For Buyers and Visitors
Austin Luxury Lifestyle Guide: Luxury Hotels, Private Aviation, Lakes and Boating, F1, Michelin Dining, Private Schools and Clubs
Where to stay, how to fly in, which lake fits a boat, F1 weekend, Michelin-starred dining, private schools and clubs. What you need to visit Austin at the top end, and to decide whether it is where you want to live.
#1 ABoR Team 2024$1B+ Career Sales1,000+ Homes Sold
What makes Austin attractive to ultra-high-net-worth buyers?
Austin draws buyers at the top of the market for no state income tax, a large tech employer base, two lakes and Hill Country land within reach of downtown, and the private schools, clubs and Michelin-starred restaurants that come with a city this size. Texas has no individual state income tax.
- Texas has no individual state income tax
- Austin-Bergstrom has three FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation and Million Air
- Six Austin restaurants hold One MICHELIN Star (MICHELIN Guide Texas, checked October 2026)
- The 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix runs October 22-25 at COTA
- Lake Austin is held near a constant level; Lake Travis is about 65 miles long
Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate, Austin TX - #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team (2024)
How do private jets fly into Austin?
Most private flights land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which has three FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation and Million Air Austin. Austin Executive Airport (EDC) in Pflugerville is the general aviation alternative, with a 6,025-foot runway (airport websites, October 2026). Planning a visit around a home search? Tell us your dates and we will line up showings.
Atlantic Aviation (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
24-hour FBO at Austin-Bergstrom with customs on site.
- Open 24 hours
- Customs on site
(512) 382-8810
Signature Aviation (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
24-hour private terminal with on-site customs clearance.
- Open 24 hours
- Customs on site
+1 512 530 5451
Austin Executive Airport (EDC)
Pflugerville, 14 miles northeast of Austin
Controlled general aviation airfield with a 6,025-foot runway.
- 6,025 ft runway
- Controlled airfield
(512) 247-7678
Where are the Hill Country luxury resorts near Austin?
The main Hill Country resorts near Austin are Miraval Austin, a Hyatt wellness resort on 220 acres overlooking Lake Travis; Lake Austin Spa Resort, an all-inclusive, adult-only resort with 40 cottages and bungalows; and Omni Barton Creek, home to four golf courses. Our Austin luxury resorts page covers the resort residences, and Texas Hill Country resort residences compares owning near one.
Where do people dine at the top end in Austin?
Start with Austin's Michelin-starred restaurants. Six Austin restaurants hold One MICHELIN Star: Hestia, Craft Omakase, Barley Swine and three barbecue restaurants, la Barbecue, InterStellar BBQ and LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (MICHELIN Guide Texas, checked October 2026). Our Austin Michelin and barbecue guide covers each one.
Hestia
Listed with One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Texas.
- One MICHELIN Star
MICHELIN Guide Texas
Craft Omakase
Listed with One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Texas.
- One MICHELIN Star
MICHELIN Guide Texas
Uchi
Tyson Cole's Japanese restaurant at 801 South Lamar. Cole won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2011.
- Chef's James Beard Award (2011)
- South Lamar
South Lamar
Emmer & Rye
Heirloom grains milled in-house and a deep fermentation program. The restaurant has held a Michelin Green Star and a Bib Gourmand since 2024.
- Michelin Green Star
- Bib Gourmand
- House-milled grains
Rainey Street
Jeffrey's
Austin fine dining since 1975, with two private dining spaces.
- Since 1975
- Private dining
Clarksville
Lutie's at Commodore Perry
The restaurant at Commodore Perry Estate, named for the estate's Jazz Age hostess.
- Historic 1928 estate
- Hotel dining
Central Austin
For a full neighborhood-by-neighborhood dining guide, see our Austin restaurants guide.
Lake Austin or Lake Travis for a boat and a dock?
Lake Austin suits a boat kept at a private dock because it is held near a constant level, though the City of Austin can schedule drawdowns. Lake Travis, about 65 miles long, has more open water but rises and falls with rainfall. LCRA lists Lake Austin at 20.25 miles. See current homes on Austin waterfront homes and the full comparison in Lake Austin or Lake Travis.
Lake Austin
About 20 miles of the Colorado River between Tom Miller Dam and Mansfield Dam (LCRA lists 20.25 miles), held near a constant level by releases from Lake Travis. Boat dock permits go through the City of Austin.
Real Estate
Waterfront homes with private docks. Current listings and prices are on our waterfront homes page.
Key Neighborhoods
Lake Travis
About 65 miles long, with far more open water than Lake Austin. Levels rise and fall with rainfall, so check how a dock works at low water. LCRA sets the dock safety standards.
Real Estate
Waterfront and water-access homes. Ask how the shoreline and dock have performed in dry years.
Key Neighborhoods
Where can I buy an estate or acreage home near Austin?
Estate and acreage homes are mostly west of the city: Westlake Hills, Rob Roy, Barton Creek, Spanish Oaks and the Hill Country toward Lake Travis. Spanish Oaks, for example, plans 485 homes on 900 gated acres (community website, October 2026). Our Austin estate homes page shows what is for sale now.
What are Austin's top private schools?
Austin's best-known private schools include St. Stephen's Episcopal, a grades 6-12 boarding and day school on 370 acres, and St. Andrew's Episcopal, a K-12 school on two campuses (school records, October 2026). Many buyers in Westlake Hills and Tarrytown weigh public schools too: Eanes ISD and Austin ISD. Our Austin private schools guide compares tuition and admissions.
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
K-12Episcopal day school on two campuses.
St. Stephen's Episcopal School
6-12 (Boarding & Day)Episcopal boarding and day school for grades 6-12 on 370 Hill Country acres.
Regents School of Austin
K-12Classical Christian school serving more than 1,000 students in grades K-12.
Austin Waldorf School
Early childhood-12Waldorf school from early childhood through high school.
For a full school-by-neighborhood breakdown, see our Austin schools guide.
Is there concierge or estate management in Austin?
Yes. Visitors usually start with their hotel concierge, and global chauffeur services such as Blacklane operate in Austin (Blacklane city list, October 2026). Homeowners hire estate managers, house managers and private chefs directly. We do not publish a vendor list because providers change; if you are buying here, ask us and we will help you find the right people for your home.
What should I know moving to Austin from California?
The biggest change is tax. Texas has no individual state income tax, but property tax funds schools and local government, so compare the full annual tax bill for any home, not just the price. Read moving to Austin from California and our relocating to Austin guide.
Austin's Luxury Neighborhoods
Buyers at the top of the market usually narrow the search by lake access, school district, golf, drive time to downtown and acreage. Current prices are in each guide and on our most expensive neighborhoods in Austin page.
Westlake Hills
Hill Country lots and views, Eanes ISD
Tarrytown
Older, tree-lined streets close to downtown, Austin ISD
Barton Creek
Golf course community, greenbelt access, Austin ISD
Rob Roy
Gated, large lots, Hill Country terrain, Eanes ISD
Northwest Hills
Established hillside streets in Northwest Austin
Zilker
Greenbelt and Lady Bird Lake, walkable, next to downtown
Frequently Asked Questions: Austin Luxury Living
What makes Austin attractive to ultra-high-net-worth buyers?
Texas has no individual state income tax, and Austin pairs a large tech employer base with two lakes and Hill Country land close to downtown. Buyers at the top of the market usually narrow the search by lake access, school district, club membership and drive time to downtown.
Where are Austin's most exclusive neighborhoods?
Westlake Hills and Rob Roy for Hill Country lots in Eanes ISD. Tarrytown for older, tree-lined streets close to downtown in Austin ISD. Lake Austin for private docks. Barton Creek for golf course living in Austin ISD. Spanish Oaks in Bee Cave for a gated golf community in Lake Travis ISD. Current prices for each are on our most expensive neighborhoods page and each neighborhood guide.
What is F1 weekend like in Austin?
The 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix runs four days, October 22-25, at Circuit of The Americas in southeastern Travis County. Race weekend attendance ran from 400,000 to 440,000 each year from 2021 to 2024. Book lodging early; for a larger group, renting a home is an option to hotel rooms.
Are there private schools comparable to major metros?
Yes. St. Stephen's Episcopal School is a grades 6-12 boarding and day school on 370 acres. St. Andrew's Episcopal School is K-12 on two campuses: a 166-acre Upper School and a 14-acre Middle and Lower School campus. Regents School of Austin (K-12) and Austin Waldorf School (early childhood through high school, 30+ acres) serve specific educational approaches. Westlake Hills is served by Eanes ISD, and Tarrytown by Austin ISD, including Casis Elementary.
Can you buy waterfront property in Austin?
Yes, on Lake Austin and Lake Travis. Lake Austin is held near a constant level by releases from Lake Travis, though the City can schedule drawdowns; Lake Travis is about 65 miles long and rises and falls with rainfall. Dock rules differ: the City of Austin handles boat dock permits on Lake Austin, and LCRA sets dock safety standards on Lake Travis, with no LCRA permit required for residential docks of 1,500 square feet or less. Confirm the rules for the specific property.
How does Austin compare to other luxury markets?
Austin offers no state income tax, lake and Hill Country land within reach of downtown, Michelin-starred dining and a Formula 1 race. The trade-offs are no coastline and hot summers: average daily highs run above 95F in July and August.
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