4 Central Texas Neighborhoods Near Lake Travis

Thanks to its location in the middle of the Lone Star state, Austin and its suburban communities bear a distinct “inland” designation, much to the chagrin of transplants from the coasts and native Austinites who enjoy the occasional “beach day.” However, savvy Austin residents know that a sizable body of water can be found at the city’s northern border, providing locals with all the swimming, boating, and coastal lounging they could want: Lake Travis.

Central Texans seeking easy access to Lake Travis and its associated activities gravitate toward communities located directly on the lake’s perimeter, like these four neighborhoods with a strong commitment to waterfront living in the Texan Inland Empire.

Steiner Ranch

One of the largest and most desirable master-planned communities in the Austin area, Steiner Ranch encompasses over 4,500 acres of property between Lake Travis and Lake Austin, making it a prime dwelling spot for homebuyers who love living by the water. Steiner Ranch residents can reach the shores of Lake Travis in less than 15 minutes by car, and city commuters have a 30-minute ride to Downtown Austin or the UT campus.

In addition to the community’s hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, and fitness centers, Steiner Ranch also offers its residents membership to its own Lake Club, a waterfront clubhouse and activity center featuring tennis courts, athletic fields, swimming pools, and a lounge patio overlooking the lake. Families with school-aged children gravitate to Steiner Ranch for its kid-friendly amenities and its inclusion in the Lake Travis Independent School District, a system with an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency and a 95 percent high school graduation rate.

Single-family homes represent the majority of Steiner Ranch’s housing inventory, with sizes ranging from one to seven bedrooms and two to seven bathrooms. The median sale price is in the low $500s, according to Neighborhoods.com. 

Volente

A quaint village located on the north shore of Lake Travis, Volente attracts residents looking for suburban vibes, good public schools, easy commutes to Austin, and lakefront recreational opportunities. 

Volente features numerous parks and greenspaces, but its most notable outdoor offerings can be found on the shores of the lake. Boaters can dock at the town marina, and those who want the perks of boat access without the burden of ownership can join the Nautical Boat Club, which bills itself as a “boating country club” with Lake Travis floating vessels available for rental.

Volente belongs to the Leander Independent School District (LISD), making it a strong choice for families with children. The LISD boasts a consistent Met Standards rating from the Texas Education Agency.

Majority of the residences in Volente are single-family homes, with smaller-sized homes priced starting in the mid $300s and larger estates priced over $3 million.

Lakeway

Lakeway, a small Hill Country city that’s a quick 15-minute drive from Lake Travis, benefits from an enviable confluence of Austin proximity, suburban comfort, and the abundant natural beauty of the Hill Country landscape. As the town name suggests, the lake largely defines Lakeway’s town identity, and residents are encouraged to take advantage of Lake Travis’ swimming areas, picnic grounds, and hiking and biking trails.

Lakeway’s position directly north of Austin and adjacent to other large Hill Country suburbs like Bee Cave provides its residents with plenty of shopping and dining options; the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave is less than 20 minutes away by car, offering a wealth of major retailers.

Families with kids will be glad to know that Lakeway’s public schools primarily fall within the Lake Travis Independent School District, and schools like Lake Travis Middle School and Lakeway Elementary School earned high scores from GreatSchools.

Lakeway hosts multiple master-planned communities within its borders, and single-family homes comprise the bulk of the town’s available housing stock. Current sale prices for attached homes in Lakeway start in the low $200s and large single-family estates top out in the $2 millions. 

Comanche Village

With the first stages of its development dating back to the mid 1970s, Comanche Village represents one of the oldest master-planned subdivisions in the Austin area. The community occupies prime real estate along Lake Travis, and thanks to its desirable location and attractive home designs, Comanche Village commands high property values.

Comanche Village almost exclusively features single-family homes, with build dates ranging from the late 1970s to the last 10 years. Homes tend to be on the large side, with the average house in this community containing four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Comanche Village’s schools fall within the well-regarded Leander Independent School District, and because the lakefront is only a few steps away from most homes in the community, residents can easily partake in Lake Travis’ bountiful activities. In general, homes in Comanche Village are on the high end of the Austin area spectrum, hovering around $1.4 million.