Austin's MOST DESIRABLE Neighborhoods (Webster: how much, school, square footage)

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Not true! In central, south central, and north central Austin there are many excellent public schools!

South: Dawson, Becker (dual language), Barton Hills, Zilker, and Travis Heights (which is being transformed into an in-district charter).

Downtown/central: Pease Elementary, Matthews, Lee, Bryker Woods plus Ridgetop now has dual lg.

North central: Casis, Gullet, Highland Park, Doss, Pillow.

2012 State Rankings Exemplary: Barton Hills, Becker, Bryker Woods, Casis, Dawson, Doss, Gullet, Highland Park, Lee, Matthews, all in central Austin!

Good to hear. I stand corrected. Should have remained silent on downtown schools.

But can the OP get one of those 3600 sq. ft. (& under 10 years old) home for 850K in a neighborhood that feeds into one of those exemplary schools & in a family area that holds street parties & weenie roasts?
.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by hound 109

But can the OP get one of those 3600 sq. ft. (& under 10 years old) home for 850K in a neighborhood that feeds into one of those exemplary schools & holds street parties & weenie roasts?

ha! we all know the answer to that! Could possibly get an updated home (30-40 years old) around 2700 sq ft in NW Hills, Highland Park, even possibly Tarrytown for $850K, street parties and weenie roasts, highly unlikely! Could maybe get a new, infill home in Barton Hills or Hyde Park for that price but no yard. Street parties more likely but still won't be at 3600 sq feet.

At least they didn't ask for a half acre lot, close to downtown, with 3000 sq feet, walkable, for $250K!!

[hound 109]

.....next to the subway station, with a lake view.....walking distance to a grocery store.
.

[10scoachrick]

...and the indie bookstore and organic coffee shop with free wi-fi on the corner.

[Trainwreck20]

....and a box store ban for 1/2 mile in all directions...

[tildahat]

Originally Posted by riaelise

We LIVE and play in that space. I don't think I'd want to live in a home that's less than 3k sq ft unless I am a senior or infirm. There are many people who like to live in larger homes and they don't have a tribe of kids either.

I know people *like* to, I'm just trying to understand what they do with that space they couldn't do in less just as well. Our family of four is perfectly happy in 1400sf. I wouldn't mind going up to 1700 or 1800, but much more than that and it seems pointless. And we'd downsize to get in a truly walkable and transit oriented community.

I'm asking a genuine question to try and understand. I mean add a second living area 200sf, game room (basement replacement) 300sf, extra bedroom 150sf, and a random 200sf to kitchen and bathrooms and you *still* are only at 2250 and I've just described my "If I win the lottery house".

[gpurcell]

We've got 3 in a 2/1 1100 ft2 bungalow. I'd like to add on 600-800 ft2 and a bed/bath and I think we'd be set.

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by tildahat

I know people *like* to, I'm just trying to understand what they do with that space they couldn't do in less just as well. Our family of four is perfectly happy in 1400sf. I wouldn't mind going up to 1700 or 1800, but much more than that and it seems pointless. And we'd downsize to get in a truly walkable and transit oriented community.

I'm asking a genuine question to try and understand. I mean add a second living area 200sf, game room (basement replacement) 300sf, extra bedroom 150sf, and a random 200sf to kitchen and bathrooms and you *still* are only at 2250 and I've just described my "If I win the lottery house".

Our 5/4 home has about 12-13 rooms, each 250-500 sq ft. Believe it or not, our family of four uses 90% of the rooms. There is only one room that gets little to no use. We've lived in this home for nine years, and over the years you adapt to the house. I've lived most of my life in small apartments, though my condo was considered "large" (by NYC standards) at 1100 sq ft. I never want to have lack of space again. I'd live farther out and use a car if it meant that I could have what I want.

[amsmith825]

Thanks for the condescending lesson on BBQ/BBQing, hound 109. I thought your response was rather rude. I'll take Webster's definition of barbecue (below) over yours... thank you very much. Please note it can be used as both a transitive verb and a noun. Everyone else, thanks for your helpful and informative responses. I can only hope I will be lucky enough to have kind, helpful neighbors like you in the future!

bar·be·cue transitive verb \ˈbär-bi-ˌkyü\
bar·be·cued bar·be·cu·ing

Definition of BARBECUE

1
: to roast or broil on a rack or revolving spit over or before a source of heat (as hot coals)
2
: to cook in a highly seasoned vinegar sauce
— bar·be·cu·er noun
Examples of BARBECUE

We barbecued chicken and ribs.
We barbecue often during the summer.
Origin of BARBECUE

2barbecue
First Known Use: 1690
Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel
Rhymes with BARBECUE

aperçu, avenue, babassu, baby blue, ballyhoo, billet-doux, bird's-eye view, black-and-blue, buckaroo, bugaboo, callaloo, caribou, catechu,...
[+]more
2barbecue noun
Definition of BARBECUE

1
a : a large animal (as a steer) roasted whole or split over an open fire or a fire in a pit
b : barbecued food <eat barbecue>
2
: a social gathering especially in the open air at which barbecued food is eaten
3
: an often portable fireplace over which meat and fish are roasted
See barbecue defined for English-language learners »

[Trainwreck20]

Now, I did not even follow the discussion re: BBQ, but there will be a lot of words that you will hear around here that don't follow Webster's too closely .