Perched on the hills just west of Austin, Westlake offers an extraordinary blend of luxury, nature, and community. Known for breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country, these neighborhoods boast exceptional schools, elegant homes, and an active lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll uncover the unique aspects of the Westlake area, from its stunning lakeside access to its proximity to downtown Austin, guided by our expert agents who live and work in this coveted area.
With deep Texas roots, Greg has lived in Austin since 1989 and is a graduate of Westlake High School and the University of Texas at Austin. A die-hard Longhorn and member of the Longhorn Foundation, Greg walked on to the golf team and was a Silver Spur and handler for Texas' famous mascot, Bevo. Texas football and barbecue are among his all-time favorite things about Austin, along with trying the latest restaurants and playing golf whenever he gets the chance.
His 30+ years in the area have given Greg a deep knowledge of Austin and all it has to offer, which he calls on to match his clients with the perfect property for their lifestyle. Greg's 15 years of real estate experience are preceded by sales and service roles at the renowned Barton Creek Resort and Spanish Oaks Golf Club. His post-college career in the golf industry instilled a strong customer service ethos and an appreciation for depth of product knowledge that followed him to real estate.
Q: What makes Westlake such a unique neighborhood in Austin?
A: The community in Westlake is just something hard to beat. We’ve got excellent schools, great location to Austin and just a community spirit that in my opinion is unlike any other. To be this close to the city but still feel so removed makes it a special place.
Q: Why did you choose to make Westlake the home for your real estate career?
A: I’ve called Austin home since I moved here in 1989 and I haven’t really left. I went to middle school and high school here, before going to UT and then my family here as fast as possible. We’ve lived here now for 12 or 13 years now and my parents live up the street. My kids go to Eanes ISD schools within walking distance from home. It’s close to home, it is home and I love it.
Q: Where would you recommend grabbing a bite to eat in the Westlake area?
A: Texas Honey Ham is a very frequent stop for me. It’s directly en route to the Moreland office so I’m there two or three times a week. I love the fact that I can call in a tea in a taco from the house and pick it up on the way. The warmth that you receive when you open the doors — the staff is so friendly, the owners are so great in getting to know the community to support us as well.
Q: Why would you recommend someone move to Westlake?
A: The Westlake lifestyle is just the best. You’re a ten-minute uber ride to Austin or you can hop on the trail. That alone gives you the opportunity to experience Austin but the community and the school system give you the feel of a suburb.
Raised in both Tarrytown and Westlake, Leah graduated from Westlake High School and has resided with her family in both Central Austin and West Lake Hills, Leah is closely connected to the community. Leah also relishes downtime hiking with her two white labs, laughing with friends on the tennis court at ACC, or with her family on their boat on Lake Austin.
Brokering residential real estate in Austin’s finest neighborhoods for almost two decades, Leah is a native who knows Austin block by block. She taps into her strong network to deliver access to pre-market and private-market homes and has a track record for putting buyers and sellers together, often before the properties are ever listed - a strategic advantage in the competitive Austin market. Leah is most proud of her high volume of repeat and referral clients and feels that is the greatest compliment of a job well done.
Q: What sets Westlake apart from other neighborhoods in and around Austin?
A: The primary thing is the excellent schools. Eanes Independent School District is nationally ranked and drives a lot of families to this area so they can put their children in highly rated public schools. One thing I really love is how the community really rallies around, particularly the high school with Friday night lights and support of the educators from very involved caring parents.
Q: What makes Westlake such a unique neighborhood?
A: The proximity to all things Austin. The views are really spectacular and that’s something that really surprises people who aren’t from here when they come out to this area of town. The proximity to Lake Austin and all that that offers in terms of an extension of your lifestyle and being able to get on the water. It’s just gorgeous out here.
Q: Why do you choose to live and sell in Westlake among other areas around Austin?
A: I was raised out in this area and attended Eanes Elementary all the way through Westlake High School, as did my husband. We’ve moved a little around to different areas of town since meeting and raising our family, but inevitably we were drawn back to the Westlake area to take advantage of the schools, the lifestyle and the views. Beyond the vistas, the views, the proximity to Austin, you also have just a feeling of being safe with a strong sense of community that has each other’s back.
Q: What do you like to do with your family and friends around Westlake in your free time?
A: I love to walk Austin Country Club Golf Course every morning with my dogs and play tennis there with my friends. It’s really great to go out on the water on weeknight evenings for a booze cruise or wake surfing with the kids. Being so close to Lake Austin and having that lifestyle at your fingertips is so special.
Q: Your day calls for a Westlake shopping spree, where are you going?
A: I would absolutely hit Valentine’s and have been shopping there for years. Out of their two locations, my favorite is right here in my neighborhood — Davenport Village. I love the customer service and curated selection of clothing — everything from shoes, to handbags to bathing suits and jewelry.
Another is Grove Hill and they have a really great selection as well. What I love about Grove Hill is they have a wide variety of price points, so you can go and get a t-shirt for the football game or something more high end.
As an Austin native and West Lake Hills City Council member, Darin offers a unique perspective and valuable insight into Austin’s luxury market. Aside from his hard-driving work ethic, his charismatic and fun-loving personality is contagious to all those he works with. In his leisure time, he enjoys the best Austin has to offer, including UT sports, F1 Racing, concerts, fly fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors with clients, family, and his friends.
Darin’s potent combination of Austin market familiarity, expert knowledge of land use, record-setting sales, and sourcing of some of Austin’s finest residential properties is unmatched. Specializing in Central and West Austin, Darin excels at sourcing off-market properties that are not available to the general public and at maintaining a robust inventory of exclusive listings. Darin couples his lifelong love of Austin with his vast knowledge of the Austin luxury market and his 20 years of experience in finance and investment banking to deliver superb results for his real estate clients.
Q: Why do you choose to live and sell here among other neighborhoods in Austin?
A: Austin has been my home, and Westlake is where I have lived for virtually my entire life. My family moved to Westlake in 1973 when I was six years old in second grade, so I’ve been in Westlake over 50 years. I’ve had a hard time leaving because of how beautiful it is — the community, the diversity of homes, proximity to downtown Austin. Some of the best schools are in the Eanes ISD school system. It’s such a thriving community in the Westlake area and it’s so much fun.
Q: What separates Westlake from other areas in Austin?
A: It’s really the community. These communities go back to the early 1900s. It’s its own city — the city of West Lake Hills has its own municipality, its own police department, its own set of rules and ordinances. I’ve been on the City Council for over ten years to help shape the policy that governs what happens in the city of Westlake.
Q: What makes selling homes in Westlake so unique?
A: Westlake is so large and encompasses diverse areas that provide people with different styles of home. Areas such as Rollingwood — far more of a traditional neighborhood — and then you have Barton Creek and all of the waterfront estates along Lake Austin. You have everything from small bungalow style homes that were built in the 1920s and then have homes that are architecturally significant homes built on the lake with downtown city views and spectacular Hill Country views.
Q: Why would you recommend someone to move to Westlake?
A: I would recommend moving to Westlake specifically for the lifestyle. I find most people when they’re moving here, a lot of people are buying for the location and access to the lake and downtown. It really has something for everybody and you’re very close to some of the best schools in the country. Having access to the Austin lifestyle and being so close to the hike and bike trail and Zilker park for the Austin City Limits music festival, or you can head downtown with the choice of 50 different fine dining restaurants. You really have the best of what Austin has to offer without living in the city.
Q: What restaurants would you recommend to friends and family visiting the Westlake area?
A: Las Palomas has been around since I was in high school and it’s only gotten better over time. It’s an authentic cuisine Mexican food restaurant with fantastic margaritas. I frequently go there with friends to watch live music every Thursday and Saturday night. I’m a big taco guy — I just love the crispy tacos with extra cheese and an El Mejor margarita for a little spice.
Dru’s passion for real estate stems from Austin’s unique character and interesting people. She is a high energy person with an adventurous spirit. She enjoys the many amenities that Austin has to offer, including the outdoors, live music and arts. In addition to staying active in her community through several philanthropies, she enjoys running, yoga, cooking, reading and spending as much time as possible with her adult kids and her labradoodle Darcy.
She will listen carefully and is motivated to turn your real estate goals into reality. Whether buying, selling, or leasing, Dru will give you respect and attention to make your real estate transactions as smooth as possible. She has always enjoyed helping people achieve their goals and welcomes the opportunity to be of service to you.
Q: What do you choose to live and work in Westlake?
A: One thing I love about Westlake is it’s a community within a city. It’s home to a nationally ranked school district and has easy proximity to Zilker Park, so you really have the best of both worlds. It was just the perfect fit with easy access to downtown and a smaller feel community to raise my kids. It really depends on where you work and what your hobbies are, and Westlake really met that need for me.
Q: What sets Westlake apart from other areas around Austin?
A: People often come together around school communities, Westlake being one of them. Families tend to be really happy in the Westlake community because of so many opportunities around the schools. Not only because of what your kids are active in, but the art, the music and the football games. The schools do a really good job of inviting the community to participate in what's going on.
Q: What is it about real estate specifically in the Westlake area that appeals to you?
A: I don’t think you can go wrong choosing to own a home in the Westlake Community. The values stay strong, and it’ll never go out of style to live in a highly desirable location close to a city. I recommend Westlake for people looking for good schools and proximity to Austin. There’s so many things to be involved in and it’s really easy no matter what your kids enjoy - there’s just easy access in all directions.
Q: What are your favorite ways to stay active outdoors in Westlake?
A: I love to hike the Hill of Life in the Woods of Westlake community. It has several options once you get down the hill — towards or away from Zilker Park — and you always know heading back that you’ll get that cardio burn on the way up.
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As we wrap up this guide to hills west of the city, it’s easy to see why this community stands out as one of Austin’s most desirable places to live. Whether you're drawn to the breathtaking views or the exclusive amenities, Westlake has something for everyone. Reach out today for personalized guidance through the homes within the great city of Austin.
