North Central Austin

Barrington Oaks / Laurel Oaks

Affordability and good schools are the primary attributes that attract prospective homebuyers to this north Austin subdivision. Located in both the City of Austin and the highly acclaimed Round Rock Independent School Districts, homes sold in the last six months have ranged in price from $105,000 to $210,000 and average $97.01 per square foot.  All of the schools: North Oaks Elementary, Laurel Mountain Elementary, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School, are Presidential Blue Ribbon Schools. Westwood High is ranked in the top 20 high schools in the nation academically. North Oaks elementary is rated in the top three elementary schools in the Round Rock Independent School District and Canyon Vista is the highest ranked middle school.

With easy access to Highway 183 and Spicewood Springs Road, Barrington Oaks is in close proximity to shops, major employers, recreational areas and medical facilities. Demographics of the subdivision reveal there are an equal number of married couples with children, married couples without children and single people without children living in the neighborhood. Furthermore, the majority of homeowners are college graduates with professional occupations. The area's very active homeowners association, the Laurel Oaks Neighborhood Association (LONA), keeps residents informed about local events and issues and is currently raising money for a new subdivision entrance sign. There's a YMCA a little over a mile away, and Oak View Park, the heart of the neighborhood, has tennis courts, a playground, a hike and bike trail and picnic areas. In the summertime, residents of Barrington Oaks head to the swimming pool at nearby Canyon Vista Middle School to cool off.

Most of the homes on the large lots of Barrington Oaks were built in the 1970s through the mid '80s so the vegetation has matured into the lush landscape you see now. Predominantly a single-family residence neighborhood, the homes received their water and electrical utilities from the City of Austin, have three to four bedrooms, two-car garages and generous yards with stands of trees. The aforementioned hike and bike trail is not only a big draw to those seeking outdoor recreation, but it also serves to define the neighborhood's connection with its natural surroundings.

Copperfield

Bound by Yager Lane to the north, IH35 to the west, Dessau Road to the east and Walnut Creek to the south, Copperfield allows for easy access to IH35, 183 and Mopac Expressway.

These connections allow for more than just access to shopping - though the shopping and entertainment options in the area are vast and growing. Once you've entered one of these major thoroughfares, you're literally minutes from downtown, Georgetown and Cedar Park. Groundbreaking on the subdivision began in 1982 when the area was sparsely populated and there were few shops or businesses. Since that time, the region has grown into a hotbed of commerce and industry that's recast the once sleepy outpost into a highly desired central location. Residents now love being mere minutes from downtown, but still far enough from the hustle and bustle of big city life. You just can't beat this winning combination.

Its prime location near Dell is arguably Copperfield's biggest draw, but the affordability of the homes ranks a close second. Though most of the homes were built in the '80s, new construction continued up through 2003 to keep up with demand, thus the distinct locations and home styles. Because the area has been established for some time, the trees, foliage and landscaping have matured into lush fullness. Besides the obvious aesthetic benefit, the full-blown greenery provides shade that becomes critically important during Austin's sweltering summer months. The houses themselves average 1,388 square feet with a mean price of $86.44 per square foot that brings current home prices in the area to roughly $120,000. Electric utilities, water and wastewater are provided by the City of Austin, and gas service comes from TXU Gas.

An important consideration for people looking to buy a home and start a family is the quality of schools serving the neighborhood. Though located in Austin proper, Copperfield lies in the Pflugerville Independent School District. To the uninitiated, Pflugerville ISD has earned a "Recognized" rating from the Texas Education Agency for the third consecutive year. Outstanding achievement in 2001 TAAS testing earned four campuses in Pflugerville ISD an "Exemplary" and nine campuses a "Recognized" rating for 2001-2002.

The highly acclaimed schools that Copperfield students attend include Pflugerville Elementary, Dessau Middle School and Connally High School.

So, there's Dell and Samsung, shopping and restaurants, great schools and affordable homes, quiet streets and easy access to downtown. Could you ask for anything more? What about a greenbelt and a sprawling metropolitan park? Would you like that? Well, Copperfield boasts those things, too. The Big Walnut Creek Greenbelt and Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park are central to the neighborhood and one of the highlights of living there. Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, with a swimming pool, three softball fields, six miles of hike and bike trails, a basketball court, a volleyball court, 41 picnic tables, a barbeque grill, a picnic pavilion and an outdoor facility that may be reserved for family and neighborhood gatherings allows Copperfield residents to stay in the neighborhood when most others have to make the trek to far-flung Zilker.

Gracy Woods

Bound by Bittern Hollow and Lincolnshire Drive to the north, Braker Lane to the south, Metric Boulevard to the west and Lamar Boulevard to the east, Gracy Woods is situated close to many high tech employers, shopping centers, the Northridge Austin Community College campus, a number of parks and a treasured greenbelt.

Other amenities include a major hospital and lots of shopping, from businesses along IH35 to those in and around The Arboretum - both areas being easily accessible from the heart of Gracy Woods. But don't let all the commercial amenities fool you. One of the best things about living in Gracy Woods is its access to the Gracy Woods Park and the Big Walnut Creek Greenbelt system. Having a greenbelt that boasts a mile and half of natural trails is a real treat, but the neighborhood's biggest outdoor recreational draw has to be Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. With a swimming pool, three softball fields, six miles of hike and bike trails, a basketball court, a volleyball court, 41 picnic tables, a barbeque grill, a picnic pavilion and an outdoor facility that may be reserved for family and neighborhood gatherings, residents need look no further for recreational facilities.

Though located in Austin proper, the schools of Gracy Woods are served by the Pflugerville Independent School District, a plus for homeowners concerned about the quality of education their children receive.The kids and young adults of Gracy Woods attend River Oaks Elementary School, Westview Middle School and Connally High School. Residents are also lucky to have a relatively new community college campus in the neighborhood, the aforementioned Northridge location of Austin Community College.

The majority of homes range from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet (perfect for first-time homebuyers), and range in price from $137,000 to $155,000 or $81.47 per square foot. The streets are quiet and the yards are generous. Due to the development's longevity, this established area is blessed with mature trees that enhance the landscape and provide much needed shade during Austin's trying summer months. Residents are proud of their active homeowners association, the North Gracy Woods Neighborhood Association, which sponsors a dinner club, a garden club, and a babysitting co-op. Neighbors are encouraged to take part in community-spirit-building activities like Gracy Woods' annual summer-time ice cream social, a neighborhood-wide garage sale in the fall, and a holiday lighting competition during the holidays.

Lamplight Village

Nearly 30 years have passed since Lamplight Village was first established, and the neighborhood's Parmer Lane location, above, continues to make it desirable. The community is made up of single-family homes that were built between 1976 and 1983 and have from two to four bedrooms.

Though Lamplight Village's Parmer Lane location puts it in the heart of North Austin, when the neighborhood was founded nearly 30 years ago, it was outside of the Austin city limits. Though Lamplight Village is no longer in the 'country' - it was annexed by the city in 1996 - it has maintained its legacy of reasonably priced homes. Lamplight Village consists of single-family homes built between 1976 and 1983 that feature two to four bedrooms, one or two bathrooms and one- or two-car garages. The homes measure from 1,100 to 1,700 square feet and prices range from $90,000 to $130,000.

ordered on the north and east by the newer developments of Scofield Ridge and Scofield Farms, and on the west by Tomanet Trail, Lamplight Village also counts Parmer Lane as one of its boundries. The many restaurants and retail stores on Parmer Lane make shopping and dining out a breeze for area residents. The community's close proximity to both MoPac and Interstate 35 puts it in the middle of a popular and vibrant area of the city.

Lamplight Village is in the Pflugerville school district and is served by Parmer Lane Elementary and Westview Middle schools, both of which are within walking distance of the community. Connally High school is accessible by bus. Parmer Lane and Connally are rated "recognized" and Westview features a quarter-mile paved track and other amenities that are available for public use. The property tax rate is 2.83%

Lamplight Village is an established neighborhood with wide streets, impressive yards and large trees. This well-maintained, working-class community offers a convenient location and reasonable pricing that makes it ideal for single buyers and young families. If this sounds like what you are looking for, shine a light on Lamplight Village.

Milwood

Milwood is bordered to the North by Parmer Lane, to the South Duval, East Amherst and the Railroad tracks to the West.

The houses are generally modern one-story homes placed on small, grassy plots of land. Neighbors are just a stone's throw away, watering their lawns and taking care of small shrubs in their front yards.

Homes range from the $145s to the $160s, with an average range of 1,600 square feet of space. While they are modestly sized, they are well-maintained and boast an extremely reasonable price tag.

The neighborhood is bordered by Parmer Lane, Amherst Drive, the county line and northwest toward RM 620. Convenient access to Interstate 35 and Loop 1 make Milwood an ideal location for those looking to ease their commute to and from work each day.

Several shopping centers and convenience stores are available for Milwood residents. A few highlights include the Cool River Café, the Balcones Park and Pool for residents of all ages and the Milwood Branch Austin Public Library. The picturesque landscape of Milwood makes it an ideal location to raise a family.

In addition to a nicely laid-out community, Milwood offers a strong and active neighborhood association. Membership is offered to all residents who pay annual dues.

The Milwood Neighborhood Association organizes several committees aimed to improve the community, including beautification, crime and safety, membership and social, newsletter, Web site and zoning information committees.

Each Fourth of July, the neighborhood association hosts a picnic and parade for the entire community. The group also organizes a neighborhood-wide garage sale, and publishes a newsletter for community members.

In addition to neighborhood-wide activities of this sort, the association also offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

Children in the area attend Summit Elementary, Murchison Middle School and Anderson High School. Utilities are provided by the city.

Great Hills

For people who like beautiful views, winding roads and living on a cul de sac, Great Hills is a great neighborhood. The 18-hole golf course, along with areas of rugged terrain, dictated that the neighborhood streets follow an irregular pattern. The resulting home sites offer panoramas highlighted by creeks, trees, fairways and other homes in the distance.

Nearby businesses include Home Depot, Container Store, all the stores in The Arboretum, Sam's Club, Costco, many restaurants, and two movie theatres.

Homes in the neighborhood are typically two stories with lots of brick or stone on the exterior. The style is traditional.  The price range for homes in Great Hills is $320,000 to $600,000.  Sizes range from around 2,000 square feet to about 3,400 square feet.

For recreation, there's Austin Hills Park off Floral Park Drive. It features a rugged nature trail for hiking. Bull Creek Park and its greenbelt are 5 minutes away. Much of the recreational facilities actually in Great Hills are found at the country club.

The country club is at the heart of the original Great Hills neighborhood. That original neighborhood roughly has U.S. 183 as an east boundary, Loop 360 to the south, Bluegrass to the west and Rain Creek Parkway to the north.

Determining the boundaries of Great Hills is a difficult proposition. As the area bounded by Spicewood Springs Road, U.S. 183 and Loop 360 has filled in with houses (new homes continue to be built in the area) new neighborhoods have grown up contiguous to Great Hills. Consequently there are numerous neighborhood associations in the area in addition to Great Hills Homeowner's Association.

Children living in Great Hills may attend school in either the Round Rock Independent School District or Austin Independent School District depending on where they live.

Residents in AISD attend Hill Elementary, Murchison Middle School and Anderson Hill School. Those in RRISD attend North Oaks Elementary, Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School.

City of Austin provides electricity, wastewater and trash pickup. Texas Gas Service provides gas to most homes though some have propane tanks.