"Formula" for lot size in new developments?

[EC70]

This thread is interesting to me. I have been toying with the idea of relocating to Austin. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience working in Mass. While there are some newer subdivisions in the areas around me in Northern Mass, Southern NH, that have the density of those in the Austin area, I think they are still not the norm. Here 1-5 acre lots seem to be the norm for new subdivisions. Granted, these are all in more rural areas. Frankly, it is because of the dearth of larger lot subdivisions in the Austin area that makes me reconsider locating there. I actually find it funny that in the largest state in the country anyone would have to live on a postage stamp lot. I know some people, well, really I guess most people in Texas seem to like living in a big house on a small lot, but I don't think I could ever join them. Looking at them on Google Earth, it doesn't seem like you could fart in your own backyard without at least three neighbors scolding you.

Is there such thing as a 3 acre subdivision in the Austin area?

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by EC70

This thread is interesting to me. I have been toying with the idea of relocating to Austin. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience working in Mass. While there are some newer subdivisions in the areas around me in Northern Mass, Southern NH, that have the density of those in the Austin area, I think they are still not the norm. Here 1-5 acre lots seem to be the norm for new subdivisions. Granted, these are all in more rural areas. Frankly, it is because of the dearth of larger lot subdivisions in the Austin area that makes me reconsider locating there. I actually find it funny that in the largest state in the country anyone would have to live on a postage stamp lot. I know some people, well, really I guess most people in Texas seem to like living in a big house on a small lot, but I don't think I could ever join them. Looking at them on Google Earth, it doesn't seem like you could fart in your own backyard without at least three neighbors scolding you.

Is there such thing as a 3 acre subdivision in the Austin area?

Not really.

[mesmer]

Originally Posted by EC70

This thread is interesting to me. I have been toying with the idea of relocating to Austin. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience working in Mass. While there are some newer subdivisions in the areas around me in Northern Mass, Southern NH, that have the density of those in the Austin area, I think they are still not the norm. Here 1-5 acre lots seem to be the norm for new subdivisions. Granted, these are all in more rural areas. Frankly, it is because of the dearth of larger lot subdivisions in the Austin area that makes me reconsider locating there. I actually find it funny that in the largest state in the country anyone would have to live on a postage stamp lot. I know some people, well, really I guess most people in Texas seem to like living in a big house on a small lot, but I don't think I could ever join them. Looking at them on Google Earth, it doesn't seem like you could fart in your own backyard without at least three neighbors scolding you.

Is there such thing as a 3 acre subdivision in the Austin area?

I know someone who lives in the part of New England where the towns specify 2 acre minimums....

Austin is not like that, at all. It is a bit strange. It is extremely rare to even find 1/2 acre lots within city limits... people who want land move outside the city and commute. Depending on where you're commuting to this could be tolerable or.... not.

[steve78757]

Originally Posted by EC70

This thread is interesting to me. I have been toying with the idea of relocating to Austin. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience working in Mass. While there are some newer subdivisions in the areas around me in Northern Mass, Southern NH, that have the density of those in the Austin area, I think they are still not the norm. Here 1-5 acre lots seem to be the norm for new subdivisions. Granted, these are all in more rural areas. Frankly, it is because of the dearth of larger lot subdivisions in the Austin area that makes me reconsider locating there. I actually find it funny that in the largest state in the country anyone would have to live on a postage stamp lot. I know some people, well, really I guess most people in Texas seem to like living in a big house on a small lot, but I don't think I could ever join them. Looking at them on Google Earth, it doesn't seem like you could fart in your own backyard without at least three neighbors scolding you.

Is there such thing as a 3 acre subdivision in the Austin area?

Belvedere and Madrone Ranch on Hamilton Pool Rd. are a couple off the top of my head. But typically you don't see 1 to 5 acre subdivisions around here like you do in Boston. For those wanting more space, around here we have these things called ranches.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by EC70

This thread is interesting to me. I have been toying with the idea of relocating to Austin. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience working in Mass. While there are some newer subdivisions in the areas around me in Northern Mass, Southern NH, that have the density of those in the Austin area, I think they are still not the norm. Here 1-5 acre lots seem to be the norm for new subdivisions. Granted, these are all in more rural areas. Frankly, it is because of the dearth of larger lot subdivisions in the Austin area that makes me reconsider locating there. I actually find it funny that in the largest state in the country anyone would have to live on a postage stamp lot. I know some people, well, really I guess most people in Texas seem to like living in a big house on a small lot, but I don't think I could ever join them. Looking at them on Google Earth, it doesn't seem like you could fart in your own backyard without at least three neighbors scolding you.

Is there such thing as a 3 acre subdivision in the Austin area?

In the Austin area? Absolutely. In Austin proper? I don't believe so, though here and there throughout the city in the oddest places you can find a house (never EVER for sale) on a multi-acre size lot that's been there for decades.

[pmiranda]

Austin (and every other metropolitan area in Texas I can think of) built fast, cheap, and with no public transportation plan. My guess is it's due to the boom/bust cycles here and the fact that alot of this building has occurred in the age of cheap credit. Of course, for enough time and money or if you are willing to live far enough out you can get anything you want.