Thinking of Relocating. Tired of the filth, crime, and graffiti (Houston: houses, find a job)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Your list is a good one though I don't think looking ahead to high schools is a bad idea. The problem with some AISD areas is good elementary schools but weak high schools. I would hate to move within Austin because my high school was bad.

Both of the suggested AISD HS (Anderson, Bowie) are excellent K-12. You are right in a general sense, but not about the schools in those two vertical tracks.

[phoenix_down]

Originally Posted by oldasndood

Thank you very much!

I do have a couple of questions. We're flying in on Friday and leaving Monday at about noon so our time there will be limited. What are some good family outings/day trips that will keep our 6 and 3 yo happy? I've been doing my research on schools in the suburbs and have them listed as: Westwood HS, Cedar Park HS, and Lake Travis HS. Are there any other schools/neighborhoods that I should take into consideration?

Our housing requirements: 4/3, over 2700 sq ft, great school district, not more than 450K, supermarket must be close (<5 miles).

One popular destination is Salt Lick BBQ just outside of Austin. Perhaps check out Lake Travis. There are plenty to see around the downtown area as well.

For housing, the Circle C area is in South Austin has pretty much all good schools. And house prices are right in line what what you listed.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior12

With a 3YO and 6YO, looking at the HS level is a bit far-sighted, likely restricting your options way too far. However, if that's your criteria:

(In addition to WWood, CP, LT...)

Anderson
McNeil
Vista Ridge
Leander
Bowie
Vandergrift

Should all be in the mix as well - I'd probably throw Round Rock in there too, since many of the ES/MS that track up through there are great, and RR will likely improve (and isn't too shabby to begin with).

I pretty much agree with Warrior's list. I posted this a few weeks back in a similar thread:

...if you are looking for "good areas" with "good schools" (up to 400K) & are just window shopping, then look at areas that feed into the following high schools:

Gtown, McNeil, WWood, Vista Ridge, Rouse, CP, Vandegrift, (maybe RR & Pville), & Anderson (north of the river).

& Bowie, LT & Dripping south of the river. (WLake is out of your range)

Basically 30-40% of Austin will work (& all pretty much west of Mopac). Sorry if i left anyone out.


... (deciding where to buy a home).... is a waste of time until you find out where your job is. (IMO do not live or buy 10 miles north of the river if your work is 8-10 miles south of the river.....or vice versa).

[oldasndood]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Your list is a good one though I don't think looking ahead to high schools is a bad idea. The problem with some AISD areas is good elementary schools but weak high schools. I would hate to move within Austin because my high school was bad.

I think the OP is a pharmacist - so WFH seems improbable.

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior12

Job location? Or is it a WFH setup?

With a 3YO and 6YO, looking at the HS level is a bit far-sighted, likely restricting your options way too far. However, if that's your criteria:

Anderson
McNeil
Vista Ridge
Leander
Bowie
Vandergrift

Should all be in the mix as well - I'd probably throw Round Rock in there too, since many of the ES/MS that track up through there are great, and RR will likely improve (and isn't too shabby to begin with).

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I will be adding these schools to my growing list. From my preliminary searching I've noticed that Westwood, Cedar Park, and Westlake are the highest ranked. Does that hold true?

[cp102]

My 2 cents since you can work in many different stores, hospitals etc. You want a family environment, try Kyle Tx or Buda Tx. In Kyle we have Target , a relatively new CVS, Walgreens HEB (has pharmacy) and a new Seton hospital. Walmart will be coming in soon. And I live in the Plum Creek subdivison its definitely family oriented, but small lots approx .20 to .25, unless you custom build a home. (this is in the older part of Plum Creek because many of the new lost in the new section are smaller unless your on t he golf course. Our lot is .70 acres. We purchase 2 lots. There is Ruby Ranch, Elliott Ranch both in Buda with larger lots and beautiful homes. For around 419,000 you can find a nice home. If you want to live on a golf course with walking trails, a top rated elementary school, plenty of family activities. I would choose a golf course lot and custom build a home. There is San Marcos close by and there are plenty of places for a pharmacist. Getting to San Marcos, Buda, are quick commutes. In San Marcos there is Central Texas Hospital, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Target. I prefer to be outside of Austin as I hate the intense traffic.

Being Asian or Asian mixed will have no effect. People are friendly. If your looking for a church a brand new one was built in Plum Creek very family oriented. Kyle has changed so much in the last 5 years. They just built a community college, we have a performing Arts center, a brand new state of the art library. And they are building a new bowling alley and movie theater. All of our stores are recently built so they are modern and attractive. Traffic--its easy to get around Kyle I can be anywhere in a few minutes. San Marcos is 10 minutes away , Buda about the same. South Austin 20 minutes. I feel taxes are reasonable as I have lived many places and they are relative to them, more expensive than Nevada. But I am sure cheaper than California. My electric bill is about 1/2 of what it was in Las Vegas, water pretty much the same. And HOA fees are much cheaper depending on the subdivision, In Las Vegas I paid 150 to the Master HOA per month and then 100 a month to the community HOA. And I get more in the community I am in than I did there. I pay 115 a quarter here.

[oldasndood]

So I'm bumping this thread as I've added another location with awesome schools and relatively reasonable housing prices: Steiner Ranch.

Would we be out of place in Steiner Ranch? Is it not diverse enough for my mixed raced family?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by oldasndood

So I'm bumping this thread as I've added another location with awesome schools and relatively reasonable housing prices: Steiner Ranch.

Would we be out of place in Steiner Ranch? Is it not diverse enough for my mixed raced family?

Definitely a lot of white people.. You can look at the elementary that it feeds. Steiner ranch elementary has 56 asian kids out of 729 students.

laura bush elementary has about 11% elementary.

73% white

Only you can determine if that is enough diversity.

[RoadWarrior12]

Originally Posted by oldasndood

So I'm bumping this thread as I've added another location with awesome schools and relatively reasonable housing prices: Steiner Ranch.

Would we be out of place in Steiner Ranch? Is it not diverse enough for my mixed raced family?

Steiner isn't as diverse, but I don't think people would consider you "out of place"

[kavorka]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Definitely a lot of white people.. You can look at the elementary that it feeds. Steiner ranch elementary has 56 asian kids out of 729 students.

laura bush elementary has about 11% elementary.

73% white

Only you can determine if that is enough diversity.

A larger percentage of white people does not equal a smaller percentage of those accepting of a mixed-race family.

If you're looking for kind, open-minded people who believe in "live and let live", you'll do fine anywhere in Austin. No worries whatsoever in that department.

[oldasndood]

Originally Posted by kavorka

A larger percentage of white people does not equal a smaller percentage of those accepting of a mixed-race family.

If you're looking for kind, open-minded people who believe in "live and let live", you'll do fine anywhere in Austin. No worries whatsoever in that department.

Nice, thank you. Can't wait to visit next month.