High atop the hills in the southern tip of Austin lies a cozy residential neighborhood with great views and access to Barton Creek. This is colorful Barton Hills. Reminiscent of the grand Austin history, Barton Hills retained much of the architecture, the greeneries, the landscaping, even the rock gardens of the old neighborhood, interspersing it with contemporary design homes at present. Tracing the winding Barton Springs Road, Barton Hills is located southwest from Austin's downtown area. It is just south of the Barton Springs Road and bounded on the west by Zilker Park, on the east by South Lamar, and on the south by Gus Fruh Park.

The neighborhood

This community is kept in well-maintained and peaceful state by its residents, most of whom are members of the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association which took it upon itself to preserve Barton Hills? history while being open to the comforts of modernity. The resident-members of the association take proactive stands and efforts on issues pertaining to social conditions, the environment, peace and order, and community development.

With such great neighbors, the charm of the place adds to anyone's desire to reside there for good. Nature at its finest, coupled with the access to modern amenities, Barton Hills will be a great place to settle in.

Family amenities

For families with kids, there are Barton Hills Elementary School, the O. Henry Middle School, the Zilker Elementary School, and the Austin High School, all within easy access from Barton Hills proper. Shopping malls, dining spots, and other recreation areas are very proximate to the area. You get the best of both worlds: you are a few minutes away from Downtown Austin where you get a buzz from the modern conveniences, and you're within the quiet and calm of the Zilker Park area, the Barton Springs, and the Lady Bird Lake. You can go nature-tripping one day and go on a shopping spree the next.

For the busy-bodies, a chain of eateries are a short trip away, the list including Uncle Billy's Barbecue, Green Mesquite Barbecue, Chuy's Texan-Mexican, Austin Java Coffee, and Shady Grove. There are also sushi bars, Oriental cuisine, and other great takeout fast-food spots. A central market is situated just south of Barton Hills in South Lamar. Aside from this, there are also the Sun Harvest Market and Whole Foods.

For the health buffs, the natural topography of Barton Hills offers great cycling, hiking, and jogging trails. For those who wish to stay indoors while keeping fit, there are gyms in the area like Pure Austin and Gold's Gym.

Taking the kids out will lead you to the Austin Nature and Science Center, the Barton Springs Pool, the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the Barton Hills Greenbelt. Great time awaits the whole family.

Finding a home in Barton hills

Take your pick from bungalows to larger 4-bedroom family homes, from ranch-style houses to grander state houses. Depending on the make and size, units range from a hundred grand to half a million. Areas vary from a large of as much as 3,000 square feet down to a 1,600-square-foot unit.