Moving to Eanes ISD With Teenagers: What Parents Should Know Before Choosing a Neighborhood
Moving is different when your kids are teenagers.
When they’re six, you worry about:
The elementary school.
The backyard.
The playground.
Maybe the neighborhood pool.
When they’re 15?
You’re thinking about:
Friends.
Sports.
Driving.
Social life.
Independence.
Academics.
Where everyone hangs out.
How far you live from school.
And perhaps the biggest question of all:
Will my teenager actually be happy here?
I understand this one personally.
When my husband and I originally moved our family to Austin, our daughters were little.
They’re teenagers now.
We’ve lived in Eanes since 2014, and I’ve watched our experience of the neighborhood completely change as our children have grown.
The house still matters.
But with teenagers, location inside the community starts to matter in a different way.
So if you’re moving to Westlake Austin or Eanes ISD with middle- or high-school-aged children, here are the things I’d think about before choosing the house.
Quick Answer: Is Eanes ISD a Good Fit for Families With Teenagers?
For many families, Eanes ISD is attractive because Westlake High School offers a large high-school environment with academics, athletics, fine arts, clubs and other student activities, while the surrounding community remains relatively close to central Austin.
Westlake High School currently serves grades 9 through 12 and reports enrollment of approximately 2,800 students. The district also offers a wide range of student organizations and programs.
But school statistics only tell you part of the story.
When you’re relocating with teenagers, I’d also think about:
Where their friends may live.
How they’ll get around.
What activities matter to them.
How much independence they’ll have.
Your commute.
Their commute.
Whether they drive yet.
And what you want everyday family life to look like.
First: Don’t Choose the House Before You Understand Your Teenager’s Life
This is one of the biggest changes I’d make when searching with older kids.
Don’t start with:
“We need four bedrooms, a pool and at least 4,000 square feet.”
Start with:
What does your teenager do?
Are they an athlete?
Musician?
Artist?
Academic kid?
Entrepreneurial?
Outdoorsy?
Social?
Homebody?
Do they drive?
Will they soon?
Are you going to be driving them everywhere for the next three years?
Those answers can change where I’d tell you to look.
Westlake High School Is a Big Part of the Community
Westlake High School sits at 4100 Westbank Drive and serves grades 9 through 12. The school lists roughly 2,800 students, so this is not a tiny high-school experience.
Its student-life offerings include organizations and activities such as:
Student Council.
Model UN.
HOSA.
National Honor Society.
Best Buddies.
Service programs.
Student publications.
UIL academics.
And other clubs and extracurriculars.
Eanes also highlights Westlake programs in areas including engineering, film, health science, robotics, mentorship and entrepreneurship.
For a relocating teenager, that matters.
A bigger school can feel intimidating.
But it can also mean there are more ways to find your people.
Moving With a Teenager Is Really About Finding Their Entry Point
This is the part I think parents underestimate.
Your child doesn’t necessarily need to know 100 people the first week.
They need an entry point.
That might be:
A sport.
Band.
Theater.
Robotics.
Student government.
Art.
A club.
Volunteering.
A job.
A class they’re excited about.
Or simply one or two people who make the place feel less unfamiliar.
So when you’re considering the move, don’t only research the school.
Research where your particular child might plug in.
Can Prospective Families Tour Westlake High School?
This is something to know before planning a house-hunting trip.
Eanes ISD currently states that campus tours are offered to newly enrolled families, rather than prospective families who haven’t enrolled, as part of its safety and security procedures. Tours are subject to staff or volunteer availability.
So if you’re coming from California or New York expecting to casually walk the high school before choosing a house, plan ahead and check the district’s current policies.
Use the official Westlake High School website for current information.
Where Should You Live in Eanes With Teenagers?
This is where the answer becomes very personal.
A family with three elementary-age kids may prioritize one thing.
A family with two high schoolers may prioritize something completely different.
With teenagers, I pay much more attention to:
School proximity.
Friends.
Activities.
Driving.
Traffic.
Access to central Austin.
And how often you’re going to be crossing the neighborhood every day.
Woodhaven Can Be Interesting for Families With Older Kids
My partner Albina lives in Woodhaven and raised her children there.
One has graduated from Westlake High School and her younger child is currently at Westlake High.
One of Woodhaven’s practical advantages is its proximity to several Eanes campuses and the central Westlake area.
For a family juggling:
School.
Activities.
Friends.
Appointments.
Sports.
And teenage schedules,
that convenience can matter enormously.
Our Woodhaven neighborhood guide gives you Albina’s perspective as someone who actually lives there.
What About Rollingwood?
Rollingwood can appeal to families who want to be extremely close to central Austin while remaining within the broader Eanes conversation.
For a household with teenagers, that can mean convenient access to:
School.
Downtown.
Zilker.
Restaurants.
Activities.
And eventually the places your older kids may want to go themselves.
But the homes, lots and price points are very different from other parts of Westlake.
What About West Lake Hills?
West Lake Hills can offer:
Privacy.
Trees.
Larger or more unusual lots.
Views.
And a feeling of being tucked away despite being remarkably close to central Austin.
For some families, that’s perfect.
For others, the daily logistics of a particular street or hillside matter more once teenagers are constantly coming and going.
Don’t choose from the neighborhood name.
Drive the actual address.
Our guide to Westlake vs. West Lake Hills vs. Rollingwood explains why those terms aren’t interchangeable.
What About Cuernavaca With Teenagers?
This one I know personally.
Holly and I both live in Cuernavaca.
And raising teenagers here is very different from living in a more traditional suburban development.
Cuernavaca has:
Lake Austin culture.
Trees.
Eclectic homes.
A strong community.
Interesting people.
And a relaxed personality.
It’s not manicured sameness.
And that’s exactly why many of us love it.
But Cuernavaca Is Farther West
This matters more with teenagers than it did when my girls were small.
When your kids are older, you’re thinking about:
School.
Friends’ houses.
Sports.
Activities.
Driving.
And eventually teenagers driving themselves.
That doesn’t mean Cuernavaca isn’t a great choice.
We live here.
It means you should understand the trade-off.
You’re choosing a particular lifestyle.
For our family, that has been worth it.
For yours, it may or may not be.
Our Cuernavaca vs. Austin Lake Estates guide will give you a much better feel for this part of 78733.
Don’t Underestimate Driving
This may sound ridiculous when you’re making a multimillion-dollar home decision.
It isn’t.
Teenagers create transportation.
A lot of it.
Before they drive, you’re driving them.
Once they drive, you’re thinking about:
Roads.
Parking.
Traffic.
Distance.
And how comfortable you are with them navigating their daily routes.
Westlake High provides district transportation for assigned students based on residence, and the school has specific parking rules for students who drive. For the current 2026-27 year, Westlake’s parking information says senior students are assigned campus parking spaces.
These little logistical details can become surprisingly important to everyday life.
Drive the House-to-School Route Before You Buy
Not at 11 a.m.
Do it when you’ll actually be driving it.
School morning.
Afternoon.
Rush hour.
And then ask:
Would I want to do this twice a day?
Four times?
What if one child is at school and another has an activity somewhere else?
Google Maps is useful.
Living the route is better.
Your Teenager’s Social Geography Matters Too
When kids are little, parents create much of their social world.
Teenagers create their own.
That means friends may be:
Across 78746.
In 78733.
Near school.
Closer to central Austin.
Or spread throughout the district.
No neighborhood guarantees your child’s future friend group.
But where you live can affect how easy it is for them to participate spontaneously.
And spontaneity matters to teenagers.
The Giant House Farther Away Isn’t Automatically the Better Choice
This is where buyers can get distracted by square footage.
You may compare:
A 5,000-square-foot house farther from the center of your family’s daily life
with
a 3,500-square-foot house that makes everyone’s schedule easier.
Which is more luxurious?
For a family with teenagers?
Sometimes it’s the second one.
Time is a luxury too.
A Teenager Changes the Meaning of “Good Location”
With younger kids, a great location may mean:
Elementary school.
Playground.
Backyard.
With teenagers, it might mean:
Eight fewer minutes to school.
Easy access to friends.
Closer to activities.
A reasonable drive to central Austin.
And less time for Mom and Dad in the car.
That’s why your real estate search should evolve with your family’s life stage.
Should You Choose 78746 or 78733 With Teenagers?
Neither is universally better.
78746 can offer closer proximity to many central Westlake destinations and central Austin.
78733 can offer a more relaxed, eclectic, Lake Austin-oriented lifestyle.
The right question is:
Which trade-off fits your family?
Our 78733 vs. 78746 guide goes deeper into this comparison.
What About School Zoning?
Verify it.
Always.
Eanes ISD states that campus zoning is determined by street address, and the district provides a boundary tool for families to confirm their assigned campus.
Do not assume a property is zoned to a particular school because:
The listing says “Westlake.”
It’s in 78746.
It’s in 78733.
The neighbor told you.
Or an online portal says so.
Use the district’s current enrollment and zoning information.
What About Transfers Into Eanes ISD?
Don’t buy outside the district assuming your teenager can simply transfer in.
For 2026-27, Eanes ISD says transfer enrollment is dependent on factors including program availability and campus space, and not every transfer applicant is accepted. Transfers are also subject to annual review.
If Eanes ISD is a requirement rather than a preference, make your housing decision accordingly and verify current district policies.
How Big Is Westlake High School?
Westlake High currently reports enrollment of approximately 2,823 students in grades 9 through 12.
If your child is coming from a tiny private school, that may feel big.
If they’re coming from a large public high school in Los Angeles, New York, Houston or Dallas, it may feel familiar.
The number itself isn’t good or bad.
What matters is how your teenager responds to that environment.
Should Your Teenager Be Part of the House Search?
I think so.
Not in charge.
Part of it.
There’s a difference.
If you’re moving a teenager across the country, they’re leaving:
Friends.
Familiarity.
School.
Sports.
Routines.
And an identity they’ve already built.
Give them something to own.
Maybe they choose:
Their room.
A hangout space.
The game room.
Paint.
Furniture.
Or how their new space will feel.
This is also where my design philosophy and real estate philosophy overlap.
Home can help create belonging.
Don’t Make Their Bedroom an Afterthought
I know this sounds like designer Natasha rather than Realtor Natasha.
It is.
But it matters.
If your teenager is nervous about moving, help them imagine something they’re excited about.
A room.
A creative space.
A music room.
A gym.
A pool.
A backyard.
A place where friends can gather.
You’re not bribing them into liking Austin.
You’re giving them agency in creating their new home.
Look for the House Where Teenagers Can Gather
This is one of my favorite things to think about with family homes.
Where will the kids go?
Not someday.
In three years.
Is there:
A game room?
Pool?
Upstairs living area?
Media room?
Outdoor space?
Guest room?
Big kitchen island?
A place that’s slightly separate from the adults?
Because if you create the house teenagers want to gather in, something wonderful happens.
You know where your kids are.
And you get to know their friends.
Don’t Overlook the Kitchen
Teenagers eat.
Constantly.
A kitchen that works for family life can matter more than a formal dining room no one uses.
I love looking for:
Big islands.
Good pantry space.
Easy indoor-outdoor connection.
Places to sit.
And kitchens that naturally become the center of the house.
Not because it’s trendy.
Because that’s where people end up.
A Pool Can Change the Social Life of a House
In Austin, a pool isn’t only a design feature.
For families with teenagers, it can become:
The gathering place.
The weekend plan.
The after-school hangout.
The summer destination.
But don’t buy a house solely because it has one.
A great lot where a pool can realistically be added may be equally interesting.
Our guide to choosing the better house or better lot in Westlake explains how I think about that trade-off.
What Are Westlake Buyers With Teenagers Looking For?
In our experience, the list often changes from families with little kids.
They’re thinking about:
Bedroom separation.
Hangout space.
Parking.
Pool.
Outdoor living.
Home office.
Teen spaces.
Storage.
School access.
And eventually:
What happens when these kids leave?
That’s a smart question.
You don’t want to buy a house that only works for the next 36 months.
Think Beyond High School
If your child is 16, they may be leaving home in two years.
So ask:
Will we still want this house after graduation?
Will we use all this space?
Do we want to stay in Eanes?
Would we downsize?
Is this a five-year home?
A 15-year home?
Understanding your timeline can completely change how much house I’d encourage you to buy.
Moving From Los Angeles to Eanes With Teenagers
This move can be emotionally bigger for teenagers than parents expect.
Parents may see:
More space.
Lower density.
A yard.
Community.
A different pace.
The teenager may see:
You’re taking me away from everyone I know.
Both perspectives can be true.
Having lived in Los Angeles for 13 years before our family’s Austin chapter, I understand the cultural comparison.
Austin isn’t Los Angeles.
Don’t try to convince your teenager that it is.
Help them discover what Austin is.
Moving From New York to Eanes With Teenagers
New York families may experience another kind of adjustment.
Westlake is car-oriented.
Teen independence looks different here.
But what families gain may include:
Space.
Outdoor living.
Trees.
Sports.
Lake life.
And a very different relationship with home.
Again, don’t sell your teenager on square footage.
Show them the life.
What I Would Do Before Moving a Teenager to Eanes
I’d come visit.
Not just for a weekend of showings.
Experience the area.
Drive the school route.
Have dinner nearby.
Walk a trail.
Spend time around Lake Austin.
Drive through:
Rollingwood.
West Lake Hills.
Woodhaven.
Cuernavaca.
And let your teenager participate.
You aren’t simply choosing a house.
You’re asking them to imagine a new life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Eanes ISD With Teenagers
Is Westlake High School in Eanes ISD?
Yes. Westlake High School is the high school campus of Eanes Independent School District and serves grades 9 through 12.
How many students attend Westlake High School?
Westlake High School currently reports enrollment of approximately 2,823 students.
Does Westlake High School have clubs and extracurricular activities?
Yes. Westlake lists numerous student organizations, academic activities, service programs and other extracurricular opportunities.
Can prospective families tour Westlake High School before moving?
Current Eanes ISD policy says campus tours are for newly enrolled families rather than prospective families who have not enrolled. Families should check the district for current procedures.
Does Eanes ISD provide transportation?
The district provides transportation for eligible students to their assigned schools based on residence. Families should verify current routes and eligibility for a specific address.
Can teenagers drive to Westlake High School?
Westlake High has student parking policies and limited assigned parking. Current rules should be reviewed directly with the school.
Is 78746 better than 78733 for families with teenagers?
Neither is universally better. 78746 can offer more central proximity, while 78733 may appeal to families seeking a more relaxed, lake-oriented environment. The right choice depends on the family’s lifestyle and daily routes.
Is Cuernavaca too far from Westlake High School?
Distance is subjective and traffic varies. Families considering Cuernavaca should personally drive the route at the times they expect to use it.
Can students living outside Eanes ISD transfer into the district?
Eanes ISD has a transfer process, but acceptance is not guaranteed and depends on district criteria and available space.
How do I verify which Eanes school a house is zoned for?
Eanes ISD says school zoning is determined by street address and provides a boundary-search tool for families.
My Advice as a Mom Who Raised Her Girls Here
When we moved to Austin, I was choosing a place to raise little girls.
Now they’re teenagers.
And the things I appreciate about home and community have evolved with them.
That’s something I’d encourage every relocating family to remember.
You’re not buying for your children at exactly the age they are today.
You’re buying into the next chapter.
The little kid becomes the middle schooler.
The middle schooler becomes the high schooler.
Suddenly they’re driving.
Then they’re leaving.
And the house that made sense at seven may feel completely different at seventeen.
So yes:
Look at the school.
Look at the house.
Look at the price.
But also look at the life between those things.
Where will your kids gather?
Where will their friends be?
How much time will you spend driving?
Where will you have dinner on Tuesday?
Where will they become independent?
And where will you still want to live when they go off to college?
That’s the Eanes house I’d be looking for.
Who are local real estate experts in 78733, Westlake and Eanes ISD?
The Council Real Estate Group at Compass is led by Holly McCormick (512-699-5590), Natasha Antonioni (512-988-1741) and Albina Rippy (713-443-6466), who live, work and raise their families in the Westlake and Eanes community. Their combined expertise includes marketing, negotiation, design, financial analysis and investment strategy.
