000 to over $900,000. Prices for estates along the Guadalupe and Comal rivers start around $800,000 and often exceed $1 million.
Locals can dance and have fun at Texas' oldest and most historical dance hall, Gruene Hall.
Take in live music at the historical Gruene Hall.
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Annual German traditions include the 10-day Wurstfest
New Braunfels' walkable downtown streets are lined with antique shops, boutiques and gift stores. Along Castell and Seguin Avenues, award-winning local restaurants serve authentic German fare, as well as Tex-Mex and barbecue. The Gruene neighborhood is a National Historic District just north of downtown and is home to some of Texas' oldest treasures. The iconic Gruene Hall was established in 1878 and is the oldest dance hall in Texas, with live music several nights a week. "New Braunfels is known for live music, with several country artists living here, like Parker McCollum and Randy Rodgers. It feels like a mix of Nashville and Austin," Pierce says.
Downtown is also home to several annual events celebrating New Braunfels' German heritage. "Wurstfest is a 10-day salute to beer and sausage that has been taking place since the 1960s," Larned says. "It features German foods and beer, polka music and, of course, the chicken dance." Wassailfest is a popular event in December, with a festively decorated historic downtown, choir performances and stops for wassail, or hot mulled cider.
Locals of New Braunfels host one of the largest German festivals in Texas.
Polka and German music fills the beer garden with joy.
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Endless recreation along the Comal and Guadalupe rivers
New Braunfels' locals are big on outdoor recreation, especially when it comes to water activities. Much of the action, including fishing, tubing, kayaking and swimming, happens around the Comal and Guadalupe rivers, which flow through town. "People love the rivers. That's why my husband and I decided to move from West Texas. We jumped into the Comal River and said, 'We're home,'" Larned says.
The city has 41 parks including the 51-acre Landa Park, just north of downtown along the Comal River. It features a mini-train that winds through the park, with amenities including a golf course, an arboretum and the Dance Slab, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts music events. Next to the park, the German-themed Schlitterbahn Waterpark is the country's fourth most visited waterpark, drawing nearly 1 million people annually from mid-April to mid-September.
Take on a kayaking adventure down the River at Cypress Bend Park.
Locals can cast out a line and enjoy a day of fishing at Landa Park.
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Multiple paths for education in New Braunfels
New Braunfels is served by two school districts. The New Braunfels Independent School District has about 9,600 students and earns a B-plus rating from Niche. The district's Marine Corps JROTC program is a repeat Naval Honor Unit Award winner. To accommodate the city's growth, New Braunfels High School building is currently under construction, with plans to open in 2028. The Comal Independent School District has around 27,000 students with an A rating from Niche. Students can explore career and technical education courses in hospitality, floral design, fashion design and aviation. The district has a 97.5% graduation rate, and every student takes the SAT. It also offers a Dual Language One-Way geared toward native Spanish speakers.
The city is also home to Texas State Technical College (TSTC), a public community college with over 40-degree pathways in STEM and manufacturing fields. The campus expanded its offerings in 2024, adding two new certifications in Structural Welding and Industrial Systems Mechanic-Electrical.
Canyon High School in New Braunfels offers a great educational and sporting atmosphere.
New Braunfels High School offers students in the area a wonderful campus ith excellent programs.
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Austin and San Antonio easily accessible via Interstate 35
Interstate 35 makes it convenient for locals to reach big cities, with San Antonio 33 miles south and Austin 48 miles north. Depending on traffic, both commutes can take 45 minutes to an hour. Texas State Highway 46 leads 15 miles south to Seguin. San Antonio International Airport is 27 miles away, offering 45 nonstop flights to major destinations in North America, Mexico and Germany. While New Braunfels is largely car-dependent, the on-demand Alamo Regional Transit serves riders in 13 rural counties in the region.
Communters can swing by the famous Buccee's on I-35 in New Braunfels.
Downtown New Braunfels offers many amazing shops and restaurants.
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New Braunfels' 2024-29 Strategic Plan
In 2024, the city council approved the 2024-29 City of New Braunfels Strategic Plan, which focuses on creating more jobs and infrastructure to keep more residents working locally. The plan also aims to improve the city's transportation network by adding more sidewalks and making it easier for pedestrians and public transit users to get around. Rio Transit is a new rideshare system set to launch in 2025, offering flexible micro-transit services across town. "We've got road expansions going in. The infrastructure they've done has made it easy for people to get around and walk places," says Sheryl Gibson, Realtor with Keller Williams Heritage and local resident. "That's a challenge for most cities, but here in New Braunfels, we planned for it."
Many new housing developments are popping up in New Braunfels and the I-35 corridor.
New Braunfels Main Plaza is the heart of the historical downtown.
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A crime rate lower than the national rate
According to the local police department, New Braunfels has property and violent crime rates lower than national figures. The New Braunfels Police Department stays connected with the community, hosting events like the National Night Out and the Kops & Kids Safety Picnic at Landa Park.
New Braunfels's climate is humid, with hot summers and mild winters. "One downside is the historic drought. Water is a significant concern. We need rain, and we need it soon," Pierce says. The city is no stranger to heatwaves, and in 2024, it hit record-high temperatures, with a heat dome pushing the heat index into triple digits and putting the area under excessive heat warnings. When heavy rains come, flooding can be an issue on residential streets and along the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers, making water activities unsafe for a while. "We've had floods over the years, but that's just life here on the Guadalupe," Larned says.
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