Privacy is the New Luxury

Why Austin Buyers Are Moving Further Out

In Austin’s luxury market, priorities have shifted. Proximity to downtown once defined exclusivity. Today, the highest demand isn’t for the heart of the city — it’s for space, privacy, and land.

Buyers are choosing properties where they can build private estates, surrounded by open skies instead of neighbors. And they're heading to places that once sat outside the traditional luxury map: Bee Cave, Burnet, Jonestown, Kingsland, Liberty Hill, and Spicewood are just a few of the hot spots for those seeking a little more than Austin can offer. 

It’s not just about land — it’s about lifestyle. Today, these areas offer better access to top-tier schools, less traffic congestion, more space to build, and highly developed retail and dining options — without giving up the natural beauty that defines Central Texas. As land tightens near the city center, privacy has become the ultimate luxury commodity. And the Hill Country delivers it in ways downtown Austin no longer can.

Why High-End Buyers Are Leaving Central Austin

Several trends are accelerating the move outward:

• Traffic and congestion: Downtown and core neighborhoods like Zilker, Tarrytown, and Westlake now see daily congestion that rivals major metros.
• School quality: Suburban and Hill Country school districts — like Leander ISD and Lake Travis ISD — are often newer, better funded, and less crowded than their city-center counterparts.
• Amenities: High-end grocery stores, boutique shopping, fine dining, and healthcare facilities have expanded rapidly in these outer communities, closing the lifestyle gap with central Austin.
• Land opportunity: Larger tracts allow for private drives, detached guest homes, wellness centers, ranch facilities, and curated outdoor living environments — designs rarely possible on urban lots.
  
  

Where They’re Going: A Closer Look

Bee Cave

• Snapshot: A polished suburb between Austin and Lakeway, Bee Cave blends luxury retail, modern schools, and quick access to the Hill Country.
• Schools: Lake Travis ISD
• Amenities: Hill Country Galleria, Whole Foods, and a wide variety of boutique shops, healthcare, fitness, and dining.
• Average Price per Acre: $250,000–$500,000+ depending on view corridors and lot size
• Landmarks: Falconhead Golf Club and Bee Cave Sculpture Park
• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 25 minutes
• Distance to Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Airport: Approximately 30 minutes

Burnet

• Snapshot: A quiet Hill Country community offering expansive land, Burnet offers scenic topography, and lake access via Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan. Burnet appeals to buyers seeking true privacy and ranch-scale living without sacrificing natural beauty.

• Schools: Burnet CISD — well-regarded locally, with ongoing investment in facilities and extracurriculars.

• Amenities: Local shops, dining, wineries, and easy access to outdoor recreation, including Inks Lake State Park and nearby golf courses.

• Average Price per Acre: $90,000–$175,000+ depending on location and improvements

• Landmarks: Inks Lake, Canyon of the Eagles, Lake Buchanan

• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 60 minutes

Jonestown

• Snapshot: Perched on the north shore of Lake Travis, Jonestown blends lake access with Hill Country elevation and growing custom build activity. It's ideal for buyers seeking quiet luxury within reach of Austin.
• Schools: Served by Leander ISD — consistently rated as one of the strongest suburban districts in the region.
• Amenities: North Lake Travis dining, marina access, boutique shopping, and proximity to Cedar Park and Lago Vista.
• Average Price per Acre: $150,000–$300,000+ with lake views commanding a premium
• Landmarks: Jones Brothers Park, Northshore Marina, and Balcones Canyonlands
• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 45 minutes
• Distance to Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Airport: Approximately 55 minutes

Kingsland

• Snapshot: Nestled between Lake LBJ and Inks Lake, Kingsland offers relaxed lakefront living with room for luxury lake homes, private docks, and elevated design. Ideal for clients seeking a balance of recreation and privacy.
• Schools: Served by Llano ISD — small district with solid performance and community investment.
• Amenities: Lake LBJ resorts, golf clubs, and a growing restaurant and boutique scene
• Average Price per Acre: $200,000–$400,000+ on or near the water
• Landmarks: Lake LBJ, Lighthouse Country Club, and Packsaddle Mountain
• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 75 minutes
• Distance to Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Airport: Approximately 80–90 minutes.

Project Spotlight: TrueLux is currently building a custom luxury lake house in Kingsland — designed for full-time living with integrated lake access and designed for long-term family use.

Liberty Hill

• Snapshot: North of Austin, Liberty Hill offers larger ranch properties, more agricultural zoning flexibility, and rising luxury development.
• Schools: Liberty Hill ISD — fast-growing, expanding facilities, strong sports and academic programs.
• Amenities: Wolf Ranch shopping center nearby; close to Georgetown's historic district
• Average Price per Acre: $100,000–$175,000+, trending upward
• Landmarks: Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and the San Gabriel River
• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 45–50 minutes
• Distance to Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Airport: Approximately 50–55 minutes

Hot tip: TrueLux is currently building a private wild game ranch in Liberty Hill — a multi-structure estate designed for both family living and large-scale outdoor recreation. Follow our social media channels for behind the scenes glimpses into the unique property.

Spicewood

• Snapshot: Best known for its blend of lakefront access and sprawling Hill Country ranches, Spicewood offers both water and wide open spaces.
• Schools: Part of Lake Travis ISD — highly rated, with access to award-winning schools.
• Amenities: Rough Hollow Yacht Club, the Hill Country Galleria, and local breweries/wineries
• Average Price per Acre: $200,000–$400,000+ near Lake Travis
• Landmarks: Lake Travis, Krause Springs, and Muleshoe Bend Park
• Distance to Downtown Austin: Approximately 40 minutes
• Distance to Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Airport: Approximately 45 minutes

Building Your Own Legacy

While buyers move outward, they aren't giving up luxury — they’re elevating it. At TrueLux, we specialize in designing luxury retreats that offer every amenity without compromise including:

• Room for family & friends including dedicated guest casitas and family bunkhouses.
• Expansive entertainment spaces including private theaters, wine libraries, and game rooms.
• Ranch facilities including barns, stables, riding arenas, equipment garages, and workshop spaces.
• Curated outdoor spaces including poolscapes, sport courts, and event lawns.

Whether crafting a traditional Hill Country compound or an equestrian estate, we build with one focus in mind — creating homes that allow our clients to live fully.

Our project portfolio includes everything from modern ranch compounds to large-scale recreational estates, like the private wild game ranch under construction in Liberty Hill — a fully self-sufficient retreat blending luxury living with active outdoor recreation.

The Future of Austin Area Luxury Living

FAQ: BUILDING A LEGACY PROPERTY

Why are more luxury buyers leaving central Austin?

High-end buyers are prioritizing privacy, land, and lifestyle flexibility. With increasing congestion, limited lot sizes, and tighter zoning in the city center, many are choosing to build estate properties further out — where they can design with more freedom and scale.

Are there still custom lots available near Austin?

Yes, but availability is limited near the city core. Areas like Bee Cave, Burnet, Jonestown, Kingsland, Liberty Hill, and Spicewood offer more consistent access to acreage tracts suitable for luxury custom homes.

What types of properties are buyers building in these areas?

Many are building private compounds or multi-structure estates. These often include guest casitas, wellness centers, equestrian facilities, large-scale outdoor environments, and dedicated entertainment spaces.

How far are these Hill Country areas from Austin and the airport?

Most featured areas are within 30 to 60 minutes of downtown Austin and 35 to 70 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, depending on location and traffic patterns.

Are schools in these outlying areas comparable to Austin ISD?

In many cases, they exceed expectations. Lake Travis ISD and Leander ISD are both highly rated and known for strong academics, modern facilities, and less crowding than urban districts.

What makes TrueLux different when it comes to building outside Austin?

We bring a land-first approach to every estate — designing homes that respond to the site and lifestyle, not just the floorplan. From wild game ranches to modern Hill Country retreats, we build for scale, purpose, and long-term performance.

Does TrueLux build ranch properties or recreational estates?

Yes. Our portfolio includes large ranch compounds with barns, stables, riding arenas, and full-scale infrastructure for both family living and outdoor recreation — including our current private wild game ranch project in Liberty Hill.

At-a-Glance: LUXURY LIVING BEYOND AUSTIN

Affluent buyers are prioritizing land, privacy, and lifestyle flexibility — shifting focus from central Austin to nearby Hill Country communities.

Top Communities:

• Burnet: Ranch-scale properties with lake access and scenic terrain
• Jonestown: North Lake Travis estates with strong schools and hilltop views
• Liberty Hill: Expansive lots, flexible zoning, and custom compound potential
• Spicewood: Lakefront access paired with wide-open Hill Country space
• Bee Cave: Polished suburb with luxury retail and modern infrastructure
• Kingsland: Laid-back lakefront living on Lake LBJ with room to build

Key Drivers:

• Traffic relief
• More space for custom estates
• Stronger school districts
• Expanding access to boutique retail, dining, and healthcare

Design Priorities:

• Guest casitas & bunkhouses
• Wellness studios & home gyms
• Entertainment wings & private theaters
• Barns, riding arenas, and ranch infrastructure
• Curated outdoor living: pools, sport courts, event lawns

Current Projects:

TrueLux is currently building a private wild game ranch in Liberty Hill and a custom luxury lake house in Kingsland, each designed for long-term family living and recreation.