Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Spicewood

The views from Lakeway looking east toward town are breathtaking.

Shopping is a favorite pastime in Bee Cave and Lakeway with the Hill Country Galleria and The Shops at The Galleria delivering dozens of stores, including big retailers such as Dillard's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Whole Foods Markets. But there are dozens of speciality stores, too, in an appealing outdoor configuration.

Sonesta hotel provides lodging and meeting venues for tourists and business travelers. It's within Hill Country Galleria.

FAR WEST AUSTIN (including Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs and Spicewood)

Austinites with a love for hills and water seem to gravitate toward the western reaches of the Austin market. Lakeway is probably the dominant municipality with unbelievable 360-degree views. Bee Cave is smaller but it’s home to Hill Country Galleria, a regional outdoor shopping center with major department stores, Whole Foods and other top name retailers nearby.

 Many of the homes across the western fringes sit on larger lots and are either custom or semi-custom homes. Noted communities include Rob Roy, Spanish Oaks, The Hills, Rough Hollow and Serene Springs. Currently Sweetwater is a popular new community, 22 miles from downtown Austin along Highway 71. It offers a wide variety of housing and price points.

Closer to Dripping Springs several other new communities have debuted in the past few years, including Caliterra, Headwaters, Arrowhead Ranch, Bunker Ranch Estates, Founder’s Ridge and Legacy Trails,

Belterra is another master-planned community off U.S. 290 and a bit closer to Austin. Residents there are rejoicing in the development of a new shopping center, Belterra Village, which is just beginning to deliver new and much needed retailers to the area.

Dripping Springs, meanwhile, delivers a cachet all its own. It is well known nationally for it’s Napa Valley-style vibe with several upscale wedding venues, vineyards, wine bars, breweries and distilleries. Hamilton Pool Preserve close by is one of the most scenic and popular water destinations in the country — so much so that reservations are required.