Neither area is universally better. Compare the exact homes and the daily routes, public records, and renovation questions attached to each address.
Begin with the route you will repeat
West Lake Hills and Tarrytown can offer different combinations of hillside setting, central access, lot shape, and streetscape. Those are broad descriptions, not guarantees for every property. Drive the actual routes to work, school, and frequent destinations at relevant times before treating a neighborhood name as a lifestyle answer.
Walk the immediate blocks as well. Sidewalk continuity, crossings, noise, and shade can change within a few streets.
Verify school and development details
A ZIP code does not establish campus assignment. The Texas Education Agency advises families to confirm attendance zones with the school district for a specific address. If you plan to remodel, check the applicable jurisdiction and rules before assuming two nearby homes have the same options.
West Lake Hills publishes its own maps and building resources. For a home inside Austin's jurisdiction, use the City's Property Profile and ask the appropriate department about property-specific questions.
Compare the homes, not the labels
Use the same scorecard for each candidate: layout, condition, lot, outdoor use, route times, school confirmation, carrying costs, and renovation constraints. Then review current comparable sales instead of assuming one area is always more expensive or holds value better.