About Highlands Homes for Sale in Austin, TX
Neighborhoods & Subdivisions in Highlands
The Highlands area in central Austin is defined primarily by two residential subdivisions: the Highlands neighborhood itself and The Highlands Addition. Together these pockets form a cohesive residential district shaped by decades of steady ownership and a more recent wave of infill development that has quietly transformed sections of the area.
Homes in the original Highlands subdivision tend toward the mid-century end of the spectrum, with ranch-style and bungalow-influenced designs on compact lots typical of central Austin's postwar development era. The Highlands Addition sits adjacent and offers a slightly different mix, with some larger lots and homes reflecting a broader range of construction periods. Buyers who appreciate the architectural texture of older Austin neighborhoods will find plenty to like here.
New construction has arrived in Highlands in meaningful ways. Legacy at 55th has been one of the more active builders in this part of Austin, delivering modern infill homes with contemporary finishes that appeal to buyers seeking updated spaces in a central location. The builder Elbow Room has also contributed to the area's newer stock. These new builds bring a different energy without erasing the character of what was already here. The result is a residential area that feels genuinely layered rather than entirely redeveloped.
Schools in Highlands
School zoning in Highlands spans two districts: Austin ISD and Hutto ISD. The majority of properties in the core of the neighborhood are served by Austin ISD, but buyers whose search takes them toward the northeastern edge of the area may find Hutto ISD assignments. Confirming the exact school zone for any specific address is worth doing early, as district boundaries can shift across just a few blocks in this part of Travis County.
Within Austin ISD, Highland Park Elementary serves as a primary feeder for the area, with Ridgetop and Reilly Elementary as additional options depending on location. Middle school students are generally assigned to Lamar Middle School, which offers a solid range of academic programs within the district. Anderson High School and McCallum High School are both well-regarded Austin ISD campuses that serve Highlands, each with established traditions in academics, athletics, and the arts.
For properties served by Hutto ISD, the pathway runs through Hutto Elementary and Hutto Middle School before reaching Hutto High School. Hutto ISD has grown significantly in recent years as the city of Hutto expanded, and the district has invested in new facilities to keep pace with that growth.
Real Estate Market Overview
Highlands real estate reflects what you would expect from a central Austin neighborhood with a long residential history and increasing infill activity. The inventory includes a meaningful share of rental properties alongside homes for sale, which is consistent with the area's draw for both long-term residents and investors looking for central Austin locations with solid fundamentals.
Buyers will find a range of home sizes here, from compact two-bedroom properties suited to those wanting a manageable footprint in a walkable corridor, to four- and five-bedroom homes on lots that offer more room. The mix of older and newer homes means condition and finish level vary considerably, and buyers working with a knowledgeable agent can identify where value exists relative to what the market is offering at any given time.
The broader Austin area homes for sale market has seen significant movement in recent years, and Highlands has not been immune to those shifts. Demand for central Austin properties tends to hold up well across market cycles, and the neighborhood's access to major corridors supports long-term appeal. Neuhaus Realty Group works with buyers and sellers throughout central Austin and can provide current, specific guidance on what the Highlands market is doing right now.
Getting Around Highlands
Highlands sits at a genuinely central point in the Austin metro, making it one of the more accessible neighborhoods for buyers who need to move around the city regularly. Airport Boulevard forms a primary artery through and around the neighborhood, connecting directly to I-35 and to US-183 a short distance north. From most addresses in Highlands, Downtown Austin is a 15 to 20-minute drive under normal traffic conditions, and the Domain shopping and entertainment district is reachable in roughly the same amount of time heading north.
The ACC Highland Campus, which occupies the redeveloped footprint of the old Highland Mall on Airport Boulevard, has brought a surge of activity and investment to the surrounding area. New retail, restaurant, and residential development has followed, changing the character of the commercial strips near Highlands in ways that continue to unfold. The broader Mueller development, a large mixed-use district to the south, is close enough to reach easily for groceries, dining, and weekend activities.
Capital Metro bus service runs along Airport Boulevard and 51st Street, providing transit connectivity for residents who prefer not to drive. Buyers comparing central Austin options will often look at nearby Austin neighborhoods like North Loop and Windsor Park for a similar corridor character. Those open to exploring the northeastern part of the metro sometimes consider Hutto as well, where newer construction and larger lots are available in a different price range and setting.
For Lease
13 photos
