real sense of my commute time? (Austin: houses, buy, new construction)

[lem78]

My family and I are relocating to Austin. My office will be near U of Tx on w15th street . We are thinking of building Steiner Ranch, and would be at hte far end from the Steiner Ranch entrance/exit. I know traffic in Austin can be bad and I will be traveling at rush hour - can someone clue me in to how long it will really take? Thanks!

[cBach]

Uh, if you leave in the morning and catch the 3 school zones in Steiner then it could take 20 minutes to just leave Steiner, otherwise give it 10 minutes. Then, it would be minimum 45 minutes from the exit of Steiner to downtown. I'd plan for 1 hr 15 minute worst case commute.

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by cBach

Uh, if you leave in the morning and catch the 3 school zones in Steiner then it could take 20 minutes to just leave Steiner, otherwise give it 10 minutes. Then, it would be minimum 45 minutes from the exit of Steiner to downtown. I'd plan for 1 hr 15 minute worst case commute.

Agreed. I live in Steiner (near the front) and am so glad we didn't buy anything farther back. Makes even running to the store a chore. Our current location allows us to walk to pools and stores.

[Exiled Texan]

I wouldn't commute anywhere that my commute was reliant on 2222. It is geographically constrained and not getting any bigger.....no matter how many homes they build out there.

We have friends who live out in Steiner. It is very insular and family friendly, but a shockingly high percentage of the folks who live there, work remotely from home.

There are better options.

[lem78]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

I wouldn't commute anywhere that my commute was reliant on 2222. It is geographically constrained and not getting any bigger.....no matter how many homes they build out there.

We have friends who live out in Steiner. It is very insular and family friendly, but a shockingly high percentage of the folks who live there, work remotely from home.

There are better options.

Hmmm, this commute doesn't sound appealing at all. I would work from home 2 days a week but that still leaves the other 3.

What do you think are better options? Just curious.

[Exiled Texan]

I'd go south or southwest...more ways to cross the river. What is your price point? I guess you guys are fans of new construction?

[lem78]

We need new construction b/c my husband is an artist and needs studio space in our home. Nothing we looked at has workable space. Not looking to spend more than $450k. Any specific suggestions based on that info? Thanks

[centralaustinite]

How does the need for studio space require new construction?

Another alternative would be look at closer in houses on fairly large lots like Allandale or French Place/Wilshire and build a separate studio in the backyard. I know several existing properties in that area that have built studio space in the back yard.

You could be 5-10 minutes from your work on surface roads!

[lem78]

We need a space attached to the house b/c of our two small children. Trust me, we looked at probably 40 properties in our 2 househunting trip and nothing was right. If we build, we have the option to design exactly the space we need. We also want exemplary schools, community pool, and relatively close lake access. Given these pretty strict criteria, Steiner Ranch had it all just what looks like a long commute. But if anyone has a suggestion of a place that could meet those criteria, minus the commute, I would love to hear it! But I am guessing all that closer to downtown would result in more cash than we want to spend, is that a good guess?

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by lem78

We need a space attached to the house b/c of our two small children. Trust me, we looked at probably 40 properties in our 2 househunting trip and nothing was right. If we build, we have the option to design exactly the space we need. We also want exemplary schools, community pool, and relatively close lake access. Given these pretty strict criteria, Steiner Ranch had it all just what looks like a long commute. But if anyone has a suggestion of a place that could meet those criteria, minus the commute, I would love to hear it! But I am guessing all that closer to downtown would result in more cash than we want to spend, is that a good guess?

Did you look SW? Try Circle C.

(FWIW: Allandale has an exemplary elementary school and a great public pool, but not new and shiny although there are a number of re-dos in the area and it remains within your budget).