Why Some California Buyers Choose Lakeway for Their Texas Move

Why do some California buyers choose Lakeway, Texas?

For a lot of buyers, it comes down to the lifestyle. Lakeway offers an established community near Lake Travis, golf, parks, a hospital close by, and neighborhoods that feel a little more settled than some of the newer areas around Austin.

When someone tells me they’re moving from California to Austin, they don’t always mean they want to live right in Austin.

A lot of buyers are really looking for something nearby that feels quieter, greener, and a little less busy.

That’s why Lakeway often comes up.

I made the California-to-Texas move myself, and I now live in the Lake Travis area. Lakeway isn’t going to be the right fit for everyone. But there are a few reasons buyers continue to put it on their list.

Lakeway Is Its Own City

This is something California buyers may not realize at first.

Lakeway isn’t just the name of a neighborhood or part of Austin. It’s its own incorporated city with its own police department, municipal court, parks, streets, development rules, and city services.

Lakeway became incorporated in 1974 and had about 19,200 residents at the 2020 Census.

Why does that matter?

Because the areas around Lake Travis can work very differently depending on where you live.

For example, Lakeway is an incorporated city, while nearby Hudson Bend is part of unincorporated Travis County.

If you’re used to living in a California city with its own police department, local rules, and code enforcement, Lakeway may feel a little more familiar.

But that also means there are rules you should know about before buying.

For example, Lakeway has restrictions on feeding deer, and short-term rentals require city approval. HOA rules may also add additional restrictions depending on the neighborhood.

Some buyers like having those rules in place. Others prefer more flexibility.

Neither is right or wrong. It just depends on what you want.

Lakeway Was Built Around the Lake and Golf

Lakeway has always had a resort-style feel.

The community traces its roots back to the opening of the Lakeway Inn in 1963, and the lake and golf are still a big part of the lifestyle today.

Golfers have access to several courses through The Hills Country Club, including Jack Nicklaus-designed courses. Just remember that private club membership and dues are separate from buying a home.

And then there’s Lake Travis.

Lakeway has marina access, parks, trails, greenbelts, and neighborhoods close to the water.

One thing I think surprises some California buyers is that you don’t need to own a waterfront home to enjoy the lake lifestyle.

For a very specific type of buyer, Lakeway also has something pretty unique: Lakeway Airpark.

There are homes built around a shared runway, and some have their own airplane hangars with taxiway access.

That’s definitely not something you see in every Austin-area neighborhood.

Health Care Is Close By

This can be a bigger deal than people realize when they’re relocating.

Leaving California can also mean leaving doctors, specialists, and medical systems you’ve used for years.

Lakeway has Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway, which includes a 24-hour emergency department and stroke care.

You may still need to drive into Austin for certain specialists or more advanced medical care. But having a hospital nearby can make everyday life a lot easier.

That’s especially important for buyers who don’t want to feel like they’re moving too far away from major services.

You’ll Find Established Neighborhoods and Mature Trees

One of the things I like about Lakeway is that not everything feels brand new.

Many of the older neighborhoods have large trees, established landscaping, bigger lots, and homes with a little more character.

But older homes also come with different things to inspect.

Some homes in the original parts of Lakeway still use septic systems, and sewer availability can vary depending on the street.

That doesn’t automatically make a home a problem.

It just means your inspection and due diligence may look a little different than what you were used to in California.

Lakeway also has newer neighborhoods, gated communities, golf-course homes, and homes closer to the lake.

So there isn’t really one “Lakeway style.”

There are a lot of different options depending on your budget, lifestyle, and how much maintenance you want to take on.

The Money Side Is Different From California

Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, and that gets a lot of attention from California buyers.

But that doesn’t mean everything automatically costs less.

Property taxes work very differently here.

A Lakeway property tax bill can include taxes from Travis County, the school district, the City of Lakeway, and sometimes a Municipal Utility District, or MUD.

If the home is your primary residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption.

Texas voters approved an increase in the school district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 in November 2025.

But if you’re coming from a California home with a low Prop 13 tax base, I would not assume your housing costs will automatically go down.

Run the full numbers.

Look at the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and maintenance.

And when it comes to tax planning, talk with your CPA or tax professional before making a decision.

A Few Lakeway Trade-Offs to Know

I also think it’s important to talk about what Lakeway doesn’t do perfectly.

RM 620 Traffic

RM 620 is the main road through Lakeway, and traffic can get heavy.

There are plans for improvements, but this is not something I would ignore if you’ll be commuting every day.

Commuting Into Austin

If you work in north Austin, downtown Austin, or east Austin several days a week, test the drive during rush hour before deciding on a neighborhood.

A drive that looks easy on a map can feel very different at 8:00 in the morning.

Walkability

Lakeway isn’t really a walk-everywhere kind of place.

There are parks, trails, restaurants, and shopping areas, but most daily errands are still going to involve a car.

Short-Term Rentals

If your plan depends on Airbnb or other short-term rental income, make sure you research the rules before buying.

Lakeway requires city approval for short-term rentals, and individual neighborhoods may have their own restrictions too.

Insurance and Wildfire Risk

Lakeway and the surrounding Lake Travis area have neighborhoods that border natural vegetation.

That means wildfire risk and insurance should be part of your home search.

I recommend getting insurance quotes early instead of waiting until you’re already under contract.

And Yes, There Are Deer

They’re cute.

Until they eat your landscaping.

If you love gardening, you’ll learn pretty quickly which plants the deer love too.

Is Lakeway a Good Fit for You?

Lakeway may be a good fit if you want:

• An established community with city services

• Easy access to Lake Travis

• Golf, trails, and outdoor activities nearby

• A hospital close to home

• Mature trees and established neighborhoods

• A quieter feel than living closer to central Austin

It may not be the best fit if you want a short commute into Austin every day, a highly walkable downtown lifestyle, or a property mainly for short-term rental income.

That’s why I always recommend comparing Lakeway with nearby areas before making a decision.

Lakeway, Hudson Bend, Bee Cave, Lago Vista, and other Lake Travis communities can feel very different even though they’re all fairly close to one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Lakeway from downtown Austin?

Lakeway is about 25 miles west of downtown Austin.

Actual drive time can vary quite a bit depending on traffic, especially along RM 620 and Highway 71.

Is Lakeway part of Austin?

No.

Lakeway is its own incorporated city in Travis County.

It’s part of the greater Austin area, but it is not inside Austin city limits.

Can I rent my Lakeway home on Airbnb?

Possibly, but don’t assume you can.

Lakeway requires approval for short-term rentals, and HOA or deed restrictions may add additional rules.

If rental income is part of your plan, confirm the rules before you buy.

Thinking About Lakeway?

Lakeway has a lot to offer, but the right neighborhood depends on how you actually want to live.

Do you want to be closer to the lake?

Do you want golf?

Do you care more about newer construction or mature trees?

Will you commute into Austin?

And how much do property taxes, insurance, HOA rules, and utilities matter to your monthly budget?

Those are the questions that really help narrow down the right area.

If you’re moving from California and considering Lakeway, I can help you compare neighborhoods, understand the differences, and figure out which Lake Travis community makes the most sense for you.

And if Lakeway isn’t the right fit, that’s okay too.

The goal isn’t to convince you to live in one particular area. It’s to help you understand your options before you make a big move.

Call or text me at 949-484-9486, or visit SoldByZito.com.

Amanda Zito, REALTOR® | Real Broker, LLC | TX TREC #840088 | CA DRE #01740063 | SoldByZito.com