If you’re looking for a home in Buda and you have kids, you might be interested in learning where you can find the best schools. Instead of checking three different sources and making your own list, we’ve done the research for you. Here are the Top 10 most affordable Buda neighborhoods with the best schools.
Top 10 Most Affordable Buda Neighborhoods with the Best Schools Mapped
#1: Cimarron Park
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Carpenter Hill (10/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $482,416
- Median Home Price: $455,000
- Price Range: Mid $300k’s – Mid $700k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/2
- Average SqFt: 1,774
Cimarron Park is the most affordable neighborhood in Buda where you can find the best schools. Built in the early 1980s, Cimarron Park homes are on the smaller side, but sit on large ½ acre or more lots, so you’ll have space between you and your neighbor. If you’re looking for a more move in ready home, Cimarron Park might still be the place for you. Many of the homes have been updated to meet today’s buyers taste and others are still in need of updates, perfect for someone who wants to put their own touch on their home.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Cimarron Park Neighborhood Guide.
Cimarron Park Homes for Sale
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#2: Cullen Country
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Elm Grove (9/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $476,471
- Median Home Price: $458,050
- Price Range: High $300k’s – Low $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,292
Cullen Country is a picturesque, wooded neighborhood near Downtown Buda. Homes were built by DR Horton, Mercedes and Buffington Homes and are 1,700-3,100 sq ft. The neighborhood is surrounded by a Cullen Country Park, Cullen Country Pond and mature trees, giving the neighborhood a unique country feel. Cullen Country is ideal for someone who wants a newer house, but doesn’t want the sterile neighborhood feel with no trees or mature landscaping.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Cullen Country Neighborhood Guide.
Cullen Country Homes for Sale
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#3: Elm Grove
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Elm Grove (9/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $498,925
- Median Home Price: $485,000
- Price Range: Low $400k’s – Mid $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,514
Elm Grove is another master planned community of 320 new homes located adjacent to Whispering Hollow. Known for their energy efficiency and high end finishes, Elm Grove homes are more of a value than other new Buda homes. If you’re looking for a new, eco friendly home in a highly rated school district, Elm Grove might be the place for you.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Elm Grove Neighborhood Guide.
Elm Grove Homes for Sale
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#4: Garlic Creek
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Elm Grove (9/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $499,200
- Median Home Price: $496,495
- Price Range: High $300k’s – Mid $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,423
Garlic Creek is primarily built by Meritage Homes and is one of the top picks for home buyers looking for a high quality finish out in a new home and highly rated schools. Garlic Creek residents have access to a community pool, jogging paths, kids playground, club house, fitness center and sport courts. If your kids are active, Garlic Creek is one of the best neighborhoods for amenities in Buda.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Garlic Creek Neighborhood Guide.
Garlic Creek Homes for Sale
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#5: Coves of Cimmaron
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Carpenter Hill (10/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $514,385
- Median Home Price: $499,500
- Price Range: Low $400k’s – High $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/2
- Average SqFt: 2,066
Coves of Cimarron is an older neighborhood built in the 1980s with homes that sit on ½ acre lots. Only minutes from Downtown Buda, Coves of Cimarron is as close as you can get to Downtown Buda with large lots. If you’re looking for a country setting with unique homes that don’t look onto 7 of your neighbors lots, Coves of Cimarron is the best place for you to start.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Coves of Cimarron Neighborhood Guide.
Coves of Cimarron Homes for Sale
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#6: Summer Pointe
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Elm Grove (9/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $521,900
- Median Home Price: $505,000
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – High $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,429
Summer Pointe is one of Buda’s newer neighborhoods and is being built by Pacesetter Homes. Located adjacent to Whispering Hollow, Summer Pointe residents enjoy the convenient location with a lower HOA fee and property tax rate. If you like the location of Whispering Hollow, want a brand new home and won’t use the community pool, Summer Pointe might be the neighborhood for you.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Summer Pointe Neighborhood Guide.
Summer Pointe Homes for Sale
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#7: Whispering Hollow
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Elm Grove (9/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $518,497
- Median Home Price: $515,000
- Price Range: High $300k’s – Mid $700k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,408
Whispering Hollow is a large, master planned community built by Standard Pacific and Ryland Homes. Whispering Hollow is one of the few Buda neighborhoods with a community pool and park. Elm Grove Elementary is located near the neighborhood’s entrance, so if you’re looking for a quick commute to school in the morning, Whispering Hollow is it. The neighborhood is nearing build out, so if you’re looking for a brand new home with great schools, Whispering Hollow is one of the last chances to get one.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Whispering Hollow Neighborhood Guide.
Whispering Hollow Homes for Sale
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#8: Huntington Estates
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Carpenter Hill (10/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $530,000
- Median Home Price: $530,000
- Price Range: Low – Mid $500k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/2
- Average SqFt: 2,268
Huntington Estates is a small neighborhood of homes on 0.5-1 acre lots. Built in the mid-late 1990s, Huntington Estates homes have open floorplans and spacious rooms. Some of the homes have been fully updated, while others are in more original condition. If you’re looking for a spacious lot at the most affordable price in Buda, there is no better place to start your search than Huntington Estates.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Huntington Estates Neighborhood Guide.
Huntington Estates Homes for Sale
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#9: Leisurewoods
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Carpenter Hill (10/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $584,699
- Median Home Price: $580,066
- Price Range: High $400k’s – High $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/2
- Average SqFt: 2,309
Leisurewoods is an established neighborhood built in the 1980s known for it’s larger lots. Leisurewoods is unique in that 4 of it’s 5 sections are in a voluntary HOA and 1 is required to be a member. Membership in the HOA gets residents access to the community pool and tennis courts. If you’re looking for a unique neighborhood with homes that sit on large lots and don’t want to sacrifice community amenities, Leisurewoods is the ideal place for you.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Leisurewoods Neighborhood Guide.
Leisurewoods Homes for Sale
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#10: Carpenter Hill
- School District: Hays CISD
- Elementary School: Carpenter Hill (10/10)
- Middle School: Dahlstrom (8/10)
- High School: Johnson (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $593,167
- Median Home Price: $591,105
- Price Range: High $400k’s – Mid $700k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,248
Tucked between the Buda Sportsplex, the Hays YMCA and Dahlstrom Middle School, Carpenter Hill is a new neighborhood developed and built exclusively by Perry Homes. The community has some unique amenities, like the pond and many of the homes back to greenbelt, which means no backyard neighbors. Most of the lots are 55′ wide, though some are larger, so if you’re looking for something a bit bigger, you’d better act soon as those will be the fastest to sell. The neighborhood has no amenities on site, but honestly you don’t need them with the YMCA and the Buda Sportsplex within walking distance. The YMCA was recently upgraded and features a gym, large weight room, fitness classes and pool. The Buda Sportsplex is a 52 acre complex with trails, sports fields, pavilion, playground and softball and baseball fields. Carpenter Hill is the ideal neighborhood for you if you’re looking for a westside Buda location, but don’t need an acreage lot.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Carpenter Hill Neighborhood Guide.
Carpenter Hill Homes for Sale
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How Did We Determine the Quality of Schools?
To consistently compare schools, we used school ratings from GreatSchools.org. To be included in the neighborhood list, schools had to be rated at least 7/10.
How Did We Determine Average and Median Price and Size Data and School Ratings?
We used sold data from ACTRIS for the past year (5/1/2021-4/30/2022). School ratings are GreatSchools ratings as of January 2025.
Not Sure if These Neighborhoods Are Right for You?
Try our Buda Neighborhood Finder. With some additional info about the type of neighborhood you’re looking for, we can send you a list of neighborhoods that more closely match your vision. We know the Buda real estate market and Buda like the back of our hand, so even if you can only describe the type of neighborhood you’d like to live, we can show you where to find it. If you’d like to try it out, visit our Buda Neighborhood Finder.
Looking for a Home in One of the Top 10 Most Affordable Buda Neighborhoods with the Best Schools?
With our combined 60+ years of experience, we specialize in helping buyers find the right home in the right neighborhood for you and your family. We can help you navigate the market like a pro, so you’ll have a stress free home buying experience. For more info about our team and our free home buyer representation program, check out our Buda Home Buyers section. Then call us at (512) 827-8323, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com or fill out our Buyer Survey to schedule a no obligation consultation.
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