North Austin: As far as North Austin neighborhoods go, Wells Branch is ideal for its location and balanced residential and business zoning. Also, thanks to the Wells Branch MUD, there are many things available for residents to do without hitting the pocket book. To get an idea of what activities are available to the average resident of Wells Branch, here is a list of five fun things to do in Wells Branch:
- Take a tour of The Homestead: The Homestead is an 1850's era cabin complex located within Katherine Fleischer Park, built back when it took a day long wagon ride to get to Austin for supplies, meaning the original residents mostly lived off the land (as you might imagine, there was no IH-35 or Mopac to take your wagon down at that time). In 1980, when the Wells Branch neighborhood was being established, the developers realized they could not tear down this complex for much rich history would be lost. Today it is for educational purposes and showing the community how much life has changed in the last 150 years.
- Play Ball!: Whether it be basketball, tennis, or football, both the Wells Branch Recreation Center and Katherine Fleischer Park offer great courts for the sport of your choice. The Rec center offers a full indoor basketball court with six practice hoops, as well as other equipment available for free rental. The courts are clean, well maintained and brightly lit.
- Shop 'Til You Drop: Wells Branch is conveniently located near a number of choice shopping districts. If you prefer upscale shopping, The Domain is very close by. Here you can find high end retailers like Neiman Marcus and fine dining such as Flemming's. Also near by is the Gateway shopping center, where you can find tasty sushi at Sushi Sake (having traveled most of the United States and having eaten many, many good sushi meals along the way, I can say this is some of the best sushi Austin has to offer). In this shopping center you'll find businesses like Best Buy, Whole Foods, Gateway Theater, and many more. Other shopping centers near by are La Frontera and Arboretum, both of which also offer great dining, shopping, and movie theaters.
- Go For A Swim: If you're someone who likes to swim year round, you will be thrilled to hear about Willow Bend Pool. Willow Bend offers open swim and lap swim all year. Right now during the winter season the hours are weekdays from 3pm to 8pm and weekends from 1pm to 6pm for open swim. The other big pool in Wells Branch is located in Katherine Fleischer Park, though it is like most other pools and is currently closed until the Spring.
- Get Some Exercise: Wells Branch offers a number of avenues to get your heart pumping. The Wells Branch Recreation Center has a gym with free weights, cross trainers and cardio machines, as well as a TV to watch while you exercise. Katherine Fleischer Park and Willow Bend Park are both beautiful areas to take a stroll and enjoy the fresh air. The Rec center also offers exercise classes, like Yoga and Ab toning programs for a low cost.
It's hard to imagine all of this is available in one neighborhood on the edge of town, but that's what makes Wells Branch a great neighborhood to be in!
Continue to part three or go back to part one of this series.
Garreth Wilcock is a Realtor working in North, Central and East Austin. Search Austin homes for sale at his website.
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