Onion Creek area (Austin, Brady, Bowie: hair salon, houses, neighborhoods)

[silentreader]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the housing development right next to/on the Onion Creek Country Club is like? How does it compare to Circle C and other SW neighborhoods. I will be working off of William Cannon Blvd (west of the Y), will the 3 miles i have to drive on I35 be unbearable around 7am? Is there a stigma being on the east side of I35 down south?

thx!

[jhwest]

Isn't it in Manchaca schools? I think those are not supposed to be very good. Although that doesn't matter if you don't have kids!

[pilotskid27]

I am a regular at the hair salon at Onion Creek, and have done interior design projects in a few of the houses, so I am pretty familiar with the area.

First off, it is a very pretty area, and the amenities are very nice with the golf course and all.

I agree with the other poster that I don't think the schools are the best, but if you don't have kids, it doesn't matter. The other thing to be aware of if you do have kids is that there aren't many in Onion Creek...so finding playmates will be tough.

The subdivision was built decades ago to meet the housing needs of the Air Force Officers for the nearby Air Base which is now the airport. It was quite the fashionable place in it's time, and many of the homes still wear their mirror-backed wet bars proudly. But, the population has aged, the original owners are moving on to retirement villages, and the subdivision is in that awkward phase of trying to figure out if it is going to attract young families who will keep it vital or if it is going to be forgotten as newer subdivisions with exemplary schools and more kid-friendly amenities fight hard to appeal to the young family croud.

Personally, I love the housing stock there. While the fixtures need updating, (save me from that bright brass and acrylic chandelier, please!) the floorplans are spacious and the views of the golf course can be stunning.

As for the "stigma" of being east of I35, that really applies to I35 between Ben White and 183. This is suburban territory so, the stigma doesn't really apply.

As for driving to the Y for work. I have found a way using mostly back roads, so traffic is only sticky once you get to the Slaughter/ Brodie, and Slaughter/ Mopac areas near Bowie High School. So whether the extra mileage is worth it is up to you. It's all a matter of what you are used to. It will probably take you a solid 30 minutes to get to work and back...which is considered a very doable commute. However, I live in Circle C and it was VERY easy to get spoiled to my 10 minute commute and occasionally run home for lunch during the day.

But, if the kid issue doesn't effect you and you have found a house in Onion Creek you love, go for it!

[silentreader]

Originally Posted by pilotskid27

I am a regular at the hair salon at Onion Creek, and have done interior design projects in a few of the houses, so I am pretty familiar with the area.

First off, it is a very pretty area, and the amenities are very nice with the golf course and all.

I agree with the other poster that I don't think the schools are the best, but if you don't have kids, it doesn't matter. The other thing to be aware of if you do have kids is that there aren't many in Onion Creek...so finding playmates will be tough.

The subdivision was built decades ago to meet the housing needs of the Air Force Officers for the nearby Air Base which is now the airport. It was quite the fashionable place in it's time, and many of the homes still wear their mirror-backed wet bars proudly. But, the population has aged, the original owners are moving on to retirement villages, and the subdivision is in that awkward phase of trying to figure out if it is going to attract young families who will keep it vital or if it is going to be forgotten as newer subdivisions with exemplary schools and more kid-friendly amenities fight hard to appeal to the young family croud.

Personally, I love the housing stock there. While the fixtures need updating, (save me from that bright brass and acrylic chandelier, please!) the floorplans are spacious and the views of the golf course can be stunning.

As for the "stigma" of being east of I35, that really applies to I35 between Ben White and 183. This is suburban territory so, the stigma doesn't really apply.

As for driving to the Y for work. I have found a way using mostly back roads, so traffic is only sticky once you get to the Slaughter/ Brodie, and Slaughter/ Mopac areas near Bowie High School. So whether the extra mileage is worth it is up to you. It's all a matter of what you are used to. It will probably take you a solid 30 minutes to get to work and back...which is considered a very doable commute. However, I live in Circle C and it was VERY easy to get spoiled to my 10 minute commute and occasionally run home for lunch during the day.

But, if the kid issue doesn't effect you and you have found a house in Onion Creek you love, go for it!

wow your post was perfect, it answered all of my questions. i agree that the floorplans are amazing and I love the wood beams used on the ceilings. i think i found a remodel that has done complete kitchen, full house flooring, and interior paint remodeling. of course there are some fixtures that need help and a few changes in the paint scheme. but 2300 sq ft for 250k (asking price) with a large backyard with two decks and mature tress front and back...amazing. walking to the golf course is a nice perk too. i don't have kids but will be engaged soon so i am split on the schooling issue.

[tashina]

I really don't know a thing about that area, but all I think of when I hear Onion Creek is flooding and city buy-out. The development you are talking about may be just fine, but don't forget to check the new flood plain maps before buying in South Austin.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by silentreader

wow your post was perfect, it answered all of my questions. i agree that the floorplans are amazing and I love the wood beams used on the ceilings. i think i found a remodel that has done complete kitchen, full house flooring, and interior paint remodeling. of course there are some fixtures that need help and a few changes in the paint scheme. but 2300 sq ft for 250k (asking price) with a large backyard with two decks and mature tress front and back...amazing. walking to the golf course is a nice perk too. i don't have kids but will be engaged soon so i am split on the schooling issue.

The post you praised was inaccurate; at least regarding schools. As of 1995, kids in "The OC" attended Austin High. I am not sure if this is still the case but I am sure it is still in the AISD. In my opinion Austin High is a very good public high school. So good in fact that our current President and Governor allowed their children to be schooled there.

As far as the housing stock on the golf course, I remember it as being very Brady-Bunch-like architecturally.

- Biscuits