New Braunfels is a city of about 100,000 in Comal County, positioned along Interstate 35 between San Antonio (30 miles south) and Austin (50 miles north). The city has been among the fastest-growing in the United States by percentage for several consecutive years, driven by its location in the I-35 corridor, Hill Country charm, and relative affordability compared to Austin. German settlers founded the city in 1845, and that heritage lives on in Wurstfest (an annual German sausage festival), the Gruene Historic District (home to the oldest dance hall in Texas), and the architecture of the downtown Platz. The Comal and Guadalupe rivers run through the city, supporting a massive tubing and recreation economy that peaks in summer. Schlitterbahn Waterpark, one of the most popular water parks in the country, is another major draw. The New Braunfels ISD and Comal ISD both serve the city and are well-regarded. Major employers include Schlitterbahn, H-E-B (the beloved Texas grocery chain), Resolute Health Hospital, and a growing number of businesses along the I-35 corridor. Neighborhoods range from historic homes near the downtown plaza to master-planned communities like Vintage Oaks, River Chase, and Mission del Lago. The cost of living has risen as growth has accelerated, but it remains below Austin. The trade-off is traffic — I-35 through New Braunfels is a notorious bottleneck, especially on summer weekends when tubers flood the area.