Barton Hills Neighborhood in Austin

Like many areas around the city of Austin, the Barton Hills neighborhood is named after Williams Barton, a pioneer who was one of the first settlers to develop Austin, Texas. The neighborhood is bordered by the Barton Creek and located in central Austin. Barton Hills neighborhood was developed in the 1940's but didn't experience a surge in growth until 1956. It was an annual event held in the city called the Parade of Homes that placed the Barton Hills community in the limelight. The event was hosted by the Barton Hills neighborhood and that caused people to take notice of the properties and climate the area had to offer. The community is beautiful and hilly, filled with ranch-style and traditional homes. Many of the houses have lawns replete with mature trees and lush greenery and come in a large number of shapes, colors, and sizes. Each street in Barton Hills feels different due to the hilly nature of the terrain. On the western edge of the neighborhood residents can find low rise apartments . Although Barton Hills is a small residential community, many residents call the area home and it has become a popular location for young families and professionals. Barton Hills is considered a middle-class neighborhood and the average income for residents in the area is $50,000. Many young families with children are drawn to the area because of the school system. Barton Hills neighborhood has some of the best and most desirable schools in Austin. The educational institutions in Barton Hills include O. Henry Middle School, Austin High School, and Barton Hills Elementary. There are other private institutions in addition to the excellent public schools the area offers.

The neighborhood has one of the best locations in Austin. There are commercial centers, professional services, grocery stores, shopping boutiques, and easy access to a place commonly referred to as the "restaurant row" where a long list of chain and family-owned eateries can be found. The greatest park in the city, Zilker Park, is also easily accessibly to the residents of the Barton Hills neighborhood. The close proximity to Zilker park gives residents of the neighborhood the chance to walk to many festivals and events throughout the year. Homes in Barton Hills range from $200,000 to $500,000 and have sizes typically between 1,600 and 3,000 square feet. Most of the homes that remain in the area were built during the late 70's and early 80's with very few new or recent developments in the area. Many who choose to live in the area do so because of its location and proximity to a large range of amenities.

The area has its own organization called the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association. The organization has a mission and purpose of preserving the community and addressing traffic problems, environmental concerns, city issues, and any other problems that affect the Barton Hills community. The members of the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association are some of the most enthusiastic in the city and are committed to keeping Barton Hills beautiful. A quarterly newsletter is delivered to active participants of the association. The residents are so committed to Barton Hills because it is one of the few neighborhoods in the city that still holds the true character of Austin through landscaping, architecture, and atmosphere.