People seeking a chance to join the growing Central Texas community while maintaining the benefits of small town life should at the option of  to moving to Leander, Texas.  What used to be a small town outside of the metropolitan beltway, Leander has now become an attractive option for commuters who work in Austin or Round Rock, but prefer to live and raise a family in a small town environment.  The expansion of Highway 183 has made what used to be a time-consuming commute relatively quick and painless.  With the upcoming Capital MetroRail being built all the way out to Leander, commuting will become even easier in the future, and the popularity of the region is expected to rise even more. 

The rapid development is reflected in the population numbers.  Leander has grown from 7,500 residents in 2000 to 20,000 residents now.  Still, the town retains its Texas small town feel, complete with surrounding ranchlands, a quaint town center complete with antique shops, and the low crime rate to match.  As it sits on the edge of the metropolitan area and the outlying rural areas, Leander benefits from the influx of frequent visitors and students from the larger area.  Driving around the outlying ranchlands can be a real treat, as many ranchers in the area specialize in raising exotic animals.  If you’re lucky, you can see everything from ostriches to zebras grazing where there only used to be cows and goats. 

Leander is located on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, giving outdoorsy residents plenty of opportunities to make quick trips to take in the natural beauty of the area.  Beautiful Lake Travis is just a short drive away, but Leander has its own natural attractions as well.  Nearby Texas beauty is to be had at Devine Lake (with its annual kite festival) and Benbrook Ranch, and for those who enjoy weekend golfing, the local Crystal Falls Golf Course is a point of local pride.  Because of the mild to warm weather of the area, there is a full roster of outdoor entertainments, from the July 4th celebrations to SuddenLink concert series.

For those who enjoy more urban pursuits, Austin is a quick drive (and soon by Metro ride) away, but the rapid development of the area also means that residents don’t have to drive very far at all to access a variety of shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and the Barton Creek Mall.  Leander once was an out-of-the-way small town, but now residents have access to all sort of urban amenities, all without giving up on the small town pace of life.