It is easy to drive past West Rim’s nearly one hundred homes perched on sloping land near Lake Austin. There are no gates or street lights; the homes sit well-sheltered between century-old live oaks and a few pecan trees. From the lake, you see only rooftops. Located about four miles east of Highway 360 among the curving blacktops that snake through the hills, West Rim is also not the easiest place to find. Yet turn into either of the two entrances off West Lake Bypass, and this family-oriented neighborhood created in the 1980s feels settled, secure and current.
John Lloyd originally developed the land, and most of the homes were completed by the mid- 1990s. Along the four main streets and cul-de-sacs, you will find traditional white limestone, red brick, modern stone and stucco, and even one Victorian home, all built on three-quarter to three acre lots. Although most are two-story, the relatively flat terrain allowed for a few one-story homes. Unfortunately, no undeveloped lots remain.
About ten years ago, a neighborhood improvement project shaded the mail boxes and added a limestone wall along the main road that bisects the community. The understated design was intended to unify and promote, for the first, the neighborhood’s name. The effect is somewhat underwhelming. The real glue comes from family activities like the neighborhood-wide dinner parties and the large open spaces that encourage football, flash-light tag and sitting on the front porch.
A somewhat hidden bonus is the private park on the lake, partly shaded by a 200 year-old pecan tree. It is the only part of West Rim that actually dips into Lake Austin. A lighted tennis court, a sheltered cook-out area and an updated children’s play area fill the acre park. A small covered marina is available for ski boats and jet skies. The monthly slip rental is extra and by reservation. Next door is an old private marina and park run by the DePew family. West Lake Beach offers a small patch of white sand along the lake shore for swimming and friendly howdy to all visitors. Be prepared, however, to pay city prices.
In the late 1990s, three new gated communities were carved into the nearby hills. Just to the south, Summit at West Rim was built on Mount Larson, and between West Rim and the lake, The Island on Westlake arose from what was a family estate with peacocks, and to the north West Rim Estates added just over a hundred homes built on slightly smaller lots. All might be worth a look if you can’t find something available in West Rim.
West Rim feeds into Eanes ISD Schools. Bridge Point/Hill Country Middle School and West Lake High School.
Historical Trivia:
Indians camped along the Colorado River before dams created the constant-level Lake Austin. Look down and you might find the chipped remnants of what the archeologists call “whittling in stone” or flint flakes.
Showing properties
1 - 10 of 10.
See more homes for sale in West Rim.
(all data current as of
6/20/2013)
-
$3,250,000 : 4319 Dunning LN, Austin6 beds, 7 full, 1 part baths
-
$5,000,000 : 2705 Berenson, Austin8 beds, 10 full, 1 part baths
-
$1,250,000 : 4325 River Garden TRL, Austin0 beds, 0 baths
-
$5,700,000 : 3009 Westlake DR, Austin3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
-
$4,250,000 : 4300 River Garden TRL, Austin5 beds, 6 full baths
-
$7,500,000 : 3905 Island Knoll DR, Austin6 beds, 5 full, 4 part baths
-
$3,950,000 : 2705 ISLAND LEDGE CV, Austin6 beds, 6 full, 1 part baths
-
$3,250,000 : 4360 River Garden TRL, Austin6 beds, 6 full, 3 part baths
-
$3,495,000 : 2956 Westlake DR, Austin5 beds, 7 full, 2 part baths
-
$1,399,000 : 1 Wildwind PT, Austin0 beds, 0 baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
