I work Highland Lakes real estate under Uncommon Highland Lakes Realty, and this page is the deep dive into the towns that make up the region — the chain of lakes formed by dams along the Colorado River: Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin. If the main Neighborhood Guides hub covers everywhere I work across greater Austin, this page is just the lake country — Marble Falls, Kingsland, Horseshoe Bay, Burnet, Granite Shoals, and the smaller towns around them.
Most of my Highland Lakes clients aren’t commuting anywhere. They’re retiring, buying a second home, or finally making the move to the lake full time, which means the questions are different than they are in the metro: which lake actually holds its level, which towns have a real grocery store and hospital nearby versus a 30-minute drive, and which communities are built around golf and resort amenities versus a quiet dock and a fixed income. That’s what these guides are built to answer.
Choosing a Highland Lakes Town
A few things tend to actually decide this for people, more than anything on a listing sheet:
- Which lake. Lake LBJ holds a constant level year-round, which is why it commands the highest waterfront prices in the region — Kingsland, Granite Shoals, and Highland Haven all sit on it. Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake are managed differently and can see levels drop in dry years, which matters if you want a boat in the water every summer.
- Resort vs. quiet. Horseshoe Bay is built around golf, marinas, and resort amenities. Towns like Meadowlakes, Sherwood Shores, and Sunrise Beach Village are smaller and quieter, with less built-in nightlife but lower price points and a slower pace.
- Distance to services. Marble Falls has the region’s hospital, the bulk of the grocery and retail options, and is the practical hub most other towns orbit around. The farther out you go — Kingsland, the far side of Buchanan — the more that becomes a real driving-time consideration, not just a preference.
- Budget. Waterfront on Lake LBJ and Horseshoe Bay golf-course lots sit at the top of the price range. Cottonwood Shores, Granite Shoals, and Burnet tend to offer the most house and land for the money without giving up lake access entirely.
Town-by-Town Guides
- Kingsland — Living in Kingsland, TX and Retiring in Kingsland, TX, at the confluence of the Colorado and Llano Rivers on Lake LBJ.
- Granite Shoals — Living in Granite Shoals, TX and Retiring in Granite Shoals, TX, on the quieter side of Lake LBJ.
- Highland Haven — Living in Highland Haven, TX and Retiring in Highland Haven, TX, a small, quiet Lake LBJ community near Marble Falls.
- Horseshoe Bay — The Peninsula, Horseshoe Bay, the region’s resort and golf community.
- Marble Falls — Marble Falls Housing Market, the hub town most of the region orbits around.
- Burnet — Retiring in Burnet, TX, the Burnet County seat and a practical, less lake-dependent option.
- Meadowlakes — Retiring in Meadowlakes, TX and Meadowlakes Homes For Sale.
- Sherwood Shores — Retiring in Sherwood Shores, TX, on Lake Buchanan.
- Sunrise Beach Village — Retiring in Sunrise Beach Village, TX, on Lake LBJ.
- Cottonwood Shores — Cottonwood Shores Housing Market Report, one of the more affordable entry points into the region.
Worth reading before you get too far into a search: Lake LBJ Boating, Marinas, and Lake Levels, Why Texans Are Choosing Highland Lakes Over The Coast, and my Highland Lakes Event Guides for a sense of each town’s yearly calendar.
All Highland Lakes Neighborhood Guides
This list pulls in every Highland Lakes guide I’ve published, updated automatically as new ones go live.
Why Texans Are Choosing Highland Lakes Over The Coast
Where Are the Highland Lakes in Texas?
Swimming in the Highland Lakes: Where It’s Actually Safe
Living in Kingsland, TX: Life at the Confluence of Two Rivers on Lake LBJ
Living in Highland Haven, TX: A Quiet Lake LBJ Community Near Marble Falls
Living in Granite Shoals, TX: Life on the Quiet Side of Lake LBJ
Is Marble Falls Worth Visiting? A Hidden Texas Gem You Need to See
Thinking About the Lake?
Whether you’re looking at a retirement move, a second home, or a full relocation, I’d rather talk through what actually fits your budget and how you plan to use the water before you start touring houses. Reach out below, or browse the full Neighborhood Guides hub if you’re also weighing the Austin metro.
