What's Happening > News
A Relocation Guide to Living in the Texas Hill Country
A guide with things to know about relocating to the Texas Hill Country, including projected population growth, and points of interest around the area.
The Texas Hill Country is a scenic swath of land that stretches from the northern edge of the San Antonio-New Braunfels area up to the state capitol in Austin. Whether it’s taking a hike on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, eating lunch at The Salt Lick, or a camping trip to Canyon Lake, many marvel at all the Hill Country has to offer. Many visitors love it enough to make the move, and call it home.
The Texas Hill Country Population Boom
According to research conducted by the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, the population of the region is expected to double in the next 30 years or so. This isn’t merely a prediction for the future, however. The projected numbers are based on an ongoing population boom that began many years ago. The current population of nearly 4 million people represents a growth of about 50% over the last two decades, and that’s only expected to increase. But don’t let that scare you – with wide open spaces and rolling topography, much of the Hill Country is unpopulated or sparsely populated. Interestingly, the report suggests that these newcomers will mostly settle in unincorporated areas, rather than any of the larger municipalities situated along the perimeter of the Texas Hill Country.
Points of Interest
The Texas Hill Country is vast. Although the region’s borders are not clearly defined or always agreed upon, the total area is around 31,000 square miles — that’s the size of South Carolina! As you decide to move to the Texas Hill Country, you’ll likely want to focus your search on a particular part of the region that best matches your personal recreation interests and housing needs. When doing so, here are some factors to consider:
Canyon Lake. People moving to the region for its natural beauty will want to consider their proximity to the crown jewel of the Texas Hill Country: the beautiful Canyon Lake. The many recreational areas up and down its shores provide ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, paddling, camping, and boating. The lake covers more than 8,000 acres and plunges to a maximum depth of over 125 feet. Its unique shape boasts 80 miles of dramatic shoreline. Lake lovers should consider focusing their search on the Wimberly and New Braunfels areas.
(Image Credit: Visit San Antonio)
The Texas Hill Country Wine Trail. Food and drink aficionados may want to consider moving to a location adjacent to the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail. This self-guided attraction includes more than 50 wineries, making for a weekend filled with food, wine, and adventure. The region also has several craft breweries, if you’re more of a beer or cider fan.
Major cities. Most people moving to the Texas Hill Country are considering employment options. While there are a good number of seasonal jobs around the region that are centered on the tourism and hospitality industry, people looking for a stable, significant income will likely want to search in one of the major cities adjacent to the Texas Hill Country. Research the different cities and towns near the Texas Hill Country to determine which best fits your vibe and skillset. Austin has a strong tech industry with a vibrant music scene, while New Braunfels has rich German heritage, fun summer festivals, plenty of high-quality new housing, and it’s a reasonable commute to the many healthcare, military, and aerospace job opportunities in San Antonio.
Like the vibrant city of New Braunfels, the new Mayfair community to the north of the city is designed to celebrate the history, natural beauty and fresh energy of the Texas Hill Country area. The 1,900-acre mixed use development will house over 6,000 homes, apartments, build-to-rent homes, duplexes, townhomes and more – welcoming a broad variety of residents to enjoy over 330 acres of parks, over 35 miles of trails and paths including an off-road bike path, new schools and a mixed-use retail hub at the Town Center. Get ready for Mayfair, a new Hill Country destination coming in 2023 to the Texas Hill Country.
Featured Image Credit: Texas Hill Country Conservation Network
—
Most Recent
