City of Rollingwood

Area Description:

This highly-sought area is its own municipality with its own police force, mayor, city council, and tax assessment.  It is less than one square mile in area, has less than 2,000 residents, and has an exclusive combination of what so many seek:

• Incredible close-in location just south of Lady Bird Lake, just west of Zilker Park and in easy biking distance of downtown
• Oversized lots (median of about .4 acres) in comparison to other close-in areas due to its original development with septic which required larger lots: the City of Austin voted in 1998 to extend sewer to Rollingwood which liberated Rollingwood’s potential to build larger homes. This initiated the “tear-downs” of the original homes replaced with much larger homes.  This continues.  Lot values alone are well over $1,000,000 and are often substantially more depending on size, terrain, and location.
• Abundant charm with its gentle rolling hills, magnificent trees and quiet streets; it’s great for walks, bike rides or sitting on the front porch
• Children attend schools in the highly-acclaimed Eanes Independent School District “Westlake”: Eanes Elementary, Hill Country Middle School and Westlake H.S.  The schools are not in a walkable distance—children take the bus or are driven to school.
• As a separate, tiny municipality (not part of the City of Austin), it provides unique benefits:
• A city property tax rate that is less than 1/2 that of the City of Austin property tax rate (other taxing entities’ rates are identical)
• A separate police force that has less than one square mile to patrol so they are never far away
• Its own municipal park, including a play area for children and ball fields; the park is the site of get-togethers, celebrations, post-parade fun and more
• The opportunity to personally know every person in city government and potentially impact decisions: you might run for mayor—and win!

Other Desireables:

• Site of Western Hills Athletic Club, commonly thought of as “Rollingwood Pool”, tennis courts and play areas, which although not affiliated with the municipality, is surely walkable for those in Rollingwood who are members
• Walkability to shopping and restaurants
• Walkability to Zilker Park, site of so many events including ACL fest and the holiday Trail of Lights
• Walkability to hike and bike trails

Homes in Rollingwood can vary from some of the original homes built in the 1950’s, many of them ranch styles, to newer multi-million dollar homes.  This mix can deter some buyers who seek a consistent high-end look.  Parts of Rollingwood extend just south of Bee Cave Road. Areas on the eastern side of West Lake Hills may be thought to be in Rollingwood, for instance, Las Lomas, much of Ridgewood, and most areas directly west of Ridgewood.  Many view Rollingwood as a treasure and are willing to pay the higher prices required to live here.