5313 Painted Shield Dr, Austin, TX 78735

This four bedroom, one story home offers more than $60,000 in improvements and updates including: HVAC, roof, solar panels, water heater, high-end gas range, recent interior paint, tile upgrades, wood-look laminate (no carpet!), modern ceiling fans and lighting. Highlights of this preferred floor plan include two large living areas, two dining areas, an open floor plan, and dual walk-in closets in the huge primary bedroom suite. Easy shady and xeriscaped yard. Beat the heat with a quick stroll to the Hilltop pool and enjoy discounted electric bills thanks to the owned solar array with a transferable warranty.

Travis Country is a large, established community in southwest Austin built around something rare in this market - direct access to the Barton Creek Greenbelt from inside the neighborhood. Residents step out of their backyards onto the same trail system that draws hikers and swimmers from across Austin, with Sculpture Falls and the Hill of Life within walking distance for those who live in the western sections.

Travis Country sits between Southwest Parkway and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, west of MoPac and south of Loop 360. Downtown is about 15 minutes via MoPac outside of rush hour, and the central Austin restaurant scene around South Lamar is roughly the same distance. The neighborhood includes multiple distinct sections - Travis Country West, Travis Country Green, Trailwood Village, The Park, The Woods, and The Overlook - each with its own character and price point. Gaines Creek Park anchors the community with playgrounds, sports fields, and the trail connections that link to the broader Greenbelt.

The housing stock spans three decades of building from the early 1980s through the late 2000s. Texas Traditional homes account for roughly 40%, with brick and limestone exteriors, large covered porches, and the practical four-bedroom layouts that have aged well. Hill Country Contemporary designs make up about 25%, concentrated in the newer sections with more glass and clean lines. Custom Mediterranean homes from the 1990s and early 2000s fill another 20%, with stucco facades and tile roofs. The remaining 15% includes patio homes and townhomes in the more compact sections. Lot sizes range from 0.15 acres in the patio home areas to half an acre in the custom sections backing up to the greenbelt. Most homes fall between 2,200 and 4,500 square feet, with pricing typically running from the high $600s for older homes in the central sections to $1.4 million for updated custom builds with greenbelt access.

Travis Country is primarily served by Austin ISD, with some lots near the western boundary falling into Eanes ISD - a meaningful distinction because Eanes addresses can carry premium pricing of $100,000 to $200,000 over comparable Austin ISD homes. Within Austin ISD, students typically attend Oak Hill Elementary, Small Middle School, and Bowie High School. Bowie has built a strong reputation for music programs, athletics, and college preparation, with consistently high test scores and a broad slate of advanced placement offerings.

The lifestyle here revolves around the Greenbelt and the school calendar. Mornings start with trail runs and dog walks. Weekends in spring and fall fill up with youth sports at Gaines Creek Park. Summer afternoons mean Sculpture Falls when the creek is flowing, or the community pool when it is not. For dining, the Sunset Valley restaurants along Brodie are a five-minute drive. The Mighty Cone, Cipollina, and Black's Barbecue handle quick weeknight options. South Lamar's restaurant row is fifteen minutes away for date nights, with Uchi, Lambert's, and the rest of the Austin foodie circuit.

Travis Country fits buyers who want greenbelt access and mature trees without paying Westlake or Tarrytown prices. It offers more community infrastructure than the smaller subdivisions along Southwest Parkway and better commute access than communities further south in Hays County. The tradeoff is that homes built in the 1980s and early 1990s often need updates - kitchens, bathrooms, and HVAC systems running $50,000 to $150,000 to bring up to current standards. For buyers willing to take on that work, Travis Country offers some of the best value in southwest Austin.