Northwest Hills

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Northwest Hills is often referred to as Far West, named after its main street, Far West Boulevard. Located in the northwestern part of Austin, this neighborhood was originally purchased and developed by David Barrow Sr and Edward Barrow along with their associates. The land was purchased one parcel at a time from M. E. Hart, a Canadian businessman, and a man known as Capitan Knox. By the 1950s, the Barrows owned 2500 acres of developed land in northwest Austin.

Location

Northwest Hills is a beautiful, hilly, area with amazing views. It’s located between Far West Blvd. to 2222 and Mesa Dr. to Mountainclub Dr. close to Great Hills and Tarrytown. Easy access to Mopac and 360, allows for only about a 15-minute car ride to downtown Austin and a little less than a half hour to Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

Mostly built up between the 50s and the 80s, many Austin commuters call Northwest Hills home, where you’ll find ranch style homes on oversized lots and more contemporary limestone houses. Many homes are set into limestone cliffs or back up to wooded canyons.

Amenities

Living away from the downtown scene in a quiet, peaceful place won’t keep you away from all the city has to offer. All along Far West Blvd, there are plenty of small businesses and restaurants such as Siena Italian Restaurant and Eddie V’s.

Some residents enjoy Westover Hills Country Club, a private recreational club that offers swimming, tennis, camps and activities. A nearby landmark worth a visit is Mount Bonnell that looks out over Lake Austin. Visitors can scale a steep trail or climb the steps to the view at the top 775 feet high.

Hiking & Activities

There is much to do in Northwest Hills. The great outdoors offers long, winding roads where it is not uncommon to spot deer, armadillos, and other wildlife. You’ll find lots of cyclists, walkers, and runners throughout the area. Though there aren’t many established neighborhood parks, there are plenty of beautiful surroundings and panoramic views in places like Bull Creek and Bright Leaf Preserve.

School Districts

Students living in the area generally attend Doss, Highland Park, or Hill Elementary Schools, Lamar or Murchison Middle Schools, and Anderson or McCallum High Schools, all within AISD.

Oak Hill is a community of neighborhoods located above the Edwards and Trinity aquifers, thereby featuring caves and springs. Since Oak Hill is not incorporated, no legal boundaries exist. It is located near the Y in Oak Hill, or the intersection of U.S. 290 and TX-71. Annexed by Austin in 1989, the area known as Oak Hill has gone by other names in its past.

Welcome to the Neighborhood History

In 1835, the area known as Oak Hill was called Live Oak Springs when it was awarded to William Cannon by the Mexican government.

By 1869, the area was renamed Oatmanville after a prominent landowner at the time, B.F. Oatman. The name Oak Hill wasn’t adopted until 1900. Settlers came to the area for lumber. In addition, during the construction of the Texas State Capitol, the economy grew due to the nearby quarries where limestone was shipped.

Today, Oak Hill has a population close to 17,000. The area, which continued to expand further west, offers suburban living for families and young professionals alike. Residents enjoy traditional ranch style homes and more modern style homes as well.

School Districts

Considering the size and location of Oak Hill, there are many schools that serve students living in the area. Most common to the area are Oak Hill Elementary, Mills Elementary, Bailey Middle School, Small Middle School, Bowie High School, and Travis High School.

Location

Given Oak Hill’s convenient location at 290 and 71, Oak Hill has so much to offer. Residents are just 15 minutes from downtown Austin in one direction, Lake Travis to the west, and Dripping Springs to the south.

Within the Oak Hill area are some popular small businesses including Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Marigold Market & Café, The Natural Gardener, and Moviehouse & Eatery. Just a short drive will bring you to plenty of outdoor areas such as Barton Creek or the Austin Zoo as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities at the Hill Country Galleria or Barton Creek Mall.