The communities around Austin, Texas are known for a healthy amount of variety, great food and gorgeous scenery. Austin is also listed as the #1 city in the country to live, a fact that is hard to dispute when you spend some time getting to know the area. There’s no shortage of places to visit and things to do, especially once you start to learn more about some of the hidden benefits of living in the Austin area. This included exclusive lakeside living and live water properties.Â
Waterfront Access for Austin Properties:
What many people don’t expect to find when searching Austin for a new home are properties with access to beautiful waterways and lakes. Properties are generally adjacent to two main types of bodies of water. The good news is that Austin is widely known for crystal clear lakes, rivers and streams.Â
There are endless reasons for wanting a home with access to water. Whether your passions lie in fishing, boating, water sports or simply enjoying the view, Austin’s waterfront properties give owner’s an unparalleled experience. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find another city with the same level of waterway access as Austin. With a continued drive to keep the city clean as it develops and grows, these waterways will stay clear and fresh for years to come.Â
Lakefront Living in Austin:
There are three major lakes in Austin which are used by residents and visitors alike. Each one is unique, and each one allows different activities. Some of the lakes are better suited for manual watercraft like canoes and paddle boards. Others are prime locations for fishing, wakeboarding or power boating. There are also great spots for swimming too. In reality, the variety and condition of each of Austin’s lakes have allowed them to become some of the most popular spots in the city.Â
Lake Austin is a human made lake which is intended to help with water storage and power generation. Lake Austin is actually a widened section of the Colorado River and is a perfect spot for rest, relaxation and recreation. There are also a number of waterfront restaurants to visit after a long day on the water.
Not far downstream is Lady Bird Lake, named after former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson. It rests near the highly sought after 78704 area of Austin, a collection of fantastic communities, each with their own unique charm. Embracing the city’s love for the outdoors and for nature itself, the shores of Lady Bird Lake are lined with miles of hiking, biking and walking trails. It happens to be stocked with fish year round, making it terrific for those who love to fish.Â
With the backdrop of the capital city and with the manicured banks of the lake providing picturesque beauty, Lady Bird Lake represents nearly everything that the city of Austin has come to be known for. It is a perfect blend of the urban center and nature’s most gorgeous scenery.Â
Lake Travis is one of the larger of the lakes around Austin, with depths reaching 210 feet. It normally helps to control floodwaters and also generate electricity for the city and surrounding areas. Because of its size, Lake Travis allows larger vessels such as sailboats, houseboats, power boats and more. It also permits smaller boats, kayaks and canoes. At its deepest point, Lake Travis is also a great place for scuba divers as they explore the remains of the now underwater basin.
Living near or even on these lakes provides a quality of life that is unmatched, and one that is so often dreamed of by many. Because the lakes are spread out along the Colorado River, the homes themselves are unique and have various looks and feels.
While the majority of Austin’s lakes are a part of the river, they do not flow as powerfully as in other areas of the Colorado River. As the banks of the river extend to create wider sections, and as the hydroelectric dams slow down the water flow, the lakes take on different personalities. In the early morning you can see this for yourself as the water glosses over and appears glassy and still.Â
Austin’s Live Water Properties:
Other properties in Austin are near live water areas such as rivers and streams. These properties range from luxury homes on a smaller footprint to sprawling ranch properties directly abutted by lakes, rivers or streams.
Many of these types of live water properties are oriented and positioned perfectly to absorb the natural scenery of the water features. While there are plenty of properties on larger rivers and lakes, there are also other types of live water properties that are worth a glance.
Some properties, especially as you venture a bit farther away from the city, have a number of streams passing through them. If you’re lucky enough to have a stream large enough you might even be able to go fishing. Other properties might have natural springs or swimming holes to let you cool off on hot summer days.Â
Luckily for homebuyers, the rolling grasslands of Texas provide the perfect setting for meandering streams and natural springs. With an inventory of homes that can meet any standard or preference, the Austin real estate market is bound to have an option that suits your needs.