The Buzz

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again, and we don’t want you to miss a chance to celebrate. We’ve wrapped up this guide to festivities all around Sweetwater, in Austin, the Hill Country and nearby communities including Lake Travis and Bee Cave.

Sweetwater’s seven distinct trails showcase our community’s diverse Hill Country beauty, taking hikers through rugged canyons with creeks and waterfalls, and along high ridges with views that extend for miles.

From Boo at the Zoo to Lakeway’s Witches Ride, we’ve scared up a list of our 8 favorite Halloween events near Sweetwater in Bee Cave, Spicewood, Lakeway and the Hill Country.

Principal Angela Page comes to Rough Hollow with 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, with a strong track record of empowering students, enhancing academics and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

As a community service project to earn Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, young Sweetwater resident Sarva Iyer designed and completed a valuable project to make Sweetwater’s Maidenhair Trail search and rescue friendly.

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again, and we don’t want you to miss a chance to celebrate. We’ve wrapped up this guide to festivities all around Sweetwater, in Austin, the Hill Country and nearby communities including Lake Travis and Bee Cave.

With overwhelming voter approval of Lake Travis ISD’s $143 million bond package, Lake Travis High School and Lake Travis Middle School are set for major upgrades to their athletics facilities, including raising Cavalier Stadium’s permanent seating capacity to 12,000.

Led by resident Kim Hlava, a certified yoga teacher, the Sweetwater Yoga group meets twice a week for free classes at the Sweetwater Club. Along with physical benefits such as increased flexibility and improved energy, Sweetwater’s yogis enjoy a strong feeling of camaraderie.

From Halloween at the Hive at the Hill Country Galleria, to the Witches Ride in Lakeway, we’ve scared up a list of our 8 favorite Halloween events near Sweetwater in Bee Cave, Spicewood, Lakeway and the Hill Country.

We’ve rounded up the latest rankings and other highlights for LTISD and schools serving Sweetwater from leading organizations including Texas Education Agency, Niche, U.S. News and more, with links to the complete data.

Sweetwater’s book club meets at the Overlook Club to discuss the monthly selection over drinks and snacks. For members who didn’t get a chance to read the book, no problem. The social aspect of the club is what’s most important, says leader Danielle Elliott.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Sweetwater resident Jack Woelfel, 16, collected more than 4,800 new and gently used books from his neighbors for Libraries of Love. It was the largest donation ever received by this Pflugerville-based nonprofit, which promotes literacy in Africa.

Sweetwater’s Empty Nesters Group meets quarterly at the Sweetwater Club and Overlook Club for an evening of good food and great company. It’s one of many resident groups that help to make Sweetwater a neighborly community.

Discover Rummikub, a fast-paced tile game combining elements of rummy and mahjong, with the Sweetwater Rummikub group. They meet on the third Tuesday evening of every month at the Sweetwater Club.

Most days of the week, the Sweetwater Club hums with beats from Bollywood, Latin America and around the world, as neighbors gather for popular Zumba classes offered by a dynamic trio of Sweetwater residents teaching Zumba, Toning and Bollywood Fusion classes.

With the Sweetwater Hiking Club, residents can meet neighbors while exploring the community’s seven scenic trails, along with treks in the surrounding Hill Country. The hikes are led by resident Rosemary Borthwick and her Australian Shepherd, Bonnie, who both love the outdoors.

It’s Fall ya’ll, and here’s our guide to autumn fun near Sweetwater. From Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg to live music at the Hill Country Galleria, there are limitless opportunities for fall fun in Bee Cave, Lakeway, Spicewood, Fredericksburg and other towns near Sweetwater. See our top 12 picks in our blog.

Most days of the week, the Sweetwater Club hums with beats from Bollywood, Latin America and around the world, as neighbors gather for popular Zumba classes offered by a dynamic trio of Sweetwater residents.

It takes a team to maintain Sweetwater as a scenic and socially connected community, and we have a great team in HOA Manager Ian Knight and his staff. Meet Ian, Taylor, Courtney and Roberto at our blog and see how they work together to make Sweetwater a great place to call home.

With 40-mile views and new lifetime friends, Bill and Yolanda Marland are enjoying the high life from over 1,200 feet up in their dream home at Sweetwater.

From colorful flowers to swaying grasses, Sweetwater’s new landscaping features Texas Hill Country natives, selected for their beauty, sustainability, and ability to withstand droughts and freezes.

Events are one of the things our residents love most about Sweetwater, and our 2022 calendar is filled with several new festivals, along with many of our most popular traditions. Live music is a common theme, because this is Austin, after all.

One of Austin’s newest startups is Neighborhood Squirrel, founded by 10-year-old Sweetwater resident Ethan Kuhr (center). With the help of classmates Cason and Everett, this new business is really cleaning up and teaching these good friends life lessons about work and friendship.

With a young daughter and experience planning activities for a senior living community, Taylor’s experience encompasses the diverse range of Sweetwater’s residents. A competitive horseshoe player and avid boater, she’s a perfect fit for the community’s active lifestyle.

Come to the Sweetwater Club on Sat., Nov. 20 for the annual Sweetwater Holiday Bazaar, featuring handmade products and services by Sweetwater residents and other vendors, amid festive holiday music. A mimosa bar and food trucks will also be at the Bazaar.

Holiday events are back and we don’t want you to miss a chance to celebrate. We’ve wrapped up this guide to festivities all around Sweetwater, in Austin, the Hill Country and nearby communities including Lake Travis and Bee Cave.

With A+ grades for academics and college prep, Lake Travis ISD is the No. 2 ranked school district in Travis County in the 2022 school rankings from Niche. The Lake Travis ISD campuses serving Sweetwater are also highly rated.

Fall is a magical season in Austin and the Texas Hill Country near Sweetwater, where cooler weather brings us out to enjoy live music, pumpkin patches, classic cars, nature hikes and much more. Here are our top picks for fall events and festivals near Sweetwater. Most are free and family-friendly!

One of two new Sweetwater model homes by Taylor Morrison, the Merlot is an open one-story plan with a three-car garage and flexible options including a gameroom, study and extra bedrooms. From the outdoor living area (and its breathtaking view) to the trendy tilework in the kitchen and master bath, our blog walks you through our 8 favorite features in the Merlot.

Bee Creek Trail, Sweetwater’s newest trail, follows a scenic ridge along natural Bee Creek. The trailhead is near the Overlook Club, so you can plunge into one of the two swimming pools or simply relax in the shade after your hike.

One of two new Sweetwater model homes by Taylor Morrison, the Alabaster is a spacious 1.5-story plan with incredible views and plenty of flexible options, including two home offices and an upstairs gameroom with a covered balcony. Our blog walks you through our 8 favorite features in the Alabaster.

The Ellingwood model home by M/I Homes is one of the newest model homes in Sweetwater. From the grand foyer to the thoughtful mud room entry, there’s a lot to love in this spacious four-bedroom plan. Here are our top 10 favorite features.

Sweetwater’s Lifestyle Coordinator kept the fun going throughout the pandemic in 2020, planning safe events that were virtual and socially distanced. For 2021, there are some exciting spring events on the calendar.

Texas Snake Education classes are some of the most popular resident events at Sweetwater, so we asked Austin Reptile Service owner Tim Cole for some advice on identifying harmless and beneficial local snakes, and what do to if you see one.

Along with Hill Country wildflowers, spring will bring the grand openings of new model homes by Sweetwater’s two new builders, M/I Homes and Taylor Morrison Homes.

Getting organized is always one of the top three New Year’s resolutions, with benefits including reducing anxiety and boosting energy. For advice on how to get started, meet Sweetwater’s resident organizing expert, Brooke MacTaggart, co-founder of Austin’s Momma Method Personal Organizing.

Moving from Oregon to Austin to be closer to their first grandchild, Teri and Bob Shamlian found the perfect new home in Sweetwater. One must-have was a three-car garage to accommodate Teri’s glass art  studio.

One of Sweetwater’s earliest residents, Adriana Smith, started crafting gentle artisanal soaps just for her family. By popular demand, her passion grew into Austin’s Wild Thistle Soap Co., now offering a wide variety of all-natural body and home products.

To help with adoption expenses for their first child, Sweetwater residents Cassie and Colin Bauer are selling their handmade Adirondack chairs. Priced $275 each, or $500 for a pair, they’re the perfect way to enjoy Sweetwater’s scenic Hill Country environment.

These eight hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered among the more than 750 acres of parks, trails and natural open space at Sweetwater. 

Rita Brandin now leads development of Sweetwater and our Austin sister communities, Rancho Sienna and Teravista. With over 30 years of real estate experience, including 14 years with Newland, Rita made many work and personal visits to Austin over the years. She’s excited about living here and becoming part of the Greater Austin community. 

Moving to Austin for new job opportunities, Alysa and Mark McGrane chose Sweetwater because the surrounding Hill Country reminded them of Southern California. Since moving in, they have quickly immersed themselves in Sweetwater’s active social life.

Sweetwater is proud to be part of the highly regarded Lake Travis Independent School District, ranked A+ for academics by Niche. Sweetwater’s youngest students attend brand-new Rough Hollow Elementary, located less than 3 miles from the community.

Having lived in places as diverse as Europe, New York and California, the Gavriel family could have lived anywhere in the world once they decided to look for a new home. Here’s why they chose Austin – and Sweetwater.

Austin is the best real estate market in Texas for buying a new home, and the Capital City ranks third nationwide among large cities, according to a study from WalletHub. It’s one of the newest kudos for Austin, which has also reigned as Best Place to Live in the U.S. for three years in a row.

Niche’s 2020 school rankings are out, and Lake Travis Independent School District ranks No. 3 among 26 school districts in the Austin area. Lake Travis High School is also one of the region’s top high schools.

From a home office you’ll want to show off on Zoom, to a sliding barn door in the owner’s suite, there’s a lot to love in Chesmar’s new model home in Sweetwater. Here are our 5 favorite features.

From sliding barn doors to shiplap walls, there’s a lot to love in Perry’s new model home in Sweetwater. Here are our 5 favorite features.

Sweetwater’s newest neighborhood offers scenic view homesites for new homes priced from the low $400,000s to $600,000s by Chesmar, Perry and Westin. Chesmar and Perry have just opened fully furnished model homes in Llano Terrace, with Westin’s model opening this summer.

When Casey and Leticia Monroe started thinking about moving from Brownsville to Austin, schools were their number one priority. Careful research led them to Lake Travis ISD, and Sweetwater’s beautiful Hill Country environment convinced them to make their “forever home” here.

With interest rates at record lows, homebuyers who feel confident economically can invest in a new home and save substantially on monthly payments. We recommend talking to a professional real estate agent about taking advantage of this opportunity.

Ideas for multigenerational living are showcased in one of Sweetwater’s newest model homes, the Afton II by Village Builders. This model home is located in Madrone Ridge, offering a lifestyle as unique as this innovative home design.

Llano Stagecoach Trail preserves a fascinating part of Sweetwater’s history and provides a key connection in the overall 10-mile trail system in the community’s master plan.

After Sandy Miller and her husband moved to Sweetwater, they were soon followed by their daughter, and later by Sandy’s mother. Today, there are four generations of this family living in Sweetwater, and they are building a new home customized for their unique living situation.

Enjoying spring wildflowers is one of our favorite things to do at Sweetwater. From bluebonnets to buttercups, here’s a visual guide to the most common varieties of wildflowers you can find blooming in our parks and along our trails.

For 2020, our floorcast sees five main trends in flooring for new homes. These include realistic wood-look flooring in ceramic, laminate and other easy-care materials, along with new choices in waterproof flooring, textured looks and personalized patterns. 

For 2020, consumers are tiring of stark grays and looking for colors that delight the senses. Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of color, so maybe that’s why blues are all the rage for this year’s Color of the Year selections from leading paint companies and color experts.

Jennifer Tate and Kevin Gilligan happily traded the stars of L.A. for the real stars twinkling above Sweetwater, finding a new home they could have never afforded in California. They’ve also found new careers, and a backyard for their dog, Lady.

Shannon and Tyler Mangin moved to Sweetwater in 2014, making them two of our earliest residents. Over the years, they’ve seen Sweetwater grow with the addition of new trails and amenities such as the fitness center at the Sweetwater Club. The latest thing they’re excited about is the Overlook Club, offering swimming and socializing with scenic Hill Country views.

If you’ve ever planted a tree, you might enjoy the story of how Sweetwater’s 33-foot-tall Red Oak tree was installed in its new home atop Hilltop Park. The process was so painstaking, it won an award from the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association.

We all enjoy a good bucket list, so why should our dogs be left out? Our Canine Bucket List has 7 ideas for fun with your pooch, from local dog parks to dog-friendly restaurants and bakeries. We also include three ideas for living your best canine life right here in Sweetwater.

If you’re thinking about downsizing, perhaps looking ahead to retiring, here are 10 things to think about to find the rightsized new home, and the perfect community and lifestyle to go with it. 

The annual Sweetwater Holiday Market happens on Sat., Dec. 7, from 10-2 at the Sweetwater Club. It’s a great opportunity to find unique handmade gifts from Sweetwater residents and other Austin and Hill Country vendors. Door prizes donated by vendors will be given out during market hours.

People with dogs enjoy a 24% reduction for death from any cause, says a new report published in an American Heart Association journal. As a dog-loving community, with over 700 acres devoted to parks, trails and natural open spacs, Sweetwater welcomes this encouraging news.

Citing major developments like Apple’s $1 billion campus, the Urban Land Institute has ranked Austin as the No. 1 U.S. real estate market for 2020, and that’s good news for homebuyers.

The Wall Street Journal has officially crowned Austin as the nation’s hottest job market, and many of LinkedIn’s Top Companies have major expansion plans in Texas’ Capital City. Find out who’s growing and who’s hiring on Austin’s tech-heavy list of top employers.

Fall is a special time of year in Austin and the Hill Country around Sweetwater. To get the most fun out of fall, check out 10 of our favorite annual events. From wine and racecars for grownups, to boos and pumpkins for the kids, there’s something for every member of the family to love.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Austin, here are 10 things to help you get the lay of our land. You may already know that Austin is a booming tech hub and the Live Music Capital of the World, but there are also some recent claims to fame in here that might surprise you.

Opening in early 2020, Sweetwater’s first preschool, KLA Schools of Sweetwater, will offer a unique learning environment inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It will be the first preschool in the Austin area to offer this approach, which invites children to actively participate in their own education.

At Sweetwater, we carefully design streets and homesites to preserve as many trees as possible, and our builders add new trees when every new home is completed. 

Austin is the No. 1 large U.S. city for homebuyers, according to a new report from WalletHub. Another new report, from SmartAsset, ranks Austin as the No. 2 U.S. city for housing growth and stability.

Austin is the No. 1 large U.S. city for homebuyers, according to a new report from WalletHub. Another new report, from SmartAsset, ranks Austin as the No. 2 U.S. city for housing growth and stability.

Meet the Nelson family, who sought higher ground in Austin after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in 2017. With two young children, the sterling reputation of Lake Travis ISD drew them to Sweetwater, where they’ve made many new friends and enjoyed numerous community events since moving in.

Texas has welcomed nearly a million former Californians in the past decade, with many moving to Austin. To help Golden State transplants learn more about the Lone Star State, we’ve created this guide to explain kolaches, the Silicon Hills, why we’re willing to wait in line four hours for barbecue, and much more.

Texas is “a place of outsized ambition and out-of-the-box thinking,” says one tech company CEO who relocated from Los Angeles to Austin and plans to double his company’s headcount this year. This is just one example of the tech boom that is transforming Austin.

“I wish I’d known that before….” is something we often say to ourselves, especially after making a major purchase or decision. If you’re thinking about buying a home, here are 10 things you’ll be glad you knew in advance – from myths about finance to avoiding neighborhood regret.

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage recently fell below 4%, prompting the financial advice website Bankrate to call it an “unexpected gift” for borrowers. Low interest rates are just part of an overall positive outlook for today’s homebuyers.

Austin is the most dog-friendly city in Texas, and one of the top 10 dog-friendliest cities in the United States. Find out why this is true, and why Sweetwater is one of Austin’s best communities for dogs.

Proud native Texans, the Franklins say they’ve never discovered a place that’s more beautiful and convenient to live in as Sweetwater. “Drive out of Sweetwater and turn right, and you head to the city. Turn left, and you drive right into the Hill Country,” they say. “It’s fabulous!”

Sweetwater’s honeybees, now removed, belonged to the species Apis mellifera, prized for its gentle nature and sweet honey. Bees don’t want to sting you. They’ll bump you first as a warning.

Dog people are fitter people, and Sweetwater is a great community for dogs and their people to de-stress, build healthier hearts and forge stronger bonds, amid beautiful Hill Country parks, trails and natural open spaces.

Sweetwater is home to an 800-year-old Texas Madrone tree that’s easy to visit along Pedernales Summit Parkway, our main thoroughfare. Discover this tree, and find out where to get your own Texas Madrone tree to plant. 

Austin is one of the top 10 U.S. cities projected to dominate new-home construction in 2019, according to an analysis from Realtor.com.

For the third consecutive year, Austin took the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Live in the U.S.” for 2019.

Registration is now under way for 2019 Summer Camps in Lake Travis ISD, with regular registration through May 12 and late registration until May 28.

April is a spectacular month for wildflowers in Austin and the Hill Country, and 2019 is shaping up to be one of the best years in recent memory. To help you find the bluebonnets and other beautiful wildflowers, we’ve scouted out these hotspots in Austin and the Hill Country.

Austin ranks as the happiest major city in Texas in a recent study from WalletHub. Even more impressive, Austin made the national top 10 in the study’s measure of “emotional and physical well-being.”

Relocating from California, Lindsey and Steffen have been surprised to find so many out-of-state transplants also newly arrived at Sweetwater. As a family who loves the outdoors, it didn’t take long for them embrace Sweetwater’s beautiful Hill Country environment.

Some 17 million kids head off to college each year, according to the AARP, but an empty nest doesn’t have to mean at empty life. In fact, it can be the start of an exciting new chapter in life. Here are 6 ways to get started.

Austin ranks as the happiest major city in Texas in a recent study from WalletHub. Even more impressive, Austin made the national top 10 in the study’s measure of “emotional and physical well-being.”

From getting more square footage for your money, to enrolling the kids in highly rated schools, here are 5 ways that suburban living is better than living in town.

Two recent studies rank Austin as one of the least stressed and most active cities in Texas and the U.S. Another study confirms the health benefits of living amid green space. That’s great news for residents of Sweetwater, who enjoy 750 acres of parks, trails and natural open space.

Several leading paint companies have announced their 2019 Colors of the Year, signaling trends we can expect to see in everything from walls to accessories. Several of the colors capture the natural Hill Country beauty surrounding Sweetwater.

Families that play together stay together, the old saying goes. Sweetwater offers many ways for families to enjoy fun and healthy activities. Here are the top 5.

It’s said that one of the best ways to find out if a community is right for you is to talk to some current residents. At Sweetwater, we’ve made it easy to feel our community vibe, with video interviews featuring real residents.

Over and over, Sweetwater residents tell us that they love their neighbors. For most of us, being a great neighbor comes naturally, but who can’t use a helpful reminder? Here are four ways to be a good neighbor wherever you live.

Here’s yet another accolade for Austin: readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have named it as one of the Top 15 cities to visit in the U.S.

Anthony Torns, head track coach for Austin’s G10 Academy, loves to explore Sweetwater’s trail system with his family

Whether they come from across Austin or across the country, a growing number of residents are moving to Sweetwater, a leading new home master-planned community in Austin and the Hill Country. Here are the Top 10 reasons that Sweetwater residents love where they live.

Santa made an early stop at the Sweetwater Club to enjoy fresh-baked holiday cookies and pose for photos with residents. See the photos from this fun event.

It’s always great to find places where kids eat free, especially during those times of year when you have company visiting. Here’s our guide to free kid’s meals near Sweetwater most days of the week.

Austin is the greenest city in Texas and one of the top 20 greenest cities in the U.S., a recent study found. At Sweetwater, we’re proud to be part of Austin’s green wave.

The cozy outdoor fireplace at the Sweetwater Club got us thinking about the ways to enjoy a warm fire this season, whether it’s heading over to the Club, or relaxing in your own backyard. Here are the top 6 ideas we found.

With treats and activities for residents and visitors of all ages, Sweetwater’s Fall Festival has become a cherished annual tradition. See photos from the 2018 edition of this family-friendly celebration.

What does a HOA, or Home Owners Association, do? Why is it a good idea to have one? In this blog, we demystify the role of HOAs and explain how they help create a vibrant lifestyle and protect home investment in new and established communities.

It’s hard to imagine a library making a list of the world’s 100 greatest places, alongside natural wonders and archaeological treasures. But the Austin Central Library, built around a sunny six-story atrium, is a library like no other. And it’s easy to visit from Sweetwater.

Sweetwater is proud to be home to the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin’s 2019 Benefit Home, now being built by Chesmar Homes on a homesite donated by Newland. Proceeds will benefit HomeAid Austin, working to provide housing for today’s homeless.

Sweetwater’s annual Fall Festival is back with kids’ activities, a beer garden, live music, food trucks and much more. Everyone’s invited!

There are so many great things about living in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, including the fact that we’re located along one of the main migratory routes for Monarch butterflies. October is prime time for Monarch watching in Sweetwater and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.

Sweetwater is proud to a partner of Austin Pets Alive!, a pioneering organization devoted to saving the lives of pets that would otherwise be euthanized in shelters. So far, they have saved more than 50,000 cats and dogs, including many who found their forever homes here in Sweetwater.

Fall is one of the most active times of the year at Sweetwater, when the weather cools down and residents get out to enjoy events and activities like movies on the lawn and Halloween parties.

Deciding to become a homeowner is a great investment in your financial future. To help you become more familiar with the monthly cost of homeownership, we’ve broken the mortgage payment down into its separate components. After you read our blog, you’ll be an expert on PITI, P&I, PMI and more.

Events and activities are one the things Sweetwater residents love most about their community. Sweetwater’s new Lifestyle Director, Shelly Livingston, plans to keep the fun going year ‘round.

From a backyard for Fido, to saying 'goodbye' to rent increases, there are many reasons why it’s better to be a homeowner than a renter. Here are the top 13.   

Offering three bedrooms and a flex room, Pulte’s new Nelson model home showcases a collection of plans priced from the high $200,000s in one of Sweetwater’s newest neighborhoods.

After a nearly four-decade career at 3M Company, Sweetwater resident Warren Chirhart wasn’t ready to retire. Now, he’s a successful agent with Keller Williams and an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist.

Pulte, the nation’s third-largest homebuilder on the Housing Giants list, has now opened its fully furnished model home in one of Sweetwater’s newest neighborhoods. Pulte offers new homes priced from the low $300,000s in Sweetwater. 

Sweetwater is joining the American Hiking Society to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2. Residents will meet at the Sunset Pavilion for a morning hike along the community’s scenic trail system.

The Texas Hill Country is a popular place for retirement and pre-retirement living, with Austin and other Hill Country cities ranking high on Forbes’ 25 Best Places to Retire List. See how Forbes crunched the numbers, and see our insider’s guide on what makes life great here.

Our “honey cam” offers a fascinating inside look at Sweetwater’s six beehives, where the queens will lay more than 800,000 eggs by the end of July.

Bee Cave is more than just an interesting name. It’s also an A+ place to live and raise a family, according to the 2018 rankings from Niche. Find out why this city near Sweetwater gets high marks for schools, safety, and friendliness for families, Millennials and other groups.

What's the difference between buying a new home now, while interest rates are still near historic lows, or waiting until next year, when they are expected to rise? As our new infographic shows, the difference in your monthly payment could add up to the equivalent of college tuition.

As parents know, SAT scores are a quick and effective way to gauge how well a school prepares students for college. The latest data shows that Lake Travis High School is doing a great job, one of only 6 Austin area high schools on a new statewide list.

What will the kids do this summer? Sweetwater has partnered with Kidventure to offer 9 summer camp sessions that provide unique adventures for promote fun, learning and development. It all takes place right in the community, at the 10-acre Sweetwater Club.

Personal finance is the biggest source of stress and anxiety for 62% of Americans, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five great books that can demystify the topic and put you and your book club friends on the road to financial freedom.

A sand volleyball court is the newest addition to the 10-acre Sweetwater Club. With these 10 fun facts about the sport, you’ll be the smartest person playing, especially if you do some pancakes, kongs and Filipino bombs. 

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. There’ll also be acres of blooming bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers.

We thought it would be a good time to share this infographic about the advantages of green building - check it out! 

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. Of course, we’ll have acres of blooming bluebonnets and their friends too.

Hill Country gardening experts agree that container gardening is a perfect fit for the region’s rocky soils and our busy lifestyles. Sweetwater residents have an extra advantage when it comes to growing fresh veggies.

To help homebuyers choose the best Austin area school district for their family, we’ve gathered the latest data on the Lake Travis Independent School District from the Texas Education Agency, Niche, Great Schools and other respected sources. Bottom line: Lake Travis ISD is a top school district.

What happens in Sweetwater stays in Sweetwater, especially if it’s the community’s first annual Casino Night, which brought Roaring ‘20s fun to the Sweetwater Club. See how our residents live it up.

Sweetwater residents have a sweet deal when it comes to fun and fine dining near the community. That’s especially true for Valentine’s Day, when many nearby restaurants offer special menus. See our top picks for romantic dining, close to home.

The votes are in for the top three nearby restaurants loved by Sweetwater residents. From a classic seafood and oyster bar, to a down-home Texas icehouse, the results are as fun and diverse as Sweetwater itself.

Whether they come from across Austin or across the country, a growing number of residents are moving to Sweetwater, attracted by highly regarded schools, the opportunity to live close to nature, neighborly events and more. Here are the Top 10 reasons that Sweetwater residents love where they live.

Today’s empty nesters are overwhelmingly optimistic and excited about living life to the fullest. Here are some great resources for how to thrive in an empty nest. 

Suggesting the “vast and limitless night sky,” Ultra Violet is the perfect color for a community where stargazing is a popular activity.

If your New Year’s resolutions will include getting better organized, here’s some helpful advice and inspiration, plus nearby shopping tips.  

With enhanced home search capability, virtual reality tours, in-depth area news and much more, Sweetwater’s new website has been thoughtfully designed for the 90% of homebuyers who rely on the Internet  for their home search.

From DIY decorations to “fun-shuiing” your home, we’ve rounded up these expert tips for low-stress holiday entertaining.

Don’t let stress be an uninvited guest this holiday season. From making time for yourself to budgeting, these 10 tips will help you enjoy a more joyous and relaxing season.

From helping students and patients, to adopting families for the holidays, there are many opportunities to volunteer near Sweetwater. Bonus: volunteers enjoy proven body and mind benefits.

You don’t have to decorate a roadside tree to celebrate the holidays the Austin way. Start by cutting your own locally grown tree, then fill those stockings with locally made gifts from area artisans.  

Live music, food trucks and kids’ games are on tap, along with 30+ new homes available for quick move-in.

This activity with Families in Nature helps kids learn about nature’s cycles, and helps set the stage for a brilliant show of spring wildflowers.

It’s great when family and friends visit for the holidays, and there’s no need to stress about keeping everyone entertained. With tips on everything from restaurants and shopping, to nature and entertainment, our Area Guide will help make sure there’s never a dull moment.

Connecting kids with nature has benefits ranging from increased mental acuity to decreased obesity and depression. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. Here’s how living in a nature-rich community like Sweetwater can help make kids happier.

Sweetwater’s leading homebuilders are joining the Fall Festival fun, with activities in their model homes and more than 30 new homes available for quick move-in.

With pumpkin bowling, a bounce house, a grilled cheese food truck and much more, Sweetwater’s Harvest Festival is sure to be a hit with the kids.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Sweetwater’s Fall Festival will offer food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and prizes. It will also be a great time to discover 30+ new homes available for quick move-in at Sweetwater.  

Fall is a great time for trail exercise, especially if you live in a community like Sweetwater, with miles of scenic trails just footsteps from home. Here are some tips to help runners and walkers get the most out of trails everywhere.

Opening in November, Sweetwater's new fitness center will be a great place to work out, and there are many other ways for residents to keep healthy, happy and fit. 

Austin enjoys a front-row seat for the fall migration of monarch butterflies, and these brilliantly colored insects need our help. 

Sweetwater’s honeybees belong to the species Apis mellifera, prized for its gentle nature and sweet honey.

Fall is a great time to beautify your yard with flowering native plants that attract bees and other pollinators.

CiNCA, or Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin, is a core program of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, located near Sweetwater.  

Sweetwater honey has a distinct flavor, with notes of the persimmon and wild indigo that grows in the community

Around Sweetwater, #GoCavs bumper stickers are as popular as burnt orange T-shirts in other parts of Austin

As Sweetwater prepares for its second annual honey harvest this summer, all signs are pointing to a bountiful increase over last year, when Sweetwater first became home to six hives of apis mellifera honeybees.

We've blogged about the stunning views from many homesites in Sweetwater's Stone Creek neighborhood, where Chesmar and Westin offer new homes from the $370,000s. The views from inside can be just as spectacular, especially when you step inside Westin's new fully furnished model home, the Carter III.

For the second year, the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival will spotlight one of Austin’s most unique animal rescue groups, Austin Pets Alive!

Described as “not your average animal shelter,” Austin Pets Alive! maintains innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia.

Along with fun, food and lots of wildflowers, you can meet some lovable, adoptable dogs from Austin Pets Alive at the 4th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival, this Saturday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featuring a unique floor plan with the study in the back, Chesmar’s one-story Alexis model represents some of the most attainably priced homes available in Sweetwater.

Sweetwater has an exciting lineup of nature-focused activities coming up in the next few months, as part of our partnership with Austin’s Families in Nature, an affiliate of the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA).

Sweetwater’s wildflowers are taking a well-deserved summer vacation after blooming their hearts out for the community’s third annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival in late April.

10 Incredible Reasons Why People are Moving to Sweetwater - Come discover for yourself why "A Climb is More Than a Climb!" 

With six years of experience as an eighth-grade teacher, a love of sports and two small kids of her own, Sweetwater resident Bess Ouahidi has the perfect background for her job as Sweetwater’s Lifestyle Coordinator.

On Sunday, December 7th, Sweetwater residents gathered at the Sweetwater Club to decorate cookies and meet with Santa. There was a great turnout for this fun event!

On Friday, December 5th, the first annual Sweetwater Holiday Market was held, allowing residents to showcase some of their goods and services.

Sweetwater hosted its annual Fall Festival for residents on Sunday, October 19th at the Sweetwater Club.

Hear from one of our Sweetwater families, the Gutt's, who speak of their home building experience with David Weekley and during their relocation from Minnesota.

Sweetwater received the top community award, "Best Overall Community (Over 300 Units)," at the 2014 Sales and Marketing (MAX) Excellence Awards annual event gala held Saturday, April 5, at the Hyatt Regency Austin.

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival.  We had over 1,500 visitors join us for a fun-filled day of food truck fare, sports, model home tours and concerts on the events lawn.

View photos from Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 14th. Families enjoyed breakfast, live music, and a chance to talk to Santa.

Sweetwater has been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders with top marketing awards for its Welcome Center, for radio advertising, and for a special promotion.

By now, we Austinites have become a bit blasé about all of the national accolades we receive. We’re No. 1 for this and No. 1 for that. Gee thanks, but we’ve got no wall space left to hang the plaques.

The Chavez family are the first Sweetwater residents.

For the third year in a row, Forbes magazine ranks Austin as the nation's fastest growing city.

Austin is one of the healthiest housing markets in the country.  That's according to a new study by Trulia, the real estate tracking website.  Trulia ranks Austin as the fifth best city nationwide for home ownership.

This photo, taken last week, has us pretty excited about the way Sweetwater is shaping up. To orient yourself, that’s Hwy 71 the bottom of the picture and the view is to the south.

Eighth place isn't always that great.  But it is when that's where Austin ranks on the Bloomberg Businessweek list of America's 50 Best Cities.

Austin is the second best place in the country to buy a new home these days.  That is among the findings of a recent study by Realtor.com, Forbes magazine reports.

Sweetwater residents will have plenty of sports opportunities right at home at the community's Sweetwater Club.  For athletes looking for even more, there will also soon be a new indoor sports complex five minutes away, adjacent to the Backyard outdoor music venue in Bee Cave.

Sweetwater is awash with wildflowers.  Come out this weekend and take a look.

To us, Sweetwater isn't just a pretty name. It’s a responsibility. To live up to it, we're building water conservation and water quality into the very foundations of the community.

Our website is coming soon and so is Sweetwater, the new master-planned community in western Travis County.