Vista Oaks is a beautiful master-planned community in northwest Round Rock and one of my favorite neighborhoods in the northern part of the Austin area.  It consists of 316 acres on the north side of FM 1431.  There are two sections connected by hike and bike trails.  Entry off FM 1431 is by Vista Hills Blvd. and Royal Vista Blvd.  Entry from County Road 175 is on Vista Isle Drive.

Homes for Sale in Vista Oaks

Vista Oaks Location

Vista Oaks is between Round Rock and Cedar Park on FM 1431.  Access is best via I-35, Hwy. 183A Toll, Parmer Lane, Sam Bass Road and Hwy. 183.  From the I-35 intersection, it is three miles west on FM 1431.  From Sam Bass Road, it is just across FM 1431 on the northeast side.  From Parmer Lane, it is two miles east on FM 1431 and from Hwy. 183A Toll and Hwy. 183, it is also east on FM 1431 four and five miles respectively.  Bounding it on the east side are three other fine communities: Mayfield Ranch, Stone Oak and Reserve at Stone Oak.  Across FM 1431 on the south side is Mayfield Park and lake.  Austin is six miles to the south via the shortest route — Parmer Lane.

Vista Oaks Amenities

One reason I like Vista Oaks so much is that it has a great amenity center.  You see it right away as you pull into the community on Vista Hills.  To the right is a cluster mailbox area and on the left is the amenity center with junior Olympic size swimming pool, clubhouse with conference room, fire pit, pavilion, sand volleyball court, basketball court, playscapes, tennis court, and playground.  During high season, families love to gather here.  You don’t often find a lighted hike and bike trail, as you do in Vista Oaks.  It runs along Honey Bear Creek between the houses and FM 1431.  The trail connects the two parts of Vista Oaks and is great for walking, jogging, and bike riding through this natural greenbelt area.

Adjacent north northwest of Vista Oaks is the new Williamson County Regional Park.  On 800 acres, it has hiking and biking trails of its own, basketball, soccer, tennis, football, track, softball and baseball.  At the corner of Williamson County Road 175 (Sam Bass on the north side of FM 1431) and FM 1431 is Nitro Swim Center, a competitive swimming school operated by a former Olympic swimmer, who has helped many young swimmers to win races and awards before moving on the collegiate level.

 Vista Oaks Governance

Vista Oaks is a municipal utility district (MUD) and governs itself.  The MUD takes care of contracting for water, waste water, and solid waste pickup services.  The MUD is a political entity created solely for the purpose of providing services to its residents.  It has the authority to levy taxes and is generally responsible for preservation of Vista Oaks property values.  The MUD board is governed by five elected directors.  The HOA is responsible for upkeep of the trail system, amenity center, common areas, maintenance of common areas and recreational amenities and enforcement of the HOA covenants.  HOA members pay $420 per year.  I have observed that the HOA and MUD do a wonderful job in Vista Oaks, and the integrity of them is what makes for a great neighborhood community.

Vista Oaks Schools

Though the address is Round Rock, Vista Oaks is situated within the Leander Independent School District (LISD).  Students attend the new Parkside Elementary School, and the new Wiley Middle and Rouse High Schools.  Austin Community College has campuses in Round Rock and Cedar Park.  Each is about five miles away.  There are many alternative choices for the parents who wish to send their children to private preschools, K-12 or daycare.  Some in the immediate area include:

  • Primrose School of Round Rock
  • several Children’s Courtyard
  • several Montessori
  • Kingdom Heights Christian
  • Round Rock Christian Academy
  • The Fellowship Christian Academy
  • Triumph Academy at Round Rock
  • LaPetite Academy – Spanish Immersion
  • Round Rock Seventh Day Applegate Adventist Jr. Academy
  • a couple Stepping Stones
  • Kids R Kids
  • Buddy Bear Learning Center
  • Small World
  • Acorn Learning Academy
  • Cornerstone Connection
  • Council Oak
  • Casa Sesamo
  • Kiddie Kingdom

Vista Oaks Real Estate

As you might imagine, there is a brisk resale market in Vista Oaks.  It is a very sought-after community and location with 935 single family residences, so houses stay on the market an average of 61 days — about 25% less than the Austin MLS average.  In the past 12 months, 54 homes have sold through the Austin Central Texas Real Estate Information Service’s MLS.  They sold between $299,900 and $127,500 with an average sales price of $196,329.  They ranged in size between 1,652 and 3,755 square feet with an average of 2,494.  They had a median number of 4 bedrooms and extremes of 3 and 5.  They stayed on the market from one to 233 days, with an average of 61.

Information deemed reliable as of 11/14/2011.