6.9 out of 10

Barton Creek Square

Ranked 24th best neighborhood in Austin
30.2655542237326 -97.8054407131862
Great for
  • Shopping Options
  • Clean & Green
  • Internet Access
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Eating Out
Not great for
  • Nightlife
  • Cost of Living
  • Pest Free
  • Public Transport
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Singles
  • Retirees

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Where The Retired and the Wealthy Shop and Live in Austin, Texas"

Conveniently located with the MoPac Expressway on the eastern border and the State Capitol of Texas Highway to the south, the Barton Hills Square neighborhood of Austin, Texas boasts fabulous shopping with one of the best malls in the city. Housing here when available can run up to $800,000 and this neighborhood is right next to some of Austin's best amenities including Zilker Metropolitan Park and Town Lake Park. It's a safe and quiet neighborhood for the most part with one of the lowest crime rates in the city. This is an excellent place to raise a family or enjoy upscale living close to all of the action.

The area is served by the Austin Independent School District, which has some of its higher performing schools in this area. The neighborhood is a mix of young, urban professionals and older people who have retired to the area. There are plenty of great dining and nightlife options on the borders of the neighborhood and if that is not enough, it's a quick drive east to all of the best Downtown Austin has to offer.
Pros
  • Natural beauty
  • Upscale housing
  • Isolation
  • Movie theater
Cons
  • Expensive real estate
  • Lack of nightlife
  • Lack of public transportation
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Scenic Opulence, superior comfort"

The Austin Surgical Hospital is located here—offering 24/7 emergency care in addition to general and plastic surgeries and specialized treatments. I’ve heard it referred to as “the Four Seasons of Hospitals.” They bill themselves as the Austin hospital “dedicated to providing superior patient comfort and care.” Swap the word “patient” for “resident” and that might as well be the slogan for Barton Creek Square as a neighborhood.

Outsiders are drawn to Barton Creek Square by the Barton Creek Square Mall, a super-plush mall with an apple store and a movie theater. Residents are drawn by the schools, beautiful homes, convenient shopping, natural beauty, and proximity to the lush and wild thousand-acre Barton Creek Wilderness Preserve.

In the woods of the Barton Creek Wilderness Preserve, there are extensive hiking and biking trails. People come here to walk their dogs and exercise, and the swimming here is great too—you just have to keep your eye out for a good swimming hole as you explore the area.
Pros
  • Apple store
  • Movie theater
  • Wilderness preserve
  • Natural beauty
  • Upscale housing
  • Isolation
Cons
  • Expensive real estate
  • Lack of nightlife
  • Lack of public transportation
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Upper class living at upper class prices"

Barton Creek Square has plenty to recommend it. Beautiful natural spaces, beautiful homes, beautiful shopping, and on top of that, it’s one of Austin’s safest and most peaceful neighborhoods. Naturally, a neighborhood with this much to offer doesn’t come cheap. This is upper-crust living at perhaps its finest in the region.

Most of us won’t be looking to rent or buy here most of the time, but we can all still enjoy the ample upscale shopping any time we like. The mall is anchored by Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, and Sears, and has over 180 different retailers, from Abercrombie to Zales and everything in between. Retail therapy ahoy!

Schools are strong and four different private schools are in and around the Barton Creek area. Luxury homes abound, along with the requisite golf course and country club.

While living here may be out of reach for many of us, it’s a truly spectacular neighborhood, opulent and lush, and might well be one of Austin’s premiere destinations for the elite and well-to-do. To maintain the community’s natural beauty, homeowners are encouraged to build and landscape in ways that complement nature instead of struggling against it. The peace, quiet, safety, and beauty of the land all combine to make this a marvelous place to live or visit.
Pros
  • Natural beauty
  • Upscale housing
Cons
  • Expensive real estate
  • Lack of nightlife
  • Lack of public transportation
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"West Side Paradise"

Barton Creek Square is where one with a wealthy income can find upscale housing along beautifully forested streets within close range of the Green Belt and the Barton Creek Wilderness Park. Filled with newer and larger homes, the real estate prices range from $170,000 to $800,000 depending on condition and size. Those who wish to dine out can do so along the S. Mopac Expressway and the S. Capital of Texas Highway, but most of the area is purely residential, isolated from all hustle and bustle. Though not too far from Austin's economic and cultural centers, the population density of the neighborhood qualifies is as a suburban area.

The local crime rate is one of the lowest in the city and the population is one of the wealthiest in both the city and the country. Residents are of mixed ages ranging from retirees to upper- middle class students to families. The shopping options are plentiful with houses being within close range of Barton Creek Square and Westbank Market, and those who want to enjoy the river only need to take a short drive along the S. Mopac Expressway. Due to its suburban setting, this neighborhood lacks the bus stops that many inner city communities have, but almost every resident can afford and has their own personal vehicle. Barton Creek Square is the ideal spot for those who can afford prime real estate and wish to enjoy it.
Pros
  • Upscale housing
  • Natural beauty
  • Isolation
Cons
  • Expensive real estate
  • Lack of public transportation
  • Lack of nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"Upper class mall too rich for my blood"

Not for the thin of wallet or the quirky of spirit. This is where you’ll find a nice, upper-scale mall with pretty unique architecture and comfy places to sit. And I’m not talking about your usual benches—more like leather chairs and couches. This is a fun place to hang out and people watch, especially if you’re poor like me. The usual sort of clothing stores (Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic) and furniture (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn) and a movie theater. There’s also a Swarovski here, which is pretty fun to check out. Being a mall, it’s of course easily accessible by the highway system, but traffic can get crazy during weekends and holidays. Nearby on Loop 360 is Rudy’s Bar-BQ. Definitely check this out after a long day of shopping for a plate of brisket, banana pudding, and a bottle of Lone Star. (Hey, it’s Willy Nelson’s favorite beer!) This is a nice area to live if you’re able to drop a few million. There are a lot of amazing homes that are sort of fun to drive around and see. When you’re bored with the richies, you can head to Barton Creek Pool and soak away your jealousy.
Pros
  • Upscale housing
  • Natural beauty
Cons
  • Expensive real estate
  • Lack of nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More