If you're considering a move west of Austin, there is a good chance two names will appear early in your search:
Lakeway and Bee Cave.
The two cities are neighbors in western Travis County, and residents often share many of the same surrounding restaurants, shops, services and recreational destinations.
But living in Lakeway and living in Bee Cave are not exactly the same experience.
Lakeway sits along the south shore of Lake Travis and has a strong connection to lake recreation, golf, established residential neighborhoods, parks, trails and greenbelts.
Bee Cave sits farther east near the intersection of the SH 71 and RR 620 corridors and combines Hill Country residential living with convenient access to a significant concentration of shopping, dining and services.
So which is better?
Neither—at least not universally.
A better question is:
Which community better fits the way you want to live?
For buyers deciding between Lakeway and Bee Cave, here are the differences worth understanding.
Lakeway vs. Bee Cave: The Short Answer
For buyers who want a quick comparison:
Lakeway may be a natural place to begin your search if Lake Travis, boating, waterfront or lake views, golf, established neighborhoods, parks and a lake-oriented lifestyle are priorities.
Bee Cave may be a natural place to begin if proximity to the SH 71 corridor, shopping, dining, services and Hill Country residential communities is particularly important.
But those are broad geographic and lifestyle distinctions.
Individual neighborhoods—and individual properties—can create very different experiences.
Where Is Lakeway, Texas?
Lakeway is an incorporated city in western Travis County on the south shore of Lake Travis.
The City of Lakeway describes the community as approximately 25 miles west of downtown Austin.
Lakeway includes residential neighborhoods, parks, trails, greenbelts and golf courses, with Lake Travis playing a prominent role in the area's geography and recreational identity.
According to the City, Lakeway has approximately 100 acres of parkland and trails and nearly 500 acres of greenbelts.
Lakeway City Park is a 64-acre waterfront park on Hurst Creek Cove with nearly two miles of trails and opportunities for activities including walking, jogging, cycling, picnicking, fishing, kayaking and swimming in designated areas when conditions allow.
For buyers who want Lake Travis to be part of everyday life—even without owning waterfront property—Lakeway's location along the lake can be an important distinction.
Where Is Bee Cave, Texas?
Bee Cave is an incorporated city in western Travis County located east of Lakeway.
The City of Bee Cave describes itself as being at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and approximately 14 miles from Austin.
Bee Cave was incorporated in 1987.
Today, the city includes residential areas, parks and trails along with a significant concentration of retail, dining and commercial development around the SH 71 and RR 620 corridors.
Bee Cave also continues to plan for future growth through its comprehensive planning and transportation initiatives.
For buyers, that creates a combination of Hill Country residential living and convenient access to a substantial commercial center.
The Biggest Lifestyle Difference
If we had to explain Lakeway versus Bee Cave to a relocating buyer in one sentence, it would be:
Lakeway is more directly connected geographically to Lake Travis and lake-oriented recreation, while Bee Cave places its civic and commercial core closer to the SH 71/RR 620 corridor.
That does not mean Lakeway lacks shopping or dining.
Lakeway and the immediately surrounding area provide grocery stores, restaurants, medical services, fitness, retail and other everyday conveniences.
And Bee Cave is certainly not just a commercial district.
It has residential neighborhoods, parks, trails and Hill Country surroundings.
The difference is primarily one of geography and emphasis.
Lake Travis Access
For a buyer whose lifestyle revolves around Lake Travis, Lakeway deserves particularly close consideration.
Lakeway is physically situated along the south shore of the lake.
Depending on the individual property and community, buyers may encounter:
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Lake Travis waterfront
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private boat docks
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lake views
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proximity to marinas
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community lake-access amenities
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elevated homesites overlooking the lake
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and neighborhoods where Lake Travis is an important part of the setting
These characteristics are property-specific.
A Lakeway address does not automatically mean a property has a lake view, lake access, waterfront or the right to maintain a private boat dock.
If waterfront is the objective, evaluate the individual property's shoreline, lakebed, water depth in relation to lake elevation, dock, access, topography and historical lake conditions.
Shopping, Dining and Everyday Convenience
Bee Cave has a particularly significant concentration of retail, restaurants and services around its primary commercial corridors.
For buyers who value living close to a concentrated commercial area, that can be an important consideration.
Lakeway residents also regularly use businesses and services in Bee Cave and the surrounding area.
That illustrates an important point about comparing these communities:
Lakeway and Bee Cave are not isolated from one another.
They function as neighboring parts of the broader western Travis County lifestyle.
The more useful question may be:
Which amenities do you want closest to your property?
Parks and Outdoor Recreation in Lakeway
Lakeway maintains an extensive system of parks, trails and greenbelts.
The City reports approximately 100 acres of parkland and trails and nearly 500 acres of greenbelts.
Lakeway City Park encompasses 64 acres along Hurst Creek Cove and includes nearly two miles of trails.
The City's outdoor recreational resources also include Hamilton Greenbelts I and II, Canyonlands, Smith Greenbelt and other parks and recreation facilities.
For residents who value walking, trails, green space and proximity to Lake Travis, these public amenities can be an important part of everyday life.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation in Bee Cave
Bee Cave also maintains parks and trails and has adopted planning initiatives intended to improve recreational connectivity.
The City's adopted Central Park Master Plan describes Bee Cave Central Park as approximately 60 contiguous acres.
Bee Cave also has a Hike & Bike Connectivity Plan designed to guide the development of interconnected pedestrian and bicycle routes.
For buyers who prioritize outdoor recreation, both cities deserve consideration.
The environments simply differ.
Lakeway vs. Bee Cave Schools
This is one area where buyers should avoid broad assumptions.
Many properties in the Lakeway and Bee Cave areas are served by Lake Travis Independent School District.
However, school and campus assignment should always be verified for the exact property address.
Lake Travis ISD currently directs families to its Street Directory or Transfinder resources to determine the campus of residence for a particular address.
The district currently has multiple elementary and middle-school attendance zones and one high-school attendance zone.
Do not rely solely on:
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the city name
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ZIP code
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neighborhood name
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previous owner's school
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or real estate listing
to establish school assignment.
Verify the individual property with LTISD's current address-based resources.
Attendance boundaries and district policies can change.
What Types of Homes Are Available in Lakeway?
Lakeway's housing stock reflects multiple decades of development.
Depending on the neighborhood and property, buyers may encounter:
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established residences
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extensively renovated properties
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contemporary custom homes
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golf-course properties
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Lake Travis waterfront
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lake-view homes
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gated communities
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newer construction
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lock-and-leave options
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luxury residences
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and properties offering significant renovation opportunities
This variety is one of the defining characteristics of the Lakeway market.
It also means that two properties located only minutes apart can offer completely different ownership experiences.
“Lakeway home” is a geographic description—not a single housing type.
What Types of Homes Are Available in Bee Cave?
Bee Cave and the surrounding area also offer varied residential options.
Depending on the exact location, buyers may encounter:
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established neighborhoods
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gated communities
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custom homes
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master-planned communities
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newer construction
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Hill Country homesites
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and luxury properties with extensive amenities
Be particularly careful with the phrase “Bee Cave area.”
A property marketed as being near Bee Cave or carrying a Bee Cave mailing address should not automatically be assumed to fall within the incorporated City of Bee Cave.
Municipal jurisdiction, school assignment, utilities, taxing entities and private restrictions should be verified for the individual address.
What About Golf?
Golf can be an important component of the Lakeway-area lifestyle.
The Hills Country Club currently operates four 18-hole courses in the Lakeway area:
Signature
Flintrock Falls
Yaupon
Live Oak
For buyers considering a golf-course property, however, the course name is only part of the analysis.
Evaluate:
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position relative to the hole
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cart-path location
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potential golf-ball exposure
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orientation
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privacy
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landscaping
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property boundaries
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outdoor living
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and applicable restrictions
And remember:
Purchasing real estate adjacent to a golf course and obtaining private-club golf privileges are separate considerations.
The Hills Country Club currently offers multiple membership categories with different course-access privileges.
Membership offerings, availability, pricing and privileges can change and should be verified directly with the club.
Which Is Closer to Austin: Lakeway or Bee Cave?
Geographically, Bee Cave is closer based on the cities' own published descriptions.
The City of Bee Cave describes itself as approximately 14 miles from Austin.
The City of Lakeway describes Lakeway as approximately 25 miles west of downtown Austin.
Those statements are useful for geographic context.
They are not commute-time guarantees.
Actual travel time can vary significantly depending on:
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exact property address
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destination
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route
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time of day
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traffic
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construction
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and roadway conditions
If commuting is important to your purchase, test the drive from the specific property to your actual destination during the times you would realistically travel.
Lakeway vs. Bee Cave for Waterfront Buyers
If the goal is Lake Travis waterfront, Lakeway is the more directly relevant of these two incorporated cities because it sits along the lake's south shore.
But don't stop at the word “waterfront.”
Individual Lake Travis properties can vary substantially in:
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shoreline
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lakebed
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water depth
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cove characteristics
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dock
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access to navigable water
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slope
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orientation
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views
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floodplain
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and performance at different lake elevations
Lake Travis is a fluctuating water-supply and flood-storage reservoir.
A waterfront property should therefore be evaluated beyond the lake conditions visible on the day of a showing.
Don't simply buy waterfront. Understand the individual waterfront.
Lakeway vs. Bee Cave for Golf Buyers
For a serious golfer, it may make more sense to choose the club and golf experience before choosing the city.
Ask:
Which courses do I want to play?
What membership provides that access?
Is the membership currently available?
How close do I want to live to the club?
Do I want to live directly on a course—or simply nearby?
Then evaluate the individual properties.
The right golf property is a combination of residence, homesite, course setting and club access.
What About Newer Construction?
Do not choose between Lakeway and Bee Cave based on the assumption that one is entirely established and the other entirely new.
The broader areas contain properties of different ages and architectural styles.
Instead, define what newer construction means to you.
Are you prioritizing:
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recently completed construction
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contemporary architecture
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newer building systems
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open floor plans
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larger expanses of glass
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smart-home features
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newer community amenities
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less immediate renovation
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or a particular aesthetic?
Then search for those characteristics in the appropriate communities rather than allowing the city name to make the decision.
What If You Prefer an Established Neighborhood?
The same principle applies.
An established neighborhood may offer mature trees, architectural variety and a physical environment that has evolved over decades.
For some buyers, that is highly desirable.
Another buyer may prefer the cohesive architecture, amenities or newer infrastructure associated with a more recently developed community.
Neither is inherently more luxurious.
Luxury is personal.
The best property is the one that aligns with the way you want to live.
Which Has Lower Property Taxes: Lakeway or Bee Cave?
This question should be answered at the property level, not with a blanket city comparison.
Texas property taxes are imposed by the taxing entities applicable to an individual parcel.
Depending on the property, those may include:
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city
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county
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school district
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utility or special-purpose district
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emergency-services district
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and other applicable taxing units
Do not assume that two properties in the broader Lakeway/Bee Cave area have identical taxing jurisdictions.
When comparing homes, review the actual taxing entities and current applicable rates for each property.
Also distinguish between the seller's current tax bill and what a future owner may ultimately owe.
What About Utilities?
Utilities should also be verified by address.
For example, the City of Lakeway does not operate its own water or wastewater utility.
Lakeway is served by multiple utility districts.
Electric service within Lakeway is also divided between Austin Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
For Bee Cave properties, service providers should likewise be confirmed for the exact address rather than assumed from the city or mailing address.
If water, wastewater, septic, electric provider or future development plans matter to your purchase, verify them property by property.
Lakeway vs. Bee Cave: Which Is Better?
Here is the answer we would give a buyer:
It depends on what you want closest to your everyday life.
If your priorities center on:
Lake Travis, boating, lake views, waterfront, golf, established Lakeway neighborhoods, parks and a lake-oriented recreational environment, Lakeway is a logical place to explore.
If your priorities center on:
proximity to the SH 71 corridor, a concentrated mix of shopping and dining, Hill Country surroundings and somewhat closer geographic proximity to central Austin, Bee Cave deserves close consideration.
But the property itself can overturn almost every broad generalization.
That is why a good home search eventually moves from:
city → neighborhood → street → property.
Each step makes the decision more specific.
And more personal.
Can You Live in Lakeway and Still Enjoy Bee Cave?
Absolutely.
This is one of the most important things for relocating buyers to understand.
Choosing Lakeway does not mean giving up the shopping, dining and services available in Bee Cave.
Choosing Bee Cave does not mean Lake Travis disappears from your lifestyle.
The communities are geographically close and interconnected.
Residents regularly move between them for:
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shopping
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dining
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recreation
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services
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entertainment
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school activities
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and everyday errands
For many buyers, the decision isn't about choosing one lifestyle and rejecting another.
It is about deciding:
Which environment do I want to come home to?
Questions to Ask Before Choosing Lakeway or Bee Cave
Instead of asking only, “Which city is better?” consider:
How important is Lake Travis to my everyday lifestyle?
Do I want waterfront or a lake view?
How important is golf?
How close do I want to be to concentrated shopping and dining?
Where will I actually commute?
Do I prefer established neighborhoods or newer construction?
Which exact school assignment matters to me, if any?
Do I want a gated community?
How much renovation am I willing to undertake?
Do I want a larger homesite?
How important are parks and trails?
Do I want a pool—or room to add one?
And perhaps most importantly:
What does my ideal Saturday look like?
Boating?
Golf?
Trail walk?
Lunch and shopping?
Time around the pool?
Dinner close to home?
That answer often tells us more than a list of neighborhood statistics.
A Local Perspective From Grossman & Jones Group
Grossman & Jones Group is led by Todd Grossman and Michelle Jones at Compass Austin.
Both Todd and Michelle call Lakeway home, and Lakeway, Bee Cave and the Lake Travis area are core parts of our real estate practice.
Together, Todd and Michelle bring more than 40 years of combined real estate experience and more than $1.7 billion in combined career sales.
Grossman & Jones Group was ranked the #4 Real Estate Team in Austin by Sales Volume by the Austin Business Journal in 2025.
Todd and Michelle are members of Compass Austin Luxury Advisors, and Todd is also a member of the Compass Sports & Entertainment Division.
For a relocating buyer, our role isn't to convince you that Lakeway is better than Bee Cave—or that Bee Cave is better than Lakeway.
It is to help you understand the differences well enough to identify the location, neighborhood and individual property that best align with your priorities.
Thinking About Moving to Lakeway or Bee Cave?
Start with your lifestyle rather than a list of properties.
Tell us what matters:
Lake Travis.
Boating.
Golf.
Schools.
Restaurants.
Commute.
Privacy.
Views.
Acreage.
Newer construction.
An established neighborhood.
A pool.
A renovation opportunity.
A lock-and-leave property.
Once we understand those priorities, we can help narrow the search to the neighborhoods and properties that make sense.
Grossman & Jones Group | Compass Austin
Lakeway • Bee Cave • Lake Travis • Austin Luxury Real Estate
Explore Lakeway, Bee Cave, Lake Travis waterfront and luxury real estate throughout the Austin area at LuxeHomesAustin.com.
Final Thoughts
Lakeway and Bee Cave are close geographically.
But they offer different starting points for everyday life.
Lakeway places Lake Travis more directly at the center of the community's geography and recreational identity.
Bee Cave places its commercial core closer to the SH 71/RR 620 corridor while maintaining its own Hill Country residential character.
Neither wins the comparison for every buyer.
And that is exactly the point.
The best place to live isn't the community that wins the most categories.
It's the one that best fits the way you actually want to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakeway or Bee Cave better?
Neither is universally better. Lakeway may appeal more to buyers prioritizing Lake Travis, golf and a lake-oriented residential environment. Bee Cave may appeal more to buyers prioritizing proximity to the SH 71 corridor and a concentrated mix of shopping, dining and services. The best choice depends on the individual buyer and property.
What is the difference between Lakeway and Bee Cave?
Lakeway sits directly along the south shore of Lake Travis and has a strong connection to lake recreation, golf, parks and established residential neighborhoods. Bee Cave is located farther east and has a significant commercial center around the SH 71/RR 620 area along with residential neighborhoods, parks and Hill Country surroundings.
Is Lakeway on Lake Travis?
Yes. Lakeway is located on the south shore of Lake Travis in western Travis County.
Is Bee Cave on Lake Travis?
Bee Cave is not situated directly along the Lake Travis shoreline in the same way Lakeway is. It is, however, located within the broader western Travis County area near Lakeway and Lake Travis.
How far is Lakeway from downtown Austin?
The City of Lakeway describes the community as approximately 25 miles west of downtown Austin. Actual travel time varies by property, destination, route and traffic.
How far is Bee Cave from Austin?
The City of Bee Cave describes itself as approximately 14 miles from Austin. This is useful geographic context rather than a guaranteed commute time.
Which is closer to Austin, Lakeway or Bee Cave?
Geographically, Bee Cave is closer based on the cities' published descriptions. Actual commute time depends on the specific property, destination, route, traffic and time of day.
Are Lakeway and Bee Cave in Lake Travis ISD?
Many properties in the Lakeway and Bee Cave areas are served by Lake Travis ISD, but buyers should verify the exact property address. LTISD provides address-based resources for determining campus assignment.
Which is better for Lake Travis waterfront homes?
Lakeway is the more directly relevant of the two incorporated cities for Lake Travis waterfront because it sits along the lake's south shore. Individual waterfront properties should still be evaluated for shoreline, lakebed, water depth, dock, topography, views and historical lake conditions.
Does Lakeway have golf courses?
Yes. The Hills Country Club currently operates four 18-hole golf courses in the Lakeway area: Signature, Flintrock Falls, Yaupon and Live Oak.
Does buying a golf-course home in Lakeway include club membership?
Do not assume that it does. Real estate ownership and private-club membership should be evaluated separately. Membership offerings, availability, pricing and course privileges should be verified directly with the club.
Does Lakeway have parks and trails?
Yes. The City reports approximately 100 acres of parkland and trails and nearly 500 acres of greenbelts. Lakeway City Park encompasses 64 acres on Hurst Creek Cove and includes nearly two miles of trails.
Does Bee Cave have parks and trails?
Yes. Bee Cave maintains parks and trails. Its adopted Central Park Master Plan describes Central Park as approximately 60 contiguous acres, and the City has adopted a Hike & Bike Connectivity Plan.
Which has lower property taxes, Lakeway or Bee Cave?
There is no responsible universal answer based solely on city name. Property taxes depend on the taxing entities applicable to the individual parcel. Buyers should compare the actual taxing jurisdictions and current rates for the specific properties under consideration.
Should I move to Lakeway or Bee Cave?
Consider Lake Travis access, commute destination, shopping and dining, schools, golf, parks, property type, neighborhood, privacy and your preferred lifestyle. Then compare individual properties rather than choosing solely by city name.
Who specializes in Lakeway and Bee Cave luxury real estate?
Grossman & Jones Group at Compass Austin is led by Lakeway residents Todd Grossman and Michelle Jones. Lakeway, Bee Cave, Lake Travis waterfront and luxury real estate throughout the greater Austin area are core areas of the team's practice.
Posted by Grossman & Jones Group on
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