Part 1: Where Urban Austin Meets Suburban Living
In the ever-evolving landscape of Austin-area development, Easton Park stands out as a master-planned community that has successfully captured the essence of what modern homebuyers—particularly millennials—want in suburban living. Located in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), this Brookfield Properties development offers an Austin address with a fresh take on traditional neighborhood design.
True to its name, Easton Park has made outdoor social spaces the cornerstone of its identity. From the impressive Skyline Park, perched atop a hill with sweeping views of downtown Austin, to intimate pocket parks tucked between homes, the development prioritizes connected outdoor living. “We have these great outdoor social spaces, and some of them are huge,” explains AJ Zorn, director of land at Brookfield Properties. “Skyline Park sits up on the top of a hill where you can see downtown Austin.” The community’s trail system connects these various spaces, creating a cohesive network that encourages interaction and outdoor activity.
“We have these great outdoor social spaces, and some of them are huge. Skyline Park sits up on the top of a hill where you can see downtown Austin.”
— AJ Zorn, Director of Land, Brookfield Residential
Easton Park differs dramatically from traditional master-planned communities in its resident profile. A recent comprehensive survey of 830 households revealed a surprising demographic shift: only 42% of residents have children, with just another 10% planning to have them. This represents a dramatic departure from traditional master-planned communities of previous decades. “That is completely different than the master plan developments of 20 years ago,” notes Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tammy Schneider. “Back then, it was unusual. You had the “cool” neighbor on each road that maybe didn’t have kids. Other than that, it was all families.”
“We believed pretty strongly that the Millennials would eventually want suburbia…Everyone was saying Millennials are going to stay in the city, they’re not going to want traditional neighborhoods. I would say in Austin, Texas, they do want traditional neighborhoods, but they want them to be more urban-inspired.“
— Tammy Schneider, VP of Sales & Marketing, Brookfield Residential
This demographic reality speaks to Easton Park’s success in attracting what the development team calls “textbook millennials,” buyers who want suburban amenities but with an urban-inspired aesthetic and lifestyle. These residents demonstrate a distinctive approach to homebuying and lifestyle spending that sets them apart from previous generations of suburban dwellers. Perhaps most interesting is the spending philosophy of Easton Park residents. These buyers consistently purchase below their means when it comes to housing, choosing instead to invest in experiences and lifestyle elements. They could usually afford to buy “up,” but instead choose to buy responsibly, for example purchasing a $400K home when they could afford $500K. This approach allows residents to allocate funds toward other priorities—from Tesla vehicles to travel experiences—while maintaining financial responsibility. It’s a conscious choice that reflects broader millennial values around meaningful consumption rather than simple accumulation.
The architectural character of Easton Park deliberately embraces what the team calls “urban-inspired” design. Rather than traditional suburban aesthetics, the community features more contemporary styling that appeals to buyers who might otherwise gravitate toward urban condos but want the space and amenities of suburban living. “We believed pretty strongly that the Millennials would eventually want suburbia,” Schneider explains. “Everyone was saying Millennials are going to stay in the city, they’re not going to want traditional neighborhoods. I would say in Austin, Texas, they do want traditional neighborhoods, but they want them to be more urban-inspired.”
Easton Park’s location provides the best of both worlds—suburban space with urban accessibility. Residents maintain easy access to downtown Austin while enjoying the benefits of a master-planned community. This proximity allows residents to engage with the city when desired while returning to a more spacious, amenity-rich home base.
For more information about Easton Park, visit https://www.eastonparkatx.com