About Kissing Tree
Kissing Tree is a planned 55+ community in San Marcos, Texas, located on the scenic edge of the Texas Hill Country region known for natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and cultural amenities. The community was established in 2016 by Brookfield Residential Properties as the first master-planned baby boomer community in the San Marcos area, representing a significant investment in 55+ housing for the region with development continuing through the current date. With a planned build-out of 3,200 homes, Kissing Tree currently offers approximately 1,400 residences with continued construction and development planned through 2035 providing ongoing housing options and investment in community infrastructure. Median home prices average $514,000, with homes designed for residents aged 55 and older seeking comprehensive community amenities, peer social engagement, and convenient access to Hill Country recreation and cultural opportunities without the maintenance burden of large suburban homes. Property values have appreciated approximately 5-7% annually since the community's 2016 founding, reflecting consistent demand from retiring baby boomers relocating within Texas.
San Marcos sits strategically positioned halfway between San Antonio and Austin, approximately 30 miles south of central Austin via Interstate 35 offering convenient access to both metropolitan areas. The city was designated the fastest-growing municipality in the United States in 2015 with continued population growth driven by university growth, business relocation, and residential development through the present. San Marcos population has grown from approximately 44,000 residents in 2010 to over 67,000 current residents, with projections exceeding 90,000 by 2035. Kissing Tree residents benefit from this strategic location providing reasonable distance to both Austin and San Antonio employment and cultural centers with commute times averaging 30-45 minutes to Austin downtown, while maintaining convenient proximity to Hill Country attractions including Wonder World Cave with natural formations and underground lake, scenic natural areas featuring limestone formations and native oak woodlands, and river recreation along the San Marcos River. The community name references Sam Houston's 1857 gubernatorial speech delivered in front of a historic oak tree in San Marcos, honoring the location's historical significance and the natural environment preserved within the broader region. This naming convention reflects the community's commitment to environmental stewardship and Texas heritage.
Kissing Tree's amenities are comprehensive and designed to support active retirement lifestyles and social engagement for residents aged 55 and older. The Mix, a 20-acre amenity campus built in 2017, serves as the community's central hub with multiple recreational facilities. Independence Hall, opened in 2018, houses amenities including a two-story fitness center with cardio equipment, free-weight areas, and group exercise rooms hosting yoga, pilates, and aerobics classes. Indoor and outdoor pools heated year-round accommodate lap swimming and water aerobics. Biergarten provides casual social gathering space with beverage service. Tarbox & Brown restaurant provides on-site dining with full-service operation and contemporary menu offerings. The 18-hole championship golf course offers multiple difficulty ratings, with clubhouse facilities, pro shop, and professional instruction. Pickleball courts accommodate both competitive and recreational play. Bocce ball facilities provide additional recreational options suited to varied physical abilities. The community supports approximately 200+ clubs and activities including competitive golf leagues, travel clubs, culinary groups, fitness programs, hobby groups including bridge and card players, gardening clubs, and educational seminars on health and wellness topics. Programming encourages resident engagement and social connection among peers sharing common interests and life stage.
The community offers mostly midsize homes competitively priced for the Hill Country region, with new construction homes continuing to be available as development proceeds through 2035 providing extended options for prospective residents. Home designs range from 1,400 to 2,400 square feet with most featuring 2 to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms configured for single-level or two-story layouts reducing maintenance compared to larger homes. Construction includes modern building standards with energy-efficient HVAC systems, updated appliances, and materials requiring less exterior maintenance including composite siding and engineered landscaping. The 55+ age restriction maintains the community's 55+ age restriction, with covenants designed to maintain property values through consistent upkeep standards, architectural guidelines limiting modifications, and maintenance restrictions preventing deterioration. Community governance through homeowners association maintains amenity quality and ensures appropriate funding for facility operations and programming.
Living in Kissing Tree
Kissing Tree is restricted to residents aged 55 and older, with community engagement with peers, extensive resort-style amenities, and proximity to Hill Country outdoor recreation. The 55+ population restriction creates a neighborhood intentionally focused on peer social activities and common interests, with approximately 200+ clubs covering diverse interests from competitive golf leagues and tennis tournaments to travel clubs organizing regional trips and destination vacations, culinary experiences including wine tastings and restaurant tours, and cultural pursuits including art appreciation, music groups, and educational seminars. Residents appreciate the resort-style lifestyle with on-site dining at Tarbox & Brown restaurant offering quality cuisine and social dining atmosphere, comprehensive fitness facilities supporting health and wellness, championship golf course available for daily play, and year-round social programming throughout the calendar. The community hosts seasonal events including holiday celebrations, summer concert series, dinner dances with live music, and special club meetings fostering meaningful connections among residents with shared backgrounds and life experiences. Many residents report enhanced social engagement and expanded friendship networks compared to their previous neighborhoods, with planned activities providing structure and opportunities for connection.
The San Marcos location provides well-balanced access to Hill Country attractions including Wonder World Cave featuring guided tours through natural formations and a 190-foot observation tower offering panoramic views across the landscape, outlet shopping at San Marcos Premium Outlets with 145+ retail stores and Tanger Outlets with 95+ stores forming one of the nation's largest outlet center destinations, and outdoor recreation on the San Marcos River with consistent 72-degree water temperature year-round supporting water activities in summer and winter months. Austin is approximately 30 minutes north via I-35 providing convenient access to cultural events including live music venues along 6th Street and South Congress, museums including the Blanton Museum of Art and Texas State History Museum, and diverse urban dining from casual to fine restaurants. San Antonio is approximately 45 minutes south featuring the River Walk district with shopping and dining along the scenic waterway, cultural attractions including missions and historical sites, and performing arts venues. The San Marcos River supports water activities throughout the year including kayaking and paddleboarding with seasonal rental facilities, swimming at designated areas with municipal parks and access points, and tubing adventures during warmer months with commercial outfitters providing tubes and shuttle services. The river's constant 72-degree temperature maintains year-round recreational potential compared to other Texas waterways experiencing seasonal temperature extremes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group is Kissing Tree designed for?
Kissing Tree is restricted to residents 55 years and older. The community is specifically designed as a 55+ community with amenities and programming for this age group.
What are home prices at Kissing Tree?
Median home prices average $514,000. Homes are mostly midsize with new construction continuing to be available. Prices are competitive for Hill Country communities.
What amenities does Kissing Tree offer?
The Mix amenity campus and Independence Hall provide two-story fitness center, indoor/outdoor pools, golf course, pickleball, bocce ball, Biergarten, and Tarbox & Brown restaurant. Approximately 200 clubs support resident interests.
How far is San Marcos from Austin?
San Marcos is approximately 30 miles south of Austin, with a 30-minute drive north to central Austin. San Antonio is 45 minutes south, making San Marcos central to both cities.
What outdoor recreation is available?
The San Marcos River offers year-round water recreation with consistent 72-degree water temperature. Swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and tubing are popular. Wonder World Cave and scenic parks provide additional options.
Is shopping nearby?
San Marcos is home to San Marcos Premium Outlets with 145+ stores and Tanger Outlets with 95+ stores, forming one of the largest outlet centers in the U.S.
