6502 Sumac Dr, Austin, TX 78731

When the neighborhood is called Highland Hills, and the directions include roads like Mountainclimb Drive, the destination is sure to include an enticing elevated terrain. Located in the nearest hills to downtown Austin, 6502 Sumac sits up high in one of the most desired locations in the city. From here, it's a quick 5-minute drive to shopping, major grocery stores, restaurants, a nature preserve and Lake Austin while only 7 miles to the State Capitol. Call it the urban hill country...it is perfectly situated to take advantage of the City's offerings without having to figure in drive time. The stone exterior and private entry open to a living and dining with huge, fixed glass windows. Vaulted ceilings in the family room are anchored by rustic saltillo tile floors, a wide stone fireplace, a wall of bookcases and lots of light looking out to the wooded back yard. A large skylight brightens the kitchen and stained cabinets provide significant storage over beautiful blue tiled countertops. An intimate breakfast room beyond the kitchen is perfect for family meals or morning coffee. A sweeping, large main bedroom with rich, stained wood floors opens to double vanities and a walk-in shower. The most compelling room, given today's work challenges, is an office lined with stained bookshelves and expansive fixed-glass windows that look out high over the surrounding neighborhood and where early risers can catch the magic of sunrises. It makes working from home a pleasant thing to face. It is a treasured location with so much promise of easy living and value. No need to go to the edge of town to achieve a hilltop existence. Austin's city center is just so close...and it looks good from on high.

Northwest Hills is a family neighborhood in 78731, built in the 1960s-80s on wooded half-acre lots between MoPac and Loop 360. Median home price $1.19M. Austin ISD schools — Doss Elementary and Murchison Middle rank among the district's best. 12 minutes to UT campus, 15 to downtown.

The housing stock is predominantly single-story ranch and split-level homes on lots averaging 0.3-0.5 acres with mature live oak and cedar canopy. Most original homes are 1,800-3,000 sq ft. A renovation wave has been updating kitchens and adding square footage without tearing down — the lot sizes accommodate additions well. Active listings typically number 15-25 at any given time.

Daily life revolves around the schools and the outdoors. Bull Creek for weekend wading, Mount Bonnell for sunset hikes (8 minutes from the neighborhood), Northwest District Park for soccer and the playground. Far West corridor handles weeknight dining — Saffron, 5280 Burger, Yamas. The Arboretum and Domain are 10 minutes north for shopping. HEB on Far West is the neighborhood grocery hub.

What makes Northwest Hills the family value play in Central Austin: Doss/Murchison school quality at roughly half the Eanes ISD price point, lot sizes that rival Westlake, and a 15-minute commute that beats the suburbs. The tradeoff is Austin ISD (good but not Eanes) and 1960s-80s housing stock that often needs updating.