Austin, Texas, is a city that has it all. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” it boasts a vibrant music scene, diverse culinary offerings, and a rich cultural heritage. The city is also home to a thriving tech industry, with major employers like Dell, IBM, and the recently built Tesla Gigafactory contributing to its robust economy. Add to this the city’s natural beauty, with its numerous parks, lakes, and hiking trails, and it’s easy to see why Austin consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
However, as Austin grows, many people look beyond city limits for their next home. The suburbs of Austin offer a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle, often at a more affordable price point. And for those who want the best of suburban living, master-planned communities are an increasingly popular choice.
These communities are designed to provide residents with various amenities, from parks and fitness centers to shopping and dining options. They often feature a variety of home styles and sizes, catering to a diverse range of lifestyles and budgets. With their well-maintained landscapes, community events, and neighborhood camaraderie, these developments offer a sense of community that can be hard to find in a big city.
This article will examine some of the best master-planned communities in the Austin suburbs. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a growing family, or a retiree looking for a peaceful place to settle down, you will find a community from an Austin builder that suits your needs.
Easton Park: SW Austin, Texas
Just 12 miles from downtown, Easton Park is a 2,700-acre master-planned community in Southeast Austin. The community is divided into separate neighborhoods, each with its own park, trails, and unique community feel. It’s also home to The Union, a hub for residents featuring a resort-style pool, club-style fitness facility, game room, yoga lawn, coffee bar, and more.
The builders involved in Easton Park include David Weekley Homes, Meritage Homes, Pacesetter, Perry Homes, and Taylor Morrison. Prices start in the $200s, and all home builders offer homes at price points in the $300s.
When complete, Easton Park will offer over 350 acres of park space and a 13.1-mile trail system weaving through the 12,000+ homes. This focus on outdoor activities and green spaces also adds to its appeal, providing residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful Austin weather.
ShadowGlen: Manor, Texas
ShadowGlen, located in Manor, Texas, beautifully combines small-town charm with big-city possibilities. This community is conveniently situated off Highway 290, providing residents easy access to major Austin-area employers such as Tesla, Dell, and Google. The community is also within minutes of Manor ISD schools, shopping, dining, and more.
The community offers a variety of one and two-story homes constructed by leading builders such as Terrata Homes, with dozens of floorplans available. These homes range from approximately 1,993 to 2,505 square feet, providing ample space for families of all sizes. The houses are priced from the mid-$400s, offering incredible value for luxurious features.
The development boasts a 4,300-square-foot amenity center with a fitness room, 200 acres of woodland trails, and multiple playgrounds. Additionally, it features a four-acre water park with two swimming pools, a splash pad, numerous water slides, and an 18-hole golf course.
Highpointe: Dripping Springs, Texas
Highpointe is a gated community nestled between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. This thriving area is just thirty miles southwest of Austin, making it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy the tranquility of the Texas Hill Country while still within easy reach of the city.
The community spans 780 acres and is home to over a thousand residences. Renowned Austin builders such as Wilshire, Pulte Homes, and Buffington Homes are developing these luxury homes. Homes in Highpointe average around $450,000 and offer an average interior space of 3,100 square feet.
Highpointe is known for its extensive amenities. The community features a large recreation center with four pools, a two-story fitness center, tennis courts, and picnic areas. For outdoor enthusiasts, the community is close to popular attractions like Hamilton Pool and Reimer’s Ranch.
Rough Hollow: Lakeway, Texas
Rough Hollow Lakeway is a resort-style community located on Lake Travis’s prestigious South Shore area, just over 30 minutes from downtown Austin. This master-planned community offers direct lake access, breathtaking Hill Country views, and world-class amenities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a lakeside lifestyle.
Rough Hollow brings together a diverse group of talented builders that offer different styles and types of homes in the community, including Scott Felder Homes and Brookfield Residential. Prices start in the low $400s, with some higher-end properties reaching seven figures.
An impressive range of amenities includes a yacht club and marina, which offer a variety of concierge and seasonal services designed to simplify the lifestyle of lake living. The community also hosts year-round activities on both land and water, including complimentary fitness classes and festive holiday celebrations.
Mueller: Central Austin, Texas
Mueller is a mixed-income, mixed-use community located in the heart of Austin, just three miles from downtown. This award-winning, master-planned urban village is situated on a 700-acre site that was once the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport and is ideally suited to those who want suburban living without feeling disconnected from the city.
The community is home to various house builders including David Weekley Homes, offering a broad range of home styles to suit different lifestyles and budgets. The community is designed to be transit-oriented, with 13 miles of hike and bike trails and 140 acres of active and passive parklands, making it easy for residents to get around and enjoy the outdoors.
In addition to its residential offerings, Mueller also boasts more than 750,000 square feet of retail space, including over 40 eateries. The community’s Aldrich Street is a vibrant hub of activity, offering a unique mix of family-friendly shops, restaurants, cafes, wellness experiences, parks, and a cinema.
Whisper Valley: Manor, Texas
Whisper Valley, located just 20 minutes from downtown Austin, is a unique community that shatters the myth that green living is only for the affluent. This master-planned community offers net-zero-capable energy homes, on-site organic farming, and over 700 acres of open space for recreation and green living with homes available at price points starting just over $300,000.
The community currently offers homes constructed by Terrata Homes, Pacesetter Homes, Thurman Homes, GFO Homes, and AHA Dream Homes. The community will eventually feature 7,500 homes, ranging from 1,100 square feet to 3,000 square feet.
What sets Whisper Valley apart is its innovative geothermal grid, the GeoGrid™, which all homes in the community can tap into. This grid harnesses the natural heating and cooling energy underground, reducing a home’s energy consumption by 65%. Additionally, rooftop solar panels provide enough power to make a home site energy independent.
The community also offers a range of lifestyle offerings, including nature, fitness, and educational activities, a monthly farmers market, yoga and fitness groups, and a resort-style swimming pool heated using the GeoGrid™ system.
Avery Ranch: NW Austin, Texas
Avery Ranch is a tranquil neighborhood nestled within North Austin. This community in Williamson County is just 19 miles from downtown Austin and the University of Texas at Austin.
The homes in Avery Ranch are built by renowned builders such as D.R. Horton and feature modern, ranch-style, and traditional-style architectural designs. These homes offer spacious living with three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, attached garages, and covered patios. The homes range in price from high $200s to low $400s.
The Avery Ranch community is known for its resort-style amenities. Residents can access a community center, swimming pool, basketball court, playground, clubhouse, and a 38-acre lake. The community is also surrounded by walking, jogging and cycling trails and the highly regarded Avery Ranch Golf Club is just two miles away.
SaddleCreek: Georgetown, Texas
SaddleCreek, a master-planned community in Georgetown, Texas, offers residents a unique blend of city living and the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Spanning 350 acres, the community is set to house over 1,000 homes upon completion.
The community is being developed by a collection of established builders, including Pacesetter Homes. These builders collectively offer more than 65 plans, with prices starting in the low $200s.
The community boasts a state-of-the-art amenity center with a pool, splash pad, lounging areas, a fitness center, indoor lounge space, and a kitchen. For outdoor enthusiasts, the community offers several playscapes, BBQ grills, a Frisbee golf course, and hike and bike trails. There’s even a lake on the property for residents to enjoy.
Located just a 10-minute drive from the famous Georgetown Town Square, SaddleCreek residents also have easy access to local eateries, regular markets, and music performances. For shopping needs, Wolf Ranch and Round Rock Premium Outlets are nearby.
Travisso: Leander, Texas
Just 30 miles northwest of Austin, you’ll find the master-planned community of Travisso. This 2,100-acre community in Leander is one of the most sought-after in the Austin metropolitan area. With over 2,900 homes planned upon completion, Travisso offers a variety of home designs and styles to cater to diverse homeowner preferences.
Travisso is home to four esteemed builders: Drees, Highland Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Toll Brothers. These builders collectively offer over 80-floor plans, with prices ranging from the mid-$300s to the upper-$800s.
The community is renowned for its award-winning amenities. Residents can enjoy miles of hike and bike trails, a resort-style pool, a children’s splash pad, BBQ grills, and a fire pit. The centerpiece of the community is the Palazzo Clubhouse, a 9,000-square-foot amenity center with a 2,000-square-foot fitness center, recreational fields, and lighted tennis courts.
Lastly, the community is zoned to the well-regarded Leander Independent School District, which serves more than 38,000 students across 43 campuses.
Tessera on Lake Travis: Lago Vista, Texas
Tessera on Lake Travis is a premier lifestyle community just under 40 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The community offers a relaxed setting with homes starting in the $200s and more than 30 floor plans available.
Tessera is a haven for water enthusiasts, offering swimming, waterskiing, and sailing activities. The area is also dotted with parks and green spaces and is close to Pace Bend Park, a popular spot for camping, swimming, and cliff jumping. The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a bird watcher’s paradise, is just a 10-minute ride away.
Find Your Perfect Master-Planned Community in Austin Today
The Austin suburbs offer an array of master-planned communities catering to various lifestyles and preferences. From the eco-conscious Whisper Valley to the family-friendly ShadowGlen, the resort-style Rough Hollow Lakeway, and the Hill Country charm of SaddleCreek there’s a community to suit every taste.
Each of these communities offers a unique blend of amenities, home designs, and natural beauty, all within a comfortable commute to downtown Austin.
So, whether you’re seeking a home close to major employers, a community with top-notch schools, or a neighborhood prioritizing sustainable living, you will find your perfect fit in one of these exceptional Austin new home communities.