Pros and Cons of Living in Bee Cave, Texas | Living in Bee Cave Texas: the Best Austin Suburb

Have you ever heard of Bee Cave? It’s a town near Austin that often gets overlooked, despite having much to offer. With beautiful homes, stunning views, great shopping, and plenty of hiking opportunities, it’s a shame that more people don’t know about this hidden gem. Today, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of living in Bee Cave to help you decide if it’s worth checking out.

Bee Cave Is Close To Austin

 

First up, Bee Cave’s proximity to Austin is a huge pro. It’s only 17 miles west of downtown Austin, so you can get there in about 26 minutes by car. The new Apple campus is right across the street from my neighborhood, and I can get downtown in about 20-25 minutes. If that distance is good enough for Apple, it’s definitely good enough for Bee Cave. You’ll still be close enough to enjoy all the fun things Austin offers, like shows and restaurants.

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Bee Cave Is A Shopping Haven

 

A second big pro of Bee Cave is shopping. Hill Country Galleria is an outdoor shopping area that covers 152 acres and offers a mix of big department stores like Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, and Marshalls, as well as smaller independent businesses. It’s a great place to shop, dine, and be entertained. And just across the street from the Galleria is a massive H-E-B grocery store and several other shops and restaurants.

 

Bee Cave Has Excellent Schools

 

The third significant advantage of Bee Cave is its excellent schools, which are part of the highly rated Lake Travis Independent School District. The district received an A rating for the 2019-2020 school year and is one of the top-rated districts in the area. Greatschools.org is a valuable resource for researching schools and districts. Having good schools in the area can positively impact a home’s resale value. This is particularly true for suburbs like Bee Cave, Lakeway, Georgetown, and Leander. In contrast, inner-city areas like Austin proper tend to have higher home prices but poorer school quality.

 

Bee Cave Has Plenty Of Outdoor Activities

 

Another advantage of Bee Cave is its proximity to outdoor recreational activities. The South Shore of Lake Travis, which is larger than Ladybird Lake, offers numerous opportunities for water-based activities and has many recreation centers and parks along its shores. Bee Cave Sculpture Park is a seven-acre park featuring natural and artificial wildlife, large oak trees, and a spring-fed pond with over 20 different native plant species. The Greenway Primitive Trails offer about five miles of hiking or running through uncrowded and secluded areas. Bee Cave is an ideal community for those who enjoy land-based activities. Meanwhile, neighboring Lakeway is more suited for water-based activities.

 

Bee Cave’s Laid-Back Lifestyle

 

Pro number five of Bee Cave is its laid-back lifestyle, with a small-town feel due to its population of only 7,000. However, it has experienced a 35% population growth since 2014 and continues to grow. Nestled in the Hill Country, it is between Austin and Lakeway, boasting scenic rolling hills and lush green trees. It is only a short 10-15 minute drive from the water.

 

You Need A Car In Bee Cave

 

Despite the idyllic lifestyle, there are some cons to living in Bee Cave. Firstly, there is no public transportation, similar to Lakeway, which means a car is necessary to get around. Even in Austin, which is not a walkable city like New York, a car is required to run errands and visit local establishments. Therefore, those accustomed to walkable cities may have to adjust their expectations.

 

 

Beware Of Bee Cave’s Traffic

 

Secondly, traffic is a primary concern when traveling to Austin, about a 25-minute drive away. The drive can be significantly longer depending on the time of day and events happening in Austin. Additionally, the roads leading in and out of Bee Cave are not major highways and can cause delays if any issues arise. There is also limited access to alternate routes, and I experienced this while on my way to a house showing. I got stuck on a road located on a dam, causing significant delays. So while Bee Cave offers a relaxed lifestyle with scenic surroundings, the lack of public transportation and potential traffic issues should be considered before relocating to the area.