There are so many great places to live in Austin that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Kuper Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.
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More than 20 years ago, real estate agent Sandy Cary moved to Lakeway from Dallas — and never looked back.
“Coming from such a flat area, the hills and the trees and all of the beauty and nature of Lake Travis were a huge draw for me,” she says.
Having worked in the area for just as long, Cary is well-attuned to the resort-style feel of the community and the unique perks of lake life: “I absolutely love it.” Her 53-year-old double yellow-headed Amazon parrot doesn’t mind it either!
Cary also loves the predominantly Mediterranean-style architecture. Fun fact: “The movie Spy Kids was filmed on Lake Travis and you would think you are really in the Mediterranean with all of the stucco and tile roofs we have!”
Another top attraction is The Oasis. “It's one of the most beautiful places to see amazing sunsets overlooking Lake Travis,” adds Cary. The destination restaurant is even known as The Sunset Capital of Texas.
Cary offered up a few more of her personal favorites about life in the Lake Travis area. Here's her guide:
Where to eat & drink
In addition to The Oasis, there are so many great places to eat and drink in this area, including: Plate by Dzintra (from-scratch goodness), Steiner Ranch Steakhouse (excellent surf and turf), SP Brazilian Steakhouse, The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen, Café Blue (the best seafood and oyster bar), Buenos Aires Café (for Argentinean cuisine), Carmela's (grab one of their artisan pizzas), The League Kitchen & Tavern (an homage to the 1920s Prohibition era), Verdes Mexican Parrilla, Sundancer Grill, Santa Catarina, Canyon Grille Rough Hollow, and The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge (great lake views).
Where to play
“Boating is number one!” says Cary. “There are many marinas in the area and lots of places to rent boats.”
She also recommends Lakeway Park as an amazing place to relax, as well as the Lakeway community pools.
For golfing, Falconhead Golf Club is a top favorite public course.
The Hill Country Galleria also has free live music on the lawn on Friday nights, a farmers market on Sundays, periodic yoga classes, and more activities.
What to see
“There are several wonderful hidden gems in the Lake Travis area, including Hamilton Greenbelt,” says Cary. “It's a beautiful park filled with amazing trails.”
The Spicewood wineries are also at the top of her list to see — and savor, too.
More nature-rich destinations include Bee Cave Sculpture Park, Muleshoe Bend, Jessica Hollis Park, Mansfield Park, and Pace Bend Park.
Where to live
“The homes are definitely varied; there's something here for everyone,” says Cary. “Around the lake, the style is mostly Mediterranean. However, you'll also see modern, traditional, and super-eclectic homes — one, in particular, is even shaped like a mushroom.”
Many properties here have gorgeous views and spacious grounds, like the five-bed, eight-bath property Cary sold at 35 Water Front Ave. Another significant sale of hers is the 10,000-square-foot Mediterranean stunner at 12017 Kirkland Court.
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Sandy Cary works and plays in the Lake Travis area. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, sandy.cary@sothebysrealty.com, or call 512-589-1002.
Photo by Onward Group
Agent Sandy Cary.
