If we were moving to the Texas Hill Country in 2025, we'd move here.

Where Would We Move in the Texas Hill Country? Our Honest Pick for 2025

If They Could Move Anywhere in the Texas Hill Country, Where Would Drake and Michelle Carter Go?

Drake and Michelle Carter live and work in the Texas Hill Country, serving buyers across New Braunfels, San Marcos, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake, and beyond. They get asked all the time which area they would pick if they were starting fresh. In this video, they give an honest answer — breaking down four locations they get asked about most and naming their personal winner at the end. No steering, no sales pitch. Just their real take based on what matters to them as parents and professionals who know this region deeply.

By Drake and Michelle Carter | April 15, 2026

Location 1: New Braunfels

Drake and Michelle start with New Braunfels at 0:37 — the most well-known city on their list, and for good reason. Home prices offer more value than Austin proper, the market has been shifting in buyers' favor, and the city genuinely functions as a one-stop shop. Shopping at Creekside, unique boutiques in downtown and Gruene, full healthcare facilities, strong schools in both Comal and New Braunfels ISD, homeschool co-ops, live music, Schlitterbahn, and Landa Park. Recreation is outstanding. The convenience is hard to beat anywhere in the Hill Country.

The honest take: it's popular because it's genuinely good. But that popularity comes with tourist crowds in summer, rising home prices, and an increasingly developed feel that some buyers find less appealing than it once was.

Location 2: Blanco

Blanco is the lavender capital of Texas, and that single description tells you a lot about the vibe. See the Blanco breakdown at 1:58. It's slower, quieter, and genuinely beautiful — with Blanco State Park sitting right in town, a spring-fed river for swimming, tubing, and fishing, and lavender farms that bloom from late May through July. Real Ale Brewing Company and Milkman Green Whiskey Distillery give adults something to do beyond the outdoors. It's about 35 minutes from San Antonio and around an hour from Austin.

What makes Blanco attractive is also what limits it — the slower pace and smaller amenity base means you're trading convenience for character. It's more affordable than most Hill Country cities and appeals strongly to buyers who want genuine small-town living without compromise.

Location 3: Spring Branch and Bulverde

Drake and Michelle cover Spring Branch at 3:40. The headline here is schools. Spring Branch falls under Comal ISD, which feeds into Smithson Valley High School — consistently ranked among the top high schools in Texas. The Navy JROTC program ranks first in the region out of 28 units. State championship football. Excellent academics and extracurricular programs across the board. For families, this is the most compelling school system on the list.

Beyond schools, you get the Guadalupe River lifestyle, Hill Country scenery, and reasonable commutes to both San Antonio and Austin — though you're closer to San Antonio from here. Commercial development is coming along Highway 281 and 46, which will add convenience but is also changing the character. It's still a growing community finding its footing, and pricing reflects the demand — these homes carry a premium. But the combination of natural beauty and a world-class school system is rare.

Location 4: Wimberley

Wimberley is, in Drake and Michelle's words, "Hill Country magic at its absolute finest." Watch the Wimberley segment at 4:37. Swimming holes, stunning scenery, an authentic small-town artistic community — the character here is something you can't manufacture with a master plan. Pricing is premium Hill Country, though the market has been more favorable to buyers recently compared to the peak. If Hill Country lifestyle is the non-negotiable, Wimberley delivers it in the most concentrated form.

Not sure which Hill Country city fits your life? Drake and Michelle know all four of these areas personally and can help you figure out the right match based on your schools, commute, budget, and lifestyle. Schedule a free call with The Carter Team here.

Their Pick: Spring Branch / Bulverde

Drake and Michelle reveal their winner at 6:32. The answer is Spring Branch and Bulverde — and they're direct about why. They have kids, which means schools are a priority. Smithson Valley High School is simply exceptional. The location gives them the Guadalupe River lifestyle and Hill Country scenery they want, along with manageable commutes to San Antonio. And the community is growing in a way that feels like real long-term upside rather than just rising prices.

It's worth noting: this is their personal pick based on their priorities. If you don't have kids or schools aren't a factor, a different city on this list might be a better fit. New Braunfels wins on convenience. Blanco wins on affordability and character. Wimberley wins on Hill Country magic. The right answer depends on what matters most to you — and that's exactly the conversation Drake and Michelle have with buyers every day. Reach out here to talk through your own priorities.

About Drake and Michelle CarterDrake and Michelle Carter are licensed Texas real estate agents and the founders of The Carter Team at Keller Williams Heritage in New Braunfels. They specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the South and Central Texas Hill Country, serving New Braunfels, San Marcos, Canyon Lake, Seguin, Spring Branch, Bulverde, and North San Antonio. Follow along on their YouTube channel for honest, no-fluff advice on living and buying in the Hill Country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmyYmRX-AgI