Might make the Houston to Austin move...help with housing! (Briar: houses, neighborhoods)

[hornpreneur]

So I am considering moving to Austin, as it would further my career. My wife is pregnant with our second child and we are both Houstonians, except for our undergrad at UT Austin.

If we make the move, the neighborhood has to be right. Currently we live in Briargrove in Houston which is close in and has a neighborhood feel. All the neighbors are great and I actually grew up less than a mile from my current house.

With the second child on the way, I think our needs are as follows....

1. Great neighborhood with families with children in similar age (0 and 18 months)
2. Close in-but not inner city (no suburbs)
3. Price range ($1MM-$2MM)
4. Size around 4500 sq ft or bigger
5. Driving time no longer than 20 mins to downtown

Things have changed since we both graduated and it is hard to get a good feel for neighborhoods in the city.

Places we prefer...
- Westlake
- Most of the stuff off 360 by the bridge
- Families with young children

Thanks in advance, and before I get chastised...I did search but couldn't find anything of use that is recent info.

Best!

[scm53]

Originally Posted by hornpreneur

1. Great neighborhood with families with children in similar age (0 and 18 months)
2. Close in-but not inner city (no suburbs)
3. Price range ($1MM-$2MM)
4. Size around 4500 sq ft or bigger
5. Driving time no longer than 20 mins to downtown

I'd love to hear from steve, but my thoughts are, something's gonna have to give. The problem is, the price point and size you want, in Austin, tends to not have many folks your kid's ages. If you find kids those ages, in houses at that price point, they are further out than 20 min (and is that at rush hour, or Sat for dinner?), like on the lake. The neighborhoods along 360 - like Davenport and Rob Roy - are aging. Some young move ins - mostly 45+ or older.

Know Briargrove well. Great neighborhood. I went to JH right by there on San Felipe. There isn't anything like that here.

[sxrckr]

I concur with the above -- can't really think of a comparable hood to Briargrove here. (I spent 3+ years on Houston's central-west side when my job was there)

Do you know your job location?

[hornpreneur]

I would be downtown.

It doesn't have to be just like Briargrove (all kids and families our age...30-40), but something that is family friendly.

What is West Lake Hills like?

[usernamenottaken]

Are school considerations in the mix? Public or Private?

[hornpreneur]

They are, prefer public but willing to do private if need be. That is why I am looking in the West Lake area, although this is pretty early in the process so I am not sure which districts are best.

[usernamenottaken]

Eanes ISD is supposed to be very good, so that may help your decision.

[hornpreneur]

Thanks! Anyone else have an thoughts? So, the narrow look is Eanes ISD with Rollingwood, West Lake Hills, and Rob Roy.

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by hornpreneur

So I am considering moving to Austin, as it would further my career. My wife is pregnant with our second child and we are both Houstonians, except for our undergrad at UT Austin.

If we make the move, the neighborhood has to be right. Currently we live in Briargrove in Houston which is close in and has a neighborhood feel. All the neighbors are great and I actually grew up less than a mile from my current house.

With the second child on the way, I think our needs are as follows....

1. Great neighborhood with families with children in similar age (0 and 18 months)
2. Close in-but not inner city (no suburbs)
3. Price range ($1MM-$2MM)
4. Size around 4500 sq ft or bigger
5. Driving time no longer than 20 mins to downtown

Things have changed since we both graduated and it is hard to get a good feel for neighborhoods in the city.

Places we prefer...
- Westlake
- Most of the stuff off 360 by the bridge
- Families with young children

Thanks in advance, and before I get chastised...I did search but couldn't find anything of use that is recent info.

Best!

For a family with one child, that house price range cracks me up! Why not save your money and buy something more practical. I doubt you would interact with anyone with a price range like that.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by hornpreneur

Thanks! Anyone else have an thoughts? So, the narrow look is Eanes ISD with Rollingwood, West Lake Hills, and Rob Roy.

You will find it very difficult to find families like yours in those neighborhoods. Sounds like you are sold on that area. If you come to house hunt, take a hard look just the at lot sizes and how far the houses are apart. Those neighborhoods make it very difficult to get to know your neighbors. That said, if I had to pick one, I'd pick Rollingwood - as much for the community pool as anything. Yes you can join if you don't live there - but the convenience is amazing. Also, sort of a community center.