Two active-construction 55+ communities — south on I-35 vs west on US-71, Brookfield vs Del Webb, and who should choose which in 2026
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Talk to a Specialist →Both Kissing Tree and Del Webb Sweetwater are active-construction 55+ communities near Austin. Neither has a 30-year history. Both offer newer homes with modern floor plans. The key differences: direction from Austin (south vs west), builder brand, price range, and what surrounds each community. For buyers who have eliminated Sun City Texas from consideration and are choosing between newer options, this comparison matters.
| Category | Kissing Tree (San Marcos) | Del Webb Sweetwater (Austin/Bee Cave) |
|---|---|---|
| Direction from Austin | South — 30 mi via I-35 | West — 15–20 mi via US-71 |
| San Antonio proximity | 50 mi — closest of all | 75 mi |
| Airport (AUS) | 40–50 min | 35–45 min via US-71/SH-71 |
| I-35 traffic exposure | Yes — I-35 southbound | None — avoids I-35 |
| HOA / Month | ~$263 (SF) — confirmed | TBD — verify with sales office |
| Homes planned | 3,200 | Active build — scale TBD |
| Golf on-site | 9-hole (extra cost) | None |
| Amenity campus | The Mix — 20 acres, restaurant, resort pools | Del Webb standard — clubhouse, pool, fitness |
| Terrain | Hill Country limestone — elevated views | Hill Country corridor — western Travis Co. |
| Travis Co. vs Hays Co. property tax | Hays Co. (slightly lower overall) | Travis Co. (slightly higher) |
| MUD tax risk | Possible some parcels | Possible — western Travis Co. corridor |
| Builder | Brookfield Residential | Del Webb / PulteGroup |
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This comparison almost entirely comes down to which direction you want to be from Austin and whether San Antonio access matters. Buyers who need frequent Austin access, want to avoid I-35 entirely, and do not care about San Antonio choose Sweetwater. Buyers who want to be equidistant between both metros, want the Hill Country terrain of the San Marcos area, want an on-site restaurant and 9-hole golf, and are comfortable with I-35 as their Austin route choose Kissing Tree.
Neither choice is wrong. But the I-35 vs US-71 route distinction is significant enough that it should be experienced before purchasing. Drive both communities' typical Austin routes at 7:30am and 5:30pm on a weekday before deciding.
Kissing Tree's Mix campus — 20 acres with a full-service restaurant, resort pools, 18 pickleball courts, fitness center with Hill Country views, and spa amenities — is a more developed amenity package than Del Webb Sweetwater's planned standard clubhouse. For buyers who want the amenity experience to be a daily draw, Kissing Tree's investment in The Mix is a meaningful differentiator. Sweetwater's amenities are solid Del Webb standard but less distinctive.
Tell us how often you drive to Austin and whether San Antonio access matters — those two questions usually determine the answer.
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