The town of Leander is located just north of Austin on the edge of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The community has experienced a growth surge in the last decade, and has become one of Texas’ fastest growing towns. The civic leadership embarked on land planning initiatives to effectively handle the rapid growth, and the result was an award-winning plan and a community’s bright future. From first-time starter homes to executive-level living, the wide range of residential options available in Leander real estate is only one of the many reasons why folks like to call Leander home.
Leander’s exemplary-rated school district is the main driver for the community’s growth. Leander ISD’s 200-square-mile wide area provides a great learning environment for more than 37,000 students on 39 campuses. It is one of the fastest growing Texas school districts, and one of eight finalists competing for the coveted HEB Excellence in Education Best Large School District award, a $100,000 prize. (Awards are in May 2016). After graduation, many Leander students attend classes at the nationally-recognized Austin Community College, a two-year college system that has served Central Texas for the last 40 years. And Leander is close to the world-class University of Texas, as well as other fine universities like Southwestern, Concordia, St. Edwards, and Texas State University’s Round Rock campus.
Leander residents love the quiet life, but also enjoy the proximity to Austin and all that the state capitol has to offer. You can visit the Capitol Building, Bullock Museum, and Governor’s Mansion. Austin is also the live music capitol of the world with 250 music venues and a vibrant arts scene. The city has ballet, world-class museums, fantastic shopping, and beautiful outdoor spaces like Town Lake, all of which are just a short 17-mile drive away. With plans for both tollway and commuter rail transportation improvements, the trip will be even shorter in the future.
“That Small Town Feel”
The small town was founded in 1882, and remains small with 32,000 current residents. In the late 1800's, railroads ruled, and merchants began moving their businesses from the town of Bagdad to be closer to the railroad. Pretty soon, the settlement grew large enough to create a town in 1882, and, as was customary at the time, name it after the railroad station manager, Karl Leander. The town still has the same small town feel that it did over 100 years ago. The 1860’s era Mason Homestead farm house has been restored in the heart of Leander. The property was given to Charles C. Mason by his father shortly after the Civil War ended in 1865, and in 2005, Mason’s granddaughter donated a portion of the land to the city. You can also experience what Leander might have been like in the good old railroad days by taking a weekend trip on the nearby Austin Steam Train. The Leander farmers market still connects individuals with local farmers, offer organic and non-GMO whole foods (just like they did back then—guess things have come full circle). The city is host to many iconic small town events, like movies in the park, Easter egg hunts, Christmas tree lightings, a summer kite festival, and of course, Fourth of July fireworks. To preserve Leander history even more, the city has a new incentive program to encourage new business development in the Old Town District.
You will love the Leander lifestyle and its loads of outdoor activities. The city is home to seven parks encompassing 180 acres, each park offering something different for year-round enjoyment. Heck, there’s even an off-leash dog park with a bar that serves beer and wine! Leander’s newest park property is the Veterans Park, built as a living legacy to honor Leander veterans, past and present. Many more parks and green spaces are in Leander’s future, too, because the parks and recreation department has created a 10-year vision and master plan to create new areas through 2021. Surrounded by the beauty of the Texas landscape, the 18-hole Crystal Falls golf course is suited for golfers of all ages and skill levels. The Hill Country Amateur tournament is hosted annually to challenge (and frustrate) golfers with water hazards on 12 of the 18 holes. Leander Little League is a big deal, too; in fact, the city just cut the ribbon on the brand new Benbrook Ranch Park Baseball Fields complex.
Leander and the surrounding areas abound with lakes, golf, restaurants, microbreweries, wineries, art festivals, sports venues, and much more. The gorgeous Lower Colorado River Lake System is just a few miles away, offering a water paradise on Lake Travis and the other Highland Lakes. The beautiful Balcones Canyonlands wildlife refuge and internationally Important Bird Area (IBA) is close by as well. Nearby Cedar Park is home to two professional sports teams: the Texas Stars hockey team affiliated with the NHL Dallas Stars, and the Austin Spurs NBA D-League team affiliated with the NBA San Antonio Spurs. Microbreweries are abundant in this area, and the region’s natural limestone, superb for grape growers, is why there are 46 spectacularly beautiful wineries spanning in a tight radius around Leander. Five million annual visitors enjoy discovering the personality, and style of winemaking at each of these unique and lovely vineyards.
Texas is a state of mind, and Leander, with its oak trees and wildflowers, rolling hills and limestone, and sweeping panoramic views is a great place to live. It’s a nice, comfortable blend rural and refined, so consider calling this small town as a new home and sanctuary in which to have front porch talks and sunset walks. In Leander, you will love the exciting lifestyle community, knowing your neighbors, and watching your kids grow up.
