Cedar Park - relocating (Austin, Round Rock: low crime, houses, middle school)

[johara]

I am looking to move to the Austin suburb area from Long Island, NY and hear that Cedar Park is a very nice place to live, especially for families with children (good schol districts, low crime rate, clean, family friendly activities/parks, etc). Can anyone verify this information? We are trying to narrow down a suburb before taking a site visit.
We want to move to a warmer climate, but not too humid. I am hearing conflicting information about the climate in that area, some say hot and dry and others say hot and humid. Can someone clarify what the summers are like?
If anyone lives in/around Cedar Park, can you provide any additional information about the town? Cost of living, property taxes, crime, ease of driving to Austin (traffic), is it a suburb to a major city feel, or more like a quaint small town feel?

[mark311]

Originally Posted by johara

I am looking to move to the Austin suburb area from Long Island, NY and hear that Cedar Park is a very nice place to live, especially for families with children (good schol districts, low crime rate, clean, family friendly activities/parks, etc). Can anyone verify this information? We are trying to narrow down a suburb before taking a site visit.
We want to move to a warmer climate, but not too humid. I am hearing conflicting information about the climate in that area, some say hot and dry and others say hot and humid. Can someone clarify what the summers are like?
If anyone lives in/around Cedar Park, can you provide any additional information about the town? Cost of living, property taxes, crime, ease of driving to Austin (traffic), is it a suburb to a major city feel, or more like a quaint small town feel?

I live on the edge of Cedar Park and Round Rock and it's a great place to raise a family. To answer you questions:

Cost of living - Housing cost is much lower than the family areas of Austin. Overall cost of living aside from housing is probably similar to what you're used to. Cost of housing is a big enough difference.

Property taxes - Property taxes are a fairly high percentage of your home value compared to other areas. In Cedar Park, you'll be looking in the range of 2.4% to 2.9% total. However, that percentage will be on a less expensive house (ie. between $180K to $300K).

Crime - Very low

Ease of driving to Austin - Depends on where you live in Cedar Park, where you're driving to in Austin, and whether or not you're willing to pay for the toll road (the toll road doesn't help out a ton, but it helps a bit). Definitely expect to be sitting in traffic if you have to commute during rush hour. The rule would be, don't live in Cedar Park if you work South of the river (Town Lake).

-suburb to a major city feel, or more like a quaint small town feel? Not quite either. It's definitely its own self-contained city. There are many families that live in Cedar Park that rarely go into the city of Austin for anything. It's also far from a quaint, small town.

It sounds like you would be happy with Cedar Park from your list of wants. Depending on your price range and your job location, there are also many other nice areas that surround Austin as well.

[spelrod]

If you're driving into Austin from Cedar Park via 183/Mopac during rush hour then do a test run of your drive during those hours while you're visiting. You may want to kill yourself.

[someguyatx]

Its hot and dry in the Austin area but not Vegas or Phoenix dry. Cedar Park is a good place for family as any Austin suburb would be. If your job is anywhere in North Austin your commute wont be bad but there will be a fair amount of traffic on most days. Off hours, evenings and weekends are typically light traffic. CP is its own city but its also the suburbs and has all of the stores and fast food type places you might need along with nice parks, library etc.. Unlike Austin if you have business to do with the city they are typically fast and friendly.

[sinking]

I live in Cedar Park.

There is some humidity here but it is not too humid, not too dry, just HOT as hell. L.I. is the most humid place I have ever been in my life so I imagine any place would be better if you are trying to get away from humidity.

Crime is low.

Cost of living: Compared to Austin houses are cheaper but utilities are more expensive. Property taxes are high. I think in CP something like 2.8%. Houses are generally inexpensive compared to populated areas of the N.E. but you get what you pay for. Quality is low.

Cedar Parks feel is basically just sprawl from Austin. It doesn't really feel much like a town unto itself with it's own history.

[FalconheadWest]

Don't freak out about the property taxes as we don't have a state income tax so in most cases, it's a much better deal!

Cedar Park is great for families, and so is Round Rock. They kinda blend together. Part of Cedar Park goes to Round Rock schools.

Depending on your price point, Steiner Ranch would also be a really good option for family orientated stuff with good schools. They have 3 exemplary elementary schools on site in addition to a middle school. (the high school is not on-sight)

When are you planning a visit? What's your time frame?

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by spelrod

If you're driving into Austin from Cedar Park via 183/Mopac during rush hour then do a test run of your drive during those hours while you're visiting. You may want to kill yourself.

He is coming from NY. Our traffic is nothing compared to that. :-)