If you are drawn to golf course living in The Hills, it helps to know that this is not a simple gated subdivision with one set of dues and a short rule sheet. The Hills has a layered structure that shapes everything from road access and security to club use and home improvements. When you understand how it all works before you buy, you can decide with confidence whether the lifestyle truly fits you. Let’s dive in.
How The Hills Is Structured
The Hills of Lakeway is now the Village of The Hills, which incorporated in 1997 while the Property Owners Association remained in place because the roads are private and security is handled separately. According to the Village of The Hills community overview, that setup is a big reason daily life here feels more structured than in a typical neighborhood HOA.
Instead of one organization doing everything, responsibilities are split among three entities. The Village, POA, and Hurst Creek MUD contact guide shows that the Village handles items like common area maintenance, trash pickup, park reservations, and law enforcement, while the POA manages security, gates, architectural review, and street paving and repairs. Hurst Creek MUD handles water, sewer, irrigation water, drainage, and plumbing inspections.
For buyers, that means your ownership experience includes multiple systems, contacts, and rules. It is organized, but it is also important to know who handles what before closing.
What Golf Course Living Feels Like
Golf course living in The Hills is tied closely to The Hills Country Club. The club describes itself as offering four golf courses across five properties, along with dining, racquet sports, aquatics, and fitness amenities that influence how many residents spend their free time.
On a day-to-day level, the club lifestyle goes beyond golf. The official membership page for The Hills Country Club lists 13 outdoor tennis courts, 9 outdoor dedicated pickleball courts, 2 climate-controlled indoor tennis courts, a 22,000-square-foot sports complex, three pools, a splash pad, a slide, and more than 50 weekly wellness classes.
There is also a resident-only Community Social Membership available exclusively to residents within the Hills or Flintrock gates. That membership includes dining, aquatics, and year-round social programming, which can be a major part of the lifestyle for homeowners who want a club-centered routine without necessarily joining a golf category.
What Buyers Should Know About Membership
One of the most important questions buyers ask is whether club membership is optional. Based on the current owner and realtor packet in the research materials, all owners in The Hills are required to have a social membership that is separate from the POA.
That point matters because your ownership costs are not limited to property taxes, utilities, and POA assessments. You should also expect a club relationship as part of the ownership model, and you should confirm the current membership terms and pricing directly with the club during your due diligence.
The club does publish some pricing guidance. Its membership information states that Wellness membership pricing starts at $300, but it does not publish full pricing detail for every category, so current rates should be verified directly.
HOA And POA Rules You Will Notice
In The Hills, rules are not just paperwork that sits in a closing packet. They affect how you maintain your home, manage trash day, and use shared spaces.
The current owner packet says any exterior home or landscape improvement requires architectural approval before work begins. That includes projects many buyers might assume are minor. Architectural rules and requests are managed through NABRnetwork, which is also used for owner communications.
Trash routines are also specific. The owner packet says pickup is Monday through Waste Connections, trash cans may be placed out no earlier than 7 p.m. Sunday, and they must be returned to the garage or behind a screened wall by 7 p.m. Monday. Brush and tree trimmings must be cut to 3 feet and tied in bundles.
Park and trail use also follows clear standards. The Village rules and regulations page says park hours are dawn to dusk, pets must be leashed, children must be supervised, no overnight parking is allowed, and no fires or fireworks are permitted.
Golf Carts And Neighborhood Movement
Golf carts are part of the culture in The Hills, but they are regulated. According to the Village’s golf cart rules, unlicensed and unregistered golf carts may be driven on public streets during daylight hours to access the golf course, but traffic laws still apply.
That means golf cart use is real and visible, but it is not casual in the legal sense. The constable can issue citations for unsafe operation or violations involving minor or unlicensed drivers, and the community speed limit was lowered to 25 mph in 2025.
If you like the idea of a golf-cart-friendly environment, this can feel convenient and fun. If you assume carts can be used freely for any purpose at any time, you will want to review the rules more closely.
Security And Daily Oversight
Another feature many buyers notice is the structured approach to access and security. The POA handles entrance gates, RFID tags, and security functions, while the Village also contracts for law enforcement support.
According to the Village’s law enforcement information, the community has a Travis County law-enforcement contract, a deputy constable on duty 40 hours per week at random hours, sheriff backup when the constable is off duty, and a house-watch courtesy for residents who travel.
That setup can be appealing if you value gated access and a more managed environment. It is one more example of why The Hills tends to fit buyers who want a structured lifestyle rather than a minimal-rule neighborhood.
Costs Beyond The Home Price
When you buy in The Hills, the cost picture is layered. You may have POA assessments, required social membership costs, utility-related charges through Hurst Creek MUD, and transfer or resale-related fees during closing.
The current owner packet says annual assessments are billed semi-annually on January 1 and July 1. The available 2022 association documents list fee examples such as a regular assessment of $575 semi-annually, a new account setup fee, and resale certificate fees, but the same documents also warn that fees can vary by association and unit and are finalized at closing.
That is why one of the smartest things you can do as a buyer is verify every current number before you remove contingencies. In The Hills, it is especially important not to rely on older fee schedules or assume every property has the same structure.
The Lifestyle Fit For Buyers
The Hills can be a strong fit if you want gated access, private roads, club-centered recreation, and a neighborhood with clear standards. The Village describes the area as being made up primarily of single-family homes, with the country club as its only business, which reinforces the residential, amenity-driven character.
It may be a weaker fit if you want minimal dues, minimal oversight, or no club relationship. Because the community includes multiple platted phases and some subprojects with potentially different rule sets and fee structures, the right question is not just “Do I like The Hills?” but “Do I like this exact property’s obligations and benefits?”
For many buyers, that level of clarity is the difference between loving the lifestyle and feeling surprised by it later.
Smart Questions To Ask Before Closing
Before you buy in The Hills, ask for clear answers to these points:
- What is the current POA assessment for this specific property?
- What transfer, setup, resale certificate, or statement fees will appear on the closing disclosure?
- What social membership is required, and what is the current pricing?
- Are there any additional memberships the buyer may want to consider for golf, racquet sports, or wellness?
- What architectural rules apply to future exterior changes?
- Does this property fall under any sub-association or distinct project rules?
- What utility providers and MUD-related responsibilities apply to this address?
- What gate, guest access, and RFID procedures should a new owner expect?
These questions can help you compare The Hills accurately against other luxury or gated options in the Lakeway area.
If you are considering buying or selling in The Hills, working with a local team that understands the neighborhood’s layered structure can make the process much smoother. Bonnie Altrudo can help you evaluate property-specific fees, lifestyle fit, and the questions that matter before you make your move.
FAQs
What kind of HOA setup does The Hills in Travis County have?
- The Hills uses a layered structure with the Village of The Hills, the POA, and Hurst Creek MUD each handling different responsibilities such as gates, roads, utilities, trash, and common areas.
Is club membership required for homeowners in The Hills?
- Yes. The current owner and realtor packet states that all owners are required to have a social membership that is separate from the POA.
Can residents drive golf carts in The Hills neighborhood?
- Yes, but Village rules say unlicensed and unregistered golf carts may be used on public streets during daylight hours to access the golf course, and traffic laws still apply.
Who maintains roads and gates in The Hills?
- The POA handles entrance gates, security, street paving, and street repairs, while the Village handles broader civic services.
Do home improvements in The Hills need approval?
- Yes. The owner packet says any exterior home or landscape improvement requires architectural approval before work begins.
What fees should buyers verify before buying in The Hills?
- Buyers should confirm the current POA assessment, any transfer or resale-related fees, and the latest club membership pricing because official documents say fees can vary and may change.
