Comparing Steiner/Vandegrift to Spicewood/Westwood (Spring, Canyon: renting, HOA, houses)

[Waylen]

Hello, All. I've lived in Crestview for 5 years and love it, but suddenly I'm starting a family and looking for a bigger house in a better school district. I'll miss living close in, but school quality is very important to me.

So far, the Spicewood Springs area (Westwood) and Steiner Ranch (Vandegrift) look like solid choices academically and I've found a few houses in each area that I like. And the pools and hiking trails in Steiner are very appealing.

But I worry that suburban neighborhoods may be more materialistic than I'm used to. My wife and I have simple cars, furniture, electronics, etc and are not interested in keeping up with the Jones. Also, we're fairly liberal, and we're worried that the suburbs won't fit us as well.

Should I be worried about either Steiner Ranch or the Spicewood Springs, or am I just being paranoid?

And if it matters, my wife and I are early 30's, and plan to have our first child soon. I'd really appreciate any feedback on the neighborhoods.

-W

[centralaustinite]

You have five years then before you have to consider the schools. I'd stay put and look into moving when your future child is 3-4 years old. Brentwood is a good elementary school and I wish I lived in an area that fed into McCallum HS!

Master-planned communities give me anxiety attacks! Go slow and make sure that you moving to a place that fits you. Thinking about a baby does not equal "must move to highly ranked school district." You have plenty of time.

[Waylen]

centralaustinite,

I know that McCallum isn't that bad, and certainly Brentwood isn't, but I'm worried about the current state of AISD. We have friends directly affected by the recent elementary school closures and redistricting in AISD, and both the process and outcome have left a pretty bad taste in our mouth.

I appreciate the advice to wait on the move, but my current house really isn't big enough to add a baby. And I don't want to move to a bigger house now to have the baby, and then move again in a few years once schools matter. So I'm planning on taking the suburban plunge all at once. Deep breath.

-W

[centralaustinite]

Well, all public school districts will be facing challenges in the coming years. It is very hard to predict what any school will be like in 5-6 years. And the process and outcome in AISD is still on-going, nothing has been decided yet.

I wish you luck. I couldn't do it. Babies really don't take up much space the first year. Have you thought about the private school route?

[austinnerd]

Can't speak for Steiner, but I don't think I'd categorize the neighborhoods around Spicewood Elem. as being "materialistic" or "anti-liberal". Not to say that they might not be a higher percentage of conservatives, but I know I've never had an issue. Nor have I ever felt, that as a community, that I was being judged by the car I drove or the clothes I wear (again, not to say that it doesn't happen, but I tend to be pretty ignorant of such things, intentionally). Personally I'd be far more concerned about things like HOA restrictions and how that might affect your quality of life.

Another thing to consider, esp once you get into the Spicewood/Canyon Vista/Westwood track, is that there is a chance of coming across parents that may be a bit more aggressive about schooling. This can cause issues, esp as you get into CV, and WW due to the competitive nature that it tends to engender.

[GreenPlastic]

WW = Tiger mother parenting

Vandergrift = real housewives of OC parenting











j/k .... Only a joke

[hoffdano]

Spicewood Springs is not "Spicewood"

Spicewood is where I live and it is 25 miles from Spicewood Springs Rd, which I cross every day.

My kids go to Lake Travis schools, which includes kids from Vineyard Bay and Costa Bella (homes > $2M), Briarcliff, Apache Shores, and everything in between. My kids have always driven sensible used cars, though one their friends got a new M-B C-class on his 16th birthday. And they all get along fine. That's LTHS, not Vandergrift or Westwood. But we have known many sensible people whose kids go to those schools.

I honestly have a hard time believing some of the stories I hear about Steiner people.

[passionatearts]

Originally Posted by GreenPlastic

WW = Tiger mother parenting

Okay, I went to Westwood High School and want to know what "Tiger mother parenting" means.

[ImOnFiya]

Waylen,

The area where you live is nearly as liberal as Park Slope, Brooklyn, and as "lily-white" as 'Harper Valley PTA' (and getting whiter) ! You've got already got it made ! What are you thinking?!

There is no need to move!



(Just kidding!.. )

[Waylen]

centralaustinite,

I haven't looked into private school very much, but I don't think I could foot the bill. And my concerns about materialism (or at least money) apply there as well, but I may be off base.

austinnerd,

I appreciate the perspective -- that makes me feel better about the neighborhood. I am a bit worried about how hard parents drive their kids in Westwood, but then I expect I'll drive mine a fair bit too. It's hard to know how we'll turn out as parents.

-W