Top Communities for Stay at Home Mom's

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

I don't know much about Steiner...I live in Northwest Hills, so to me it just seems really far out there. I don't know anyone who lives there, either. Most of my friends are 78731, 78703 and 78746. When I think of an Austin OC, I definitely think Westlake.

I would say Westlake would be the Balboa Island or Emerald Bay of Austin, just without the Pacific Ocean. The part of OC that Steiner represents in my mind does not include many of the reasons why we left OC. That is the schools were mediocre in OC, unless you could afford private, and the people did not talk to each other.

I am serious when I say it was six months before we truly met our neighbors next store, and we shared a common wall because it was a Townhouse! Granted, it took two parties to participate in a six month time frame, but it was loud and clear they didn't really want to mingle much. It was actually because they started to let their kids play out in our shared courtyard style driveway and our kids went out and met them. Anyways, they moved away, and we didn't miss them one bit, and the process started all over again. The folks that bought the place seemed to have a contempt for us when we said hi.

Anyways, I have a simple statement. When you come visit Austin to house hunt, then come out to Steiner as well and drive through the neighborhoods and ask those that you see outside what they think. That's what we did, and we actually got answers!

[mruchti]

We live in Belterra and there are a lot of SAHM's out here. It does seem far out initially but when we drove out here to house hunt and actually talked to people in their yards they all said you get used to it and it's not a big deal (which we have found to be true.) I think when you're new to Austin you might not be used to things being as spread out as they are in general (we moved here from Portland and that's what we found.) Anyway, we love it out here so far, we built a Highland home and are moving in this weekend but have been renting here in the neighborhood since April. There is a great sense of community and everyone is very friendly. Perhaps since it is a new community and everyone is new. I will say that there are very very few people that are actually from TX out here - seems like everyone is from out-of-state.

Also, there is a brand new elementary school that just opened this year (Rooster Springs) - it is part of the Dripping Springs ISD which is excellent.

As far as homes, there are definitely homes in your range. We just built on 2/3 acre in a cul-de-sac (with only 4 homes and 11 kids so far) in the lower 400's.

Feel free to send me a msg if you have questions about Belterra!

[gigi927]

We live in River Place, on 2222 west of 360. I am a SAHM and don't feel we could have picked a better community. 20 minutes from downtown in non rush hour, the people here are amazingly friendly and I have more friends now than I have anywhere else I've lived as an adult. We moved here a year ago and for my daughter's 2nd birthday last month we had 35 children and 16 groups of parents come. That says it all, IMO, about this community.

I know a ton of SAHMs that are very happy in Steiner. I also know several friends who have moved from Steiner to River Place, or wish they had purchased in River Place instead. (don't kill me for that CalitoSteiner, it is the God's truth). People who like Steiner tend to not like River Place, and people who don't like Steiner tend to love River Place. It's weird, because they are similar communities in some ways. But I digress. Check out River Place if your budget is above $300K and so long as spouse does not work on the SE end of town or in Georgetown

[jessdine]

Just moved here and got a place in NOrth Austin. the North Austin Mother's group is great. Just joined. There are several Motehr groups around the area and it's a great way to connect with other stay at hoem and working moms.

Originally Posted by SurferDude

Hello. We plan to move to Austin, and one of the most important things to make life easier for us would be social networking. Can you list some of the top communities for stay at home moms?

Would you consider Dripping Springs to be a part of this?

[pilotskid27]

Originally Posted by SurferDude

Hello. We plan to move to Austin, and one of the most important things to make life easier for us would be social networking. Can you list some of the top communities for stay at home moms?

I'm a little suprised that all the answers to your question have focused on surrounding communities. When you described what you were looking for, the first thing that popped in my mind is the Allandale/ Brentwood area in North Central Austin. I don't know the exact boundaries, but it roughly centers around Burnet road from 45th (ish) to Anderson Lane or so.

I drive through it regularly, and find the area completely charming. The housing stock is older...this was the outer ring of new development in the late 40's to 60's or so. The houses seem to have been pretty well-maintained all along, but as the new families move in, they are investing in updating them to fit current lifestyles. The landscaping and yards are beautiful--HUGE trees!

I have a good friend who opened a restaurant there (Phils Ice House / Amy's Ice Cream), and he chose the location specifically because of the strong sense of community. He now says that his place has become a gathering spot for all the SAHMs in the immediate area. On nice days, the stroller brigade shows up as early as 9:00am to take advantage of the playscape before it gets too hot. (He recently installed shade awnings, so even that is less of an issue.)

I like that parts of the area are quite walkable--I see the SAHMs with kids in tow on neighborhood sidewalks all the time. Allandale Village shopping center has an HEB, Blockbuster Video, Dry Cleaners, Twin Liquors (all the basic necessities ), and I have heard there is another very popular, locally owned family restaurant opening in that center as well.

There are lots of other mom-and-pop stores and restaurants in the area--some are starting to scale towards the high-end. Phil's website links to a few of them Phil’s Icehouse - Call 512-524-1212 to place your to-go order And, there is a hotly-debated Walmart coming soon to the Anderson/ Burnet Road area, and a nearby Lowes--if you find yourself in need of a big box store.

I have also seen a community newspaper for Allandale, and have heard of community groups meeting in the area, but I don't know the details.

Now, I don't know anything about the schools, but I think the housing prices are in your range---might be worth checking out.

.

[gigi927]

Originally Posted by pilotskid27

I have a good friend who opened a restaurant there (Phils Ice House / Amy's Ice Cream), and he chose the location specifically because of the strong sense of community. He now says that his place has become a gathering spot for all the SAHMs in the immediate area. On nice days, the stroller brigade shows up as early as 9:00am to take advantage of the playscape before it gets too hot. (He recently installed shade awnings, so even that is less of an issue.)

.

I love Phil's and your suggestion of that neighborhood is a great one! Also nice to hear that they installed shade awnings. We haven't been there since July, we'll have to go back and check it out!

[El Jeffe]

Dripping Springs is a wonderful area out away from the city. Belterra and Highpointe are both good choices with lots of kids, stay at home moms and folks who work from home. Both have good amenities but the amenities at Highpointe are nicer and it is a gated community. The only builders are Pulte and Wilshire. Belterra has a new elementary school that just opened this season and there are more builder choices such as Streetman, Newmark, Highland and others.

[fun4mj]

Is there a Moms Club in Dripping Springs?

[TomCTX]

Originally Posted by gigi927

We live in River Place, on 2222 west of 360. I am a SAHM and don't feel we could have picked a better community. 20 minutes from downtown in non rush hour, the people here are amazingly friendly and I have more friends now than I have anywhere else I've lived as an adult. We moved here a year ago and for my daughter's 2nd birthday last month we had 35 children and 16 groups of parents come. That says it all, IMO, about this community.

I know a ton of SAHMs that are very happy in Steiner.

Hmmm.. I've tried calling the "Handy Man/College Guy Earning Extra Cash, Flexible Hours, Own Tools" ad in Four Points News, to fix my garage door, like a hundred times and that guy is ALWAYS booked. Wonder of there is a correlation...

[CLQ]

I am not bias and I have researched a lot. We went with Steiner Ranch. I would definitely check it out so you can see for yourself. It's not as far as people make it out to be....we drove to downtown in minutes (not during rush hour). We looked at Westlake too but I liked Steiner Ranch better.