If you’re like most parents who are relocating to Austin with kids, you want to make their transition as easy as possible. We’ve helped many families relocate to Austin and one thing we’ve seen time and time again is how quickly the kids adjust. Austin is a super friendly city and kids usually don’t have any trouble making friends in their neighborhood and at school. If you’re a parent and want to find the best place for your children, check out our list of best Austin neighborhoods for kids. We’ve listed six neighborhoods in Austin where kids are never short of things to do. We’ve given you a map, so you can see where these neighborhoods are found and also broken down each neighborhood with links where you can get additional info. If you aren’t sure if any of these Austin neighborhoods would work, or if you want to be certain you’re looking in the right place for your kids, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com. Our team of relocation specialists can help recommend the best Austin neighborhoods for your kids and family.
Best Austin Neighborhoods for Kids Map
Use the interactive map below to get a idea where each of these neighborhoods are located in relation to Austin’s landmarks.
Steiner Ranch
- Zip Code: 78732
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 30 minutes, 19 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 30 minutes, 28 miles
- Amenities: Full Time Activities Director, Multiple Community Centers with Pools, Sports Courts, Tennis Courts, Hike and Bike Trail, Playscapes, Private Country Club, Private Lake Club
- School District: Leander ISD
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Steiner Ranch, River Ridge or Laura Bush Elementary, Canyon Vista Middle and Vandegrift High School
- Price Range: High $300k’s – $6MM
- Median Price: $931,234
- Average Price: $805,000
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 3,232
- Year Built: 1988-2018
Steiner Ranch stood out as the best Austin neighborhood for kids for several reasons. Number one, they want you to live like you’re on vacation everyday. I don’t know about your kids, but kids seem to be pretty happy when they’re on vacation!
There are 3 community centers with everything a kid could ever want – swimming pools, basketball, multi-purpose ball fields, picnic areas, play areas and more. Plus, Steiner Ranch employs a full time activities planner whose job is to plan activities for the neighborhood. Then, throw in the play groups, martial arts studio, sports and lake access, your kid will never have to leave the “land between the lakes” as they call it.
Homes in Steiner Ranch cover every budget – priced from the $400k’s all the way to the millions for lakefront estates. Plus, the schools are some of the highest rated in Austin.
For more info about Steiner Ranch and what it’s like to live there, try our Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Guide.
Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Map
Steiner Ranch Homes for Sale
Circle C
- Zip Code: 78739, 78749
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 16 minutes, 12 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 16 minutes, 16 miles
- Amenities: Multiple Community Centers with Pools, Sports Courts, Tennis Courts, Playscapes, Disc Golf, Hike and Bike Trail, Veloway, Greenbelt Access
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Kiker, Clayton, Mills or Baranoff Elementary, Gorzycki or Bailey Middle and Bowie High School
- Price Range: Mid $500k’s – $2.7MM
- Median Price: $894,040
- Average Price: $837,500
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,904
- Year Built: 1987-2020
Circle C, located in Southwest Austin off MoPac, is another great neighborhood for kids. They currently have a community pool, several parks and hiking trails. A new community center and pool is currently in the building stages at the corner of Spruce Canyon and Lacrosse and is scheduled to break ground in March 2011. Another popular local attraction is the 3.1 mile paved bike/rollerblade track, The Veloway. Parents can breathe a little easier because cars are prohibited.
Homes in Circle C start in the mid $500k’s to the $2.7MM’s and each neighborhood within Circle C is unique. For more about Circle C and to search homes for sale, visit our Circle C Neighborhood Guide.
Circle C Neighborhood Map
Circle C Homes for Sale
Shady Hollow
- Zip Code: 78739, 78748
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 20 minutes, 14 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 20 minutes, 15 miles
- Amenities: Community Center, Pools, Sports Courts, Tennis Courts, Playscapes, Hike and Bike Trail, Greenbelt Access
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Baranoff Elementary, Bailey Middle and Bowie High School
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – $1.1MM
- Median Price: $714,655
- Average Price: $687,388
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,470
- Year Built: 1973-2003
Also in Southwest Austin, Shady Hollow is another popular neighborhood amongst Austin’s kids. With a neighborhood park, community center, pool, play areas and hike and bike trails, Shady Hollow’s kids are never short of things to do. Residents are also very close-knit and you’ll often see kids playing around the neighborhood. The HOA also plans several activities throughout the year, including their popular holiday events, which promotes the sense of community you’ll feel when you’re there.
Homes range from the mid $400k’s to the high $900k’s and were built from the 1970s to the mid-2000’s. For more about Shady Hollow and to search homes for sale, visit our Shady Hollow Neighborhood Guide.
Shady Hollow Neighborhood Map
Shady Hollow Homes for Sale
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Avery Ranch
- Zip Code: 78717
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 24 minutes, 19 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 28 minutes, 26 miles
- Amenities: Multiple Community Centers with Pools, Sports Courts, Tennis Courts, Playscapes, Hike and Bike Trail, Amphitheater, Greenbelt Access, Public Golf Course
- School District: Leander ISD (LISD) and Round Rock ISD (RRISD)
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Rutledge (LISD) or England, Patsy Sommer or Purple Sage (RRISD) Elementary, Henry or Stiles (LISD) or Cedar Valley, Grisham or Pearson Place (RRISD) Middle and Vista Ridge (LISD) or McNeil (RRISD) High School
- Price Range: Low $400k’s – $1.5MM
- Median Price: $677,823
- Average Price: $635,000
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,554
- Year Built: 2001 – 2019
Avery Ranch is one of Austin’s largest master planned communities spanning 1,800 acres. Building began in 2001 and continues today. Homes range from a basic starter home to a luxury home that backs to the golf course or maybe even a pond. Kids love Avery Ranch because of its five community centers with pools, basketball courts, sports fields, tennis courts, hike and bike trail and the planned activities. Parents love Avery Ranch because of its affordable options, public golf course and on-site schools, which make drop off and pick up easy. And, Avery Ranch is convenient to Parmer Lane, 183 and 45, making it perfect for someone who needs to commute to one of the tech employers in North Austin. If you’re looking for a master planned community on the north side of town, Avery Ranch is a good place to start your search.
For more info and to search homes for sale, check out our Avery Ranch Neighborhood Guide.
Avery Ranch Neighborhood Map
Avery Ranch Homes for Sale
Belterra
- Zip Code: 78737
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 24 minutes, 19 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 24 minutes, 22 miles
- Amenities: Activities Director, Fitness Center, Sports Courts, Pars, Aquatic Center, 400 Acres of Open Space
- School District: Dripping Springs ISD
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Rooster Springs Elementary, Sycamore Springs Middle and Dripping Springs High School
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – $1.1MM
- Median Price: $728,311
- Average Price: $725,000
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,993
- Year Built: 2003-Today (2021)
Located west of Austin off Highway 290, Belterra is a great place for someone looking for a master planned community, but also doesn’t want to live in suburbia. Though in Austin, Belterra is closer to Dripping Springs, where you’ll find ranches, acreage lots and Texas Hill Country living. With brand new construction from production builders, an on-site elementary school, amenities and activities director, Belterra does have some features that you’d find in your typical master planned community. On the flip side, you won’t find street lights and the developers have done a great job at keeping Belterra as unique as possible. Plus, the area does lean more towards a Texas vibe. If you’re looking for a newer home, but don’t want to live in the same suburb you can find anywhere in the country, Belterra is the best place to start your search.
For more info and to search homes for sale, check out our Belterra Neighborhood Guide.
Belterra Neighborhood Map
Belterra Homes for Sale
Zilker
- Zip Code: 78704
- Distance to Downtown Austin: 9 minutes, 2.6 miles
- Distance to Austin Airport: 14 minutes, 10 miles
- Amenities: Walking Distance to Many Downtown Austin Amenities
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary, Middle and High School: Zilker Elementary, O’Henry Middle and Austin High School
- Price Range: Mid $600k’s – $4.5MM
- Median Price: $1,555,963
- Average Price: $1,365,000
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/3
- Average SqFt: 2,204
- Year Built: 1900-Today (2022)
If you’re more of an urban dweller, Zilker is the place to start your search. Though Zilker has no neighborhood amenities like you find in master planned communities, that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of things to do. Kids love Zilker because much of it is within walking distance to shopping, dining, a Alamo Drafthouse, coffee and juice bars. Another section is within walking distance to Zilker Park, Barton Springs and the trail. But, you still maintain a neighborhood feel of established homes mixed with some new construction. Zilker is one of the more expensive neighborhoods on our list but it’s also one of the most convenient.
For more info and to search homes for sale, check out our Zilker Neighborhood Guide.
Zilker Neighborhood Map
Zilker Homes for Sale
Average price and size information is from ACTRIS closed sales 1/31/2021-1/30/2022.
Criteria Behind Best Austin Neighborhoods for Kids
This wasn’t just a seat of our pants kind of list. And, actually, there was some thought but into it. In compiling this list, we looked at four things:
- Quality of Schools
- Neighborhood Amenities
- Neighborhood Activities
- Home and Lot Sizes
Kids may not care about the quality of their education, but we know parents do! Neighborhood amenities, like parks and community centers played a big role in kids having things to do nearby. Neighborhood activities – organized or not – were also something we considered. Finally, home and lot sizes were another metric we used. Homes with large enough lots to have a place for kids to play as well as home size we felt was important. Let’s face it…this isn’t Manhattan. We’ve all gotten used to our space and I know our house is happier when everyone has room to move.
Not Quite Sure if These Austin Neighborhoods are Right for Your Kids?
Our team of Austin relocation specialists can help identify which neighborhoods are best for you and your family. With some additional info about what you’re looking for, we can recommend the best places to start your search. Simply fill out our Neighborhood Finder, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com with what you envision for your life in Austin and one of our relocation specialists will get back to you as soon as possible.
Looking for a Home in One of Austin’s Best Neighborhoods for Kids?
We know the Austin housing market well and can help save you time and money! We’ve helped many families relocate to Austin and so far all of them have been satisfied with where they ended up. For more info about our team and how we can help you find the best place for you and your family, check out our Austin Buyer Representation Program. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.