People ask me this question in a lot of different ways: whether it’s worth trading a city commute for a lake view, whether the Highland Lakes actually holds up once the vacation feeling wears off, whether it’s a good place to retire versus a good place to raise kids. The honest answer is that the reasons vary a lot by who’s asking, so here’s what I actually tell people, not a sales pitch.
People Are Already Moving Here
Burnet County, which covers Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Cottonwood Shores, Burnet, and several of the other Highland Lakes towns, grew from about 49,100 residents in the 2020 Census to roughly 55,700 today, an increase of close to 13 percent in just a few years. That’s well ahead of the national growth rate over the same period. This isn’t a hidden spot anymore; it’s a region a lot of people have already decided is worth the move, which affects everything from school enrollment to how competitive certain listings get.
Real Lakes, Not a Marketing Phrase
The Highland Lakes are a genuine chain of LCRA-managed reservoirs on the Colorado River, and Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls in particular stay within a fairly steady operating range under normal conditions rather than swinging with rainfall the way some reservoirs do. If lake access, a dock, or a boat is part of the plan, that consistency is a real, practical reason this stretch of the river works better for day-to-day use than a lot of alternatives.
An Hour From Austin Without Living In It
Most of the Highland Lakes towns sit roughly an hour from downtown Austin. That’s close enough for a specialist appointment, an airport trip, or a concert, but far enough that you’re not absorbing Austin’s traffic and cost growth every day. For people relocating for a job that allows remote or hybrid work, or retiring off a city income, that distance is often the actual deciding factor, more than the view.
No State Income Tax, Real Property Taxes
Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, which matters more the higher someone’s income is. It’s worth saying plainly, though, that property taxes here are real and vary by town, county, and school district, and they’re part of any honest cost comparison. I’d rather walk a specific buyer through the actual tax rate on a specific property than let a vague “no income tax” pitch do the talking.
Ten Towns With Different Personalities
Part of why this region works for such a range of people is that it isn’t one town. Marble Falls has a walkable downtown and working-town feel. Horseshoe Bay is resort-built, with three Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf courses and a different price point. Cottonwood Shores, Kingsland, and Granite Shoals tend to run more affordable with fewer HOA restrictions. Burnet, Sunrise Beach Village, Meadowlakes, Highland Haven, and Sherwood Shores each have their own version of quiet. Picking the right one matters more than most people expect going in.
What I’d Actually Tell You to Check Before Deciding
- Whether you need lake access or just proximity to a boat ramp or marina, since that changes both price and town choice significantly.
- The actual property tax rate and school district for a specific address, not a countywide average.
- Whether the town or subdivision has an HOA or POA, and what it actually restricts.
- How the commute to Austin looks for the specific role or schedule you have, not a generic “an hour away.”
Talk to Someone Who Knows the Towns, Not Just the Region
I’m Robbie English, Broker and REALTOR® with Uncommon Highland Lakes Realty, and I’ve spent more than 40 years in real estate, most of it focused on this specific stretch of the Colorado River. If you’re trying to figure out whether the Highland Lakes actually fits your situation, not just whether it looks good in photos, reach out or call 830-953-5571 and let’s talk through it honestly.
