- Schools: Sunset Valley Elementary, Joslin Elementary, Covington Middle School, Crockett High School
- Year Homes Built: 1950s-1960s
- Average List Price: $454,500 (August 2014)
- Style of Homes: Mid-century, one-story, three-bedroom ranch style
- Nearby Restaurants: Hyde Park Bar and Grill, Sap’s Fine Thai, Cherry Creek Catfish Co
- Nearby Shopping: Westgate Shopping Center (Central Market, Amy’s Ice Cream, Treehouse, Whole Earth Provisions)
- Nearby Attractions & Amenities: Joslin Park, Garrison Park, Sunset Valley Farmers’ Market, Westgate Cinema
Once upon a time (about 50-60 years ago, to be specific), there was a new housing development on the edge of town called Western Trails, where street names like Roundup Trail, Cactus Lane and Packsaddle Pass conjured romantic visions of cowboys and wide-open spaces and suited the ranch style homes that were built there. Nowadays, with the “edge of town” many miles down the road, Western Trails is considered a Central (or at least a “South Central”) Austin neighborhood, and its proximity to nearby shopping and dining, downtown and the highways is hard to beat. Still, despite the pulsing traffic arteries nearby, Western Trails’ curving street layout generally dissuades through traffic, so residents enjoy its tree-lined streets and quiet, peaceful surroundings.
Located just south of popular 78704, Western Trails is bordered by Highway 290 to the north, Jones Road to the south, Manchaca Drive to the east and Westgate Boulevard to the west. Typical residences in Western Trails are mid-century, one-story, three-bedroom ranch style houses. While many of these original homes have maintained their appeal, creative buyers have found them to be great candidates for upgrades and remodels, so the neighborhood has attracted an eclectic mix of first-time homebuyers, young families and professionals. Yet the area is well-established and also boasts many original occupants who state that the homes in the neighborhood are so well kept that tear-downs and rebuilds just don’t happen very often.
The diverse neighborhood of Western Trails is located near Joslin Park and Garrison Park (with its popular Garrison Pool), as well as Westgate Shopping Center (featuring Central Market, Whole Earth Provisions, Amy’s Ice Cream, Westgate Cinema, TreeHouse, Hyde Park Bar and Grill and more). The shops and restaurants on Brodie Lane and the Sunset Valley Farmers’ Market are likewise only minutes away. Students attend Sunset Valley Elementary, Joslin Elementary, Covington Middle School, and Crockett High School; the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is also within walking distance.
With an average price per square foot that’s lower than some of the other popular South Austin neighborhoods, Western Trails is a desirable area that is definitely worth checking out.
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