The Top Reasons to Move to Barton Hills
By Alex Mikoulianitch on June 02, 2023
It’s sometimes hard to believe that one of Austin’s most coveted neighborhoods is somehow related to it, especially if you’re commuting back from Downtown.
Spend a day among the Texas capital’s blistering pace and imposing high-rises, and it may seem you’ve teleported to the ‘burbs when you enter Barton Hills. But rest assured, you’re still in the heart of Austin; you’re just surrounded by some of its most stunning greenery and outdoor attractions.
Proudly boasting Austin’s luxurious "78704" zip code, Barton Hills enjoys access to some of the city’s most popular parks. The verdant recreation perks are only part of the package, though.
Unique and historic watering holes, plenty of Texas flare, and a wide range of some of the most desirable homes in the Lone Star State make Barton Hills one of the best places to live in Austin.
Below, the Prevu Real Estate team breaks down the top reasons you should consider moving to Barton Hills.
Top reasons to move to Barton Hills
- An oasis minutes away from Downtown
- Some of Austin’s best outdoor recreation
- Lively entertainment and dining
- Proximity to Austin’s biggest attractions
- An eclectic housing stock
An oasis minutes away from Downtown
Arguably the most striking feature of Barton Hills is just how close it is to Downtown Austin.
Take a few moments to drive through the neighborhood’s winding, tree-filled streets, and it may seem unfathomable that with a few minutes more on the road, you’ll be in the heart of Austin’s business district.
But the reality remains, and Barton Hills never fails to impress with how well it manages to insulate its tranquility from the electrical pace of neighboring Downtown. This resort-like feel, blended with some of Austin’s most well-known locales and festivals, help make Barton Hills’ collection of homes some of the most desirable in Texas.
You don’t have to travel far to find a density of foliage to lose yourself in; neither do you need to commute for hours to experience world-class music festivals or dance your way through traditional Texas honky-tonk dance floors.
Some of Austin’s best outdoor recreation
The absolute crown jewel of Barton Hills is its outdoor recreation.
Few places in the nation can offer a complete outdoor experience right on the doorstep of a fast-paced metropolis; even fewer can compete with the attractions that Barton Hills provides.
The northern region of the neighborhood is home to Zilker Metropolitan Park, the area’s top destination for enjoying a day surrounded by greenery. It also features the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Zilker Park Disc Golf Course, and the famous Austin City Limits Music Festival.
You can also rest easy about surviving Austin’s notoriously hot summers; the Barton Springs Pool, maintained by natural springs that attain 68-degree temperatures within the oasis, offers Barton Hill locals a backyard swimming getaway, one of the city's most popular attractions.
While exploring Zilker Metropolitan, you’ll likely notice that Barton Creek winds from the park to the rest of the neighborhood. Follow that creek, and it will take you to the second biggest attraction in Barton Hills: the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead.
This large swath of greenery and unbeatable natural beauty is a small part of the massive Barton Wilderness Park. You’ll have to leave Barton Hills (many times) to explore the entirety of that park, but you’ll have a ton of hiking to do at home first.
Lively entertainment and dining
If you’re not one for zooming around the city to get your entertainment fix, get ready to spend a lot of time at Zilker Metropolitan Park.
Barton Hills’ centerpiece of outdoor recreation also has a jam-packed collection of iconic events that draw crowds from all over Austin. Austin City Limits Music Festival may be the most recognizable, but the park also hosts the popular Austin Kite Festival, Yoga in the Park, and the jaw-dropping Trail of Lights, which features over two million lights designed to illuminate art installations and holiday trees.
These attractions are spread throughout the year, so you won’t have to worry about long stretches without a big event to look forward to.
Barton Hills won’t have you wandering too far from home for dining, either.
Head to South Lamar Boulevard, and you can have your pick of some of the best Mexican-inspired cuisine in town. Many of the eateries here are focused on traditional and innovative Mexican food, whether it’s simple-yet-delicious food truck tacos, to upscale dining that elevates classical dishes to a new level.
Proximity to Austin’s biggest attractions
Zilker Metropolitan Park steals many headlines regarding some of the best entertainment in Austin, but everything else that makes the city famous is just a stone’s throw away.
Famous music venues like Mohawk and top BBQ spots like Franklin Barbecue are all a 15-minute drive away from Barton Hills.
The Austin Convention Center, the "hub" for Austin’s legendary South By Southwest (SXSW) festival, is in Downtown Austin and features a similarly short commute. You’ll also have no trouble getting to Red River Street and its endless supply of top eateries and bars.
From there, you can head to the Texas State Capitol, explore the Rainey Street Historic District, wander into some of Austin’s most popular neighborhoods, and get the experience you want out of your new city; Barton Hills’ unbeatable location makes getting to those places much more accessible.
An eclectic housing stock
Be prepared; Barton Hills’ homes are as expensive as they are beautiful, but the diverse offerings of the neighborhood’s treasured housing stock are often worth every penny.
Much of Barton Hills is residential, sandwiched between Zilker Metropolitan Park, the Barton Creek Trailhead, and all the lush greenery they bring. While exploring the area, the homes you’ll discover can range from split-level ranches to historic bungalows to multi-level mansions, with some of the most demanding price tags in Texas.
Don’t worry if you’re not in the market for a single-family home; Barton Hills has plenty of pockets that showcase modern condominium complexes and townhouses, so you can discover the home that best suits your needs.
