With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, what better time to show some love to this little corner of Austin. Barton Hills is filled with old flames and new loves, residents in their original homes and newcomers in modern construction. Young and old alike can enjoy the many perks of this urban oasis.  Here are 10 reasons neighbors love Barton Hills, in no particular order:

1. Character. Forget cookie cutter homes or neighbors. Barton Hills draws many professionals, families and singles with a variety of interests. If you’re an architecture enthusiast, check out the A.D. Stenger homes, and a list of architecturally significant homes on midtexmod.org. There is no homeowners association, but the Barton Hills Neighborhood Association provides residents with pertinent information at quarterly meetings.  For only $10 per year, you can become a member, receive a quarterly newsletter, and join the neighborhood listserv.  From rare insect, animal and plant identifications, to service provider referrals and much more, it’s a way to stay connected to your neighbors.
2. Walkability.  The greenbelt, Barton Hills Elementary, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Preschool,  Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Barton Springs pool, and Zilker Park are a few walkable destinations. South Lamar has transformed over the past decade to a more walkable street, with Phil’s Ice House/Amy’s Ice Cream, Thundercloud Subs and Papalote tacos among some family-friendly favorites. Aroma, Baker St. Pub & Grill, Kerbey Lane, Torchy’s Tacos and Red’s Porch are just a few of the other bars and restaurants within walking distance.
3. Downtown Access. Keep your car in the garage, help the environment and spare yourself the hassle of downtown parking. Barton Hills residents can catch a bus downtown, or even more quickly bike or jog.
4. Schools. Barton Hills Elementary is a top-rated area school by state standards. However, the students, teachers, and parent involvement are difficult to capture in words. One example of this special school spirit in action is The Barton Hills Choir, led by teacher Gavin Tabone. Under his leadership, the choir often sings at ACL. A recent performance was even featured on The Grateful Dead’s Facebook page.  Just one block south of BHE is St. Mark’s preschool for children ages 2 to 5. The large, shaded playground and access to the greenbelt, along with nurturing teachers and staff, allow preschoolers to be part of a true neighborhood school.
5. Music.  The Austin City Limits Music Festival gets much of the limelight each fall, and it’s not to be missed, but more music can be found near the neighborhood year-round. The Broken Spoke is an Austin landmark that opened in 1964, and continues to feature great music, dancing and food. Unplugged at The Grove is one of Austin’s longest running free music series. Every Thursday for 24 weeks in April through September, Barton Hills residents can walk down to Shady Grove and listen to local acts. The Zilker Hillside Theatre hosts a summer musical each year. Many free concerts take place at Zilker Park each summer.
6. Trees. The shade canopy over Barton Hills and the greenbelt gives the neighborhood a natural feel. Gnarled live oaks hover over yards like giant leaf-covered boas, and cedar elms tower 50-plus feet into the sky. The lush landscape of the greenbelt is protected and maintained in part by a neighborhood volunteer group, the Barton Creek Greenbelt Guardians.
7. Greenbelt. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is accessible throughout the neighborhood, with the most popular entrances at the Gus Fruh trail in the southern part of Barton Hills, and the Homedale entrance behind the elementary school.  The riverbed is dry throughout most of the summer, but in wetter portions of the year, neighbors can wade, kayak and enjoy clear waters of Barton Creek.
8. Urban vibe. While Barton Hills is nestled along the greenbelt, its accessibility to many urban features cannot be ignored. Neighbors could jog alongside Lady Bird Lake, catch a performance at The ZACH or The Long Center, and grab coffee at Austin Java without much, if any, time in the car.
   
9. Food. Barton Hills neighbors like to grill, as attested by the smell of BBQ on warm evenings. With several grocery stores less than a mile or two away, it’s easy to pick up some steaks. Central Market, Sprouts, HEB, Wheatsville and Randall’s are very close. The flagship Whole Foods is a little further north up Lamar, but it’s a must every now and then. Restaurant and takeout options abound nearby on Barton Springs Road and South Lamar. Nights on the town are easy as well, with downtown only minutes away.
10. Engaged neighbors. It’s easy to list a neighborhood’s amenities, but the true character of a neighborhood can be found within the residences. The folks that have decided to make Barton Hills home share a love for this unique neighborhood, along with its quirks. Many folks represent Barton Hills on a political level, or teach school or college, or tutor local students or coach sports. Or can simply be found talking in their front yards, sharing lawn advice or telling stories of yesteryear or hopes for the future.

Is something missing from this list? Please let us know!  This blog is new, and could use your help in getting it off the ground. Share this post, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. May your Valentine’s be a special one in the neighborhood!