Actual Belterra & Highpointe propane costs? (Austin, Spring: neighborhood, school district, gated)

[hts]

I didn't know HP had natural gas--thanks. I assume it's piped in from a public utility and as such competitively priced?

So Belterra has the elementary school and HP has nat gas. That makes the decision tougher.

[Reggieray]

You are correct

[janejanejanejanejane]

Belterra has Austin zipcode and I don't think HP does.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by hts

Thanks Steve. Don't you think the Belterra/HP homeowners receive a monthly propane bill (like any other utility bill, ie., electric, water, etc.) that clearly delineates what the per unit cost of propane is for that period?

I do, as some posts have revealed, but I still think it's really confusing and that the average resident has only the average monthly amount paid as their "top of mind" data point.

I'm pretty impressed at the breakdown others provided though.

I wasn't aware HP was nat gas. Who is the provider? Seems weird that service would be extended out that far and not also be made available to neighboring communities as nat gas is much cheaper.

I live in a poorly insulated 1970s 1,800 sqft 1-story with gas water heater, gas cooking and gas heat. My past 12 months are below:

The columns (which lose their formatting in the post) are date, amount, days billed, and "CONSUMPTION (CCF)"

Aug 29, 2013 $20.37 32 10.000
Jul 30, 2013 $21.19 33 11.000
Jun 27, 2013 $25.14 30 15.000
May 29, 2013 $25.03 29 17.000
Apr 29, 2013 $24.64 29 19.000
Mar 29, 2013 $35.40 29 38.000
Feb 28, 2013 $38.99 32 41.000
Jan 29, 2013 $68.47 29 92.000
Dec 31, 2012 $40.72 30 43.000
Nov 29, 2012 $27.04 33 24.000
Oct 29, 2012 $19.47 30 12.000
Sep 27, 2012 $18.65 33 12.000

A newer, better insulated home of the same size in Belterra will produce much higher propane bills. Maybe triple or more annually.

Steve

[scm53]

Originally Posted by janejanejanejanejane

Belterra has Austin zipcode and I don't think HP does.

Highpointe is Austin, 78737 as is Belterra.

[hts]

I don't mean to be difficult (and please keep in mind that I'm from out of state), but is there some prestige (or other perceived benefit) to having an Austin zip as opposed to a DS zip?

Does it really matter? I mean, let's not kid ourselves, both Belterra and HP are way out in the boonies regardless of what their zip code says.

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by hts

I don't mean to be difficult (and please keep in mind that I'm from out of state), but is there some prestige (or other perceived benefit) to having an Austin zip as opposed to a DS zip?

Does it really matter? I mean, let's not kid ourselves, both Belterra and HP are way out in the boonies regardless of what their zip code says.

Only on the interwebs.

[Reggieray]

Texas gas services same as I had in south austin. Live in highpoint and have an austin address but sure don't feel like austin out here.

[iamwayne]

Highpointe and Belterra are both Dripping Springs. Even though the address is Austin, Texas 78737, it's actually considered Hays and Dripping Springs school district.

If you drive down 290 and right before you reach Nutty Brown Road, you'll see the sign Hays County.

78737 is Travis County, Austin, before that sign, and Hays County, Dripping Springs after that sign. Just go by Nutty Brown Road. Once you hit that sign, sales tax is only 7% in here and no plastic bag ban. =)


Belterra has their own elementary school called Roosters Springs operated by Dripping Springs ISD. Perks of it is walking your kids to school.

As you know Highpointe is gated, natural gas.

If you do not need the elementary school or the *perks* of walking your kids to school, then you will just have to decide which layout you want. Go walk around/drive around during morning, afternoon and night. Morning during work/school hours, noon for normal everyday traffic, and night for when you actually spend time at home in your neighborhood.

The sunsets have been beautiful lately driving down Sawyer Ranch Road. You can even enjoy it from your backyard if you get the spot! If you walk out when it gets dark eough, you can see the Milky Way galaxy cloud here, you can't see that in the city limits of Austin...

[Reggieray]

"78737 is Travis County, Austin, before that sign, and Hays County, Dripping Springs after that sign. Just go by Nutty Brown Road. Once you hit that sign, sales tax is only 7% in here and no plastic bag ban. =)"

Thing that sucks is the cvs on 290/sawyer ranch rd follows the austin bag ban when I'm pretty sure they don't have to.