12 Best Neighborhoods in Buda

, Mar 27, 2023

Named the “Outdoor Capital of Texas” by the State of Texas Legislature due to the high percentage of parkland found throughout the city, the city of Buda is characterized by its stony hills, rolling terrain, mature trees, and stunning wildflowers. With 13 scenic parks, including the 54-acre Historic Stagecoach Park, along with numerous hike and bike trails, Buda neighborhoods provide residents with ample opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

Located about 15 miles from Austin, the city of Buda is just a short drive from the many restaurants, shops, service providers, and employment opportunities Austin offers. Meanwhile, Historic Downtown Buda is a destination itself, offering art from local vendors as well as a variety of dining and shopping opportunities.

School-aged children who live in Buda are served by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. Based in the city of Kyle, the district serves the majority group of students who reside in Hays County. Altogether, the district has more than 20 campuses and serves more than 20,000 students.

Best Neighborhoods in Buda

What are the best places to live in Buda? We have you covered with some of the best Buda neighborhoods below!

Ruby Ranch

Boundaries:

North: FM 967
East: Matzig Cove
South: Ware Drive
West: Clark Cove Road

Developed in the late 1990s, the community of Ruby Ranch is characterized by beautiful custom-designed three- to five-bedroom homes situated on one to five-acre lots. Housing styles include a mix of Texas ranch-style homes and Spanish-influenced architecture. Common interior features include large kitchens and vaulted ceilings. Mature trees, native grasses, large private outdoor living spaces, and stone interiors are common features throughout the neighborhood.

Thanks to its convenient location, the Ruby Ranch community provides its residents with easy access to Downtown Austin and all of its amenities. A variety of restaurants, shops, and other conveniences are also just minutes away, while Lake Kyle is a short drive from the neighborhood.

Sunfield

Boundaries:

North: Fire Creek Drive
East: Sunbright Boulevard
South: Razzmatazz Trail
West: White Wing Trail

Situated on 2,700 acres and boasting more than 4,000 three- and four-bedroom homes within the heart of Buda, the master-planned resort-style community of Sunfield offers the charm of small-town Texas while remaining conveniently near city amenities. Developed in 2012, the community is characterized by a mix of Texas traditional and craftsman-style designs. Standard features include open kitchens, custom cabinets, arched windows and entries, brick, and stone exteriors, and private backyards. Homebuilders represented within the community include Centex Homes and Gehan Homes.

With its location just 16 miles from Downtown Austin, residents of Sunfield do not have to travel far to enjoy all that the best part of Austin has to offer. The community itself also boasts hike and bike trails, a stocked fishing pond, a community dog park, a community garden, Frisbee golf, an outdoor pavilion, a junior Olympic lap pool, a 1,000-foot lazy river, and a child’s splash area.

Carpenter Hill

Boundaries:

North: FM 1826
East: TX-45
South: FM 150 and Guadalupe River
West: FM 12

Situated just north of the Guadalupe River on 70 acres of land, the community of Carpenter Hill offers small-town charm with big-city perks. With a variety of floor plans and designs available, standard features of homes within the community include granite countertops, built-in garden tubs with separate glass-enclosed showers, and full masonry exterior finishes.

With the advantage of its ideal location on FM 967 between the Buda Sportsplex and Hays Community Independent School District, the Carpenter Hill community provides easy access to all that the one's surrounding area has to offer. Historic Downtown Buda and all of its charming shopping and dining opportunities are just a short distance away, while Downtown Austin can be easily accessed via a number of major roadways.

Elm Grove

Boundaries:

North: Garlic Creek Drive
East: Garlic Creek Park
South: Bayou Bend Drive
West: FM 1626

Situated next to the 15-acre Garlic Creek Greenbelt, the Elm Grove community is one of several “green” communities developed by Gehan Homes. Boasting more than 300 homes ranging in size from around 1,800 to more than 3,200 square feet in size, the neighborhood offers a peaceful retreat for those who want a home that is away from the noise of the city.

In addition to enjoying the outdoor recreational opportunities offered by the adjacent Garlic Creek Greenbelt, the Elm Grove community provides its residents with easy access to Downtown Austin and all of the amenities and conveniences the city has to offer. The Buda Sportsplex and South Park Meadows shopping center is also located nearby. The neighborhood also offers numerous pedestrian walkways and open spaces for enjoying the outdoors.

Whispering Hollow

Boundaries:

North: Garlic Creek Park
East: Enchanted Woods Trail
South: FM 147
West: FM 1626

Characterized by tree-lined streets and constructed between 2005 and 2017, the community of Whispering Hollow offers three- to five-bedroom single-family homes of a wide variety of sizes and styles. With homes ranging in size from around 1,900 to more than 3,000 square feet, common features include bay windows, wood and tile flooring, oak cabinets, granite countertops, and energy-efficient appliances. Builders represented within the community include Clark Wilson Homes and CalAtlantic Homes, now known as Lennar.

With its location just minutes from major highways, Whispering Hollow provides residents with easy access to a wide variety of amenities and conveniences. The community is also home to the 18-acre Whispering Hollow Park, which offers a trail system, picnic tables, and a playground. Other neighborhood amenities include a pool and pavilion.

Turner’s Crossing

Boundaries:

North: FM 1327
East: Turner Coach Trail
South: Dairywork Road
West: North Turnersville Road

Offering homes ranging in size from a bit more than 1,200 to over 2,000 square feet and situated on 40- and 50-foot homesites, the master-planned community of Turner’s Crossing is comprised of one- and two-story homes within a peaceful country setting. Community features include fishing ponds, wildflower meadows, and an abundance of Texas charm.

With the combination of its location just off of IH-35 and the 45 tollway, Turner’s Crossing provides the best way for its residents with easy access to various nearby big-city conveniences. The community itself boasts two amenities centers, a playground, and swimming pools. The community in bests it best way also offers 286 acres of parkland with trails for residents interested to explore.

Cimarron Park

Boundaries:

North: Lewis Lane
East: Shady Acres Drive
South: Ranger Drive
West: Eagle Nest Drive

Consisting of traditional ranch-style three- and four-bedroom homes built in the early 1980s within the quiet Texas Hill Country, the neighborhood of Cimarron Park is best characterized by its heavily wooded half-acre lots and mature landscaping. Common features include outdoor decks, private backyards filled with pecan trees, and dens with fireplaces.

With Downtown Austin located just 17 miles away, residents of Cimarron Park enjoy easy access to all that the city has to offer while still experiencing the perks of living in the best part of the country. Community amenities include tennis courts, swimming pools, and well-maintained play areas. The 52-acre Buda Sportsplex and Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park are both also located nearby.

Garlic Creek

Boundaries:

North: FM 967
East: Talley Loop
South: Garlic Creek Park
West: FM 1626

With construction taking place from 2007 to 2016, the master-planned community of Garlic Creek boasts around 850 homes ranging in size from about 1,500 to 3,500 square feet. Common features include open kitchens, large foyers, and master suites with walk-in closets. Homebuilders represented within the community include Mercedes Homes, Meritage Homes, and Centex.

Residents of Garlic Creek enjoy the use of a number of community amenities, including the Garlic Creek Center which includes two playscapes, a fitness center, a 75-foot swimming pool, a summer splash pad, a basketball court, and meeting rooms. The 31-acre Garlic Creek Park is also adjacent to the community, offering biking and hiking trails, two basketball goals, a playground, and more. Downtown Buda is only about two miles from the community, while Downtown Austin is a short drive away.

White Oak Preserve

Boundaries:

North: Cullen Boulevard
East: FM 967
South: Patriot Drive
West: Enchanted Woods Trail

With construction beginning in 2016, the 98-acre White Oak Preserver neighborhood features an assortment of homes in a variety of sizes and styles. Ranging in size from around 1,300 to more than 2,300 square feet, homes in White Oak Preserve rest on 50-foot homesites and offer three- to five-bedroom floor plans. Typical features include granite countertops, covered back patios, and custom-made cabinets.

With half of the community’s acreage dedicated to green space, residents of White Oak Preserve enjoy ample opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Community amenities include an amenity center, a swimming pool, a playscape, and a sports court. Downtown Buda is also just one mile away while reaching Downtown Austin is only a one hour and 20-minute drive.

Stonefield

Boundaries:

North: Adoquin Trail
East: FM 119
South: FM 133
West: I-35

Developed from 2007 to 2020 by Lennar Home and boasting 700 traditional and Mediterranean-inspired one- and two-story homes, the master-planned community of Stonefield offers three- to five-bedroom floor plans ranging from around 1,400 to more than 3,000 square feet. Common features include brick and stone exteriors, covered patios, spacious master suites, and granite countertops.

With its location just 16 miles from Downtown Austin, residents enjoy easy access to all of the conveniences the city has to offer. some examples of Amenities found within the community include a junior Olympic swimming pool and 14 acres of parkland that includes hike and bike trails, a dog park, and a fishing pond. Stoneridge Park, which offers a basketball court, a large playscape, and a rock climbing wall, is also located nearby.

Shadow Creek

Boundaries:

North: Marsh Lane
East: Windy Hills Road
South: Windy Hills Road
West: FM 205

Featuring one- and two-story homes with brick and stone exteriors, the master-planned community of Shadow Creek is characterized by its great views and spacious floor plans that range in size from around 1,300 to more than 2,700 square feet. Common features include gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, master suites with double vanity bathrooms, covered patios, and fenced backyards. Builders represented within the community include Buffington, Milestone, and Lennar Homes.

Located just 22 miles from Downtown Austin, residents of Shadow Creek do not have to travel far in order to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Amenities within the community include a junior Olympic swimming pool, soccer fields, basketball courts, neighborhood trails, and a covered playscape.

Meadows at Buda

Boundaries:

North: Crystal City Creek
East: I-35
South: Snow Owl Hollow
West: Hot Springs Valley

With homes constructed between 2006 and 2016, the small, master-planned community of Meadows at Buda is characterized by traditional one- and two-story homes with brick and stone exteriors. Floor plans range from three- to five-bedroom and offer anywhere from around 1,600 to more than 3,400 square feet of living space. Common features include decorative garage doors, arched entryways, vaulted ceilings, and fenced backyards. Builders represented within the community include Homes by AVI and Gehan Homes.

Community amenities include a large community pool and a playscape. The community is also just a short drive away from Plum Creek golf course and Lake Kyle. Downtown Austin and all of its amenities and employment and business opportunities are also just a short drive away from the community.

Categories Austin Texas
About the Author

Shannon Kietzman is a professional writer who has been writing about real estate and other topics since 2003. She is also a special education teacher and mother of four adult sons. She and her husband, Scott, are National Parks enthusiasts who enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, cycling, and generally spending time outdoors. She dabbles in many artistic pursuits, including glassblowing, metalwork, woodwork, leatherwork, painting, sculpting, and photography.

Last updated: 08/23/2023

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