Location

Northwest Hills generally includes those homes bounded by Spicewood Springs Road to the north, RM 2222 on the south, Mopac on the east, and Loop 360 on the west.

Homes in Northwest Hills & Cat Mountain

Most homes in Northwest Hills were built in the late 1960s through the late 1970s in the ranch style.  Like many parts of Central Austin, newly constructed homes abound as well.  A large area near Mopac includes apartments, condominiums, and townhomes. Because many of the homes are in original condition, they often need updating.      

About the Northwest Hills neighborhood

In 2016, Austin Monthly rated this the second hottest zip code in Austin. Wide streets, lovely green hills, graceful trees, and panoramic views in a hill country setting make Northwest Hills a beautiful place to live.  The area referred to as Northwest Hills actually includes many subdivisions and micro neighborhoods such as Highland Hills, Shinoak Valley, Cat Mountain, Cat Mountain Villas, Meadow Mountain, North Cat Mountain, Lakewood Village, Lakewood Park, Parkhill, and Vista West.

There are greenbelt trails to explore, flat areas for easy walking, and the hills are a fun challenge to conquer.  Nearby Bull Creek offers open space, hiking, and the creek for exploring with miles of trails dotted with swimming holes.  There are also a variety of activities and dining choices along the main thoroughfares like Far West Boulevard, Anderson Lane, and Mesa.  The Dell Jewish Community Center is also located in the neighborhood.

Nearby Mopac provides easy access for traveling north or south. Depending on traffic, it is only 15 minutes to downtown and 10 minutes to the Domain or the Arboretum.  The Mopac Express lanes have entrance and exit ramps that are convenient to the neighborhood.   Just keep your eye out for deer.  Wildlife is plentiful here. 

Northwest Hills home values 

In 2018 the portion of Northwest Hills that feeds into the Doss attendance zone saw 4% appreciation with the average single family home costing $820,831.  Between 2012 and 2018 this same area saw a jaw-dropping 45% rate of appreciation.  

History of the neighborhood

Formerly the site of an old quarry, the vision for the neighborhood was developed by David Barrow Sr. and his brother Edward in the 1950s.  You can see the remaining walls of the quarry behind the shopping center along Far West Boulevard.  One of the most notorious residents was atheist activist Madalyn Murray O'Hair who lived in the area when she mysteriously disappeared in 1995.

Our favorite places in Northwest Hills

• County Line on the lake – for barbeque, turtle feeding, and waterside dining
• Galaxy Café – quick and delicious meals
• Wally's – delicious milkshakes

Public schools in Northwest Hills 

• Doss Elementary School, including Spanish immersion
• Highland Park Elementary 
• Hill Elementary School  
• Lamar Middle School, including a Fine Art Academy
• Murchison Middle School, including an International Baccalaureate program
• Anderson High School, including an International Baccalaureate program