What is the difference between Circle C and the surrounding areas such as Village at Western Oaks? (Houston: apartment, countertops)

[Phisch]

Yeah...we drove out to Belterra on the 290 and the back way from 45 on Nutty Brown Rd. It just didn't have the same feel in comparison. Ultimately, though, you really need to consider the home itself.

After reading this thread, I now get what a future neighbor had told me, that they were "moving up" to Circle C from an older community. From what our seller was telling me, I didn't get the impression that the folks there were the "executive" types. Well, except for the seller. Lots of retirees, families with little kids. Maybe it's just that street I'm guessing.

[Phisch]

I have to admit to liking Nutty Brown Rd. though...that was a nice drive through homes with acreage and none of them the same (no HOAs!)

[w2kno]

pilotskid27
Hi, we are moving to austin end of this year, we have 2 boys, one is 4 the other is 10. we would like to know what other choices did you have when you were told that the childcare facility of your choice were full, given that geographic requirement does matter when it comes to school enrollment. were you able to find another one within the "zone"? any info suggested is appreciated.

[pilotskid27]

Originally Posted by w2kno

pilotskid27
What other choices did you have when you were told that the childcare facility of your choice were full, given that geographic requirement does matter when it comes to school enrollment. were you able to find another one within the "zone"? any info suggested is appreciated.

Jason was 1 when we moved here so it never occured to me to ask how the school/ daycare thing would coordinate, but we were lucky in that we had a couple of options, and have been very pleased with the results.

There are several day care centers as you head up Escarpment from Circle C. We enrolled in Bright Horizons, which was just opening at the time, but have since moved on to Children's Courtyard. (We had a conflict with an individual teacher at BH who is long gone) Both centers are excellent. There is also Country home Daycare at the corner of William Cannon and Escarpment.

I have also since found that South Austin Karate has a very good after school program. Yes, the kids learn Karate, but there is also supervised homework time and snack time--and they pick up from the shools if there are enough kids enrolled.

I would check with your childs elementary school, and find out which programs pick up from that school. Then you can shop them and see which ones work best for your family.

It may take a little legwork, but I am sure you will find something that works for you!

[tsbizzelltx]

<quote>
Legend Oaks was a notch up in construction quality from Villages at Western Oaks when originally built. It now suffers from the fact that a lot of the homes are outdated and/or have unmodern floorplan layouts. It use to be that homes in Legend Oaks could be purchased about $10 per square foot cheaper than Circle C, but that gap is narrowing as well.
</quote>

I own one of the Original Legend Oaks homes, It has top notch quality. I do not see how you can make a general catagorization that the homes in Legend Oaks are dated.

The homes in the first sections of Legend Oaks were built by David Weekely and Scott Felder (now part of Ryland Homes). My house is a 1500 sf. The only thing dated about it is wallpaper in the bathrooms. The kitchen is a seperate room from the rest of the house. The house does have small second bedrooms.

The age of the first sections dates back to the start of Circle C. The older homes in Circle C would have the same issues.

THe only thing annoying about Legend Oaks is that part of the homes were built by Doyle Wilson starting in about 1993 or so and some of those homes are not the greatest.

I looked at Meridian the other day. What I did not like (Legend oaks has some of this too) is 2400+ sf homes on 55 ft wide lots with very little backyards. THe areas started with tress. By the time they were cleared, the 55 ft wide lots have very little trees.

KB homes, is now building on the Circle C golf course strting in the mid 400's i believe. KB homes is usually low end stuff. They are not known to produce nicely finished houses. They are usually seen as low budget starter homes. As far as I could tell, these KB homes looked more upscale on the surface, but the contruction techniques look the same as the starter home construction. THey are certainly not as well built as my little house.

Ironically David Weekely is building in Meridian on 90 ft wide lots I believe starting at $420,000 or so for 3000+ sq ft. Those homes are nice!. I would take the David Weekley over the KB golf course farce any day.


THe original lots at Circle C were 70 ft wide and they had 1700/1900 sf plans available and they started in the $110's. Ironically Doyle Wilson was one of the original builders.

Both of the developements really picked up as a result of the 1992/1993 real estate recovery.

In 1992, the north end of escarpment end at the city limits just south of Legend Oaks.

The older homes in Circle C are going to have some of the same updating issues as in Legend Oaks/Western Oaks.

My lot is a 1/3 acre which is unusual for Legend Oaks.

[austin-steve]

I do not see how you can make a general catagorization that the homes in Legend Oaks are dated...The age of the first sections dates back to the start of Circle C. The older homes in Circle C would have the same issues.

Yes, you're right. By "dated" I mean that many of the 1980's/1990's homes have floorplans that were not designed to have the "sight lines" that are common in more modern homes. They also were often not designed to allow as much natural light into the home. Many still have the brass (yellowish) fixtures that are never seen in newer homes. We never see wallpaper in newer homes either. Many have lower ceilings with popcorn. That's what I mean by dated.

Steve

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by tsbizzelltx

<quote>
I looked at Meridian the other day. What I did not like (Legend oaks has some of this too) is 2400+ sf homes on 55 ft wide lots with very little backyards. THe areas started with tress. By the time they were cleared, the 55 ft wide lots have very little trees.

What you fail to realize is that the 55 ft section in Meridian will fair well in resale. All of the other homes in the area are from the 350's to the millions. So, entering into Meridian on the 55 ft lots is a good investment. It's not all just about trees and lot size, it's about community, the new school coming to Meridian, the amenity center, etc. I have to disagree that having a bigger lot and trees makes Legend Oaks better, especially if the homes are dated as one poster mentioned.

[MacFanatic]

Originally Posted by pilotskid27

But those ameniities we pay so dearly for are a complete waste to us. Obviously, I had to make other arrangements for child care, we have been to the pool maybe half a dozen times in 6 years, we rode our bikes on the veloway once, and I have never stepped foot into the Country Club.

I was under the impression, from some things I have read on other web sites, that the Veloway is open to everyone, not just Circle C residents (as the result of some litigation, according to one source). Is this accurate?

Thanks in advance for any info.

kathy

[atxcio]

Yes, the Veloway is open to everyone. I think it always has been, even though it was built as part of the Circle C development. It was paid for with city of Austin money.

[tsbizzelltx]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Yes, you're right. By "dated" I mean that many of the 1980's/1990's homes have floorplans that were not designed to have the "sight lines" that are common in more modern homes. They also were often not designed to allow as much natural light into the home. Many still have the brass (yellowish) fixtures that are never seen in newer homes. We never see wallpaper in newer homes either. Many have lower ceilings with popcorn. That's what I mean by dated.

Steve

All of these are problems with the early homes in Circle C also. Doyle Wilson used popcorn ceilings. My house does not and none of my neigbor's homes do. My house has big windows in the kitchen and the living room areas. The only rooms that do not have windows are the bathrooms.

My has 10 1/2 foot ceilings in the kitchen and living areas, and it has 10 foot ceilings in the master bedroom and master bath. I may gave a few other dated features, but to say that the Legend Oaks, Village of Wetern Oaks are all dated when some of the homes in Village of Western Oaks are may 5-7 years old in not completely accurate.