Neighborhood Profile: Shady Hollow

Schools: Baranoff Elementary School, Bailey Middle School, Bowie High School
Average Listing Price: $432,488 (January 2016)
Nearby Restaurants: Galaxy Cafe, Moontower Saloon, Maudie’s Hacienda, Madam Mam’s Thai Cuisine
Nearby Attractions & Amenities: Shady Hollow West Nature Preserve, Southland Oaks Park

Deep in southwest Austin, almost to the Hays County line, is the Shady Hollow neighborhood. This 5.4-square-mile suburban Austin enclave may seem like a long way from the hustle and bustle of Central Austin, but it is actually only 10 miles from downtown. Neighborhood residents have access to some of Austin’s top-rated public schools and enjoy a low crime rate, plus additional neighborhood amenities provided by a strong homeowners’ association.

Shady Hollow was originally developed in the early 1970s on 600 acres of land near Slaughter Creek off Brodie Lane and south of Slaughter Lane, along the banks of and in the immediate vicinity of Slaughter Creek. At that time, it defined country suburbia, with large lots, mature trees and typically low-slung ranch-style homes that reflected both the era and the surroundings.

When the developer, Austin Savings and Loan Owners, pursued further development phases on adjacent land in 1978, neighborhood homeowners organized the Shady Hollow Homeowners Corporation to counter what they believed was misrepresentation regarding the density of the new building phases. The neighborhood association continues to play an influential role in the community, using member dues to contract for various services from trash pickup to maintenance on the community’s parks and recreational facilities. The association also enforces CCRs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) which include having residents obtain approval from its Architectural Control Committee in advance of making changes to home exteriors.

Shady Hollow real estate is primarily made up of three-to-five bedroom single-family homes – approximately 1,500 in total. And with multiple sections added to the neighborhood since the 1970s, it now features a wide range of housing styles, with various sizes and floor plans.

The neighborhood is family-friendly, with access to highly-rated schools. Students are zoned to Baranoff Elementary School, just south of Shady Hollow proper; Bailey Middle School, in Shady Hollow itself; and Bowie High School on nearby Slaughter Lane. It also offers many amenities, including parks and a community center with a pool and basketball and tennis courts. Although there are not many businesses in the neighborhood, residents enjoy many restaurants, gyms, and entertainment options within short driving distance.

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