Looking close to Austin, with cheaper housing (Round Rock, Spring: houses, neighborhood)

[bigblueok]

We are newly retired (60 yr young) interested in a nice area close to Austin. Like outdoor activities as well as good restaurants, shopping, entertainment. Do not like traffic, high cost of housing (or at least what your $ will buy you in Austin), and HOAs . We plan to travel via a fifth wheel so the idea would be to get away from the summer heat. Where would you recommend looking for a nice home that would be in close proximity to Austin when we want some "city" activity
?

[Trainwreck20]

What is close proximity? Do you want land (> 1 acre?) or a neighborhood? Do you have a price range?

First inclination would be out west of town, Dripping Springs or beyond, but that may not be close enough, I don't know. Otherwise, maybe Buda, Driftwood, Wimberley.

You could also look East toward Bastrop, or North up to Georgetown.

[hound 109]

As Trainwreck mentioned, what are you looking for (size of home? size of property?)

Price range?

Since schools are no issue, I'd look east of 35 (for the better value). Lockhart, Bastrop. (or Giddings, Smithville, La Grange which are a few miles further out?)

Maybe South? (San Marcos or NB, Canyon Lake)

Price range & what you are looking for will determine alot?

[bigblueok]

Price range 200k for 3/2 home , some land to park trailer but not a must. Driving distance from Austin about 20 miles.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by bigblueok

Like outdoor activities as well as good restaurants, shopping, entertainment.

What do you mean by entertainment? I know of people similar to yourself that are perfectly fine living in Hutto or Leander and they rarely need to venture into the city of Austin at all (but the North side of Austin is still within 20 miles). Neighboring cities like Round Rock and Cedar Park have a good selection of restaurants and shopping that make places like Leander and Hutto feel closer in. Entertainment might be the only downfall, but if you just mean movie theaters, golf, or AAA baseball, then those things are all covered without going into Austin as well. Georgetown would probably work as well or even parts of Round Rock or Pflugerville. You'll just want to look closely at property taxes during your search for each area that you consider.

[centralaustinite]

Bastrop! Depending on where you want to go in Austin proper you may have to drive further than 20 miles but you can get a house in your price range with land for park a trailer and no HOA.

[Tralfaz]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

Bastrop! Depending on where you want to go in Austin proper you may have to drive further than 20 miles but you can get a house in your price range with land for park a trailer and no HOA.

Indeed, if you don't have to commute to downtown while the schoolbuses are on Rt. 71, it's the way to go.. I'd look also at unincorporated areas around Bastrop as well: lower taxes and fewer restrictions.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by bigblueok

Price range 200k for 3/2 home , some land to park trailer but not a must. Driving distance from Austin about 20 miles.

You can find small 3/2 houses in that price range inside Austin in non-HOA subdivisions built in the 70's & 80's. I own one that was built in 1981 in 78749 (10 miles from downtown), 1300 SF in a nice neighborhood. it is appraised by the county at $178,000. You can certainly find larger homes in that same area under $200,000.

I know of at least 3 retired couples who live within a block distance.

You can park a trailer in your driveway anytime as long as no one is living in it, and in the street for 72 hours.

Trailer in Driveway

[bigblueok]

Thanks for all your suggestions, will check into the areas.

[RTDatx]

I would say Hutto. It's super safe, close to amenities in Round Rock and pflugerville. Also, people are raving over the new lots that Castle Rock is building on in Carol Meadows off Limmer Loop just east of FM 1660. No HOA. Just a thought